(Sept. 28, 2021 - Chicago, IL) Howard Brown Health has received a commitment of $1 million from TAWANI Foundation, including a pledge of $500,000 and a challenge grant of $500,000 to support the expansion of LGBTQ+ affirming healthcare on the Northalsted corridor. TAWANI Foundation is founded by Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired).
"The Howard Brown community relies on the generosity of people like Colonel Pritzker to provide essential healthcare services to those who need it most, especially our patients who are uninsured or underinsured," said Howard Brown Health President/CEO David Ernesto Munar . "We're thankful for Colonel Pritzker's gift and we will reach our total goal for the challenge grant with the support of our community."
"Howard Brown is on the frontlines in caring for the LGBTQ+ community," Pritzker said. "Howard Brown has supported LGBTQ+ Chicagoans in need of care. I strongly believe that their plan to expand capacity to provide essential healthcare services is important."
Since 2003, Howard Brown's clinic in East Lake View has provided affirming primary and specialty care for all people, including people living with HIV, serving 7,500 patients per year. However, the clinic lacks space for patient care, consultations, behavioral health, social services, meetings, and adequate work stations for staff. The current clinic has not had the capacity to accept new patients for several years.
In February of 2020, Howard Brown announced a move and expansion project for the clinic, to be constructed at Halsted and Cornelia. The future five-story, 71,000-square-foot building will expand clinic capacity—including primary care for people at all life stages and specialty care such as HIV care and trans health and will include Howard Brown's first North Side dental practice. The new building is expected to open in 2023.
The challenge grant requires Howard Brown to raise $250,000 in new or increased gifts for the Halsted clinic in both fiscal year 2022 (July 2021-June 2022) and 2023 (July 2022-June 2023).
The new Halsted clinic is part of Howard Brown's three-phase We Care campaign. The campaign also includes the construction of a new, permanent home for the Broadway Youth Center and the development of a South Side clinic and community center. Learn more at howardbrown.org/wecare.
