Community-connected
Community CARE (Creating Access to Resources for Equity) is a group of programs offered through Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital that helps bridge health equity gaps and address social drivers of health. To honor the dignity of all, we build connections that expand the reach and definition of healthcare — addressing food insecurity, providing health education, promoting mental health, supporting survivors of violence and more.
We are guided by our five strategic pillars:
We help coordinate medical care and improve access to care.
We provide medical home navigation and help increase health insurance enrollment.
We offer community education to improve health literacy.
We address social factors influencing health.
We foster a culture of wellness and belonging.
Our programs and services
We improve community health and wellbeing by building inclusive connections that help everyone access the care and support they need through our programs.
Pathways
Pathways serves our patients and staff impacted by gender-based violence, such as domestic violence, human trafficking and sexual assault. All of our services are free and confidential.
Services include:
- Bedside crisis intervention, safety planning and options counseling
- Advocacy and case management after discharge
- Trauma therapy
- Support groups
- Connections to trauma-informed providers
- Professional trainings and awareness raising initiatives
- Emergency treatment and forensic services after sexual assault
For more information or referrals, email pathways [at] schosp.org (pathways[at]schosp[dot]org). Call the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7 to speak with an advocate at (877) 863-6338.
Healthcare settings are often one of the few places where survivors can safely speak with a professional in private. However, this opportunity to disclose abuse is only possible when a trusting relationship is built — something that requires providers to be trained in recognizing red flags and subtle signs of abuse.
Healthcare providers and staff are uniquely positioned to address interpersonal violence because they:
- See a high volume of diverse patients
- Have access to sensitive personal information
- Can meet with patients one-on-one
- Are able to document and collect forensic evidence
The Pathways Program was developed to strengthen the hospital’s ability to identify and assist survivors of interpersonal violence.
Through Pathways, our providers and allied professionals are equipped with the training to:
- Identify patients and staff impacted by domestic violence, human trafficking and sexual assault
- Screen for abuse, assess immediate needs, offer safety planning, provide comfort care kits and educational resources
- Connect patients to community partners for emergency shelter, legal advocacy, counseling and safe transportation
- Respond with culturally competent and trauma-informed care, support and referrals through an extensive network of community-based partner organizations
- Prevent these forms of violence through education, training, awareness and advocacy
Launched in March 2025, the Trauma-Informed Primary Care Clinic offers compassionate, specialized care for patients affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking and the intersection of intimate partner violence (IPV) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Pathways' approach to care is rooted in trauma-informed principles — prioritizing safety, trust, transparency, self-determination and empowerment. Referrals are accepted from Endeavor Health providers and community-based victim service organizations.
Key features
- Trauma-informed care for survivors of IPV, TBI, domestic and sexual violence, and human trafficking
- Follow-up care for patients recently treated in emergency settings
- Staff trained in gender-based violence response
- Onsite advocacy and integrated support
- Healing, patient-centered environment
- Services for both adults and minors
- Care guided by the neurobiology of trauma
Funded and developed in partnership with IDHS and the Swedish Hospital Foundation, the clinic is staffed by a trained team including an advanced practice provider, medical assistant and an onsite advocate. The clinic provides comprehensive services such as family medicine for adults and minors, pelvic and sexual health care, and follow-up for survivors of physical or sexual violence. It also offers targeted care for patients at risk of TBI from head trauma or strangulation due to IPV.
For more information or to make a referral, email pathways [at] schosp.org (pathways[at]schosp[dot]org).
Community Behavioral Health provides a variety of mental health services to individuals who typically face barriers to care, like those who are uninsured or underinsured. Our goals are to decrease stigmas around mental health, increase access to group and individual mental health services, and offer training for providers and community members.
We offer trauma-informed, culturally-sensitive behavioral health services including:
- Individual and group therapy
- Counseling offered in Spanish
- Free support groups
- Psychoeducational workshops
- Provider trainings
Community Nutrition
The Community Nutrition programs help to address food insecurity and nutrition health literacy. By increasing access to nutritious food and evidence-based nutrition education, we empower our communities to achieve optimal health.
Food Connections is a community-based nutrition program that helps strengthen Swedish Hospital’s ability to address food insecurity and remove food access as a barrier to health.
Through Food Connections, we aim to:
- Identify patients living in food insecure households
- Increase awareness of and connection to food access resources, such as local pantries and other community-based organizations
- Create sustainable and impactful hospital-based initiatives to address food insecurity and promote healthy eating for our patients, staff and community
What we offer through Food Connections
The Cupboard
The Cupboards are no-questions-asked food pantries in the Galter Medical Pavilion lobby and in Employee Health.
The pantries run on a “take what you need, give what you can” system. The Cupboards are stocked with food and personal hygiene products via donations from community partners, employees at Swedish Hospital and community members.
The Farm at Swedish Hospital
The Farm at Swedish Hospital is a u-pick garden for hospital employees and a living classroom for community nutrition classes. After completing training on how to use the Farm, hospital employees are able to access the garden space 24/7 to harvest fresh produce, enjoy a wellness break outside or help to take care of the Farm. The Farm also hosts nutrition classes for employees and community members.
Veggies for Health
Veggies for Health is an eight-week nutrition class for individuals experiencing food insecurity and nutrition-related diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease. At the conclusion of each class, participants are given a free bag of local produce from Topbox Foods.
The class concludes with a field trip to the Friendship Center, where patients receive a tour of our local food pantry and are registered to receive monthly groceries from the Friendship Center.
