What Taskforce Prevention And Community Services does

TaskForce Prevention & Community Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1990 and headquartered at 9 N Cicero Ave on Chicago's West Side. It is the oldest Black-led LGBTQ+ organization in Chicago, and operates a single-site, walk-in community center that delivers a holistic portfolio of free services to LGBTQ+ youth, young adults, and marginalized adults — with particular focus on Black, Brown, and low-income community members. The service portfolio spans HIV/STI testing and PrEP navigation, free bilingual (English/Spanish) LGBTQ+-affirming therapy, mental wellness and violence-prevention programming, a food pantry and gender-affirming clothing closet, housing assistance and workforce development, legal consultations for name and ID document changes, youth development (including ballroom/Vogue School programming), and the SAFE mentorship program for youth impacted by violence. The organization does not operate a proprietary technology platform; its "technology" is fundamentally community-embedded service delivery supported by standard digital channels (website forms, virtual therapy, social media). All services are provided free of charge to participants, with no insurance required for therapy.

The business model is donation- and fundraising-driven: TaskForce is funded primarily through individual donations, foundation and likely government grants (not explicitly disclosed), and signature events such as its annual Vogue for Good fundraiser. Distribution is multi-modal and community-led — walk-in access at the West Side headquarters, embedded programming through a 35+ year partnership with Chicago Public Schools (Gay-Straight Alliances, the CPS Galaxy Summit, district wellness initiatives), reciprocal referrals with peer organizations such as Chicago Therapy Collective, and earned media plus organic social channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn) plus an active blog and email newsletter. There is no app, API, or proprietary software product. The customer base is highly distributed across thousands of individual participants annually; named institutional counterparties are CPS (channel/distribution partner, not paying customer) and a small set of referral and event-venue partners.

In 2025–2026, TaskForce entered an explicit expansion phase: it marked its 35th anniversary, became the inaugural 'Out Front' leader of the Chicago Pride Parade (June 2025), launched two new program lines (SAFE mentorship in April 2026, the Free Bilingual LGBTQ+ Therapy Program in June 2026), created its first Deputy Director role (June 2026, filled by Dr. Jagadīśa-devaśrī Dācus), publicly advocated for LGBTQ+ youth alongside CPS ahead of congressional testimony (June 2026), and announced development of a new community center. Leadership includes Executive Director Dr. Christopher Balthazar, Deputy Director Dr. Dācus, Director of Operations Paulo Colby, Programs Director Reyna Ortiz, Associate Director of Communications Hannah Pewee, Assistant Director of Development Devin Hanley, Programs Coordinator Sabrina Frye, and therapist Annette N. Sandoval.

Name

Taskforce Prevention And Community Services

Legal name

TaskForce Prevention & Community Services

Website

https://taskforcechicago.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TaskForce Prevention & Community Services is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1990 and the oldest Black-led LGBTQ+ organization in the city, providing free HIV prevention, mental health, food, housing, legal, and youth development services to LGBTQ+ youth and marginalized adults on the West Side.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

LGBTQ+ Community Social Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sexual Health & STI/HIV Prevention Health Departments (HLAJAAAL), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Legal Aid) (BPADADAH)

Keywords

• LGBTQ+ community services
• HIV prevention programs
• Mental health services
• Youth development programs
• Social services nonprofit

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: As a nonprofit organization, TaskForce is funded primarily through donations and fundraising events such as its annual Vogue for Good fundraiser. All programs and services are provided free of charge to participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

TaskForce Prevention & Community Services delivers free, holistic, community-based services to LGBTQ+ youth and marginalized adults on Chicago's West Side. Its core offerings combine HIV/STI testing and PrEP navigation, free bilingual LGBTQ+-affirming therapy, SAFE mentorship, food pantry and housing assistance, mental wellness and violence prevention case management, legal name-change consultations, gender-affirming clothing, youth development rooted in ballroom culture, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. All services are provided at no cost to participants and require no insurance.

