Pediatricians Urge Autism Screening

Wrongly accused: Think illegals are more likely to be involved in crime? Think again

1 in 3 gay men report being abused in a relationship

Domestic violence shelter gets new library

Local schools fear fund cuts amid feuding in Springfield

DuPage Co. plan would hit poor hardest, leaders say

Parents say school for disabled a disgrace

City-based hotline helps runaways

Here is a roundup of some of the most recent health and human services news affecting the Chicagoland region. News of the week is compiled from various daily, weekly and regional publications.

Chicago Military Schools: Reading, writing, recruiting

We’re winning cancer battle

Web Site Shows Autism Videos

More Ill. schools fall short of goals

Social Security Only Going Up 2.3%

Mothers of slain sons find strength in sharing

CHA plans to make more find work

Families who lost kids to violence find a purpose

Why are people so naturally generous? That’s the question the Chicago Tribune tackles in its editorial, How to Get a Charity Buzz.

What answer did the editor propose? “Because it feels good to help.”

If you donate to charity, you already knew that, of course. It does feel good. But earlier this year, a team of economists and psychologists at the University of Oregon reported in the journal Science that they’d peered inside the brain and confirmed the connection. They found that writing a check to a favorite charity activates regions of the brain associated with pleasure.

In other words, there’s a charity buzz.

The article then goes on to mention United Way specifically:

This time of year, there’s a simple way to help many people. Maybe you want to help battered women seeking shelter or a young person who needs mentoring to stay on track for graduation. Or someone suffering substance-abuse problems who needs treatment or job training. Seniors who need help with transportation to stay independent. Working families that need job training or child care. Kids who need dental care. People who need help finding affordable housing or an extra meal a week. Teens and adults who need mental health counseling.

United Way of Metropolitan Chicago helps them all, and many more, through its many generous donors.

Donating to United Way is the best way to maximize that great “charity buzz”. To read the full text, please visit the Chicago Tribune website.

Here is a roundup of some of the most recent health and human services news affecting the Chicagoland region. News of the week is compiled from various daily, weekly and regional publications.

Early Childhood Center Gives Kids Room To Learn

Illinois In Bind On Health Care

Spreading The Word On Veterans Programs

New Addison Center Closes Lawsuit Chapter

Illinois School Exams Too Easy, Report Says

At-Home Learning Program Helps Low-Income Parents Gain Needed Skills

80 Alternative-School Students Move To A Gleaming Site In Cicero