People living with HIV—especially those experiencing housing instability—often face steep and overlapping barriers to employment. Yet most job training programs are not built with their realities in mind. Issues like HIV stigma, confidentiality concerns, mental health challenges, and gaps in education or work history are rarely addressed. As a result, many are left behind by traditional workforce systems, feeling unseen and shut out of opportunity.

Enter Chicago House’s iFour Employment Program, short for Increase Individual Income and Independence. Born in 2005 from a one-time start-up grant secured by Senator Dick Durbin and developed in partnership with leaders in HIV care and workforce development, iFour was groundbreaking in its vision. At a time when few programs addressed the growing desire among people living with HIV to return to work, iFour filled a critical gap. As treatment advanced to extend life expectancy, many were ready to move beyond survival and toward stability, but the support systems weren’t there.

iFour changed that. Designed specifically to help people with HIV overcome complex barriers, the program offered something entirely new: a clear, practical path back to the workforce. Through a four-week job readiness workshop, personalized career planning, and ongoing retention support, iFour met clients where they were, offering job training, and eventually, an affirming route to long-term independence.

As needs to achieve viral suppression evolved, so did the program’s approach. Now, our Employment Program is focused beyond just securing employment to ensuring long-term income stability and job retention for individuals impacted by HIV, including at-risk communities. Today, each participant is paired with a dedicated Career Specialist who provides personalized, one-on-one coaching to help identify both personal and professional goals. Together, they develop individualized plans that may include referrals for housing, medical care, substance use treatment, and mental health services, addressing the full spectrum of barriers to employment. On average, clients receive over 25 hours of tailored support before securing a job, followed by six months of post-employment services. Whether employed, underemployed, or unemployed, each participant is given the tools and support to achieve their career goals.

In recent years, nearly half of Employment Program participants have identified as transgender or gender nonconforming. These individuals often face unique barriers, particularly discrimination. In response, Chicago House launched TransWorks in 2013, which provides targeted career counseling, peer support, and employer networking opportunities. TransWorks is also part of TransSafe, a weekly drop-in event that offers services ranging from legal support to health and housing assistance across the city. In addition, the Community Health Apprenticeship Program was established in 2017 to empower Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ youth with the skills to lead efforts in HIV prevention and community health, breaking down stigma and opening doors to careers in the field.

With the growth of the program, Chicago House has strengthened our ability to build more meaningful relationships with our participants to better understand their barriers and how we can work to solve them together. Even as new challenges emerge, our focus remains clear: meet each client where they are and support them in building a future grounded in possibility.

The Work Ahead