South Side Healthy Community Organization, Inc.

What South Side Healthy Community Organization, Inc. does

South Side Healthy Community Organization, Inc. (SSHCO) is a non-profit healthcare collaborative incorporated in Illinois on September 22, 2021, established through the State of Illinois' inaugural Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives initiative to address long-standing health disparities across 15 zip codes on Chicago's South Side. The organization coordinates care, health education, and social support services for adult residents who are uninsured or enrolled in Medicaid, operating a Healthy Community Model with four components: expanding access to primary care and specialty providers, implementing programs targeting maternal health, behavioral health, and chronic conditions, connecting patients to clinical and social resources, and operating a shared care technology platform that coordinates data across 21 partner clinics and emergency rooms. End-user services are provided free of charge and include care coordination, mental health resources, pregnancy and postpartum support, substance use recovery, chronic disease management, transportation, housing resources, utility and financial assistance, employment help, and nutritious food.

SSHCO's go-to-market is community-led, delivered through embedded Community Health Workers and nurse care coordinators operating inside a 13-partner network that comprises three hospital systems (UChicago Medicine, Advocate Trinity Hospital, South Shore Hospital Corporation), four safety net hospitals (St. Bernard Hospital, Roseland Community Hospital, Jackson Park Hospital and Medical Center, Sinai Chicago/Holy Cross Hospital), and six Federally Qualified Health Centers (Friend Health, Near North Health, Chicago Family Health Center, TCA Health, Beloved Community Family Wellness Center, Christian Community Health Center). Demand generation relies on town halls (six+ since October 2023), annual health fairs (second held June 28, 2025 at Shine Bright Community Center), a Community Advisory Council, an active social media presence across Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, and earned media coverage from WBEZ, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Defender, Chicago Tribune, and Hyde Park Herald. Recent additions include a Free Doula Services program launched January 2026 in partnership with Chicago Birthworks Collective, serving 80+ families.

The revenue model is government grant-funded: SSHCO was awarded approximately $26M by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services on July 2, 2021, with funding beginning in January 2022 under the Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives program. In March 2023, SSHCO deployed nearly $1M in sub-grants to five community-based organizations (Dion's Chicago Dream, Christian Community Health Center, Phalanx Family Services, Centro Comunitario Juan Diego, Trek World USA) to operationalize social determinants of health services including food, housing, employment, and non-emergency medical transportation. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors with representation from all 13 healthcare partners; Kimberly Hobson serves as CEO (appointed 2022). SSHCO has screened more than 18,000 individuals and enrolled over 6,400 into coordinated care since launch.

Name

South Side Healthy Community Organization, Inc.

Legal name

South Side Healthy Community Organization, Inc.

Website

https://southsidehealthycommunity.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Short description

South Side Healthy Community Organization is a non-profit healthcare collaborative that coordinates care, health education, and social support services free of charge for Medicaid and uninsured adults across 15 zip codes on Chicago's South Side through a 13-partner network of hospitals and FQHCs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health Coordination Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Individual and Family Services (6241), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Health Centers (FQHCs & Look-Alikes) (HLAFAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Primary Care for Underserved Populations (e.g., migrant, homeless, refugee clinics) (HLAFAGAN)

Keywords

• Community health coordination
• Medicaid care services
• Maternal health support
• Social determinants programs
• Community health worker

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. State Healthcare Transformation Funding: SSHCO receives healthcare transformation funding from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, awarded July 2, 2021, with funding starting in January 2022. This is state-funded nonprofit healthcare collaborative funding through the Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives initiative.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

SSHCO coordinates free healthcare and social support services for Medicaid-enrolled and uninsured adults across 15 ZIP codes on Chicago's South Side. Care coordinators and community health workers connect residents to primary care doctors, specialists, mental health resources, pregnancy support, substance use recovery, chronic disease management, and social determinants services including transportation, housing, employment, and nutritious food.

Product overview

SSHCO operates as a community-wide healthcare collaborative network focused on improving health outcomes for uninsured residents and those covered by Medicaid across 15 ZIP codes on Chicago's South Side. The organization implements its Healthy Community Model through four integrated components: increasing access to primary care and specialty providers; implementing innovative care programs addressing maternal health, behavioral health, and chronic conditions; connecting patients to clinical and social resources; and leveraging care technology across 21 partner clinics and emergency rooms. Core services include care coordination delivered by community health workers and nurse care coordinators, free doula services through partnership with Chicago Birthworks Collective, and a Social Determinants of Health Grant Program investing nearly $1 million in community resources including nutritious food, housing, employment services, and non-emergency medical transportation. The organization partners with 13 healthcare providers including hospitals, health centers, and community-based organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Care Coordination Services Care coordinators ensure South Side residents have a primary care doctor and connect them to providers, programs, and services that build good health and wellness, including doctors, nurses, specialists, mental health resources, pregnancy support, substance use recovery, and chronic disease management. Free for Medicaid and uninsured residents.
• Community Health Workers and Nurse Care Coordinators Community health workers and nurse care coordinators embedded directly into partner care settings to help patients navigate the health system and access resources including social supports such as housing, transportation, and access to food and benefits.
• Free Doula Services Program Free doula care delivered in partnership with Chicago Birthworks Collective for expectant parents who are uninsured or covered by Medicaid. Includes prenatal visits, postpartum visits, birth and postpartum preparation and education, labor and delivery support, and postpartum wellness services.
• Healthy Community Model A four-component care model that 1) increases access to primary care and specialty providers; 2) implements innovative care programs addressing maternal health, behavioral health, and chronic conditions; 3) connects patients to clinical and social resources; and 4) connects care technology among 21 clinics and emergency rooms on the South Side.
• Social Determinants of Health Grant Program Nearly $1 million investment in community resources addressing social determinants of health including nutritious food, employment services, stable housing, emergency financial support, and transportation services for South Side residents. Implemented through grants to five local organizations: Dion's Chicago Dream, Christian Community Health Center, Phalanx Family Services, Centro Comunitario Juan Diego, and Trek World USA.
• Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Non-emergency medical transportation services to help South Side residents get to and from medical appointments, delivered through partnership with Trek World USA, a Black-owned healthcare technology company offering a digital on-demand non-emergency medical transport platform.
• Health Resources and Education Trusted health information resources covering primary care, pregnancy/prenatal care, hypertension, substance use, mental health, diabetes, heart health, obesity, and wellness topics for South Side residents.

