About us

Who we are

Our Mission:
To improve the quality of life and reduce health disparities in underserved communities by promoting self-empowerment and providing holistic health education and direct services.
Our Story:

Project VIDA was founded in 1992 to address the urgent needs of racial and ethnic minorities. We are a non-profit organization located in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago’s southwest side. Initially, the organization started by providing HIV Education through street outreach services to area youth. Now, we have grown to offer free and affordable programs and services for prevention, care, health education, and wellness to ensure that everyone has access to quality programs and services, regardless of their income or insurance status. Offering all bi-lingual programming, since inception. Our Wellness Program (Mind, Body, and Soul Health and Wellness Circle) takes a holistic approach by focusing on the physical, mental, and spiritual being of an individual.

Here, we take pride in serving everyone, regardless of their background. Project VIDA is a safe haven for members of the LGBTQ+ community, who may face challenges in finding support and resources. We specialize in services for people affected or at risk of HIV/AIDS. With a profound commitment to leading with love and compassion, we ensure that community members receive the assistance they need, even during their most challenging moments.

Our Services

Care Services:
  • Behavioral Health Counseling
    • Mental Health Counseling
    • Psychosocial Counseling
    • Substance Use
  • Intensive Case Management
  • Non-Medical Case Management
  • Medical Case Management
  • DRS Case Management
  • Connexion (Medication Adherence)
  • Housing Navigation
  • Support Groups
    • T4T (Support Group for Transgender Individuals)
    • Caminando Juntos (Spanish-speaking support group for the LGBTQ+ HIV+ Community)
  • Wellness Center
    • Fitness Classes
    • Dance Classes
    • Acupuncture
    • Cupping Massage
    • Massage
    • Colon Hydrotherapy
    • Food Pantry
    • Cooking Classes
Prevention & Outreach:
  • HIV/STI Testing
  • Couple’s HIV Testing
  • Personal Cognitive Counseling (PCC)
  • Street Outreach
  • Sexual Health Education
  • Workforce Development and Technical Assistance
  • LinkUp Chicago (Judgement-free support line:  844-94-2LINK )
  • VIDA TaskForce (Research collaboration to amplify the voices of the Latino/x Trans Women and Same Gender Loving Men)
  • N2

Our team

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Brady Harden Jr.
President
Mr. Harden

Brady Harden Jr. is a passionate advocate for the homeless and disadvantaged. He was born in Chicago and raised in Gary, Indiana, and received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Knoxville College in 1970. Over the years, he has worked in various locations, including Tennessee and northwest Indiana. Brady's extensive career includes serving as the Statewide Housing Coordinator for Long Term Care Reform under Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and as Vice President of Housing for Grand Prairie Services. He currently sits on several boards of directors, including the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, the Ernest Withers Museum and Gallery, and Project VIDA. Brady's unwavering dedication to serving others is a testament to his compassionate nature and continues to inspire those around him.

Mr. Harden's Bio
Dr. LeNedra Wallace-Fierte
Treasurer
Dr. Wallace-Fierte

Dr. LeNedra Wallace-Fierte is an accomplished professional with over 25 years of experience in program development and organization. She has successfully launched and integrated various programs, established policies, implemented process improvement initiatives, and developed effective practices. With a background in working with diverse populations, including children, adolescents, and adults in medical, residential, and legal settings, Dr. Wallace-Fierte brings a wealth of knowledge to her current role as Clinical Director at Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare. In this position, she oversees six community outreach teams and a Drop-In Center, ensuring the delivery of high-quality care. Dr. Wallace-Fierte's dedication extends to research, as evidenced by her published dissertation entitled, Intergenerational Programs as a Pathway to Positive Intergenerational Relationships and Community Involvement, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, 2015. Her expertise and compassionate leadership make her an invaluable asset in promoting well-being and enhancing the lives of individuals and communities.

