CHICAGO, IL – Throughout the last several months leadership of Center on Halsted (COH) and Life is Work have been working to establish a strategic partnership that leverages both organizations’ strengths to better serve and support transgender and gender diverse people of color. The result of this collaboration is joint programming to create a safe and inclusive space where all individuals can feel supported and access the resources they need to thrive.
The partnership between Life is Work and Center on Halsted will be inclusive of the full breadth of transgender and gender diverse centered programs and services including additional connections to housing, education, employment, and healthcare, and will also focus on intentional opportunities that center the overall health and wellness of gender diverse and non-conforming people of color. Many of the programs and initiatives that will be created out of this partnership will utilize COH’s Center on Cottage Grove location in the Woodlawn neighborhood.
The organizations are coming together for a moment of reflection during the upcoming Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR), Wednesday, November 20th, the annual day that honors the lives and memories of those we have lost in the transgender community.
“Together, Life is Work and Center on Halsted are creating a transformative partnership that not only strengthens our ability to serve transgender and gender diverse people of color but also deepens the impact we have across the entire community. By aligning our resources and expertise, we are building a future where every transgender individual, especially those most marginalized, can thrive in safety, dignity, and health,” said Zahara Bassett, CEO of Life is Work.
Life is Work is a black and brown trans-led organization that educates, empowers, and organizes TLGBQ+ people from diverse backgrounds to secure safety, wellness, and justice for all. Theirprograms include case management, workforce development training, and a variety of wellness resources.
The partnership with Life is Work and Center on Halsted continues to grow the program and service offerings of both organizations as they work to expand their efforts throughout the Chicagoland footprint.
“I am honored to do this work alongside Zahara and her team. Life is Work continues to be a powerful resource for Trans people of color,” said Joli Robinson CEO at Center on Halsted.
“Partnering with the Life is Work team helps our Center’s ability to further its overall vision of supporting a thriving LGBTQ+ community across Chicagoland. This partnership supports our mutual desire of providing a more cohesive and collaborative ecosystem of programs and services throughout Chicagoland that centers the Trans experience.”
About Center on Halsted:
Center on Halsted is the Midwest’s most comprehensive community center dedicated to advancing community and securing the health and well-being of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) people of Chicagoland. More than 1,000 community members visit the Center every day, including Center on Halsted and Center on Addison in Lakeview and Center on Cottage Grove in Woodlawn. https://www.centeronhalsted.org/.
About Life is Work:
Life is Work is dedicated to supporting and uplifting trans people of color through direct services, activism, and advocacy. They aim to provide comprehensive support to foster well-being and safety within the LGBTQIA+ community, especially amidst discrimination and potential isolation. Life is Work offers case management and guided programs that assist with healthcare, employment, and legal referrals. Their focus areas include housing referrals to ensure safe and gender-appropriate accommodations, vocational and educational training through our (LIFE) Lessons Intended for Everyone; health worker training, free HIV testing, and a range of supportive services covering identifications, clothing, food, and medications; Life Is Work has served over 800 Community Members since January 2024.