Ange Uwimana, a University of Illinois at Chicago medical student, proposes to expand the DASH of Soul Food Project, Round 3 aimed at improving hypertension. Ange will incorporate the Mediterranean-based green vegetable recipes. These recipes will provide simple and healthier nutritional needs for women to improve health outcomes. Another aim of this project is to teach women how they can grow green vegetables locally to increase access and lower the cost. This project takes place at Deborah’s Place, a supportive housing program for women facing chronic homelessness in East Garfield Park and Old Town. The activities will include educational sessions about anti-hypertensive recipes, making cooking demonstrations, recording cooking videos for later use, writing a cookbook, and gardening. Ange hopes to raise $1500 for making cooking demonstrations and teaching gardening skills, and $1000 for printing the cookbook and making cooking videos, which will be distributed to the community.

The Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellowship is a year-long service learning program for graduate students in health-related professions who will design and implement innovative direct service projects aimed at improving the health and well-being of underserved Chicago area communities. Through their community projects and participation in a year-long program that includes mentoring support, monthly meetings, written reflection, and interprofessional collaboration, Schweitzer Fellows are developing the skills and confidence needed to become Leaders in Service—professionals who will remain dedicated to public service and to creating change.

Each of the Fellows has created a "wish list" of supplies and resources that will help them realize their service project goals. Please consider supporting a specific Fellow's project or click here to donate to the general Schweitzer project fund. 

The Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellowship is a program of Health & Medicine Policy Research Group. Your Fellows Fest donation will appear on your credit card statement at "Health & Medicine."