Chicago House and Social Service Agency

Chicago House and Social Service Agency Providing housing, health, and employment support to individuals impacted by HIV/AIDS as well as the most vulnerable in our LGBTQ+ communities.

Our History

In the 1980s, Chicago, like so many places around the world, suffered countless losses of friends and family being taken by the AIDS epidemic. Forty years ago, getting diagnosed with HIV meant facing a dearth of support services on top of immense societal stigma. Then, when the news was bleak and options limited, beacons of light - like Chicago House - emerged as resources. At first,

Chicago House was a home for those ultimately losing their battle with HIV/AIDS; however, over time, with medical and clinical advancements, the outcomes of receiving a positive HIV diagnosis started to shift and what had historically been a life-ending virus became a different way of life. Semantics shifted from dying of HIV to living with HIV. Today, the dialogue has evolved once again, this time with hope of no new HIV transmissions, lowering the viral load of individuals living with HIV to an undetectable amount and eradicating the disease once and for all. As the disease storyline shifted, so did Chicago House’s services. No longer just a place for individuals to die, but rather a place to help those living with HIV to lead healthy and dignified lives, Chicago House evolved - remaining steadfast in our roots to provide housing for anyone impacted or vulnerable to HIV/AIDS while expanding our services to empower individuals in the greater LGBTQ community. Building on our 35-year history, we continue to support advancements in medicine, meet the ever-changing needs of the people we serve and establish ourselves as the leader in housing for the greater LGBTQ+ community. By meeting people where they’re at, Chicago House has been growing alongside individuals and historical advancements alike. Pivotal moments, major milestones and unfathomable achievements have anchored our path forward, and the future is filled with hope.

05/04/2026
Michael Herman, our outgoing CEO, and Lindsay Gaskins, our new CEO, shared the stage to recognize the team effort behind...
05/03/2026

Michael Herman, our outgoing CEO, and Lindsay Gaskins, our new CEO, shared the stage to recognize the team effort behind the scenes at Chicago House to continue building on our success.

Thank you to our Floral Market Sponsors this year for helping Chicago House bloom at our Flower Power Spring Brunch & Fa...
04/29/2026

Thank you to our Floral Market Sponsors this year for helping Chicago House bloom at our Flower Power Spring Brunch & Fashion Show: Kehoe Designs, Taylor&Co. Events, E Melone Events., Floriography Fellows, Goddess Flora, and Anna Held Floral Studio.

We would also like to thank J&L Catering & Events for the delectable cuisine and Todd Wood/Sundog Media for catching our staff’s good side in this year’s video.

In addition to our presenting sponsor, Wintrust, there so many important sponsors and supporters of the Flower Power Spr...
04/22/2026

In addition to our presenting sponsor, Wintrust, there so many important sponsors and supporters of the Flower Power Spring Brunch & Fashion Show that have been vital—both to this event, and our organization in general. Partnerships like these make our work possible—thank you so much!

Wintrust is our presenting sponsor for the Flower Power 2026 Spring Brunch & Fashion Show! We thank you for your support...
04/22/2026

Wintrust is our presenting sponsor for the Flower Power 2026 Spring Brunch & Fashion Show! We thank you for your support in allowing us to think big and better serve our mission.

Thank you for lending your creative skills to support our mission AJA Talent (Choreography), Nevin Hersch (Music), and D...
04/17/2026

Thank you for lending your creative skills to support our mission AJA Talent (Choreography), Nevin Hersch (Music), and Dawn Bliss Beauty (Makeup)!

Get your tickets here: https://www.chicagohouse.org/springbrunch26

- AJA Talents is owned by Alberto J. Arias, a renowned Chicago dancer and choreographer that has worked with top choreographers including Twyla Tharp and Lou Conte. AJA Talents is co-owned and managed by Ethan Kurschbaum and Jesse Hoisington, who have worked with Hubbard Street 2 & Saarländisches Staatstheater and Cerqua Rivera Dance Theater & Hedwig Dances respectively.
- Nevin Hersch is a DJ, sound artist, and classical pianist. Hersch is resident DJ at Cell Block and decade-long resident DJ at Berlin Nightclub and Jai Ho Bollywood Dance Party.
- Dawn Bliss is a Chicago-based Professional Makeup Artist with over 30 years of experience in the Fashion & Beauty Industry. Bliss is most known for intuitively being able to extract and express the spirit of each individual artistically in a way that feels authentic and celebratory.

Address

2229 S Michigan Avenue, Ste 304
Chicago, IL
60616

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Website

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