Aunt Martha’s has provided health care services for most of our 50-year history. We opened our school linked health center in Chicago Heights in 1995.
Joint Commission Accreditation – 1997
After several years of preparation, Aunt Martha’s earned its first accreditation from The Joint Commission (then the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations – or JCAHO) in 1997. According to Aunt Martha’s employee newsletter, only about 5% of health centers, and just 2% of child welfare agencies in the country were accredited at the time.
The success of Aunt Martha’s continued through the decades because of the dedication to an integrated health care model, and staying true to the belief that a person cannot be well until all of their needs are met – medical, behavioral, social, housing, employment, family life, and beyond. The increased focus on expansion and improvement of the clinics and health care allowed Aunt Martha’s to continue its great service of the youth and children in crisis, allowing for real collaboration and coordination of their care to give them the best chance for success.
Posted on April 8, 2022
Breakthrough Services: CCBYS
Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services. CCBYS. It was 40 years ago this week!
In early-April 1982, state Sen. Aldo DeAngelis of Olympia Fields introduced SB1500, legislation that would establish a statewide network of local agencies to coordinate and provide 24-hour crisis intervention, counseling, employment and training aid, emergency and short-term foster care, medical and legal assistance, community recreation and delinquency prevention services. The network was expected to serve approximately 20,000 youth, many of whom were expected to be referred by local police departments thanks to another Deangelis-sponsored bill – SB 623, also passed in 1982 – which removed youthful “status offenders” from the court system.
SB 1500 was hailed by the National Conference of State Legislators. This was no small change. And it was no surprise this pair of bills had come from Olympia Fields, right next door to Aunt Martha’s home in Park Forest. In reality, both pieces of legislation were strongly (and proudly) influenced by Aunt Martha’s leadership, our board of directors and Gary Leofanti, whose work was by then being recognized on a national level.
When SB 1500 was finally enacted in February of 1985, Aunt Martha’s was awarded an annual contract of $111,193. Our staff were on-call 24/7, covering a 10-township service area south suburban Cook County and eastern Will County, including Bloom, Rich, Bremen, Crete, Washington, Monee, Will, Peotone, Green Garden and Frankfort. Today, our CCBYS team is still covering these areas – and so many more!
We are honored to serve our communities and give youth and families in crisis a safe place to land – one without judgement and one that works to support the whole person through any situation.
Posted on March 25, 2022
Aunt Martha’s grassroots beginnings, willingness to embrace new ideas and consider new perspectives were an extension of a progressive mindset that had set the Village of Park Forest apart as the first post-World War II, planned community. This was, in every way, a dynamic and engaged community.
When its first generation of youth came of age in the mid- to late-1960s, Park Forest’s most forward-thinking adults understood the challenges of the day (and the years ahead) could only be met with collaboration and open dialogue. In 1969, concerned by the reflection of changing times in new and increasing teenage troubles, they formed a Commission of young people and adults to explore problems and recommend solutions.
The following year, more than 400 teenagers attended a commission-sponsored “Gripe-In.” Then, the Youth Commission had the idea of hiring something called a Village Youth Worker. The Village indulged. Eventually, they had the idea to open a drop-in center, and to call it Aunt Martha’s.
Not part of the “the system”
Its origins and image as a source of help outside “the system” gave Aunt Martha’s instant credibility among marginalized groups. Yet, especially in the early years, it was the agency’s ability to garner support at the local level that sped Aunt Martha’s growth.
A drop-in center, foster care services, health care services, outdoor recreation, employment training, LGBTQ groups. All confidential. Every program was continuously informed by the voices of the people and communities it was designed to serve. Every program was built on the belief that young people, that ALL people, had a right to make decisions based on the best information, to ask questions, to be heard and to receive the best possible care.
Posted on March 18, 2022
Early Collaborators
While Aunt Martha’s scope of services and impact in the community continued to grow, partnerships developed to improve our access to necessary resources and ensure we were able to perform the best work possible in an ever-changing environment. Organizations like Children’s Home and Aid were incredible collaborators in ensuring proper licensing for foster homes.
Elected officials have always been a thoughtful partner, going back to the early 1980’s and the introduction of Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services legislation. Founder Gary Leofanti built a relationship with then Senator Aldo DeAngelis, and was able to garner his support for Senate Bill 623 taking youth out of the court system and transitioning them to community-based services instead.
