Westside Health Authority

What Westside Health Authority does

Westside Health Authority (WHA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit community development organization founded in 1988 in Chicago, Illinois, that serves the Austin neighborhood and the broader Greater Westside. It began as a volunteer coalition that prevented the closure of St. Anne's Hospital and has since grown into a multi-program operator with 100+ employees, 80% of whom live in the communities served. The organization runs five core program areas — Community Wellness, Reentry/Adult Services, Workforce Development (integrated with the SC2 violence intervention collaborative), Youth Innovation Center (ages 14-24), and Economic Development — supplemented by targeted initiatives including the Good Neighbor Campaign, Flood Assistance Repair Program (FARP), Residential Backflow Preventers Program, H.O.P.E. homeless outreach, and the Forty Acres Fresh Market. WHA also serves as the designated service provider for two Special Service Areas (SSA 72 Austin Village and SSA 77 Madison), managing property tax revenue reinvestment along those commercial corridors.

WHA operates a distributed physical footprint of roughly 10 locations across the Austin and Greater Westside area, anchored by the Aspire Center (the redeveloped former Emmet Elementary School at 5500 W Madison, acquired in 2018) and including dedicated Community Wellness centers, a Youth Innovation Center, Reentry/Adult Services offices, and the Forty Acres Fresh Market grocery. Its "technology" is fundamentally relational rather than digital — a community-led go-to-market built around door-to-door outreach, volunteer wellness checks, street outreach, and partner referrals — with no proprietary software, API surface, or AI/ML capability disclosed. Reporting is handled by a Quality Control and Data Management Director, and the organization has invested in social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X), an email newsletter with 4,500+ subscribers, and a central website (healthauthority.org).

WHA's revenue model is diversified across four streams: federal/state/local government grants and contracts (IDHS, IDOT, IDOC, DCEO, City of Chicago), tax revenue from the two SSAs it manages, foundation and corporate partnerships plus individual donations, and minimal program/administrative fees. All core services are provided free of charge to residents, with some youth programs offering stipends. Customer segments span Austin residents, youth 14-24, adults with employment barriers (including returning citizens and veterans), underserved wellness-priority residents, seniors, homeless individuals, food-insecure households, and flood-affected homeowners. Notable recent strategic moves include the $5.5M Austin Wellness Center development (with 80% of construction contracts awarded to local African American contractors), joining the SC2 violence intervention collaborative in 2024, and launching disaster-recovery programs in response to the 2023-2024 floods.

Name

Westside Health Authority

Legal name

Westside Health Authority

Website

https://healthauthority.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Westside Health Authority is a 501(c)3 nonprofit community development organization founded in 1988 in Chicago, serving the Austin neighborhood and Greater Westside through integrated programs spanning community wellness, reentry/adult services, workforce development, youth innovation, and economic development, with all services provided free of charge to residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (62419), Administration of Public Health Programs (923120), Services to Buildings and Dwellings (5617)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL)

Keywords

• Community development services
• Workforce development programs
• Youth employment services
• Reentry support services
• Community wellness programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Federal, state, and local government grants and contracts including programs with Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Department of Corrections, and City of Chicago partnerships.
2. Special Service Areas (SSA): Property tax revenue from designated commercial corridors (SSA 72 and SSA 77) reinvested into community services and economic development programs.
3. Foundation and Corporate Partnerships: Support from private foundations, corporations, and individual donors to fund specific programs and initiatives.
4. Program Fees: Minimal program fees; core services are provided free to residents. Some programs generate administrative fees or cost-sharing arrangements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Westside Health Authority is a nonprofit community development organization that delivers free, integrated programs across five core service areas: Community Wellness (healthcare referrals, behavioral health, street outreach), Reentry and Adult Services (job readiness and placement for returning citizens), Workforce Development (10-week coaching, skilled trades training, violence-intervention employment), Youth Innovation Center (career and life-skills programming for ages 14-24), and Economic Development (real estate redevelopment, Fresh Market grocery, and Special Service Area management for SSA 72 and SSA 77). Services are provided at no cost to residents through neighborhood centers, street outreach, and partner organizations across Chicago's Austin neighborhood and Greater Westside.

