Community Connections

Healthy Community Commission

In January 2008, the Silver Cross Hospital Board of Trustees and local community leaders launched a new not-for-profit organization called the Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission.  The Commission is chaired by retired Will County Board Member, Margie Woods, and has 16 members that represent the interests of constituencies on Joliet’s east side. The Commission, which received 501(c)3 status in the fall of 2008, is committed to creating a stronger, healthier future for the neighborhood which has suffered from lack of economic development over the past decades.

A commission of this nature is unprecedented in Will County.  It was launched in response to the community’s concern about the Hospital’s relocation.  The scope has been expanded beyond campus redevelopment to work force initiatives, job training, scholarships and healthcare access.  It provides an extraordinary opportunity for the community to provide feedback, advice and direction to Silver Cross Hospital. Realizing that social and economic well being are often factors impacting an individuals’ health, the Commission will seek to address a multitude issues to improve the quality of life on the east side of Joliet It is the first time a hospital in this community has expanded its charitable mission so broadly and included key stakeholders in decision-making. The work of the Commission is focused on:

• development of scholarship programs related to healthcare and construction jobs for residents living in zip codes 60432, 60433,60436 and Fairmount Grade School District #89.
• training scholarships for certified nurse assistants
• identification of gaps in workforce development programs and provision of grants to existing and/or new organizations
• coordination of healthcare services throughout the community
• long range planning for urgent care and primary care needs in the community
• identification of  opportunities for economic development on the Silver Cross campus

In 2010, the Commission awarded over $165,000 in educational healthcare-related scholarships, workforce development grants and quality of life initiatives to over 40 individuals associated with several organizations:

• Joliet Community Action Network Male Mentoring Program
• NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)
• National Hook-up For Black Women
• Delta Sigma Theta and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sororities
• Harvey Brooks Foundation
• 1^st Hispanic Latino Scholarship
• Hispanic/Latino Coalition of Will and Grundy Counties.
• Community Service Council

*These scholarship students are attending the following colleges:

• Columbia University
• Florida A & M University - Columbia
• Governor’s State University
• Illinois State University
• Joliet Junior College
• Purdue University
• Southern Illinois University
• University of Illinois
• University of Missouri
• University of St. Francis
• Western Illinois University

These funds are in addition to the financial resources the hospital currently provides for charity care and other community benefit activities.