TransLife Care

Our TransLife Care (TLC) program exists to provide free healthcare and social services to vulnerable individuals who identify themselves as trans, non-binary, or gender expansive. Our programs offer support for housing, legal, medical, sexual health, and employment. We offer three resource drop-in centers on the north, south and west sides of Chicago and provide access to on-site healthcare providers, sexual health screeners, legal counsel, case managers, employment and much more. These drop-in centers give individuals an immediate response to their current needs.

The TLC is designed to provide the most essential support to the trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive communities.

Trans women are 49 times more likely to contract HIV than any other demographic group. In the US, over 20% of trans women are living with HIV.

Baral et al., 2012, in The Lancet

Trans residents of Chicago are 3 times more likely to live with HIV than cisgender Chicagoans, yet only 56% are virally suppressed.

AIDSvu.org, 2017 data, and Illinois HIV/AIDS Epidemiology Factsheet 2015

27% of trans workers reported being fired, not hired, or denied a promotion in 2014-2015.

National Center for Transgender Equality, Report of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey

Drop-In Centers

Our Drop-In Centers on the north, west, and south sides of Chicago offer rapid response HIV and STI screening, access to an on-site healthcare team, case workers, and more for individuals who identify as transgender..

TransSafe Drop-In

Central to the TransLife Care program, the TransSafe drop-in centers provide the first and only comprehensive, one-stop resource for the transgender community in the Midwest.

Our rapid response model empowers individuals with immediate results and offers guidance to achieve optimal health outcomes.

FREE services for the trans and non-binary community, including:

General support/services
Housing navigation
Legal support
Employment services
Medical referrals

Drop-In Days and Times:

Every Monday: 2pm - 5pm @ 3656 N Halsted, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60657 (Center on Halsted)
Every Wednesday: 3pm – 7pm @ 9 North Cicero, Chicago, IL 60644 (Enter through rear)
Every Wednesday: 12 - 3 pm @ 1515 E. 52nd Place, 3rd Floor Chicago, IL 60615

Questions? Please reach out to Kevin Pleasant

Legal Clinic Drop-In

Offered at each drop-in location either in-person or virtually.

If you are trans/non-binary/gender-expansive and in need of legal support, come and join us for:

Name changes
Expungement/sealing
Housing discrimination
Employment discrimination
Public benefits appeals
Legal referrals

Questions? Please call 773-673-9340

TransHousing

Chicago House provides trans-affirming, community-based housing in subsidized rental units across the Chicagoland area. We operate under the Housing First approach which believes a stable home is an essential foundation in reaching and maintaining positive health outcomes and greater well-being.

Through TransHousing, trans, non-binary, or gender-expansive individuals who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability receive housing navigation, and gain access to additional Chicago House wraparound services, including: case management, pharmacy, employment and legal services.

Our goal is to create permanent housing solutions while improving the health and well-being of the individuals we serve.

Learn more about our Housing Services.

TransLegal

The TransLegal program offers clients free and sliding-scale access to legal counsel. Our legal team helps clients navigate a variety of legal challenges, including name changes; expungement and criminal records sealing; employment, public accommodations and housing discrimination; and benefits assistance.

Contact: Elizabeth Ricks at 773.347.7848.

TransWorks

The TransWorks program supports trans, non-binary, and gender expansive individuals who are currently unemployed or underemployed and seeking new job opportunities through one of our many corporate partners. From employment readiness development to resume development to interview counseling, the TransWorks team works in tandem with our employment department to ensure candidates meet eligibility requirements and land in trans-affirming work environments.

TransHealth

We offer trans-affirming healthcare for trans, non-binary, and gender expansive individuals. Our services are low-barrier and include everything from hormones to routine healthcare and primary care. No appointment is needed to access care through the Chicago House TransHealth programs.

Sexual Health

The TransHealth program also serves transgender individuals who are vulnerable to or living with HIV/AIDS. Whether through the Chicago House mobile screening outreach or via our three community resource drop-in centers, the TransHealth team ensures individuals in need of STI or HIV screening are properly screened and immediately connected to care based on the real-time results. Our rapid response approach eliminates delays for appointments or wait times.

Violence Against the Transgender Community

2023 saw at least 32 transgender and gender-expansive individuals lose their lives to violence motivated by transphobia.

 Dustin Parker, 25  |  Neulisa Luciano Ruiz  |  Yampi Méndez Arocho, 19  |  Scott/ Scottlynn Devore, 51  |  Monika Diamond, 34  | Lexi, 33 |  Johanna Metzger  | Serena Angelique Velázquez Ramos, 32  | Layla Pelaez Sánchez, 21  | Penélope Díaz Ramírez  |  Nina Pop  |  Helle Jae O’Regan, 20  |  Tony McDade  | Dominique “Rem'mie” Fells  |Riah Milton, 25  |  Jayne Thompson, 33  |  Selena Reyes-Hernandez, 37  |  Brian “Egypt’ Powers, 43  |  Brayla Stone, 17  | Merci Mack, 22  | Shaki Peters, 22  | Bree Black, 27  |  Summer Taylor  |  Marilyn Cazares  | Dior H Ova  |  Queasha D Hardy, 22  |  Aja Raquell Rhone-Spears  | Lea Rayshon Daye, 28  |  Kee Sam  |  Aerrion Burnett  |  Mia Green, 29  |  Michelle Michellyn Ramos Vargas  |  Felycya Harris, 33  |  Brooklyn Deshuna, 20  |  Sara Blackwood  |  Angel Unique  | Skylar Heath, 20  |   Yunieski Carey Herrera, 39  |  Asia Jynae Foster, 22  |  Chae’Meshia Simms  |  Kimberly Fial, 55  |  Jaheim Pugh Jaheim Barbie, 19  |  Courtney “Eshay” Key, 25  |  Alexandria Winchester, 24

Contact our Translife Team

Priscilla Perez, TransLife Care Program Manager, 773.661.4902

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