Product overview

Westside Health Authority operates as a community development organization offering a portfolio of interconnected social service programs. The core offerings include Community Wellness, Reentry/Adult Services, Workforce Development (SC2), Youth Innovation Center, and Economic Development. These programs are supplemented by specialized initiatives including the Backflow Valve Installation Program, Flood Assistance Repair Program (FARP), H.O.P.E. homeless outreach, and the Good Neighbor Campaign. The organization also manages Special Service Areas (SSA 72 and SSA 77) for community improvement. The Aspire Project serves as a flagship facility-based initiative, while the Forty Acres Fresh Market and 100 Men 100 Homes represent economic development ventures.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Good Neighbor Campaign: Community wellness outreach program focused on providing coordinated care through healthcare providers, mental health professionals, and service agencies.
• Aspire Center
• SSA 72 Chicago
• SSA 77 Madison
• FARP (Flood Assistance Repair Program)
• Residential Backflow Preventers Program

Products and services

• Community Wellness Program Holistic community-centered initiative promoting health, safety, and resilience through integrated services including primary care partnerships, behavioral health, street outreach, and public safety initiatives for Austin and Greater Westside residents.
• Reentry/Adult Services Compassionate, hope-centered services helping individuals with felony backgrounds, veterans, and returning citizens rebuild their lives through job readiness training, job placement, vocational training, and case management.
• Workforce Development Comprehensive 10-week job readiness program providing personalized coaching, skill building, workshops, and employment support for Austin residents, integrated with community violence intervention (SC2) initiatives and skilled trades apprenticeship partners.
• Youth Innovation Center Youth development programs for participants ages 14-24 offering career and workforce development, education support, civic engagement, life skills training, and mentorship, including the Chicago Youth Service Corps (CYSC), IDOT Peer Educator Program, One Summer Chicago, and Reimagine Program.
• Economic Development Economic development programming creating opportunities for Greater Westside citizens through the Aspire Project, 100 Men 100 Homes initiative, Forty Acres Fresh Market grocery store, and management of designated Special Service Areas.
• Special Service Areas (SSA 72 and SSA 77) Designated service provider for two Special Service Areas that reinvest property tax dollars from Chicago Avenue (SSA 72) and Madison/Austin Corridor (SSA 77) into safety improvements, economic vitality programs, and cultural identity initiatives.
• Residential Backflow Preventers Program Free residential backflow prevention valve installation program fully funded by Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for eligible homeowners in Illinois' 8th District to prevent sewage backup and flood damage.
• Flood Assistance Repair Program (FARP) Free repair assistance program providing muck-out, mold remediation, and build-back services for Chicago homes damaged in the 2023-2024 flood events, serving eligible homeowners at or below 100% Area Median Income.
• H.O.P.E. Homeless Outreach Resource and support services for the homeless population in Chicago, providing connections to essential housing assistance, food, clothing, furniture, and mental health resources.
• Good Neighbor Campaign Community engagement initiative providing wellness checks, resource coordination, senior engagement events, street outreach, and community meetings to support isolated residents across the Austin neighborhood.

Quantifiable outcome

• 22,000 residents served through key relationships
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