Shaping Legislation
Aunt Martha’s led this CCBYS legislation with the Illinois Collaboration On Youth and the Youth Network Council, changing the perspectives of many from a focus on punishing youth to one based on systems of support. Later on in the 1980’s, Congressman George O’Brien was instrumental in earmarking funds for Aunt Martha’s from the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure funding for adoption services.
We continue to establish and celebrate thoughtful and dedicated partnerships across organizations, agencies, and officials. Without their support and guidance, Aunt Martha’s would not be able to continue expansion and innovation to support the children, youth, and families across Illinois today.
Origins of Aunt Martha’s: Teaser Video
Posted on March 11, 2022
Where were you in ’72?
As Aunt Martha’s became a trusted source for youth in the area, the staff and volunteers quickly realized that unless the needs of the whole family were being addressed, supporting the youth was only addressing a piece of a greater set of challenges.
In 1975, youth services were expanded, and foster care placements increased. By 1976, Aunt Martha’s license was approved as a child welfare agency, paving the way to open our first Group Home and Teen Health Clinic with volunteer counselors and OBGYN practitioners.
“Aunt Martha’s is a response to a natural need that everyone has. When there is no one around to listen or understand or share, [we’re] a place to go where someone will listen and want to help.” – Gary Leofanti, Founding Executive Director, December 1972
Park Forest was considered a great environment for these services, as one of the more progressive communities in the area filled with incredible volunteers and organizations who believed in the innovation and dedication of Aunt Martha’s in these early days.
In addition to participating in these early programs, the volunteers and young staff were always treated as equals and given opportunities to grow personally and professionally.
Early staff share stories of a thorough training in Reality Therapy, the founding tenet of Aunt Martha’s counseling strategy. Some were included in Social Service exchange programs where they were able to learn a new language and live abroad, learning more about their craft and how to best serve our youth at home. These young adults thrived in an environment full of big hearts and motivation, and were encouraged by an example of selflessness and compassion from the leadership at Aunt Martha’s.
For years, visitors to Aunt Martha’s office in downtown Park Forest have been greeted by displays of newspaper stories chronicling the agency’s history. There are retrospectives with titles like Aunt Martha’s at 5 and Aunt Martha’s at 10. Press clippings remind us that Aunt Martha’s already had a rich history when it officially opened its doors in December of 1972.
But Aunt Martha’s at 50?
Today, I invite you to join us as we begin our yearlong celebration of Aunt Martha’s 50th Anniversary. Each month, we’ll dive into the agency’s story from a different perspective, combining newly gathered footage and interviews with press clippings, archival photos and video to tell the story of the people, the challenges they took on, the partnerships they forged and the mark they left on their community and our organization. The celebration will culminate in September with a 50th Anniversary fundraiser.
Even after 50 years, Aunt Martha’s is always grateful for all of our friends and supporters. We are especially grateful to the individuals and local businesses who helped make our 2021 Peggy Eisenstein Holiday Gift Program our most successful campaign to date. Though she only joined Aunt Martha’s in October, well into the campaign season, Katie Lewis did exemplary work to connect with our past donors and engage new ones. In short order, she organized a campaign that raised close to $50,000 and, most importantly, saw the delivery of more than 2,000 gifts to foster children and families in Cook, Kane and Will County. Your support for this program has never been more needed or more meaningful.
But Aunt Martha’s at 50?
Yes. And we’re just getting started.
Posted on December 20, 2021
Two weeks ago, close to 600 Aunt Martha’s employees joined the Leadership Team and I for the agency’s second Virtual All Staff Holiday Event. That level of engagement is a testament of the commitment our staff have made and kept for one another. Our decision, early in the planning process, to take the event online appears to have been especially prescient given the 87% increase in new coronavirus cases Illinois has experienced since the week following the Thanksgiving holiday. It was a decision we made out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of all our employees.
Out of that same concern, Aunt Martha’s urges everyone to celebrate safely by taking steps to protect yourselves and those around you to prevent the spread of the still deadly coronavirus.
We wish you all the opportunity to bring joy to others this holiday season. Know that Aunt Martha’s is doing its part. In fact, last week Allison Van Gerpen and I joined Malcolm White, Vice President of Aunt Martha’s Board of Directors for the Sauk Village’s annual Shop With A Cop event.
