Programs of Westside Health Authority
Community. Working. Achieving. Learning. Playing. Together.
The most important component of our work is relationship-building among neighbors. Relationships build the capacity of neighbors to be more effective as civic leaders, parents, students, or providers of other services. WHA seeks to dispel the myth that scientific data defines a community. We believe the community’s strength lies in using the capacity of people who are often discarded as victims, and empowering those clients who need help. Our major challenge is finding ways to utilize the gifts and capacity of the discarded, discounted person. This requires building trust among neighbors. We need to find ways to encourage each other as we try on the new role of gift-giver rather than client.
By identifying neighborhood assets and developing trusting relationships, WHA is able to mobilize residents to carry out a community vision in the areas of youth development, health promotions, community development, prisoner re-entry, employment, technology, violence prevention, and economic development. The foundation of our organization is community people. Ninety percent of our staff members come from the community and several neighborhood volunteers can be found working in some capacity each week.
Click below to discover more about the WHA Programs and availability.
Economic Development |
In Austin, signs of economic renewal are everywhere. A significant development was the construction of the Austin Wellness Center, a $7.9 million healthcare facility developed by WHA, which was built by a majority of African American contractors from Austin. Click here to learn more |
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Every Block a Village |
Initiated in 1995, Every Block A Village is the cornerstone around which WHA develops its work. Based on the concept “it takes a village to raise a child,” this initiative focuses on capacity-building among neighbors on a block-by-block basis, and promoting positive values for youth. Click here to learn more |
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Prisoner Re-entry Services |
In 2004, nearly 4,000 ex-offenders released from Illinois correctional facilities returned to the Austin community. Upon returning, they faced many challenges: re-connecting with families, housing, employment, and, equally important, rebuilding their self-esteem and confidence. Click here to learn more |
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Community Technology Center |
WHA’s Technology Center provides classes in Introduction to Computers, Microsoft Office Suites, Microsoft Word, Web Design, and Network Training and Certification. The Center has 16 workstations and serves community residents, business owners and youth. Click here to learn more |
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Youth Development |
One of the most vital needs in
today's society is positive social and recreational resources for our youth. WHA’s Youth programs include tutoring, field trips, martial arts, dance, drama, academic enrichment, and often, a shoulder to lean on. Click here to learn more |
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Employment Center |
WHA’s approach to employment services often goes far beyond simple job placement. As a neighborhood-based employment center, building community relationships and employer trust is a key component to the success of the program. Click here to learn more |
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Health Promotions |
Throughout its history, WHA has sought to improve the social, environmental and physical health of the Austin community and its residents. WHA’s Health Promotions Department consists of four initiatives that use innovative techniques. Click here to learn more |
Additional Programs
| Weed and Seed— |
Community and law enforcement working together
Since 2003, Austin’s Weed and Seed initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, has been revitalized under WHA’s fiscal management. Weed and Seed’s goal is to combine community-based and law enforcement efforts to “weed” negative behavior from Austin, and “seed” positive programs, events and activities for adults and children. In 2005, the initiative supported several violence prevention community projects including Mad Dads, the Peace Corner Youth Center, Servants of the Word, the Vikings Little League football team and South Austin Coalition. Through these programs, over five hundred community youth have received recreational and/or educational services.
In August, 2005, through the Weed and Seed initiative, 120 community youth attended “Kids America,” a summer camp for urban youth. The most recent program, called STAY (School Truancy Abatement for Youth), provides supportive services to reduce truancy at Douglass Elementary School. Austin’s Weed and Seed initiative is the only community-based program funded through the Department of Justice. |
| KidStart Region 3 YouthNet – |
Providing services for youth development
WHA continues to play a vital role in providing youth services, information and resources through KidStart Region 3 YouthNet in the following communities: Austin, Garfield, Lawndale and the Near West. The program’s primary goal is to provide resources, coordinate programming and identify service gaps and duplication for young people ages 6-18. Region 3 YouthNet works with neighborhood organizations, schools, parks, CAPS, After School Matters, parents, stakeholders and other city programs to ensure that a full range of youth development opportunities are available. Region 3 YouthNet is one of six KidStart YouthNets offered through the Chicago Department of Children and Youth Services. |
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