On May 6th, 2025, the Southwest Organizing Project’s (SWOP) Health team gathered with community partners for their quarterly Healthy Southwest System of Care (HSSOC) meeting. Held at Metropolitan Family Services’ office, this gathering brought together members of the HSSOC coalition — a network of dedicated organizations and individuals working collectively to improve access to health and social services on Chicago’s southwest side.
The group held an open conversation about emerging needs in the community, particularly in response to shifting political landscapes and policy changes. Partners discussed which resources are being heavily utilized, where gaps are beginning to appear, and how the coalition can collectively respond to ensure residents continue to have access to care, housing, mental health services, and more.
A central highlight of the meeting was a discussion led by SWOP’s Community Navigators and Public Health Ambassadors (PHAs). As the primary connectors between the community and the resources available through the HSSOC, these frontline leaders shared their firsthand knowledge about how the system is operating, what’s working well, and where there’s room for growth. Their perspectives grounded the conversation in lived experience, shedding light on the realities faced by residents seeking support.
The meeting also provided a space to review critical data and updates while deepening collaboration among partners. The health team led a review of recent IRIS referral data, offering insights into the volume and types of resource connections being made across the network. Additionally, the team shared results from a Community Navigator survey, giving voice to the experiences and feedback of those working directly with residents to connect them to much-needed services.
As always, the meeting reinforced the importance of continued collaboration, open communication, and centering the voices of those most directly impacted by the work. SWOP and its HSSOC partners remain committed to building a stronger, healthier southwest side where everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive.
