Black K.A.R.E.

Our BLACK K.A.R.E.S. initiative addresses critical health disparities and promotes better health outcomes within the African American community on the Southside of Chicago.

Our Mission

The BLACK K.A.R.E.S. (Kidney Awareness Resources and Education) initiative aims to decrease health disparities and improve overall health outcomes for African Americans by increasing awareness and promoting healthy living strategies. These strategies include healthy diet/nutrition, physical exercise, healthy behavioral choices, awareness of symptoms, and self-advocacy. Our focus is on three critical diseases plaguing the African American community: Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), and HIV/AIDS.

Key Initiatives and Achievements:

• Health and Education

  Healthy Living Strategies:

  • Educational Programming: Focused on CVD, CKD, and HIV/AIDS, providing participants with the tools and information necessary to manage their health.

  • Kidney Screenings: Promoting early detection of CKD through regular screening opportunities.

  • Organized intramural sports and provided PE uniforms.

• Awareness and Prevention

  • Raising Awareness:

    • BLACK K.A.R.E. Website: A comprehensive resource providing information on kidney function and testing, nutrition, a heart and kidney-healthy diet, treatment options, and more. This platform supports educational programming and helps participants actively manage their health.

• Community Engagement

  Engagement Activities:

  • Workshops and Lectures: Topics range from kidney health to nutrition and exercise, aiming to increase understanding and encourage healthy behavioral changes.

  • Screening Events: Organized kidney screening events to detect CKD early and provide necessary interventions.

Goals and Objectives

Educational Resource Access: Provide participants with access to the BLACK K.A.R.E. website as an ongoing educational resource.

1. Kidney Screenings: Conduct screenings for 50 individuals over the next two years to support early detection of CKD.

2. Behavioral Changes: Ensure participants demonstrate at least a 30% increase in understanding the role of nutrition and exercise in preventing and managing high-risk diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

3. HIV/AIDS Awareness: Ensure participants demonstrate a minimum 70% understanding of the myths and truths about HIV, empowering them with the necessary information to manage their health.

Program Highlights

Key Activities and Outcomes:

1. Know Your Kidneys Series: Engaging speakers such as Dr. Maria Khan to educate about kidney health.

2. Nutrition and Healthy Eating Workshops: Led by experts like Link Brunetta Matthews RN, focusing on the impact of nutrition on health.

3. Youth Engagement: Programs like "Gyrls in the Hood" addressing HIV/AIDS awareness and healthy lifestyle choices.

4. Kidney Screenings: Collaborations with organizations like the NKFI to provide kidney health screenings and education.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Our success is bolstered by collaborations with various organizations, including:

• National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI)

• American Heart Association

• Year Up Chicago

• Family Focus

• Four Faith-Based Partners

These partnerships enhance our reach and effectiveness in addressing health disparities.

Impact and Sustainability

Community Impact:

• Participants Served: Over 848 individuals, including a significant focus on African American communities.

• Demographic Reach: Engaging diverse groups, from teens to seniors, ensuring broad community impact.

Sustainability Efforts: Our programs are designed for long-term impact, continuously adapting and improving based on community needs and feedback.