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Construction Begins on Elev8 Health Centers
Friday, February 27, 2009
Construction is underway on the new health center at Reavis Elementary.
While other aspects of LISC’s Elev8 program, formerly known as Integrated Services in Schools, have been in place since the summer, the most visible transformation of the five participating schools began this fall with the construction of the school-based health centers.
The health centers, operated by community-based health partners, will provide health services to middle school students and their families. Construction began on Perspectives Calumet Campus (partnered with ACCESS Community Health) in Auburn Gresham in November, Reavis Elementary (Near North Health Service) in Kenwood and Marquette (ACCESS) in Chicago Lawn in December, and Ames (PrimeCare) in Logan Square and Orozco (Alivio Medical Center) in Pilsen in January. All schools will be completed in March or April of 2009.
Elev8 health programming has already begun.
Near North Health Service’s Executive Director Berneice Mills-Thomas says the impact of the health centers will be far-reaching. “Having a health partner work so closely with the school will ultimately result in reduced sick time for students and a lower dropout rate.” Mills-Thomas said. “We’re excited to start from the very beginning and work with teachers, administrators, parents, community groups and government leaders to plan this project from the ground up.”
Elev8, launched in early 2008 with support from the Atlantic Philanthropies, the Polk Bros. Foundation, The Chicago Community Trust, Chicago Public Schools, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the City of Chicago and the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation, takes a comprehensive approach to transforming the lives of middle school students and their families by supporting every aspect of their lives. In addition to the health centers, Elev8 provides extended-day learning programs, mentoring programs and assistance in accessing income supports.