AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) is hosting a Women’s Connection Summit of Hope in partnership with the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) to address the needs of cis and transgender women who have been recently released from the Illinois correctional system. The event will take place on Chicago’s southside at Compassion Baptist Church, 2650 E. 95th Street, from 10 am – 2 pm and will be a full day event including health services, workshops, exhibit areas, a lunch break, and a closet filled with accessories donated to enhance work attire and promote empowerment.

The Women’s Connection Summit of Hope is a community expo that brings together local service providers to create a “one-stop” environment where participants are able to access vendors — case management, employment, housing, prevention, legal — and informational round tables, a women’s accessory closet, gift bags, transportation, and an array of other women-focused services to better ensure reentry into society. The mission of the Summit of Hope is to guide and assist returning citizen participants with available services to better ensure reintegration into the community and thus reduce recidivism. The Summit of Hope is a proven Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)- and IDOC-sanctioned program and is independently organized in communities throughout the state of Illinois.

The expo will feature HIV/HCV screenings as well as referrals to primary and HIV health care. Other services and resources that will be offered include counseling and mental health; domestic violence resources; food, accessories, and shelter; child care; employment and interview services; state identification cards; transportation; legal services; education and training services; and a variety of other resources offered by local social service organizations.

This event is curated by AFC and the Women’s Connection Taskforce, Chicago Reentry Taskforce in partnership with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), and Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC).

If individuals are interested in participating as an attendee or a vendor for the summit, they can contact L’Oreal Bailey from AFC at LBailey@aidschicago.org and clarify in their email to her whether they want to participate as an attendee or as a vendor.