Employment Program

The mission of the Employment Program at Chicago House is to Increase Individual Income and Independence for people living with HIV/AIDS. Training, career counseling, mentorship, and internship opportunities are provided to help individuals achieve greater self-sufficiency and productivity, ultimately leading to successful employment. The program is the only one in the Midwest designed specifically to provide employment services that are responsive to the unique needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. The program design includes a four-week intensive employment preparation that addresses the unique barriers that people living with HIV/AIDS face when returning to work, including fear of losing benefits, discrimination and stigma, management of HIV health issues and impact on daily life, and disclosure and confidentiality in the workplace. Through the Employment Program, people living with HIV/AIDS gain the information and tools they need to effectively seek, secure and retain employment, therein decreasing their sole reliance on subsidized services for physical health and economic stability.

Max attended the very first workshop in September 2005. He was referred to the Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago, which assisted him in obtaining workman’s compensation from his previous job.  He was also referred to Test Positive Aware Network’s Positively Wired program where he learned basic computer skills. The interview skills that he learned in the workshop helped him obtain a job at a major hardware chain in Chicago. Max credits the computer and maintenance skills he learned from his participation in the Employment Program for his high performance evaluations. Max’s determination and the Employment Program produced a winning combination that has led to long-term employment.

For more information on Chicago House's Employment Program, please contact Cheryl Potts at 773-248-5200 x 318.

The Employment Program is supported in part by a grant from