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"Miracle on Division Street"Westside Holistic Family Services (WHFS) was founded in 1978, following years of social unrest on Chicago’s West Side. As businesses and middle income families moved out, the neighborhood suffered. WHFS emerged from the vision of Dr. H. Millicent Lindo, its founder, and the leadership at Keystone Baptist Church - to address the social and economic devastation in the community. In 1990, following a series of hospital closings on the West Side, WHFS sought to keep health and human services viable in the Austin Community. Partnerships were formed with clergy, business, legislative leaders, healthcare entities, community activists and service organizations to acquire the professional building vacated by St. Anne’s Hospital. Many of these supporters were convinced to form a collaborative partnership as a Community Service Facility. This resulted in the provision of services, by qualified service providers from both the non-profit and private sectors, to address the complex issues of residents and to complement existing WHFS programs. It was named the WESTSIDE HOLISTIC FAMILY SERVICE CENTER - A ‘ONE-STOP SHOP’. We call it, “THE MIRACLE ON DIVISION STREET” Our List of ServicesEducational Services DivisionHead Start Program - Program provides half-day morning and afternoon classes of pre-school education for low-income children age 3 to 5 years old. The program delivers an approved and comprehensive social interaction curriculum, with instruction in personal hygiene, socialization, discipline, and organization to prepare for transition to kindergarten. Nutritious meals are provided. Parental involvement is required. Westside Alternative High School - provides an alternative academic curriculum to high school dropouts or those expelled from the traditional public school system. Approved and accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education, this program helps youth age 13 to 21 overcome social and emotional barriers to learning in order to receive their high school diploma, continue on to college and/or pursue a career. The school also offers a GED program and specialized counseling for behavioral problems. Child & Family Community Services DivisionClinical Therapeutic Counseling - provides program support for individual, group, marital, and family counseling services to help individuals manage the psycho-social adjustments related to difficult life issues. Casework counseling geared toward the stability of foster care placements is also provided. Family Case Management - is a statewide program designed to reduce infant mortality. The program assigns a case manager to pregnant women, mothers and their infants up to 1-year of age to help them access prenatal, well-child medical care and support services. The program offers child birthing classes, nutrition information, layettes and infant clothing, WIC services, transit cards, referrals to food, housing, clothing, school, jobs, childcare and counseling. Teen Parent Services - assists teenaged parents to get the education and support they need to better care for themselves and their young families. Participants are required to enroll and stay in high school to receive their academic diploma or GED. Case managers support each participant with a customized, step-by-step plan to learn new skills and receive job placement. The program also provides transit cards, covers job uniform costs, GED test fees, books and school supplies, while connecting families with child care and other basic needs resources. Teen Reach After-School Program - offers tutoring and homework assistance, cultural/educational field trips, life skills workshops and video presentations, recreational activities and community service activities for youth age 6 to 17 in the Austin and West Garfield communities. The program networks with schools, community agencies, and city resources to create a safe, nurturing, productive environment during after-school hours, also encouraging parental involvement. |