Product overview

TaskForce Prevention & Community Services is a Black- and LGBTQ+-led nonprofit organization offering a unified portfolio of community support services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults on Chicago's West Side. The core offerings include HIV/STI testing and prevention (Prevention and Treatment), mental health support including free bilingual therapy, mentorship programs (SAFE), safe space community outreach with gender-affirming clothing closet, essential services including food pantry and housing assistance, mental wellness and violence prevention programming, advocacy initiatives, and legal support for name/document changes. All services are free and designed to create affirming spaces where LGBTQ+ youth can access vital resources, healthcare, and support for holistic well-being.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SAFE (Saving All From Each Other) Program Mentorship and support program offering one-on-one mentorship, confidential surveys, and S.M.A.R.T. goal setting for LGBTQ+ youth who have experienced or been impacted by violence, harm, or unsafe situations. Participants are connected to additional services including mentorship, wellness activities, food resources, clothing support, HIV prevention services, and community programming.
• Free LGBTQ+ Therapy Program Bilingual (English and Spanish) LGBTQ+-affirming therapy services for youth, adults, couples, and families in need. Provided by Annette N. Sandoval, MA, LPC, CADC, specializing in LGBTQIA+ and marginalized communities, available on-site on Tuesdays and virtually. Insurance is not required.
• Safe Space and Community Outreach Creating affirming spaces where LGBTQ+ youth can express themselves, build community, and access vital resources through Vogue School, health and wellness classes, and outreach efforts. Includes a clothing closet offering free gender-affirming clothing options.
• Prevention and Treatment HIV/STI testing, PrEP navigation, and sexual health education programs promoting health and wellness. Comprehensive care helping individuals make informed choices and access resources to stay healthy.
• Essential Services Essential support providing food, hygiene kits, clothing, and basic necessities along with housing assistance and workforce development to help individuals build stability and access opportunities.
• Mental Wellness and Violence Prevention Mental wellness and violence prevention through education, support groups, counseling referrals, and gender-based violence case management creating safer, supportive spaces for healing and empowerment.
• Advocacy Champions inclusivity and justice by building strong community partnerships and amplifying LGBTQ+ voices through advocacy to create meaningful change and ensure an equitable future.
• Legal Support Services Weekly legal consultations providing guidance on name changes and help understanding documentation required for updating identification documents to reflect gender identity.

Quantifiable outcome

• Data from January 31, 2025 – December 31, 2025 shows the scale of visits and services provided across TaskForce programs.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Chicago Public Schools (CPS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2025TaskForce has partnered with Chicago Public Schools for more than 35 years through school-based Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), youth wellness initiatives, and district-wide events including the CPS Galaxy Summit. The partnership provides wellness programming, educational workshops, leadership development opportunities, and supportive spaces for students across the district.
• Chicago Therapy CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIf TaskForce's therapy program is at capacity, the organization refers clients to Chicago Therapy Collective for additional affirming therapy support. This ensures continued access to care when TaskForce's direct services are fully booked.
• Columbus Park RefectoryminorOthersThe Columbus Park Refectory serves as the venue for TaskForce's annual Vogue for Good fundraiser event.
• 838 W Kinzie St (2026 Venue)minorOthersThe 2026 Vogue for Good annual fundraiser will be held at 838 W Kinzie St, marking a change in venue from the Columbus Park Refectory.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Brave Space Alliance: Chicago's only Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ center on the South Side providing housing, meals, mutual aid, and case management. Directly comparable as a Black-led LGBTQ+ social services organization serving marginalized populations.
• Affinity Community Services: Chicago-based Black LGBTQ+ social services organization serving the South Side with HIV prevention, youth programming, and community health services. Directly comparable community-based LGBTQ+ service delivery model.
• Howard Brown Health: Chicago-based LGBTQ+ healthcare and social services organization providing primary care, mental health, HIV/STI services, and youth programming. Most directly comparable peer — same city, same population, overlapping service lines (HIV testing, PrEP, mental health, youth services).
• Chicago House and Social Service Agency: Chicago-based organization providing housing, health, and employment services to people affected by HIV/AIDS and the LGBTQ+ community. Comparable service mix spanning housing, health, and community support for LGBTQ+ populations.
• Chicago Therapy Collective: Chicago-based LGBTQ+ affirming therapy provider serving as TaskForce's overflow referral partner. Directly comparable in providing culturally responsive LGBTQ+ mental health services.
• Center on Halsted: Chicago's LGBTQ+ community center offering comprehensive programming including youth services, mental health, HIV prevention, housing assistance, and advocacy. Comparable community-center service model and LGBTQ+ youth focus.

Broad incumbents

• The Trevor Project: National LGBTQ+ youth organization providing crisis intervention and mental health services. Comparable LGBTQ+ youth focus; much larger national scale and crisis-line infrastructure.
• Human Rights Campaign: National LGBTQ+ civil rights advocacy organization. Comparable in advocacy mission; operates at much larger national scale and focuses on policy/lobbying rather than direct community services.
• San Francisco AIDS Foundation: Major HIV/AIDS services and prevention nonprofit. Comparable in HIV/STI testing, PrEP navigation, and LGBTQ+ community health programming; serves as a national model for community-based HIV service organizations.

Regional players

• Equality Illinois: Illinois statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights advocacy organization. Comparable in LGBTQ+ advocacy mission; differs in focusing on policy/legislative advocacy rather than direct service delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TaskforceChicago1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/taskforce-prevention-community-services
• Instagraminstagram.com/taskforcechicago_official
• TikToktiktok.com/@taskforceofficial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Taskforce Prevention And Community Services