Chicago, IL – The Filipino American Community Health Initiative of Chicago (FACHIC) is seeking volunteers for the 2011 Passport to the Philippines and the Filipino American Community Health Fair.

The Passport to the Philippines is part of the Passport to the World series at the Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier that showcases the arts and traditions of Chicago’s many ethnic groups.  This year, the Passport to the Philippines will be celebrated on June 9, 11 and 12, 2011.  As an annual cosponsor, FACHIC has hosted interactive workshops such as a demonstration of Filipino children’s games, guess your body mass index (BMI) booth and a tasting of a healthier version of a traditional dessert, halo-halo.

The Filipino American Community Health Fair is an annual partnership of the Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago (FACC) Volunteer Health Services and FACHIC.  This year, the Filipino American Community Health Fair will be held on Sunday, September 25, 2011 at the Jose Rizal Heritage Center, located at 1332 West Irving Park Road in Chicago.  Each year, the health fair draws more than 250 Filipinos and Filipino Americans from the Chicagoland area, many of whom are uninsured and underinsured.  Free health screenings include blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, prostate cancer screening (PSA test), osteoporosis, and podiatry are offered.  Basic screening health exams provided by medical students and physicians are available.  A social worker is also available to provide consultations regarding social services and resources.

Volunteers are needed to assist with planning, outreach, publicity, day of logistics and program development. In addition, volunteers are needed to provide direct health and social services for the health fair. A volunteer information session will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2011 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Conrad Sulzer Regional Library community meeting room at 4455 North Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. RSVP to JP Jael at 312-962-7748 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it is encouraged but not required.

The Filipino American Community Health Initiative of Chicago (FACHIC) is a collaborative of community, health professional, and academic leaders united to address Filipino health issues in the Chicago area.  The mission of FACHIC is to increase awareness of Filipino health disparities and to implement health interventions and educational programming to improve the health status of the Filipino community.  FACHIC is a 501(c)(3) Illinois nonprofit organization.  All programs and services are free and available to all.  For more information, visit http://www.fachic.org.