Primo Center for Women and Children
Primo Center for Women and Children is Chicago's largest 501(c)(3) nonprofit provider of services for families experiencing homelessness, operating 350+ shelter beds, 91 permanent supportive housing units, and integrated trauma-informed healthcare and education programs organized around the High Fidelity Wraparound model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Primo Center for Women and Children does
Primo Center for Women and Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 1977 (incorporated as Urban Family and Community Centers) and rebranded under its current name in 2005, operating as Chicago's largest provider of services for families experiencing homelessness. The organization serves families led primarily by single mothers, many of whom are survivors of domestic violence, across three housing tiers — Interim Housing (350+ beds in the Englewood and Austin neighborhoods), Permanent Supportive Housing (91 units across Chicagoland), and Triage Housing (40 beds for single women) — supported by integrated healthcare, mental health, early childhood development, and education programs organized around the High Fidelity Wraparound model and trauma-informed care framework.
Core programs include Special Beginnings prenatal care in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Primo Bright Beginnings maternal and child health, Kids Connect (with Catholic Charities and Heartland Alliance Health), Parents as Teachers, FUSE Initiative for chronically homeless individuals, and on-site primary care with Lawndale Christian Health Center plus psychiatric services via Rush University Medical Center. The organization's core technology stack is operational rather than product-based: case management, referral routing through Chicago's DFSS/311 system and SPARC, and Microsoft 365 for organizational systems following a 2025 migration from G-Drive.
The business model is multi-stream nonprofit funding: government grants and contracts from HUD, IDHS, DFSS, and HRSA form the primary base, supplemented by individual donations (including monthly Primo Family Subscriber recurring gifts), corporate and foundation grants (BCBSIL, Lavin Family Foundation, RedMane Technology), planned giving, and a sliding-fee service model where fees are $0 for homeless clients and discounted up to 200% of federal poverty guidelines. Distribution occurs through government referral channels, community partnerships, and advocacy at federal, state, and local levels rather than direct sales. The organization is in an expansion phase, with a new interim shelter and administrative headquarters planned for 2027 in the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood, supported by recent executive team buildout under CEO Felicia Blakley (appointed 2024).
Primo Center for Women and Children firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Primo Center for Women and Children
- Legal name
- Primo Center for Women and Children
- Website
- https://primocenter.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1977
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Primo Center for Women and Children is Chicago's largest 501(c)(3) nonprofit provider of services for families experiencing homelessness, operating 350+ shelter beds, 91 permanent supportive housing units, and integrated trauma-informed healthcare and education programs organized around the High Fidelity Wraparound model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Primo Center for Women and Children industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Family Homeless Services
- NAICS
- Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)
Keywords
Where Primo Center for Women and Children is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Primo Center for Women and Children business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Grants and Contracts: Federal funding from US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). These government grants and contracts form the primary funding base for shelter operations, supportive housing, and social services.
- Donations and Contributions: Individual donors, corporate foundations, and nonprofit funders contribute at various levels ($100,000+ to $50-$99). Includes monthly recurring donations through Primo Family Subscriber program and planned giving options.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Partnership: Partnership with BCBSIL for Special Beginnings maternal health program and Primo Bright Beginnings grant supporting pregnant mothers, infants, and young children experiencing homelessness.
- Program Service Fees: Sliding fee scale for services with discounts based on family size and income up to 200% of federal poverty guidelines. Fee agreement is $0 for homeless clients.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | Free services for homeless clients |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Primo Center for Women and Children product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Primo Center for Women and Children provides interim housing, permanent supportive housing, and triage housing for families experiencing homelessness in Chicago, supported by integrated healthcare, trauma-informed behavioral health, early childhood development, and educational programs. Services are organized under the High Fidelity Wraparound model that coordinates housing, healthcare, and education into individualized family plans across 350+ shelter beds and 91 units of permanent supportive housing.
Product overview
Primo Center for Women and Children operates as a social services nonprofit offering a comprehensive, family-centered model of care for families experiencing homelessness in Chicago. The organization provides three main housing tiers (Interim Housing, Permanent Supportive Housing, and Triage Housing), supported by integrated healthcare services including mental health care and prenatal programs through Special Beginnings®. Educational support is delivered via early childhood development, Parents as Teachers, Kids Connect, and after-school programming through Chicago HOPES for Kids partnerships. The High Fidelity Wraparound model serves as the organizing framework, connecting all services across housing, health, and education domains. The organization operates 350+ shelter beds and 91 units of permanent supportive housing across multiple Chicago locations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Primo Bright Beginnings: A comprehensive maternal and child health program that combines home visiting services, integrated medical and mental healthcare, and transportation assistance for families experiencing homelessness.
