Holy Cross Hospital, a cornerstone of the Chicago Lawn community, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1928 by the Sisters of St. Casimir, a Catholic order with ties to Lithuanian Catholic Charities. Located in a neighborhood originally dominated by the Lithuanian community, the area still honors its heritage with a Lithuanian museum nearby. Over the decades, Holy Cross has witnessed significant demographic shifts, evolving from serving a predominantly white population to becoming a lifeline for African American families in the 1960s and later, a growing Latino community. Through these changes, the hospital has remained steadfast in its mission as a safety-net institution, dedicated to providing care for all, regardless of insurance or financial status. In 2012, Holy Cross merged with Sinai Health System to form Sinai Chicago, uniting two community hospitals with shared values and a commitment to underserved populations.
Holy Cross offers a wide array of medical services, including cardiology, cancer care, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and more. Recognizing the community's needs, the hospital has expanded its resources, such as interpretation services for Spanish-speaking patients and financial assistance programs to alleviate fears about medical costs. Holy Cross is also addressing cultural competence by enhancing bilingual staffing and creating an inclusive environment that reflects the community it serves. Collaborating with grassroots organizations like the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP), Holy Cross works to educate residents about their services and ensure that healthcare is accessible and responsive to community needs. Participation in initiatives such as the Healthy Chicago Equity Zone and the Southwest System of Care highlight Holy Cross's proactive approach to improving health outcomes and preventing chronic diseases.
Dennis Ryan, Vice President of Community and External Affairs as well as a SWOP Strategy Team member, shared this when asked about how Holy Cross can be supported by its partners. “We want to continue to work closely with community organizations and listen to the feedback that’s generated by community members and people who actively have boots and ears on the ground so that we can better serve them. We want to prove that we can do the work necessary to see our community thrive and ask that they just continue to spread word of the work that we do.”
The partnership between Holy Cross and SWOP is deeply rooted in addressing systemic inequities and improving public health. Over the years, the two organizations
have collaborated on initiatives such as health promotion, chronic disease prevention, and COVID-19 education and vaccination efforts. Holy Cross actively engages with SWOP to gather community feedback, tailoring its services to meet residents' expectations and needs. They are also developing a social media campaign to highlight the hospital as an essential community asset. Holy Cross seeks to build trust by listening to community leaders, refining its services, and relying on partnerships with organizations like SWOP to disseminate information and foster stronger connections. Through these efforts, Holy Cross aims to solidify its role as a trusted, compassionate institution in the heart of the community.
