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12 REASONS TO GIVE TO ERIE 
Click here to find your reason to give to Erie this holiday season. |
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SOCIAL NETWORKING 
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HELPING HANDS GRAND OPENING
Erie Helping Hands Health Center Grand Opening
WHEN: Thursday,
January 21, 2010
6PM to 9PM
WHERE: Erie Helpling Hands Health Center
4747 North Kedzie
HOW: RSVP by January 19 to 312.432.7440.
WHO: Anyone who would like to check out Erie's newest site at this free event.
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Erie Featured in NY Times
Check out Erie Humboldt Park Health Center in the December 11, 2009 issue of the New York Times. |
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Greetings!
It is time to put on our mittens, lace up our winter boots and celebrate. Join Erie as we look forward to a new year full of abundant possibilities-possibilities that include keeping our patients healthy and happy. If you have not already given a donation to Erie this holiday season, please find your own reason to help with Erie's 12 Reasons to Give. By making a gift to Erie, you will be impacting the life of one patient at a time. Together, we can make our community healthier. Please give the gift of health this season to those in need!
By clicking this link you will have a chance to discover your reason to give. To donate directly to Erie's 12 Reasons to Give simply click here. |
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Best wishes,
Lee Francis
President and CEO
Erie Family Health Center |
WHO'S WHO @ Erie
Erie Announces 2009 Employee of the Year Award
Erie Family Health Center presented Yammily Hildago with the 2009 Employee of the Year Award 
Every day at Erie Family Health Center, each employee works to make lives better... for the community, for our patients, for each other. At the end of every year, employees are asked to nominate from amongst themselves an individual that demonstrates the highest level of passion and commitment for the Adam R. Swider Employee of the Year Award.
This year marked the fifth year the Swider Award was presented to an Erie employee. Mr. Adam Swider was born into the West Town community and faced his own hardships as a child. He grew up with a clear understanding of the tremendous barriers faced by families in need, especially regarding health care. For these reasons, Mr. Swider became a strong supporter of Erie's work, and thus Mrs. Swider chose Erie as the organization to establish her husband's memorial. Mr. and Mrs. Swider's thoughtfulness and generosity has allowed Erie to honor one of our own employees who share this same dedication. This year, three exceptional staff members were nominated for this award: Sara Naureckas, Pediatrician; Valerie Comprelli, Manager of Development and Community Relations; and Yammily Hidalgo, IT Help Desk Specialist.
On Saturday, December 5, 2009, the Adam R. Swider Employee of the Year Award was presented to an exceptional employee, one who has consistently demonstrated her commitment to Erie's mission through her daily actions and acts as a role model to other employees: Yammily Hidalgo. Yammily's official title is Help Desk Specialist in the Information Technology (IT) department, but she is charged with ensuring Erie is up and running effectively at all times. Yammily works directly with issues regarding Erie's patient database; she plays a vital role in the implementation of the Electronic Health Records System at Erie sites; and she works with staff members to remedy problems with their desktop computers.
On a daily basis, she raises the bar by creating innovative and proactive solutions for the ever-changing needs of Erie. "This is my first opportunity to work for a non-profit serving any patient, regardless of their ability to pay," says Yammily. "I am one of the committed professionals helping to run Erie to provide high-quality, inexpensive services tailored to the needs of our patients. It is great to know Chicagoans in need have a great place obtain health care administered by such exceptional people."
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Erie Warm Clothing Drive
Help Erie patients by contributing to the warm clothing drive at Erie Family Health Center. You can drop off donations at any Erie site.  This year, $10.66 billion was spent across America in stores, shopping malls and online the day after Thanksgiving - otherwise known as Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year. This holiday season, we cannot even stroll down the city streets without being shoulder to shoulder with fellow shoppers or getting whacked by huge Crate and Barrel shopping bags. The 'ding' of the cash register is becoming as familiar to our ears as 'Jingle Bells'. Unfortunately, the feelings of excitement and joy often accompanying the holiday season are not felt by some people in Chicago community. Gas, electric, and grocery bills weigh heavy on the minds of those struggling to make ends meet. 251,502 people in Chicago are living on an income of less than half the federal poverty line. This is considered extreme poverty - these individuals are living in unsafe conditions and struggling to meet their basic needs. For those people falling into this category, hats, gloves, boots and scarves are considered a luxury. This might seem crazy in a city where temperatures below zero are a regular occurrence, but unfortunately, it is the truth. This winter season instead of shoving your old winter wear to the back of your closet to replace it will all your new Christmas gifts, why not make some room in your closet? In a city as big as Chicago, there are plenty of locations to drop off gently used clothing, outerwear and toys. Erie Family Health Center will be taking part in this season of giving. Any warm winter clothing (including coats, hats, gloves, scarves, boots and socks) can be dropped off at all nine Erie sites. Erie employees will hand out the clothing to Erie patients on a need-based basis throughout the winter season. Toys also will be accepted, but the focus is on winter clothing. If you would like to donate items this season, click here for detailed drop off information. |
HEALTHY HOLIDAY TIPS
Enjoy your holidays in good health
 Maybe it's the sparking lights that decorate the trees and buildings downtown. Maybe it's the rows of colorful cookies and candies that seem to mesmerize us in the supermarkets. Or maybe it's Grandma's special gingerbread cookies. Whatever the reason, the holidays are a time when we are persuaded into overeating and splurging on sugary and fattening foods. For as long as we can remember, festivities and food have gone hand in hand. When we are wrapped up in visiting with friends and family and enjoying the holiday season, the last thing we want to think about is the exact number of calories in every delicious treat we enjoy. It is important to remember it still possible to stay healthy and fit amongst the blur of holiday treats.
According to a recent Weight Watchers report, the average American gains around 7 to 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. There also is a tendency to overindulge during the holidays, while promising ourselves we will start our 'diet' after the New Year. Considering most Americans continue their unhealthy eating spree long after the holidays have past and only 22% of New Year's diet resolutions make it to February, it is important to pace ourselves during the holiday season and develop healthy habits we can carry with us all year-round.
In light of this holiday season, check out this list of "Holiday Eating Dos and Don'ts" to gain some helpful hints and tricks to enjoy special holiday foods.
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