The Salaam Community Wellness Center (SCWC) evolved in response to the health and healthcare disparities that have long plagued Black and Brown communities in Chicago. The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on people of color only heightened this awareness. At one point, Chicago’s South Side had the highest number of COVID-19 infections and deaths in the state of Illinois.
Our dedicated team came together with a shared commitment to address some of these longstanding disparities using a new approach. Since April 2020 we have made tremendous strides towards our goal of establishing a unique, innovative, integrative, holistic model of health and wellness in the Woodlawn neighborhood on the Chicago’s South Side. We focus our attention on addressing four critical areas of need: culturally-responsive primary care, addiction treatment, mental health, and nutrition.
The Salaam Community Wellness Center (SCWC) provides an integrative, culturally-responsive model of primary care to all patients. Primary care is the first point of entry for most patients seeking healthcare services. It is the primary care assessment that begins the process of helping to identify the patient’s health, healthcare and social service needs. This helps providers to guide the patient through the process of treatment and prevention towards health and wellness.
As human beings we consist of the elements of the earth. When these elements do not align and work in concert, we call this condition a “dis-ease”. This manifests in many ways. In some it results in them seeking foreign substances to numb a physical or mental pain. For others they may seek to use these substances to fill the void of loneliness or cope with trauma. Salaam Community Wellness Center’s model utilizes western and non-western modalities to address addictions.
Depression, anxiety and post-traumatic symptoms are all too often the “norm” in many communities of color. Unresolved issues and behaviors that arise result in dysfunctional relationships, family discord, violence, poor work and school performance. Failure to address these issues results in the inability to reach one’s life potential.
Salaam Community Wellness Center’s integrative approach includes individual, family and group therapy. Modalities such as deep-breathing, meditation, yoga, Reiki and sound/music therapy are utilized to help the self-healing process.
“Soil” is the source of our physical being. Without its nutrients we cannot gain and maintain our health. Food deserts and lack of access to affordable healthy foods in many communities rob its members of the very essential building blocks for health.
Our nutrition program incorporates and integrates nutrition counseling and our organic “Paradise Garden” to promote the “Food as Medicine” concept. This approach educates individuals on how to use food as a way of preventing and managing chronic illnesses and diseases.
This year we are partnering with Entrepreneurs Academy to establish a gardening program which will help community members to learn how to plant and grow herbs which can be used for medicinal and nutritional purposes. Another goal of the program is to introduce residents to skills that can translate into entrepreneurial ideas for the creation of business and employment opportunities.
Our future plan is to utilize the garden as a “therapeutic center”. This “holistic healing space” will be utilized to conduct mindfulness activities such as deep breathing and meditation, yoga, tai chi, and chi gong.
Health and wellness are a combination of our state of being physically, mentally and socially healthy and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We recognize that many of us need help from time to time to achieve health and wellness. Far too often many of the health problems we experience are because of social determinants. Examples include poor housing, poor education, lack of access to healthy foods, and lack of “living wage” employment.
Salaam Community Wellness Center is partnering with other organizations serving the South Side of Chicago in establishing its “Peace of Mind Health and Wellness” Pop-up. This monthly program will rotate throughout the Woodlawn neighborhood. Mental and physical health screenings will be provided along with case and care management services. Residents will have access to “rapid response” care for immediate access to physical, mental, substance abuse treatment and social services.
Non-western therapeutic sessions will be conducted including deep breathing, meditation, yoga, massage therapy, sound and music therapy. Attendees will have access to resource and service providers on-site including assistance with obtaining medications, referrals to specialists or housing referrals.
An important offering of this program will be our “Essential Bag” give-aways. These bags will contain items that are not covered by social benefit programs but are essential such as personal care items. All of these are critical to helping individuals and their families in improving their health and achieving wellness.
Currently we are accepting most insurance plans. We have also provide affordable self-pay options.
Initial Exam – $50.00
Three-Service Plan – $120.00 (pre-pay). This plan allows you to receive an initial exam and 2 additional visits. Additional visits may include individual or group sessions.
Laboratory services are additional.
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To help support SCWC and our efforts, please consider making a zakat-eligible donation to SCWC today. Our efforts are fuelled by the support, love and prayers of veloved community members such as yourself.
