Causes: Centers to Support the Independence of Specific Populations, Civil Rights, Human Services, Lesbian & Gay Rights, LGBTQ
Mission: Center on Halsted advances community and secures the health and well-being of the LGBTQ people of Chicagoland.
Target demographics: LGBTQ community of Chicagoland
Direct beneficiaries per year: 365,000
Geographic areas served: Chicagoland
Programs: Hiv servicesstate of illinois aids/hiv & std hotline: for a total of 20 years, coh has operated the state of illinois aids/hiv & std hotline, a free and anonymous service operating daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. The hotline offers individualized risk assessments, comprehensive referrals, and the latest information about hiv/aids and stds to callers from all over the united states and even from abroad. With a database of 2,600 statewide referral services, health educators provide callers with a wealth of information regarding local health, social and support services. Yearly, we reach more than 10,000 diverse callers. Hiv testing and prevention: coh launched its highly successful hiv testing and prevention program in may, 2008.In fy14, we performed 3986 tests (1% positivity rate) reaching msm, hrh, mtf and spanish-speaking persons. The program provides free, rapid, and confidential hiv testing to clients on an appointment or walk-in basis. Clients who test positive for hiv, or who need additional support services, are linked to internal or external providers. Hiv support services: coh offers msm, mtf, hiv+, and spanish-speaking individuals who come through our testing program up to eight hours of free, short-term therapy/supportive counseling. This helps newly diagnosed individuals acquire a deeper understanding of their status and transmission risks, and lessens their anxiety. It has also proven to be an effective, safe opportunity for the health educator to elicit information about sexual and needle-sharing partners as well as to follow up on referrals to primary care. In fy14,248 hiv+, high risk hiv negative and potentially high risk negative clients were provided with 200 hours of individual or couples counseling. Clients wanting more long-term mental health treatment can enroll in coh's behavioral health services, where hiv+ clients are eligible for low-cost or free therapy through our ryan white part a grant. Clinical health educators also offer five weekly hiv+ support groups, one for 18-34 year olds, two for 35+, one of mixed ages, and one hiv+ art therapy studio group. The model for the groups was developed after a thorough review of group services already available on chicago's north side. Because many groups in our area are open and peer-led, we developed a closed, therapist-facilitated model as an alternative. Group topics include disclosure of hiv status, medication, side effects, symptoms of hiv disease, dating, relationships, sex, safer sex, confidentiality, availability of medical and social services, aging, and substance use. In fy14,75 unduplicated hiv+ clients were served through seventeen 10-week groups. In cy12, coh launched new risk reduction counseling and online programs targeting high risk adults on the north side of chicago and high risk youth throughout the city.
youth servicessince 1978, center on halsted has served the needs of lgbtq youth in chicago. Broadly, the youth program at center on halsted supports youth as they advance lifelong achievement goals and become productive adults through a comprehensive program which helps youth increase their sense of self-respect and confidence, while gaining the knowledge and skills needed to attain educational, personal, and other life goals. The youth program consists of the expect more program-the center's core program serving lgbtq youth and allies aged 13-24.Each week, 400 youth engage in comprehensive programming and services designed to support their transition to successful adulthood. Program components include health and wellness, arts and culture, sports and recreation, sexual health and identity, leadership and activism, vocational and professional development, and critical thinking and education.
community programming servicescoh hosts a wide variety of community and cultural offerings. The center has evolved into a lgbtq cultural destination within the city of chicago and throughout the midwest. Community programs are places for people to gather with friends and explore common interests such as sports and recreation, book clubs, family programming, women's groups and much more. The cultural programs at center on halsted offer a multitude of platforms for emerging and established lgbtq artists to provide an artistic voice for the lgbtq community.
Mission: Center on Halsted advances community and secures the health and well-being of the LGBTQ people of Chicagoland.
Target demographics: LGBTQ community of Chicagoland
Direct beneficiaries per year: 365,000
Geographic areas served: Chicagoland
Programs: Hiv servicesstate of illinois aids/hiv & std hotline: for a total of 20 years, coh has operated the state of illinois aids/hiv & std hotline, a free and anonymous service operating daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. The hotline offers individualized risk assessments, comprehensive referrals, and the latest information about hiv/aids and stds to callers from all over the united states and even from abroad. With a database of 2,600 statewide referral services, health educators provide callers with a wealth of information regarding local health, social and support services. Yearly, we reach more than 10,000 diverse callers. Hiv testing and prevention: coh launched its highly successful hiv testing and prevention program in may, 2008.In fy14, we performed 3986 tests (1% positivity rate) reaching msm, hrh, mtf and spanish-speaking persons. The program provides free, rapid, and confidential hiv testing to clients on an appointment or walk-in basis. Clients who test positive for hiv, or who need additional support services, are linked to internal or external providers. Hiv support services: coh offers msm, mtf, hiv+, and spanish-speaking individuals who come through our testing program up to eight hours of free, short-term therapy/supportive counseling. This helps newly diagnosed individuals acquire a deeper understanding of their status and transmission risks, and lessens their anxiety. It has also proven to be an effective, safe opportunity for the health educator to elicit information about sexual and needle-sharing partners as well as to follow up on referrals to primary care. In fy14,248 hiv+, high risk hiv negative and potentially high risk negative clients were provided with 200 hours of individual or couples counseling. Clients wanting more long-term mental health treatment can enroll in coh's behavioral health services, where hiv+ clients are eligible for low-cost or free therapy through our ryan white part a grant. Clinical health educators also offer five weekly hiv+ support groups, one for 18-34 year olds, two for 35+, one of mixed ages, and one hiv+ art therapy studio group. The model for the groups was developed after a thorough review of group services already available on chicago's north side. Because many groups in our area are open and peer-led, we developed a closed, therapist-facilitated model as an alternative. Group topics include disclosure of hiv status, medication, side effects, symptoms of hiv disease, dating, relationships, sex, safer sex, confidentiality, availability of medical and social services, aging, and substance use. In fy14,75 unduplicated hiv+ clients were served through seventeen 10-week groups. In cy12, coh launched new risk reduction counseling and online programs targeting high risk adults on the north side of chicago and high risk youth throughout the city.
youth servicessince 1978, center on halsted has served the needs of lgbtq youth in chicago. Broadly, the youth program at center on halsted supports youth as they advance lifelong achievement goals and become productive adults through a comprehensive program which helps youth increase their sense of self-respect and confidence, while gaining the knowledge and skills needed to attain educational, personal, and other life goals. The youth program consists of the expect more program-the center's core program serving lgbtq youth and allies aged 13-24.Each week, 400 youth engage in comprehensive programming and services designed to support their transition to successful adulthood. Program components include health and wellness, arts and culture, sports and recreation, sexual health and identity, leadership and activism, vocational and professional development, and critical thinking and education.
community programming servicescoh hosts a wide variety of community and cultural offerings. The center has evolved into a lgbtq cultural destination within the city of chicago and throughout the midwest. Community programs are places for people to gather with friends and explore common interests such as sports and recreation, book clubs, family programming, women's groups and much more. The cultural programs at center on halsted offer a multitude of platforms for emerging and established lgbtq artists to provide an artistic voice for the lgbtq community.
Civil Rights
Chicago
