Hannah Carey, a medical student at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, is working with Rush University Medical Center’s Social Work and Community Health Department to increase outreach in Chicago’s west side and nearby suburbs. Specifically, Hannah proposes to increase community referrals to Rush University Medical Center’s online six-week evidence-based group workshops for chronic disease self-management for low-income older adults, as well as participation in the free Friendly Callers program for socially isolated adults.

Hannah is seeking $2,500 to purchase $20 to $40 Jewel-Osco gift cards to be given to participants after successful completion of a six-week workshop. Hannah estimates approximately 100 new participants over this next year will qualify for receipt of a gift card. If enough funding is received, Hannah hopes to also offer $10 gift cards for adults who sign up for the Friendly Callers program and complete their first phone call with a volunteer. The total budget is approximately $3,000.

Each year family, friends, and the community come together to support Schweitzer Fellows as they begin to implement innovative public service projects in Chicago’s most vulnerable communities. Our 2020-21 Fellows have created online “wish lists” of supplies and resources that will help them realize their service project goals.