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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
INFANT WELFARE SOCIETY
WHEREAS, in 1900, it was recorded that one out of every ten children died before their first birthday. Following the establishment of the Chicago Milk Commission in 1908, concerned by the alarming infant mortality rate, compassionate nurses, physicians and women throughout Chicago came together in 1911 to voluntarily educate mothers about infant care and to examine vulnerable infants via home visits; thus beginning the creation of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago (IWS); and
WHEREAS, by 1912, IWS performed 40,000 home visits on an annual basis which directly impacted the reduction of infant mortality rates. In 1913, the Infant Welfare Society Auxiliary was formed to support the work of the organization and its mission. The Auxiliary began their work making home visits, raising funds, and sewing clothes. This work is carried on by the Auxiliary's 750 member body to this day with pledges of further fundraising to offset the maintenance of their environment-friendly facility; and
WHEREAS, IWS was one of the first public health organizations in Chicago to institute mental health services in the 1920s and in 1950, was nationally recognized for implementing a preschool program for emotionally disturbed children; and
WHEREAS, throughout the years, IWS has expanded its services to include: dental care, gynecological, prenatal, speech pathology, general health, STD education and screening and mental health to name a few, a testament to their commitment to family and community health; and
WHEREAS, on April 21, 2015, IWS celebrated its 10th Anniversary of its current location: the Angel Harvey Infant Welfare Society of Chicago Community Health Center. Located at 3600 W. Fullerton, IWS continues to provide free services to over 12,000 mothers, infants and families, annually, driven by the same mission and commitment for which they were founded over a hundred years ago; and
WHEREAS, following in the f...
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