Health and Wellness Charities

4/26/24, 12:40 PM Health and Wellness Charities - Investing In Communities®
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Health and Wellness Charities
Supporting Health and Wellness Charities

There are a number of issues that impact well-being, many of which
are beyond the power of individuals to control. And it continues to be
the case that even in what is called the wealthiest country in the
world, access to healthy food and healthcare are challenges faced by
many in the US. A lack of emotional support for many who suffer from
myriad diseases and health conditions, such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s
and cancer, is a reality. And for a variety of reasons, many struggle to
develop more healthful lifestyles, often including family members of
those with the illnesses. That’s why it’s so important for health and
wellness charities to exist. a (312) 955-4900
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There is a huge number of different kinds of charities whose missions

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address some aspect of health and wellness. The ones we’ll discuss are
involved with:
Nutrition
Health Services
Specific Health Conditions
Health Policy and Advocacy
Sports and Fitness
Nutrition charities work to alleviate hunger and/or provide education

on healthy eating practices. Foodbanks, mobile food pantries and
soup kitchens provide meals and supplemental nutrition to those who
can’t afford to buy those things. Other nutrition charities help people
to understand how the things they put in their body can have an
impact on their health.
Mental health charities focus on what might be considered purely

psychological and emotional illness. They offer treatment and/or
prevention services to those who lack appropriate health insurance
coverage. While some of these programs are partially funded by
government, most rely on additional funding from foundation grants
and individual donors.
Charities focused on disease conditions generally focus on challenges

related to a single disease. Some are dedicated to supporting research
to better understand the basic science of that disease, including its
prevention and treatment. Others provide support to individuals
suffering from that disease, as well as to their caregivers. Still others
work to increase access to general healthcare, housing and other
resources needed specifically for those with a particular diagnosis. This
begins to illustrate the ways in which the mission and work of different
kinds of organizations are interwoven.
a (312) 955-4900
Health policy and advocacy charities fight for equal access to

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healthcare. They advocate for patients who need treatment for nearly
every condition, working to get them the care they need and cannot
otherwise afford. While the donations you make to these charities may
not have an immediate impact on an individual’s health today, they
have an impact on the way our society will approach healthcare needs
tomorrow.
Sports and fitness charities focus on programming for youth, like

childhood obesity, camps and exercise programs. Some of them also
exist to benefit older people. These programs are typically started by
active community members who want to share their passion for a
particular sport with children or other people they believe would
benefit from the experience. There are also programs that exist to help
the disabled to recover some of their mobility and lead a more active
and fun life, in spite of their disability.
By making a donation to any of these organizations, you can help

improve the health of the community around you. Let’s take a closer
look at the way these charities work.
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Nutrition
Worldwide, hunger affects 815 million people, which means that nearly
1 in 9 people suffers from hunger and malnutrition. Even in the United
States, which is considered the wealthiest nation, 12 percent of the
population struggles with hunger, according to Feeding America.
Each year in the U.S., more than 40 million people, including 12 million
children and 7 million elderly, rely on food banks like the Lakeview
Pantry. Hunger affects people in every county of the country, so it may
not be surprising that charities involved with hunger alleviation
comprise the largest segment of all nutrition-related charities.
A vast network of charities is at work every day to address various

aspects of hunger. Those focused on food-recovery and redistribution
attempt to prevent food “waste” from going into landfills and, instead,
to be used as a safe, nutritious and reliable source of healthy meals.
Food “banks” and food “pantries” are the backbone of the supply chain
for sourcing vast quantities of both perishable and nonperishable food
items for distribution where and
(312)how they are needed. In some cases,
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people are able to go to food pantries in their community. In other

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cases, mobile food pantries deliver right to people’s homes.
For the homebound and those with mobility challenges due to old
age, physical disability and/or lack of access to personal or public
transportation, organizations like Meals On Wheels of Northeastern
Illinois provide a lifeline with delivery of prepared meals.
Nutrition Awareness and Education

Even when hunger and malnutrition rates are high, large numbers of
people suffer from obesity. Some charities focus on the longer term,
helping people to make healthier food choices, thereby establishing
healthier eating habits that will promote better health throughout
their lives. This may be most impactful for our society when those who
are assisted in these ways are children.
Purple Asparagus is a nutrition charity that brings nutritious snacks to

schools, community events and farmer’s markets to raise awareness
about what’s good to put in your body. They also focus on spreading a
message of sustainability and the impact of food production and
distribution on our planet.
Other nutrition charities, like the American Nutrition Association,

focus on nutrition as a core element of culture and healthy living. They
also do research and policy advocacy to improve access to professional
nutrition services.
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Health Services
Although there is still no comprehensive public health system that all
Americans have access to, health services charities provide affordable
options for many people living in most communities.
Mental Healthcare
The demand for mental health services is one specialized area that is
increasing across the US. There are myriad causes, including increased
loneliness and social isolation, as well as economic insecurity. Most
people who suffer from a serious mental disorder are not in a position
to pay for their treatment, in part because when you are dealing with a
mental illness, it’s difficult to maintain a job. Because in this country
jobs are so often tied to healthcare coverage, most mentally ill
individuals are left to fend for themselves.
a (312) 955-4900
Perhaps the most alarming trend in mental health in the U.S. is the
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increased rate of suicide in recent years. Between 2000 and 2016,
suicide increased by 30%, with a 50% increase for girls and women.
Hope For The Day is an organization working to prevent suicides
through awareness programming and support services.
Preventative Services
Providing health services in your community isn’t just about helping
those who are ill. It’s also about providing preventative services to
people who otherwise couldn’t afford them. Early diagnosis of illness,
including mental illness, improves the chances for a good outcome
and, because illness prevention is the least expensive approach, it
should also be more fully funded.
PrimeCare Community Health is a network of community health

centers that serves the residents of Chicago’s West and Northwest
sides with eight locations, including Belmont Cragin Health Center,
Fullerton Health Center, Hamlin Health Center, Michelini Center for
Health, North West Health Center, West Town Oral Health Center, West
Town Health Center, and Wicker Park Health Center. It offers a full
array of affordable health services, including dental , counseling, and
prenatal care. PrimeCare places an emphasis on preventative care
through outreach and routine-services events. They host
immunization clinics and blood drives to improve their reach.
Supporting an organization like PrimeCare helps whole communities
get access to quality, affordable healthcare.
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Health Policy and Advocacy