Quantifiable outcome

• Screened more than 18,000 individuals and enrolled over 6,400 into coordinated care since 2021
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Chicago Birthworks Collective (CBC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 January 2026Partnership to provide free doula services for South Side residents who are uninsured or covered by Medicaid. The program includes 3 prenatal visits, 2 postpartum visits, birth and postpartum preparation, labor and delivery support, and postpartum wellness services. Will provide more than 80 families with culturally centered care throughout pregnancy and beyond to address maternal health inequities.
• Dion's Chicago DreamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 March 2023Awarded grant to address food insecurity through Dream Deliveries program which brings fresh produce right to doorsteps, providing five days worth of healthy food options weekly at no cost to recipients. Organization anchored in Englewood, owns vehicles and hires from communities they serve.
• Christian Community Health CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 March 2023FQHC awarded grant to link quality health care and housing. Provides supportive housing services including interim and permanent placements, housing and case management services after hospital discharge, and help with ongoing primary, dental and behavioral health care through referrals.
• Phalanx Family ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 March 2023Awarded grant to provide employment services with focus on building self-sufficiency through jobs. Offers two dozen youth and adult programs providing tools and resources to obtain and sustain employment including job readiness training, career search assistance, job placement, and support for transportation, uniforms, skill development.
• Centro Comunitario Juan Diego (CCJD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 March 2023Awarded grant to serve South Chicago community with health support, trainings, health fairs, utility assistance, and food pantry. Will increase emergency resources to help residents avoid utility shut off, obtain clothing and footwear, receive emergency food services, and acquire transportation for mammogram screenings.
• Trek World USAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 March 2023Awarded contract to provide non-emergency medical transportation to help South Side residents get to and from medical appointments. First Black-owned healthcare technology company offering digital on-demand non-emergency medical transport platform with 24/7 support. All vehicles wheelchair accessible.
• Phalanx (Job Training Partner)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 October 2022Job training and employment assistance partner featured at October 2023 Town Hall. Part of telepsych pilot program partnership.
• Sinai Urban Health InstitutesupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 18 October 2022Hires Community Health Workers and CHW Supervisors for SSHCO programs at various partner sites including Chicago Family Health Center, TCA Health, Friend Family Health Center, Roseland Community Hospital, Jackson Park Hospital, and St. Bernard Hospital.
• Community Advisory Council (CAC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2022Newly formed Community Advisory Council comprised of community members to provide input and guidance on programs and services. Introduced at July 16, 2024 Town Hall.
• UChicago MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2021One of 13 healthcare partners in SSHCO network. Part of three hospital systems in the collaborative working to increase access to care on South Side.
• Advocate Trinity HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2021One of 13 healthcare partners in SSHCO network. Part of three hospital systems in the collaborative. Dr. Michelle Blakely serves as Chair of SSHCO Board.
• St. Bernard HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2021One of 13 healthcare partners in SSHCO network. Safety net hospital serving South Side Chicago. Chuck Holland serves on SSHCO Board.
• Friend HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2021One of 13 healthcare partners in SSHCO network. Federally Qualified Health Center. Wendy Thompson serves on SSHCO Board.
• Near North HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2021One of 13 healthcare partners in SSHCO network. Federally Qualified Health Center. Dr. Triste Smith serves on SSHCO Board.
• Chicago Family Health CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2021One of 13 healthcare partners in SSHCO network. Federally Qualified Health Center. Sherry Pace serves on SSHCO Board.
• Roseland Community HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2021One of 13 healthcare partners in SSHCO network. Safety net hospital. Tim Egan serves on SSHCO Board.
• TCA HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2021One of 13 healthcare partners in SSHCO network. Federally Qualified Health Center. Veronica Clarke serves on SSHCO Board.
• Jackson Park Hospital and Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2021One of 13 healthcare partners in SSHCO network. Safety net hospital. Dr. William Dorsey serves on SSHCO Board.
• Beloved Community Family Wellness CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2021One of 13 healthcare partners in SSHCO network. Margie Johnson serves as Vice Chair of SSHCO Board.
• South Shore Hospital CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2021One of 13 healthcare partners in SSHCO network. Leslie Rogers serves on SSHCO Board.
• Sinai Chicago (Holy Cross Hospital)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2021One of 13 healthcare partners in SSHCO network. Safety net hospital system. Karen Janousek serves on SSHCO Board.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SSHealthyCommunity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sshco
• Instagraminstagram.com/southsidehealthycommunity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 South Side Healthy Community Organization, Inc.