Quantifiable outcome
- 708 children cared for last year
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Primo Center for Women and Children
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Primo Center for Women and Children technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Primo Center for Women and Children partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
30 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL)coreBCBSIL invested in Primo Bright Beginnings, an innovative maternal and child health initiative supporting pregnant mothers, new parents, infants, and young children experiencing homelessness. Partnership includes Special Beginnings program for prenatal care. BCBSIL's support helps address barriers to prenatal care, postpartum services, pediatric healthcare, and behavioral health support.
- Home Illinois SummitsecondaryAnnual statewide summit bringing together advocates, service providers, healthcare professionals, philanthropists, and government leaders to address homelessness in Illinois.
- Congresswoman Delia RamirezcoreIllinois 3rd Congressional District representative who hosted Social Safety Net Roundtable with Primo CEO Felicia Blakley. Advocates for federal funding for housing and family support services.
- Congressman Danny DaviscoreLong-standing champion of Primo's work; represents districts where both Englewood and Austin interim shelter campuses are located. Advocates for SNAP benefits and PSH funding.
- Congressman Jonathan JacksoncoreRepresenting Auburn-Gresham district where Primo's new interim shelter is slated to open in 2027. Discussed early investment and collaboration opportunities.
- Lawndale Christian Health CentercoreOn-site health services partnership providing primary medical care for residents at Primo's facility in the Austin neighborhood. Integrated healthcare delivery at the shelter location.
- Rush University Medical CentercoreHealthcare partner providing psychiatric services and support for the Primo Bright Beginnings maternal health program, including expanded partnerships for prenatal and postpartum care coordination.
- Heartland Alliance HealthcoreCo-leads Kids Connect program and conducts screenings, intakes, and well child home visits. Partnership supports families in navigating healthcare and mental health services.
- Catholic CharitiescoreCo-leads Kids Connect, a child-focused advocacy program helping families navigate education, healthcare, and mental health services. Partnership focuses on children's well-being.
- Chicago HOPES for KidscoreProvides after-school and summer youth programming to support academic growth, social-emotional learning, and positive relationships. Partnership offers tutoring, enrichment activities, and nurturing encouragement.
- Howard Brown HealthsecondaryConducts screenings, intakes, and well child home visits as part of integrated healthcare services for families.
- Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS)coreCity of Chicago department that refers families to Primo's interim housing and permanent supportive housing programs. Families access services through DFSS via 311 calls.
- Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)coreState government department providing funding support for Primo's programs and services. Data reporting to IDHS for state statistical purposes.
- YWCA Metropolitan ChicagosecondaryPartnership where Anna, a former Primo client, was connected to YWCA's program helping women build careers and find trades.
- Nourishing HopesecondaryProvides nutritious food via a personalized food distribution program supporting families' nutritional needs.
- Share Our SparesecondaryDonates essential items including diapers, car seats, and strollers to directly support Primo mothers with limited means.
- Above & Beyond Family Recovery CentersecondaryProvides high quality free outpatient behavioral addiction treatment services for families in need.
- University of Illinois Chicago - Health Equity and Justice PartnerssecondaryAcademic partnership focusing on health inequities and challenges faced by marginalized populations.
- Illinois Chapter, American Academy of PediatricssecondaryGuidance resource for child, youth and family well-being and quality healthcare standards.
- Teamwork EnglewoodsecondaryConnects Englewood residents to mentoring, digital literacy, workforce training, career readiness programs, and job placement services.
- Lavin Family FoundationsecondaryProvides crucial in-kind soft goods including adult and children's clothing, footwear, coats, and bedding.
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)secondaryFood assistance program for pregnant mothers, new mothers and young children to eat well and stay healthy.
- Salvation Army - Emergency Homeless Assessment and Response CentercoreServes as the access and assessment hub for families awaiting shelter placement in Chicago's coordinated entry system.
- Facing Forward to End HomelessnesssecondaryProvides long-term housing, essential resources, and personalized, family-wide support services.
- Center for Housing and HealthsecondarySpecializes in services for people experiencing homelessness and chronic illnesses.
- The Night MinistrysecondaryProvides overnight and short-term housing programs for young people and adults experiencing homelessness.
- Matthew House, IncsecondaryProvides food and other critical services for individuals who are unsheltered or facing homelessness.
