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Primary Care Services North Chicago Photography Contest - Koppit
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Photography Contest at North Chicago Clinic
The Community Health Center movement in the United States started as a grassroots movement which looked at not only the medical needs of the client, but also the factors in their community that also played a factor in their overall health. For the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center (LCHDCHC) , the managers at each of the five Health Center locations are keenly aware of the challenges that each of their communities face and what resources they have available to them. Meryl Fury, who joined the LCHDCHC last year as the Clinic Coordinator for the North Chicago Health Center has taken particular interest in the North Chicago community and has been closely involved in working in conjunction with community leaders to address issues that may influence the health status of our patients, particular the children.
Ms. Fury, as part of her studies for a Master’s in Nursing, conducted a community assessment study on North Chicago. She worked closely with the schools and opened up lines of communication to develop additional relationships with community officials, leaders, educators, and police. As part of their discussions, the idea of having a photography contest as a way to address some of the concerns of the community was created. The goal was for children, through the lens of the camera, to be able to see the beauty in every person no matter what color, age or abilities they have. It was also anticipated that through the pictures of children, we all would see the beauty of diversity in our communities. In partnership with the Greenbelt Cultural Center and the North Chicago Park District, and with the assistance of the school principals, children were given cameras and sent out in the community to take pictures and bring them back. Pictures were displayed at the Greenbelt Cultural Center, with the grand prize winner receiving two passes to Great America. The winning pictures will have their final home at the North Chicago Health Center, where clients will be able to share in the vision. Comments regarding the event were that it was overwhelmingly successful and they plan to have a similar event again next year.
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