Hull House, ARAMARK Building Community introduce Community Health Engagement initiative

Sep 18 2010

Serving communities throughout Chicago, Jane Addams Hull House Association (Hull House) is one of the oldest and largest social service agencies in the area serving over 60,000 individuals and families in 42 locations. As an organization serving people and communities impacted by poverty, domestic violence, homelessness, joblessness and other challenges, their clients are also impacted by the health crisis of obesity.

“Private charities as well as contributions to public purposes in proportion to everyone's circumstances are certainly among the duties we owe to society.”

Hull House has collaborated with ARAMARK Building Community to leverage and extend the effectiveness of many of its programs. ARAMARK employee volunteers from across Chicago work with Hull House to impact its efforts in job readiness; health and wellness through health fairs, cooking demonstrations and nutrition education; and participation in center enhancement projects that create safe, supportive environments where individuals and families can learn and thrive.

The launch of the ARAMARK Building Community Health Engagement initiative marks the next phase in this successful partnership. The Initiative includes a yearlong series of monthly workshops for Hull House clientele at three program locations. Workshops will address issues such as Eating Healthy on a Budget; Healthy Choices/Healthy Kids; Breakfast Basics; and Healthy Weight Loss, among other topics.

"Our partnership with ARAMARK has enabled Hull House to respond to the ever-increasing needs of the communities we serve," said Clarence Wood, president and CEO of Jane Addams Hull House Association. "The recession has meant that we've had to accomplish more with less. Our ongoing partnership has allowed us to not only fill program or service gaps, but to actually create new opportunities. The Community Health Engagement initiative is an example of that."

The Family Fun & Health Fair on Sept. 17 is co-sponsored with ARAMARK and Provident Hospital clinicians providing wellness tips, screenings and strategies to help Hull House clients and the greater community lead healthy lifestyles. Wellness programs and health services include:

• The ARAMARK Building Community Eat Smart Zone, where company expert dietitians and culinary professionals will offer one-on-one diet makeovers, healthy cooking demonstrations and nutritious food samples. The Eat Smart Zone will feature nutrition education sessions with registered ARAMARK dietician (and Chicago resident) Krista Wennerstrom, who leads the health and wellness education programs through ARAMARK's partnership with Hull House in Chicago. Krista was awarded the 2010 Jefferson Award for Public Service Gold Medal by the American Institute for Public Service for her extensive volunteerism personally and with ARAMARK.
• Health exams and screening by Provident Hospital staff who will offer back-to-school physicals and immunizations that will allow over 100 students to stay in school this fall; and blood pressure and diabetes screenings for adults; and
• Referral to primary care physicians who can follow up on any health issues identified in free on-site adult wellness evaluations and screenings.

"Hull House is an amazing organization committed to filling so many critical community needs," said Krista Wennerstrom, ARAMARK Food Service Director and registered dietician at Thorek Memorial Hospital. "They view health and wellness issues as an integral part of their overall mission to help people thrive. The launch of the ARAMARK Building Community Health Engagement initiative is proof of the depth of our mutual commitment."

Since 2008, Hull House has partnered with ARAMARK to deliver programs that educate families about the relationship between diet and health and to encourage lifestyle changes among its clients. ARAMARK sponsored initiatives are delivered through many of the existing programs offered at Hull House such as child welfare, education and family services, job training, senior services and housing assistance.

The mission of ARAMARK Building Community is to extend the important work of local community partners by supporting their efforts to provide solutions to help families succeed and achieve. This partnership with Hull House is part of a 40-city ARAMARK Building Community tour engaging thousands of employees in the U.S. and around the world in supporting local neighborhood centers and strengthening communities.

SOURCE Jane Addams Hull House Association