Food Package at Discharge Program
Our Food Package at Discharge/Health and Hope Program provides non-perishable groceries for patients being discharged from the hospital who experience food insecurity.
We recognize that eating balanced, nutritious meals is important for recovery and overall health – but not all patients have access to the healthy food they need to heal from home. That’s why we partner with Nourishing Hope to provide a bag of non-perishable groceries upon hospital discharge for our patients experiencing food insecurity. In addition to receiving a bag of food, patients are connected to local organizations who can further assist with their long-term food access needs and help patients receive public benefits.
Our Community Outreach Registered Dietitians offer free nutrition classes focused on preventing chronic illness for local community members.
Classes offered through CORD
Community Wellness Center Classes
Our Community Outreach Registered Dietitians lead free nutrition classes in the Swedish Hospital Community Wellness Center located in Galter Life Center, 5157 N Francisco Ave.
These classes focus on reducing health disparities, promoting health equity, preventing or managing chronic illnesses and increasing health literacy. Classes include the EAT Series, Community Flavors, Living with Diabetes and the Diabetes Prevention Program.
Nutrition Classes in the Community
CORD in the Community brings nutrition classes to local community-based organizations, such as food pantries, schools and farmer’s markets. Classes can be taught as a one-off topic, series or regular monthly partnerships.
Interested in bringing our dietitians to your event or organization? Email foodconnections [at] schosp.org (foodconnections[at]schosp[dot]org).
Donate
To donate non-perishable groceries and/or personal hygiene products, drop items in the donation bin in the Galter Medical Pavilion next to The Cupboard. For large donations, email foodconnections [at] schosp.org (foodconnections[at]schosp[dot]org) or call (773) 878-8200, ext. 2241.
Interested in donating to Swedish Hospital Foundation? Learn more
Volunteer
To learn about volunteer opportunities through Food Connections, email foodconnections [at] schosp.org or call (773) 878-8200, ext. 2241.
Healthcare Transformation Collaborative
Swedish Hospital leads the Chicago North Side Healthcare Transformation Collaborative, helping expand access to specialty care within the Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) that the community knows and trusts. Through collaboration with FQHCs, we aim to eliminate barriers to specialty care and address social drivers of health for under-resourced communities.
To make an appointment with one of our specialists, email patientnavigation [at] schosp.org (patientnavigation[at]schosp[dot]org) or call (773) 293-4362.
Swedish Hospital was awarded by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services as a promising model for “person-centered, integrated, equitable and dramatic change in the delivery of healthcare at the community level.”
Through our program, patients benefit from:
- Accessible specialty care at FQHCs
- Shorter wait times for appointments
- Free access to case management for assistance with financial resources, food access, housing question, transportation barriers and safety planning
- Wrap around services
- Improved health outcomes for diabetes, heart disease and other chronic and acute illnesses
The Healthcare Transformation Collaborative also helps decrease emergency room visits, hospitalizations and readmissions.
The Healthcare Transformation Collaborative connects eligible patients with the specialty care they need.
To be eligible to receive specialty care through this program, patients must be:
- Patients of our referring FQHCs
- Swedish Hospital patients without a PCP with any of the following:
- Medicaid
- No insurance
- Private insurance with the inability to pay out of pocket costs
Community outreach
At Swedish Hospital, our community outreach team builds strong partnerships with local organizations to identify and address hyperlocal health needs by fostering trust and collaboration — not only between the hospital and community partners, but also among the organizations themselves. We help create more coordinated, effective solutions that improve community health and wellbeing.
We aim to improve the health outcomes of our community by increasing:
- Access and distribution of health literacy information
- Coordinated connections among partners, community organizations and hospital resources
- Equity of access to hospital services
- Engagement in community coalitions that address social drivers of health
- Utilization of Swedish Hospital Community CARE programs
Our mission is to strengthen community partnerships that address social drivers of health, improve access to care, increase health literacy and reduce health disparities in Chicago. By strengthening these partnerships and delivering accessible care to the community, we hope to improve the lives of every member we serve.
We prioritize support for those facing language barriers, food and housing insecurity, chronic disease and cardiovascular concerns, behavioral health challenges and women’s health needs. Our vision is to be a trusted, accessible health resource and a pillar of support by those who live, work and play in the Swedish Hospital service area.
To support the health and wellbeing of our communities, and build trust with the members we serve, we:
- Build relationships: Partner with local organizations and residents to establish trust and collaboration
- Develop programs: Create sustainable, community-based initiatives led by community voice
- Coordinate connections: Link community members with resources, health services, workshops, events and volunteer support
- Promote engagement: Encourage hospital staff and leadership to participate in community outreach
- Uplift community needs: Serve as a conduit between community voices and hospital/city leadership
- Identify resources: Connect internal hospital departments and external partners to support identified health needs
Interested in partnering with us or having our team attend a community event? Email communityCARE [at] schosp.org (communityCARE[at]schosp[dot]org).
Would you like to volunteer?
View volunteer opportunities
The Northside Refugee & Asylum Seeker Coalition — led by Swedish Hospital team members — supports the health and wellbeing of people seeking refuge in our community. We offer resources in multiple languages so everyone can get the care they deserve. To request a pamphlet in another language, email communityCARE [at] schosp.org (communityCARE[at]schosp[dot]org).
Through the Community Wellness Center at Swedish Hospital, we provide a wide range of classes and events — from support for pregnancy and parenting, to free classes and events across nutrition, grief support, senior wellness and more.
Our impact in 2024
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5,265
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