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - Children and Family Research CentersecondaryServes as the research partner for Kids Connect program, providing evidence-based evaluation and research support.
- RedMane TechnologysecondaryTechnology partner; Alex Mack serves as CFO of RedMane Technology LLC and is on Primo's Board of Directors. RedMane sponsors events and provides technology expertise.
- Chicago HopesecondaryPartner organization that takes Primo families on field trips to experience life outside of pain and the reality of being homeless.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Primo Center for Women and Children competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Deborah's Place: Chicago-based nonprofit providing housing and supportive services for women experiencing homelessness. Operates interim and permanent supportive housing programs with case management, making it a directly comparable women-focused homelessness service provider operating in the same Chicago market.
- Sarah's Circle: Chicago nonprofit serving women experiencing homelessness with interim housing, permanent supportive housing, and day program services. Directly comparable to Primo Center in its women-only homelessness focus in the Chicago market with similar housing-plus-supportive-services model.
- A Safe Haven: Chicago-based nonprofit providing comprehensive services including housing, healthcare, job training, and supportive services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Operates a similar wraparound model serving families with comparable array of integrated services.
- La Casa Norte: Chicago nonprofit serving youth and families experiencing homelessness with housing, supportive services, education, and health programs. Comparable to Primo in its family-focused mission and integrated service approach serving similar populations in the same Chicago market.
Broad incumbents
- Heartland Alliance: Chicago-based anti-poverty and human rights nonprofit providing services across housing, healthcare, and economic development. While broader in scope than Primo, operates in overlapping domains (housing, health, services for vulnerable populations) in the same Chicago market and is an existing programmatic partner.
- Family Promise: National nonprofit addressing family homelessness through community-based shelter, housing, and prevention programs. Comparable to Primo Center in its family-homelessness focus, but operates nationally across 200+ affiliates with significantly broader geographic reach and recognition.
- YWCA Metropolitan Chicago: Chicago-area women-focused nonprofit providing services including workforce development, housing advocacy, and domestic violence services. Shares women's empowerment focus with Primo Center and is an existing referral/outflow partner for workforce programming.
- Catholic Charities of Chicago: Regional affiliate of Catholic Charities USA providing comprehensive social services including housing, family services, and immigration support in the Chicago area. Operates broader portfolio than Primo but shares overlapping family services and is an existing Kids Connect program partner.
- Volunteers of America: National nonprofit providing housing, healthcare, and supportive services to vulnerable populations including families experiencing homelessness. Operates at significantly larger scale nationally with similar housing-plus-services model serving families, veterans, and other populations across multiple states.
Others
- All Chicago Making Homelessness History: Chicago-focused organization working to prevent and end homelessness through research, advocacy, and coordination across the homeless services ecosystem. Adjacent to Primo as a coordinating body that funnels families to direct service providers and aggregates data on homelessness needs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Primo Center for Women and Children social profiles
Digital presencePrimo Center for Women and Children financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Primo Center for Women and Children leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Primo Center for Women and Children funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Primo Center for Women and Children M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Primo Center for Women and Children
What does Primo Center for Women and Children do?
Primo Center for Women and Children provides interim housing, permanent supportive housing, and triage housing for families experiencing homelessness in Chicago, supported by integrated healthcare, trauma-informed behavioral health, early childhood development, and educational programs. Services are organized under the High Fidelity Wraparound model that coordinates housing, healthcare, and education into individualized family plans across 350+ shelter beds and 91 units of permanent supportive housing.
Is Primo Center for Women and Children a public or private company?
Primo Center for Women and Children is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Primo Center for Women and Children founded?
Primo Center for Women and Children was founded in 1977. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Primo Center for Women and Children based?
Primo Center for Women and Children is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Primo Center for Women and Children make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Grants and Contracts are the primary driver. The others are donations and Contributions, blue Cross Blue Shield Partnership and program Service Fees.
Who are Primo Center for Women and Children's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Deborah's Place, Sarah's Circle, A Safe Haven and La Casa Norte. Broad incumbents are Heartland Alliance, Family Promise, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, Catholic Charities of Chicago and Volunteers of America. All Chicago Making Homelessness History is listed as an others.
Does Primo Center for Women and Children have an API?
No public API is recorded for Primo Center for Women and Children.
What industry is Primo Center for Women and Children in?
Primo Center for Women and Children's product category is Family Homeless Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAB, Housing Assistance & Homeless Services, with a secondary code of BPAGADAO, Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 624221 and its SIC code is 8300.