Project VIDA is a culturally-focused HIV/AIDS prevention and direct services community-based organization located on Chicago’s West Side. Project VIDA was founded by a consortium of volunteers in 1992 to address the unique needs and concerns of Latino and African American individuals at risk for or currently living with HIV/AIDS. We began with two co-founders distributing condoms out of a hardware store in Little Village (over 90,000 residents), then grew to have our own space, and now have two sites with dedicated and committed staff, volunteers, contractors, and Board of Directors. Project VIDA’s mission was newly revised in 2010 and is now “to improve quality of life and reduce health disparities in underserved communities by promoting self-empowerment and providing holistic health education and direct services.”

The Mental Health Counseling service provides individual and couples counseling to people living with HIV/AIDS and their loved ones, as well as psychosocial individual wellness counseling and HIV support groups in English & Spanish. The services include:

Weekly: “Esperanza” – Spanish Language Support Group on Friday 3-5pm

Bi-weekly: “The Power of Knowledge” – English Language Support Group on the 2nd and 4th Monday each month 1-3pm

Weekly: Individual therapy sessions provided by a licensed counselor. Contact Ana Gonzalez, LCPC.

Accessible Accommodations: Not Listed

Hours: Varies