Northwestern University's student-run Community Health Corps works to disseminate health information and equip people with life-saving skills on campus and in the Evanston community.
Founded in 2014 as Hircules Health Club, the group supports access to health information for students and community members through two major initiatives: Community Health Hubs and Red Cross Training Corps.
The organization's on-campus campaign includes a collection of QR codes, flyers and pamphlets to promote health literacy, many spread across the walls of the main library building.
CHC co-director Josh Jericha said the student body is also partnering with several local organizations to improve access to health-related resources..
“You can have the biggest impact when it's local,” Jelisha said.
CHC operates a desk at the Robert Crown Community Center in Evanston and provides visitors with informational printed materials and online resources such as infographics and children's activities. Student volunteers also take turns speaking with patrons and answering questions.
CHC co-director and Weinberg senior Sophia Huang said the group's resources span a wide age range.
“Robert Crown has a lot of kids who come and enjoy the kids’ activities,” Huang said. “It's really fun to see the kids excited about what we have.”
CHC shares similar resources with children and families at Evanston Public Library, Evanston Township High School, and Lincolnwood Public Library.
CHC student volunteers create monthly email newsletters on relevant health-related issues and share them with both NU students and surrounding community members. Articles cover newsworthy topics such as energy drinks, seasonal affective disorder, and Ozempic.
Jelisha, who wrote feature articles for the newsletter for two years, said the project targets health topics of interest to students.
“I really enjoy writing articles that are both engaging and tackle difficult issues,” says Jelisha.
The group said it promotes knowledge of emergency skills through the Red Cross Training Corps. This program teaches students how to teach her CPR, AED, and First Aid certification courses at no cost to participants.
The Red Cross Training Corps has certified more than 120 Evanston residents across four school districts, said Robin Kim, a Weinberg senior and former Red Cross Training Corps coordinator.
“Learning these skills not only takes time, but it's also expensive,” Jelisha says. “So by reducing those barriers, we were able to promote equity.”
Red Cross Training Corps student instructors recently partnered with local organizations such as the Norris Mini Course, Black Women of Evanston, and the Evanston YWCA to earn certification in life-saving response skills.
“It may be a cliché, but an ounce of prevention goes a long way,” Jelisha says.
By expanding local partnerships, Jericha said the group is “giving people the skills to empower them to make a difference in their own communities.”
This spring, CHC will host a Health Professions Day for students and continue its Red Cross certification course.
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— Local government officials share information about local health resources