36 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SSA 72 (Austin Village Special Service Area)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHA serves as the designated service provider for SSA 72, the first Special Service Area created in Austin. Manages tax revenue reinvestment, safety improvements, economic vitality programs, and cultural identity initiatives along Chicago Avenue corridor.
• SSA 77 MadisoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHA serves as the designated service provider for SSA 77 Madison, managing enhanced services and programs in the Madison/Austin Corridor funded by property owner taxes.
• Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides vital support for outreach, resource coordination, and trauma-informed services across WHA community wellness programs.
• Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with WHA's Youth Innovation Center for the IDOT Peer Educator Program, training youth as peer educators on traffic safety, injury prevention, and public awareness.
• Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHA travels to Sheridan Correctional Center monthly for pre-release services and partners with TASC and Parole for supportive services to returning citizens.
• Chicago Youth Service Corps (CYSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity-led program engaging youth ages 16-24 in meaningful year-round service opportunities with paid work experiences and leadership development.
• One Summer ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComprehensive youth employment initiative placing over 200 youth each summer at more than 62 partner businesses for paid work experiences.
• CTA Second Chance ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationally recognized program providing job skills and career opportunities for residents facing challenges re-entering the workforce.
• AIDS Foundation of ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnhances WHA's efforts in housing vulnerable populations, offering stability and long-term wellness support.
• Chicago Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnects students and families to wellness services, mental health resources, and educational enrichment opportunities.
• Juvenile Advisory CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports youth engagement and leadership development through direct outreach and advocacy.
• Together ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSC2 Austin partner organization contributing to the community violence intervention collaborative.
• BUILD ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSC2 Austin partner organization in the community violence intervention initiative.
• Institute for Non-Violence Chicago (INVC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerServes as the Collaboration HUB for the SC2 Austin Collaborative, committed to authentic relationship building and transparency.
• Austin Coming TogethercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the SC2 Austin Collaborative focused on community violence intervention and prevention.
• Heartland Human Care ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the SC2 Austin Collaborative contributing to community violence intervention efforts.
• Malcolm X CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partner offering phlebotomy and CNA certification programs.
• Chicago Women in TradesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partner providing skilled construction trade apprenticeships and training.
• Revolution WorkshopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partner providing skilled construction trade training.
• Hire 360minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partner in the construction trades apprenticeship training program.
• CleanTurnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCleaning service Chicago partnership providing janitorial workforce training and employment.
• St Paul Community Development MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides apprenticeship training program for skilled construction trades.
• Women's Employed WorkforceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce program partner providing employment services and training.
• Austin Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIdentifies employer needs and connects community business owners to job-ready participants.
• CHI-Care ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for community-focused Grab & Go Free Hot Meals events.
• Rush University Medical CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensed Clinical Social Workers and Trauma Therapists provide professional guidance at Community Conversation: Trauma & Resilience events.
• Forty Acres Fresh MarketcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHA partnered with Forty Acres Fresh Market to develop a state-of-the-art grocery store in the Austin community, addressing food desert conditions.
• The Kindness CampaignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with WHA to host the Austin Fresh Food Market, distributing free groceries to Austin residents.
• AetnaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Good Neighbor Campaign for Pop-Up Farmers Market providing free fresh produce.
• Habilitative Systems IncminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides behavioral health services, treatment programs, and ongoing support for individuals and families at Community Interventions events.
• ThresholdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-based organization focused on harm reduction, outreach, and essential support services at community events.
• New Life CovenantminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for the 'We Are Our Own Medicine' Gun Violence Prevention Conference 2026.
• Three Crosses of Calvary Baptist ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Community Connections Meetings in Garfield Park.
• State Representative La Shawn K FordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with WHA to provide the Residential Backflow Preventers Program for homeowners in Illinois' 8th District.
• Westside Long-Term Recovery Group (WLTRG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducts outreach, supports intake, hosts monthly community forums, and offers wraparound services like housing counseling and benefits access for FARP.
• City of ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity partners including Department of Planning and Development, Department of Family and Support Services supporting community programs.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BUILD Chicago: Chicago nonprofit focused on youth violence prevention, workforce development, and community safety in Austin and other West Side neighborhoods. Directly comparable as an SC2 Austin collaborative partner operating in the same geography with overlapping youth and workforce mandates.
• Institute for Non-Violence Chicago: SC2 Austin collaboration HUB leading violence intervention coordination in the Austin neighborhood. Comparable as a co-located, co-funded violence-prevention partner with overlapping mission and funders.
• Together Chicago: Chicago collaborative focused on community violence intervention and resident-led safety initiatives. Closely comparable to WHA's SC2-related workforce and community wellness work targeting the same residents in Austin.
• Austin Coming Together: Collective-impact organization coordinating cross-sector work in Chicago's Austin neighborhood. Highly comparable to WHA's wraparound community-development model and its role as a backbone convener of Austin-based initiatives including SC2.
• Heartland Human Care Services: Chicago social services organization providing reentry, housing, and case management for vulnerable populations. Comparable to WHA's Reentry/Adult Services and H.O.P.E. homeless outreach programs and a fellow SC2 Austin partner.

Regional players

• The Resurrection Project: Chicago-based nonprofit focused on community development, immigrant integration, and economic opportunity on the West and Southwest Sides. Comparable community-development orientation and resident-led approach, but with a different geographic and demographic focus.

Broad incumbents

• Safer Foundation: Illinois- and Chicago-focused reentry and workforce organization serving formerly incarcerated individuals. Comparable to WHA's Reentry/Adult Services program at a larger scale and with broader geographic reach.
• Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation: Chicago South Side community development corporation managing Special Service Areas and running workforce, housing, and commercial-corridor programs. Comparable to WHA's Economic Development and SSA management functions in a parallel SSA-driven model.
• YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago: Large multi-site Chicago nonprofit operating youth, wellness, and community programs across the metro area. Comparable in providing free or low-cost wellness, youth, and senior programming, but at significantly greater scale and broader geographic footprint than WHA.
• Chicago Urban League: Large Chicago affiliate of the National Urban League delivering workforce, housing, and community development programs citywide. Comparable in mission and program mix, but operating at materially greater scale and broader geography than WHA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wha_chicago
• Facebookfacebook.com/WestsideHealth
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/westside-health-authority
• Instagraminstagram.com/westsidehealthauthority

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Westside Health Authority