NetIP Chicago’s Sinai Health System Volunteer Event
By Marina Isaac, Community Partnership Liaison, NetIP Chicago
Chicago’s Sinai Health System is used to seeing diversity on a daily basis. The health system was originally founded to serve the needs of Eastern Jewish immigrants in the community. Currently, it primarily serves the African-American and Latino population. However, on April 3, 2010, Sinai welcomed a strong presence of volunteers from the Network of Indian Professionals, Chicago Chapter eager and willing to dedicate their time to support Sinai’s Kids Club Easter Event.
NetIP Chicago recently partnered with Sinai Health System as part of their community outreach efforts. Sinai Health System, located on Chicago’s west side, has been serving the surrounding community’s needs for over 90 years. Over 72% of the patients have no coverage or utilize Medicaid. Yet Sinai continues to uphold the belief that all individuals deserve to be treated according to the same standard of care, regardless of socio-economic status.
In addition to volunteer hours, NetIP Chicago seeks to provide a number of professional services such as financial consulting, short-term marketing projects, and pro bono legal support to Sinai as requested. Furthermore, NetIP Chicago will be providing fiscal support to Sinai as one of the beneficiaries for the upcoming annual gala on November 20th. The theme for this year’s gala is Cancer is Colorblind (CiC).
NetIP Chicago’s first volunteer event with Sinai was a marked success. Over 55 children had the pleasure of working with volunteers to make crafts, color, and play games for Sinai’s Kids Club Easter Event. Sinai Health System promotes these Kids Club Events for children from the community to enjoy the holidays like many of their peers across the nation.
The day started with volunteers working on Easter baskets and crafts for the children to take home to decorate their homes. As the children worked diligently on their masterpieces, NetIP volunteers distributed refreshments and supplies and assisted the aspiring, young artists and their parents. As the morning progressed, volunteers gathered children to play games such as “Simon Dice” [Simon Says] and “Sillas Musicales” [Musical Chairs]. Above the cacophony of voices shouting in different languages and bodies moving in different directions, it was clear that regardless of age, all who were present enjoyed their time together. After all, fun is colorblind too.
For more information on NetIP Chicago including their upcoming events please visit www.netipchicago.org.
www.NetIP.org
