The Critical Health Network (CHN) was developed in response to the disproportionately high infection and mortality rates of COVID-19 among Latinx and African American communities. The CHN is a collaboration between the Alternative Schools Network and community partners Youth Health Service Corps and Healthy Hood. The goal of the program is to combat COVID-19 infection and mortality rates in South and West Side Chicago communities through coordinated COVID-19 testing, health care support, contactless delivery of grocery and PPE kits, access to emergency support for rent, utilities and support for personal hygiene products. Program services are administered by youth living in the communities that they serve, providing an opportunity expand their work-related skills and gain a fuller understanding of health and healthcare careers. These Youth Leaders have reached thousands of families and will continue to serve those families in terms of their medical and social support needs.
A grassroots response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a critical lifeline to some of Chicago's most marginalized black and brown communities (Pilsen, Hermosa, Little Village, Auburn Gresham, Englewood, and Back of the Yards.) In 2020, the members of the Critical Health has provided over 17,000 families, 91,000+ people with free: