Staff Members Build Hygiene Kits for Youth and Families Facing Housing Insecurity
It takes a lot of hands to build more than 600 hygiene kits that include shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair combs, deodorant and more for youth and families facing housing insecurity.
That’s why the Northwestern Medicine Champion Network Latinx Chapter and staff volunteers teamed up with the Chicago 19th District Police Station, the Inn of Chicago and La Casa Norte, a community center in Humbolt Park, to get it done.
Making an immediate impact on communities
In December 2023, the chapter held its first event in partnership with the 19th District Police Station and the Inn of Chicago in direct response to the rapid arrival of people from Latin American countries to Chicago.
“Migrants often face challenging conditions while facing long periods of uncertainty, including limited access to clean water, sanitation facilities and basic hygiene products,” says Anna Galindo-Gutknecht, a Northwestern Medicine financial analyst and co-vice chair of the Latinx Chapter. “Our chapter saw a need and took immediate action to organize. We wanted to send a message that their needs and well-being matter.”
A key focus of the Northwestern Medicine Champion Network is community service, which brings people together around a shared purpose. Galindo-Gutknecht says following these events, the hope is chapter members and volunteers feel empowered knowing they’ve made a tangible difference in someone’s life, which can be deeply fulfilling.
“Organizational resources and volunteer participation not only aid in the physical assembly of the kits but also reinforce Northwestern Medicine’s commitment to community service,” says Galindo-Gutknecht. “We hope members and volunteers may be inspired to volunteer more, support related causes and educate others about the importance of helping others.”
The power of community partnerships
Following the success of the first hygiene kit-building event, the Northwestern Medicine Champion Network Latinx Chapter decided to hold another volunteer opportunity to continue reaching people in need.
So in September 2024, the chapter and staff volunteers partnered with La Casa Norte. The organization provides services including a food pantry, medical clinic, community spaces and 25 units of permanent supportive apartments for youth and youth-led families. These hygiene kit-building events made an immediate impact, allowing La Casa Norte to distribute needed supplies to the people they serve.
“We felt that by providing hygiene kits through a collaborative effort, we could contribute to easing the immediate challenges faced by those experiencing housing insecurity,” says Janna Eudave, a support specialist for the Northwestern Medicine Youth Pathways Program and the Latinx Chapter Community Outreach Committee lead. “And by collaborating with community partners like La Casa Norte, which services a large Latinx population, we encourage our chapter and volunteers to come together, make a difference and empower our community.”
By joining Northwestern Medicine, you can participate in many volunteer and community events to make a difference and immediate impact on your community and the people Northwestern Medicine serves. You can also join the Northwestern Medicine Champion Network, which supports personal and professional growth, enhances your sense of belonging, and allows you to hold space for important conversations. Visit jobs.nm.org to learn more.