The Cicero and Berwyn Community (CBC) is a newly formed group of community leaders working to build power and engage their community in organizing around local issues. Leaders from the area began their work when they learned that many members of the community were unaware of Carelink, a direct access program won through the organizing efforts of ICIRR’s health collaborative, Healthy Communities Cook County (HC3). Carelink provides very low cost access to a medical home and preventative care for uninsured people in Cook County. After engaging over 100 residents through several community meetings, the CBC decided it was time to meet with their Cook County Commissioner, Jeff Tobolski, to demand that the program be more widely publicized and the application process be improved. During this meeting, the CBC gained commitments from Commissioner Tobolski to host a Town Hall event in the community, hold registration events, work with CBC regularly, and work to expand the Carelink program to more clinics and hospitals. These efforts will help thousands of people in the Cicero and Berwyn area gain affordable access to healthcare, including a medical home and coordinated care, who otherwise would not have access to these services.

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CBC leaders know the work is far from over and are committed to seeking justice for their community and will continue to organize to make sure that community voices are heard!