John Carroll University empowers communities across Ohio to address health and social issues impacting its residents. ServeOhio and the Corporation for National Community Service awarded the university a multi-million dollar grant funding this comprehensive initiative over five years. The program examines social determinants of health to identify the greatest need, applying targeted strategies to influence positive outcomes.
The Corps for Rural and Urban Success in Health, or CRUSH program, is the initiative's cornerstone, teaching middle- and high-school students in underserved communities to identify local health issues and strategically propose sustainable solutions to these issues. JCU AmeriCorps members bring the CRUSH program into the classroom, where many teachers work to embed the program into their curriculum. AmeriCorps Director Anita Iveljic ensures all training meets the program's planning and implementation standards. In addition to raising awareness of community health issues, CRUSH introduces underrepresented STEM students to potential career opportunities within the healthcare field. JCU senior Sean Butler ‘22 completed the program this year and says responding to social challenges was a formative experience.
