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| Last updated on November 17, 2008 |
Westside Holistic Family Services is a non-profit, community based, human service, minority operated organization providing local residents with free or low-cost programs and services to enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional and educational well-being in order to empower them to a greater level of self-sufficiency and community cohesiveness.
Description:
Westside Holistic Family Services provides programs and services from its ‘one-stop-shop’ service center from four major divisions: COUNSELING SERVICES (Individual, family and group counseling; Parenting classes; ex-offender re-entry support), CHILD & YOUTH SERVICES(TeenReach After-school for educational and recreational activities for youth development and academic success; Foster Care Services for temporary to permanent placement of abused and/or neglected children), HEALTH EDUCATION & CASE MANAGEMENT(Family Case Mgmt (for pregnant women & infants thru 1st year of life); Teen Parent Services for high school re-entry and completion, GED classes, job and childcare resources; HIV Prevention & Education for street outreach,testing/notification, case management, counseling and referrral) and EDUCATIONAL SERVICES(Head Start two 1/2 day educational sessions for pre-school children age 3-5; Westside Alternative High School - a charter school with specialized services for those expelled or dropped out of public high school to obtain a diploma or GED certificate).
History:
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. Millicent Lindo, its founder, and the leadership at Keystone Baptist Church - to address the social and economic devastation in the community. Originally founded to provide GED, counseling and job placement services, the vision was to create a vehicle to provide hope and practical assistance through which residents could transform their lives and become self-sufficient, contributing members of their communities. 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 agreed 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 needs of residents and to complement agency programs. It was named the WESTSIDE HOLISTIC FAMILY SERVICE CENTER - A ‘ONE-STOP SHOP’. Today, Westside Holistic Family Services (WHFS) is accredited by the Council On Accreditation (COA), a member of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago and the National Child Welfare League of America. The ‘One-Stop-Shop’ service center is vital to the stability and well-being of Austin residents as a hub for interactive programs and social services, as well as for community news and networking resources.
WHFS tenant service providers include: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Hartgrove Hospital Outpatient Clinic, Austin Counseling Center, Park National Bank, City of Chicago WIC Services, Circle Family Care Health Clinic, Chicago Municipal Employees Credit Union, Rishi Pharmacy, Austin Dental Center, Crossroads OB/GYN Clinic, four private family practice physicians and an Illinois State Representative office.
The Austin Community remains the largest community population in Chicago and represents a significant link between the Downtown Area and the Western Suburbs; making the sustaining and revitalization of this community essential. So, the work is begun and will continue – as person by person, family by family - lives, relationships and communities are being rebuilt. Our motto and commitment remains: Strengthening the Family and Building the Community.
Contact people:
Office fax number: (773) 921-1045
Address:
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4909 West Division St., Suite 101-103
Chicago, IL 60651
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.whfschicago.org
Directions:
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Nearest Bus Stop: in front of building |
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