What if schools could provide wraparound health services within the school building? How do we expand our vision of how schools can be a community resource? At Herzl Elementary in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood, the Cluster of Care initiative has begun the process of cultivating a healing space for their community.

In the wake of school shootings and the context of systemic violence, students & families at Herzl can access grief counseling, mental health and primary care services on the school’s third floor. The goal is to eventually provide other services like career counseling and mutual aid that administrators say are key to supporting a healthy community.

In this Public Newsroom, City Bureau is exploring the role community care has in creating a sense of safety for children and young people. We'll hear from Tenisha Jones, Senior Director for Strategy and Operations at West Side United and Principal Tamara Davis on how, in the midst of perpetual traumatic conditions, the Cluster of Care was formed.

We’re inviting attendees to bring/share their own thoughts and perspectives around community care and healing, and we’ll also lead an activity to help build strategies to cultivate and sustain relationships within their communities.

Panelists include:

• Tenisha Jones, Senior Director for Strategy and Operations at West Side United 

• Principal Tamara Davis, Principal at Theodore Herzl Elementary