Our Priorities
Strengthen the Health Workforce
We work to make community health workers a permanent and valued part of the health workforce.
A Vital Thread In the Health Workforce Fabric
Using their unique expertise and lived experiences, community health workers (CHWs) help improve the health of people and communities across Chicagoland.
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CHWs are public health workers who share similar experiences and identities with the communities they serve.
This uniquely equips CHWs to address barriers to care, educate people on how to stay healthy, strengthen communities, and advocate for fairer systems.
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The presence of and investment in CHWs leads to:
Increased access and use of healthcare and social services, improved quality of care and communication between providers and patients. Pathways for economic mobility in communities that have experienced divestment. Long-term cost-effectiveness by improving social, environmental, and political factors that influence health.
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CHWs improve relationships and health outcomes with support that is personal, culturally relevant, affirming, and easy to understand.
Our Approach
Michael Reese is working to make community health workers (CHWs) a key part of the health workforce by:
Expanding programs: Supporting CHWs who reflect the communities they serve and using them in new ways to meet community needs.
Improving systems: Helping organizations strengthen policies and practices to better include CHWs.
Supporting fair pay: Promoting good wages, career growth, and sustainability for CHWs.
Featured Work
Retaining CHWs to Enhance Home Visiting Program
Saint Anthony’s Community Health Workers (CHW) program is the “tip of the spear” for its healthcare access efforts centered on chronic illness care, pediatric mental health services, and connecting residents to diverse services. CHWs are hired locally, with at least 80% speaking a language other than English. Investments from Michael Reese have supported the CHW program’s efforts to retain its culturally-competent workforce and to engage them in Saint Anthony’s Home Visiting Program. Over the grant period, this has resulted in 74 Home Visiting care team visits, nearly 500 chronic disease management sessions, and over 1,200 screenings provided.
Building Capacity of Chicagoland CHWs
Illinois Unidos and Enlace Chicago collaborated to provide a groundbreaking, six-day, culturally responsive Community Health Worker (CHW) training to over 35 Latinx, Spanish-speaking CHWs serving Chicagoland in November 2024. The training was led by Visión y Compromiso, a nationally recognized California-based nonprofit with over 20 years of experience in workforce development, leadership, and grassroots advocacy for CHWs. Visión y Compromiso has established the largest Network of Promotoras and CHWs and are now building their presence in Illinois.
Let's Connect
Questions? Reach out at hello@wearemichaelreese.org