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About us
Director
Jaz Ellison
Jaz Ellison is a visionary leader and the driving force behind the Healing Tree Community Foundation, a dynamic social action organization comprising dedicated educators, marketers, and entrepreneurs committed to effecting structural and systemic change for at-risk youth.
A transformational leader, Jaz possesses a magnetic quality that inspires genuine trust and loyalty among those she leads. Renowned for her unwavering integrity, innovative thinking, and quiet yet powerful leadership style, she consistently encourages and uplifts others. Leading by example, Jaz employs a leadership approach that emphasizes building rapport, inspiring others, and using empathy to engage with our youth. Her leadership is characterized by courage, confidence, compassion, and a willingness to make sacrifices for the greater good.
In 2009, Jaz made it her personal mission to eradicate HIV/AIDS, driven by her deep passion for community outreach, life-changing programs, and service. This dedication led to the formation of HTCF, with a clear focus on EIE:
- EDUCATE: Empowering our youth with comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS.
- IMPACT: Equipping our youth with a voice and the ability to take a stand against HIV/AIDS.
- EMPOWER: Guiding our youth to make informed decisions before engaging in protected and unprotected sexual activities.
Jaz has developed impactful curriculums at HTCF, including "Power in Numbers," which has received an award for its effectiveness. Additionally, the "STANDDOWN" initiative serves to bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement, educating our children on how to navigate interactions with authority figures. Her outreach extends to diverse groups, including youth, ex-offenders, the homeless, teen pregnancy, and HIV/AIDS victims, with a focused effort on empowering young girls and boys. Jaz's initiatives have significantly altered the trajectory of Kellman students, leaving an indelible mark on their lives. Jaz Ellison's unwavering commitment to empowering and uplifting at-risk youth has established her as a beacon of positive change in the community, and her visionary leadership continues to inspire meaningful transformation.
Nonprofit Partner
PHYLLIS RODGERS
Peer Plus began when Ms. Rodgers became a case manager—the first and only person of color on the clinical team—at the former Sable/Sherer Clinic at Cook County Hospital. She successfully managed a caseload of 300+ ex-offenders from the county Department of Corrections and the general population. In later years, she supervised a team of 25 HIV-positive adults through the Volunteer Services at the Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center and reintroduced them to their communities as health workers and advocates for others who were HIV-positive. She has served on the board of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and as the coordinator of the AIDS Walk for all Cook County employees.
Ms. Rodgers' vast experience as a community and patient advocate laid the foundation for Peer Plus. A cancer survivor, she has committed her talents to change patient experiences and to create much-needed conversations and outcomes. In 2016 she was certified as an Ambassador with the Washington-based PCORI (Patient-Centered Research Outcomes Institute) and in 2017 became a member of the Patient Brigade with the University of Illinois Cancer Center. In honor of Black History Month 2020, Peer Plus forged an historic partnership with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and collaborated to co-host a community forum, “A Conversation about the Facts, Figures and Cultural Diversity in Oncology,” which underscored the urgent need for people of all colors to participate in clinical trials.
To improve skills that serve communities disproportionately impacted by the Corona virus, Ms. Rodgers has also completed the ASTHO training for Contact Tracing for COVID-19. Known as the “go-to” person on healthcare information, she makes it a priority to stay current on healthcare issues through trainings and workshops for herself and Peer Plus volunteers.