Empowering Community Health Workers: A Certified Commitment to Asthma Education in Chicago
On June 27, 2025, the Chicago Asthma Consortium (CAC) will host a high-impact community event at Sinai Health System’s Glasser Auditorium, and we’re very proud to say the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program will be there, hands-on and heart-in.
The Community Health Worker Educational Forum, organized by CAC, will bring together 75–100 community health workers from across Chicago for an afternoon of education, inspiration, and outreach.
At the event, titled “Building Knowledge, Building Health: Empowering Community Health Workers,” attendees will “Party for a Purpose” by packing 500 Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Resource Tote Bags filled with support materials, asthma education resources and product samples all destined for schools, health fairs, mobile asthma vans, and other vital community outreach efforts.
These bags are designed to equip families managing asthma with practical, science-backed tools for better health.
Giving Back with Purpose
This event reflects a purpose that’s deeply aligned with our own: to reduce the burden of asthma by connecting people with verified, health-supportive resources. From Certified products that reduce allergen exposure to educational materials that empower families, our program is grounded in prevention, access, and trust.
Thanks to our generous network of Certified partners and collaborators, each bag will include:
- Asthma & Allergy Friendly® black tote bag
- Branded pens, journals, and folders
- Certification Program Product Guide
- Healthy Home Trifold brochure
- Partner QR Code Sheet (with links to Certified products and promotional discounts)
- AAFA Online Store Notecard
- AAFA Managing Asthma Guide
- Asthma Inhaler Poster
- Asthma Action Plan
- Renegade Brands Certified Laundry Detergent Samples
In addition to educational resources, we are proud to share that our Certified partners – SIJO, Knauf North America, Downlite, Kleenex®, Blueair, and Alen– have all contributed exclusive discount codes. These promotional inserts demonstrate their proactive leadership in the space of asthma and allergy awareness, and reflect a shared commitment to making Certified products more accessible to families who need them most.
Our hope is that by including these offers, we are placing not just information but tangible well-being-supporting resources directly into the hands of families, educators, and community advocates.
And, of course, we are grateful to our Certified partners Alen, Blueair, Downlite, Rabbit Air, Renegade Brands, and SIJO for their generous donations of spot prizes for the event, as a special thank-you to the community health workers in attendance.
Inspiring Voices, Leading Change
The event will feature powerful keynote addresses from two distinguished leaders in community health and asthma care:
Dr. Ngozi Ezike
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, President and CEO of Sinai Chicago, will share her insights as a board-certified internist and pediatrician with over 15 years of experience delivering care and shaping public health initiatives across Chicago. Her leadership at the intersection of clinical care and community impact continues to inspire systemic change.
Karmin Wright
Karmin Wright, Asthma Outreach and Education Coordinator at the South Side Pediatric Asthma Center, will speak from her hands-on experience advancing health equity. A champion for pediatric asthma patients, Karmin has worked across testing, education, and outreach programs, connecting families with the tools they need to thrive.
These keynote sessions will set the tone for a day focused on empowerment, education, and meaningful action.
A Heartfelt Thank You
A special thank you goes to Knauf North America, the official sponsor of this initiative, whose generous support made our full participation and contribution possible. Knauf’s Certified insulation products play a vital role in improving indoor air quality, and their investment in this event reflects a broader commitment to public health, community outreach, and corporate leadership that delivers real-world impact.
We are also grateful to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) for their contribution of invaluable educational materials, including the Asthma Management Plan, Asthma Inhaler Poster, and Managing Asthma Guide, essential tools for the community health workers who serve as trusted messengers on the frontlines of asthma care.
A Community-Centered Mission
Asthma continues to disproportionately affect low-income minority children and adults in urban environments like Chicago. Poor housing, inconsistent access to care, and frequent exposure to environmental triggers contribute to increased emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and missed days at school and work.
Through events like this, CAC is actively shifting that reality. By equipping community health workers with science-based education and culturally relevant tools, they are improving lives on a daily basis.
As part of the Certification Program, we are honored to support these efforts, not just through Certified products, but through authentic, on-the-ground partnerships that bring science and support directly to the community.
How It All Began
Our involvement in this important initiative began earlier this year at AAAAI 2025, when Dr. Sharmilee Nyenhuis, Chair of the CAC Community Advisory Board and recipient of our 2024 Amber Tringale Award, approached our team with a powerful idea:
Could the Certification Program help bring resources directly to Chicago’s asthma community through a hands-on event?
Dr. Nyenhuis is a respected leader in asthma prevention and education, and her commitment to reducing acute asthma exacerbations and emergency visits through community empowerment inspired us immediately. Her vision brought this partnership to life.
Looking Ahead
We view this not as a one-time activation, but as the first step in a long-term partnership. There is incredible value in connecting Certified brands directly with the communities they serve, not just through product shelves or marketing campaigns, but through meaningful, mission-driven engagement.
As community health workers pack the 500 Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Resource Tote bags on June 27, each one becomes a powerful symbol of collaboration linking science, corporate leadership, and community action.
We are privileged to be part of this network and are committed to continuing this work, one product, one partner and one family at a time.