Infant Welfare position 020724 - Flipbook - Page 2
BACKGROUND
The Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare
Society (“IWS”) has positively impacted the
lives of thousands of children and families for
118 years. It is a volunteer-driven organization
committed to unlocking the potential of every
child, with the continued generous support of
the community, volunteers, and donors. The
work of IWS is powered by dedicated members
and volunteers, a highly competent professional
staff, generous donors, engaged partners and
enlightened communities who share the view
that sustaining the health of our children is a
critical investment in the future.
IWS, a membership organization formed
in 1916 by a group of visionary women who
wanted to help support impoverished mothers
and their infants by providing clean milk and
well-baby services via a “milk station,” the
early term for a clinic. This was at a time when
the infant mortality rate was alarmingly high
and uncontaminated milk was not readily
available to the poor. Members are attracted
to the opportunity to provide meaningful
service to the community with a focus on
the well-being of children. Members “own”
the IWS Children’s Clinic and raise funds by
organizing circles of volunteers comprised of
roughly 20 women in each circle who create,
plan, and implement fundraising events to help
keep “the well-baby well”.
IWS provides a safety net to the more than
3,500 children served each year with more
than 10,000 visits to the IWS Children’s
Clinic. The IWS Children’s Clinic cares for
children from birth to 21 years of age. Services
provided include pediatric, dental, behavioral
health and other programs such as Portable
Dental program providing limited preventative
services in a school setting, Giving Library
gifting new or gently used books, Pet Therapy
and Seasonal activities, health education
programming and additional services to
support patients and families.
The children that come to the Children’s Clinic
are struggling with the challenges of poverty.
Many are suffering from adverse childhood
experiences that affect not only their overall
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health, but their everyday lives. In addition to
the stressors of poverty, many children also
struggle with challenges such as language
barriers, discrimination, undocumented status,
special needs, non-traditional homes, abuse,
neglect, and living in neighborhoods 昀椀lled with
gangs and violence. These experiences are
proven to negatively impact mental, emotional,
and social well-being.
In terms of race and ethnicity, 56% of
patients are Hispanic, 27% are African
American and 12% are Caucasian. Patients
come from 26 different communities with the
majority coming from West Cook and Du Page
County suburban communities. 24% are from
the City of Chicago, with the largest number
coming from the contiguous Austin community.
Most patients (91%) are enrolled in Illinois’ All
Kids Assist Medicaid or Medicaid Managed
Care and the rest pay for services on a modest
sliding fee scale, but care is always provided
regardless of ability to pay.
The Society is governed by a 17-member
Board of Directors, comprised of IWS
members and civic leaders, who oversee the
昀椀scal, operational, and strategic health of the
organization. The Auxiliary Board is an active
fundraising body.