Health policy and advocacy charities fight on various governmental
levels for individuals’ right to affordable care for patients of all age and
income levels. Without advocacy, healthcare will not as effectively
improve to meet ever-changing and increasing needs.
That’s why programs such as those of the American Nurses

Association are so important. ANA supports nurses nationally with
tools and resources they need to better provide for their patients. ANA
advocacy activities include sending nurses to Capitol Hill as part of its
lobbying for health care. By donating to ANA, you help empower these
nurses to share their perspectives with policymakers who can change
the way we make healthcare decisions in this country.
Another effective organization advocating for policy reform is the

Health and Medicine Policy Research Group (HMPRG). One of the
a (312) 955-4900
prime areas of focus for HMPRG is advocacy for policy reform in long
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term care. Too often, older adults lack the means to have adequate
care in their retirement years. Your contributions to HMPRG can help
to change that.
Sports and Fitness

Activities such as a pick-up game of basketball after work are a great
way to exercise. But, for sports and fitness charities, there is a lot more
at stake than just a bit of exercise. Many believe that organized sports
offer a powerful way to change lives. This exemplifies the interwoven
nature of healthcare and social justice. Participation in such activities
can provide hope and the tools to overcome adversity in challenging
experiences off the field.
Youth Fitness Charities

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Youth fitness charities are good for the health of kids and for the larger
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communities in which they live. Sports programs aid participants to
achieve both better physical health and better social health.
Participation in sports also fosters reduced rates of childhood obesity.
And organized sports so frequently improve participants’ social skills,
from simple cooperation, to leadership.
Sports programs can also have a favorable impact on reducing

disease in a community, beyond obesity. Because participants often
undergo health scans before they can join in, doctors are able to catch
health conditions that otherwise might have gone undetected.
Rugby Illinois is a youth league that uses the game to teach children
valuable life lessons. Their programs combat juvenile delinquency by
encouraging players to stay in school. This organization also
introduces rugby to new players whose financial resources might
otherwise make their participation in the sport unlikely.
Health and wellness charities play an important role in keeping youth

on the right path. Support their mission by donating supplies and
funding today.
Sports Charities for the Disabled

Some people like to support sports charities that specifically benefit
people with disabilities. The Freedom Golf Association (FGA) gives free
golf lessons to the disabled. Their golf clinics help players of all skill
levels to improve their game.
FGA also consults to private golf courses, evaluating their operations to

suggest ways to make them more accessible to individuals with
physical and/or developmental disabilities. By helping courses identify
and correct barriers in the clubhouse, the fairway, and even the
website and phone system, they help courses become more
welcoming and accessible toa (312)
players with a broad range of disabilities.
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Freedom Golf Association also helps the disabled to obtain golf

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equipment, including clubs that can be adapted for their particular
needs. This kind of equipment is typically excessively expensive. By
making a donation to Freedom Golf Association and similar charities,
you can help open the door for someone who couldn’t otherwise
afford to participate in a new sport because of their disability.
In addition to the consulting services discussed above, FGA also acts

as a public clearinghouse for course accessibility. This helps courses by
giving them a marketing boost and helps consumers who are
interested in finding accessible courses.
Supporting health and wellness charities benefits your entire

community!
Learn how to support your charity today.
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Illinois License #471.004049
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IIC is located in the Chicago metropolitan region, Illinois

We operate throughout the United States.
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4/26/24, 12:40 PM Health and Wellness Charities - Investing In Communities®

Supporting Health and Wellness Charities

There is a huge number of different kinds of charities whose missions

Specific Health Conditions

Health Policy and Advocacy

Sports and Fitness

Nutrition charities work to alleviate hunger and/or provide education

Mental health charities focus on what might be considered purely

Charities focused on disease conditions generally focus on challenges

Health policy and advocacy charities fight for equal access to

Sports and fitness charities focus on programming for youth, like

By making a donation to any of these organizations, you can help

A vast network of charities is at work every day to address various

people are able to go to food pantries in their community. In other

Nutrition Awareness and Education

Purple Asparagus is a nutrition charity that brings nutritious snacks to

Other nutrition charities, like the American Nutrition Association,

PrimeCare Community Health is a network of community health

Health Policy and Advocacy

That’s why programs such as those of the American Nurses

Another effective organization advocating for policy reform is the

Sports and Fitness

Youth Fitness Charities

Sports programs can also have a favorable impact on reducing

Health and wellness charities play an important role in keeping youth

Sports Charities for the Disabled

FGA also consults to private golf courses, evaluating their operations to

Freedom Golf Association also helps the disabled to obtain golf

In addition to the consulting services discussed above, FGA also acts

Supporting health and wellness charities benefits your entire

Learn how to support your charity today.

How would you prefer to be contacted to learn more?

I'm not a robot

SUBMIT  GET STARTED

Share With Others

ANIMAL CHARITIES  GET STARTED

Sharon Porter, Managing Broker

IIC is located in the Chicago metropolitan region, Illinois

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