As the Village’s Chief of Police, Malcolm invited Allison and I to be part of the excursion and to meet some of the 60-plus children who benefited from Aunt Martha’s contribution as they enjoyed the experience of a personal shopping spree. This event was particularly important to me personally because of my own roots in south suburban Cook County. It is important that Aunt Martha’s have a presence in community events like this, and I know it is a goal of our leadership team to make sure we are more well-represented in all of the communities we serve. That’s one of the many challenges we’ll tackle together in the new year. For now, however, with my last planned message of the calendar year, I wish you all good health and happiness to those around you. Please enjoy the celebrations of the coming weeks safely, in all ways.
Holiday Season 2021
Shop With A Cop
From left to right: Dr. Donna Leak, Superintendent, Community Consolidated Schools District 168; Raul Garza, Aunt Martha’s President and CEO; Malcolm White, Chief of Police, Sauk Village; Allison Van Gerpen, Senior Executive Administrator, Aunt Martha’s; Sauk Village Mayor Derrick Burgess
Posted on October 8, 2021
Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness announced today the addition of two new members to the organization’s Senior Leadership Team. Katie Lewis, who most recently directed Bike MS fundraising campaigns across three states for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, has been named Vice President of Development. Graciela Guzmán, who most recently directed the Healthy Illinois Campaign to key victories that made Illinois the first state to expand healthcare to low-income seniors regardless of their immigration status and then to older adults 55 and over, will serve as Director of Policy and Advocacy.
“This is a critical time for Aunt Martha’s. Katie and Graciela understand that they are coming into our organization at a time of tremendous opportunity,” said Raul Garza, the agency’s President and CEO.
“Their perspective and experience will be instrumental as we adapt not only to evolving social, political and philanthropic landscapes but, more importantly, as we respond to the evolving needs of the communities we serve.”
Garza also announced the hiring of Jaskiran Kaur as his Executive Administrative Assistant. Before coming to Aunt Martha’s, Jaskiran served as an Administrative Assistant for a 30-physician team at The Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, a role she took on while completing her undergraduate coursework at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis.
Katie Lewis joins Aunt Martha’s as Vice President of Development.
Graciela Guzmán joins Aunt Martha’s as Director of Policy & Advocacy.
Meet Katie Lewis
Katie Lewis is Aunt Martha’s Vice President of Development.
Her professional background includes media relations, as well as logistics in music and events management in both the for-profit and non-profit space. Since earning her Masters in Nonprofit Management from DePaul University, however, she has pursued full-time her passion for nonprofit fundraising and strategy, particularly on behalf of organizations focused on health care access, advocacy and equity.
Katie’s experience includes roles with national organizations such as the USO, the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer/Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, and the National MS Society.
Meet Graciela Guzmán
Graciela Guzmán is Aunt Martha’s Director of Policy and Advocacy.
Before joining Aunt Martha’s, Graciela served as Campaign Director for the Healthy Illinois Campaign, a statewide coalition committed to fighting for healthcare for all people in Illinois regardless of their immigration status. Under her leadership, Healthy Illinois won two key victories making Illinois the first state in the nation to expand healthcare to low-income seniors regardless of their immigration status and then to older adults 55 and over. She has also lead advocacy and policy campaigns on topics ranging from defending the Affordable Care Act from repeal, efforts to increase community enrollment in Medicaid and the Health Insurance Marketplace, and mobilizing community leaders response to COVID through mutual aid.
Graciela’s passion for healthcare, community, and helping others is derived from her family’s early experiences immigrating to the United States from El Salvador to escape the Salvadoran Civil War and her experiences navigating services as a multi-immigration status family on public benefits.
Posted on September 15, 2021
Last Wednesday evening, Aunt Martha’s hosted many of the agency’s closest friends and strongest supporters at our 49th Anniversary Fundraiser event. We welcomed friends from: Iowa and Indiana; from communities across central and northern Illinois like Champaign, Bourbonnais, Joliet and Berwyn; from Peoria to Rockford, from Frankfort to Wilmette; and from all around Chicago – from the far South Side to Hyde Park, the South Loop and Downtown, to Logan Square, Humboldt Park, to the West Side and to the North Side.
For some the event was an introduction to Aunt Martha’s. For others, it was a reminder of what sets us apart. From my perspective, it was important that each of our guests, and you, know that the agency you turn to, partner with and support is committed to being the very best at what we do.
In fact, we learned this month that Aunt Martha’s has been recognized for the 5th straight year as a National Quality Leader. We’re proud of that work, and we’re proud of the people and organizations we work alongside. We’ve worked hard and been fortunate to find partners who share our vision. And we have worked hard to find partners who share our commitment to value.
Value. This is how we judge ourselves. This is what our integrated model is designed to create, by:
Enabling care teams to work together to achieve top quartile quality outcomes; and,
Driving down the cost of care – so much, in fact, that in calendar year 2020 Aunt Martha’s cost per patient was close to 50% lower than the national average (for health centers).
Ultimately, the event was it was an opportunity to share the story of our employees – their hard work, heart and heroism. But my words were not the only ones our guests heard. We also shared a new video with them, which I am proud to share with you today.
Please take a few minutes to watch. It is both a tribute and a renewed call to action. It reminds us how far we’ve come in 49 years, and it offers a glimpse ahead – to the next leg of our journey, to the hard work will do together as we write the next chapter of Aunt Martha’s story. And of our own.
Posted on August 21, 2021
Earlier this month – as I told our employees during a virtual, all-staff gathering last Friday –Aunt Martha’s was proud to join with the 1,370+ Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) across the country to recognize National Health Center Week. August is also when our primary federal funder, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), typically releases the latest quality, cost and impact data for every community health center in the country. The recent release of information for calendar year 2020, a preliminary analysis reveals, gives a new layer of depth to the already rich story of Aunt Martha’s work during the most difficult of years.
The information HRSA makes available draws on a core set of information which all FQHCs are required to report, including data on patient characteristics, services provided, clinical processes and health outcomes, patients’ use of services, staffing, costs, and revenues. With each year’s release, we gain a greater understanding of Aunt Martha’s position in the community health center space. 20 years ago, we were a health care start up, if not an upstart as well. Today the data shows Aunt Martha’s is a leader.
A Leader in Access
Sustained access to in-person, virtual care
Aunt Martha’s is a leader in ACCESS, growing our reach by investing in new communities and reinvesting in those we’ve long been privileged to serve. In 2020, over 12,000 patients visited one of our health centers for the first time. With all but one exception – Aunt Martha’s – no health center in Illinois with a reach comparable to ours (>55,000 patients) achieved more than 2% growth in 2020.
Ramping up telehealth services
Enabled by our rapid transition to a telehealth model, Aunt Martha’s health center staff pushed through the pandemic to keep our patients connected to their medical home and achieve 20% year-over-year growth.
A National Quality Leader
Sustained quality a testament to employee commitment
Aunt Martha’s is also a leader in QUALITY. Dr. Charles Barron, our Chief Medical Officer, and his team have worked incredibly hard to turn consistent improvement into sustained excellence. We have now another year’s evidence of the impact of their work as reflected in HRSA’s Health Center Adjusted Quartile Rankings, which illustrate Aunt Martha’s standing compared to other health centers after controlling for certain differences (e.g., patient insurance status, community demographics) that can influence performance outcomes.
In 2019, Aunt Martha’s average quartile quality score made us #13 overall among all of Illinois’ 45 FQHCs, and #5 among those which reported on the same clinical quality measures. Despite the pandemic, and despite a simultaneous period of rapid transition and growth, our health center staff rose to the occasion and delivered exceptional care. We are today, by comparison, ranked #7 for quality among all of the state’s FQHCs and #2 among our closest peer organizations.
Focused on Value
And Aunt Martha’s is a leader in VALUE. This begins with the medical home, the relationship between our patients and their care teams, and with Aunt Martha’s integrated model of care. It is a model designed to maximize the impact of every member of the care team and drive down the cost of care. Over the period of the last 6 years, our focus on integration, quality and efficiency has helped us drive down our cost per patient by 15%.That’s a stark contrast to trends at both the state and national levels, where FQHCs have reported cost increases of 40% and 26%, respectively.
Looking more closely at the value of community health care
To more fully capture the impact of that effort, our analysis included the creation of a composite Value Score to represent, overall, a health center’s quality and cost. This metric distills the essence of value-based care to a single figure. It accounts for the breadth of the scope of a health center’s services, as well as the complexities of the people and communities it serves; and, when complete, the calculations place Aunt Martha’s at or near the top of any list of value creators in Illinois, if not nationally. That is a space we are proud to occupy.
Access. Quality. Value. This is our work. This is our story. Thank you for sharing it.