Dr. Wallace-Fierte's Bio
Alisa Montgomery
Secretary
Mrs. Montgomery

Mrs. Montgomery-Williams has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Chicago State University and a Master of Science degree in Business Administration from Benedictine University. She has over 30 years of experience working with underserved populations in various settings, including the Department of Corrections, Homeless Services at Inner Voice Inc., and community-based organizations such as TASC, Inc. Throughout her career, she has focused on monitoring outcomes and implementing continuous quality improvement strategies, leading to her Executive Level career in Quality Management with a specific focus on Population Health and Value-Based Performance. As a Project VIDA Board Member, Mrs. Montgomery-Williams continues to passionately advocate for underserved populations and considers it a privileged opportunity to serve in this capacity.

Mrs. Montgomery's Bio
Saleemah Jones
Advisor
Ms. Jones

Saleemah Jones, hailing from Oakland, California, completed her undergraduate studies at Grambling State University before obtaining her J.D. from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. With 16 years of experience practicing various areas of law, she has transitioned into a role as a project manager in affordable housing. In addition, Saleemah is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit organization, Put Ur Play On Foundations, which is dedicated to inspiring and educating the community through edutainment. Her passion for uplifting the community is reflected in her work and commitment to making a positive impact on those around her.

Ms. Jones' Bio
Jerome Montgomery Jr.
Executive Director
Mr. Montgomery

Jerome Montgomery, a Chicago native with a background as a software engineer, found his true calling through his network that was involved in Project VIDA’s work. Initially working as a software and electrical engineer, Jerome's path took an exciting turn when he joined the organization's board. Witnessing the transformative impact of Project VIDA's work, he transitioned to the role of Executive Director in 2015. Under his leadership, the organization expanded exponentially, growing from a small team of 6 to over 30 dedicated members. Jerome's vision is to establish Project VIDA as a renowned name in the community, offering essential services such as mental health support, case management, and housing assistance with specialized support for those living with or at risk for HIV and LGBTQ+ populations. His unwavering dedication stems from a desire to create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can find support and be free from judgment.

Jerome’s ultimate goal is to create a world where Project VIDA becomes synonymous with compassionate care, providing a safe haven for individuals facing various challenges like mental health issues, homelessness, navigating substance use, and more. Through his visionary approach, Jerome aims to build a brighter future for his children, grandchildren, and generations to come, where love and support prevail over judgment.

Mr. Montgomery's Bio

The Impact

At Project VIDA, we are committed to reducing health disparities among groups most affected or at risk of HIV/STI through prevention, care, education, and holistic wellness programs. We believe that reducing the stigma around HIV/STI is essential to encourage those most affected or at risk to seek care and prevention. We lead with love to ensure that everyone has access to quality care and support, regardless of their background. Over the years, Project VIDA has served over 220,000 low-income Latino, Black, and/or undocumented individuals living with or at risk for HIV in the Chicagoland area.

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Project VIDA and programs like ours impact the following areas:

Care Program: By the end of 2021, there was a notable increase in the number of people accessing antiretroviral therapy, reaching 28.7 million from 7.8 million in 2010. Project VIDA’s care initiatives contribute to this progress, ensuring quality care and support for individuals living with HIV. (Source: UNAIDS, 2021).

Prevention Program: Global new HIV infections witnessed a 37% decline between 2000 and 2020, thanks in part to effective prevention programs. Project VIDA’s prevention initiatives play a crucial role in curbing the spread of HIV and promoting awareness. (Source: End Homelessness, 2021)

Housing Navigation: 49% of cisgender adults experiencing homelessness lack shelters, while an alarming 63% of transgender adults and 80% of gender non-conforming adults were unsheltered. (Source: End Homelessness, 2021). Project VIDA provides housing navigation to help those most affected by homelessness.

Food Pantry: Low-income individuals and families often struggle to access sufficient and nutritious food. Project VIDA’s food pantry program effectively targets this issue. In 2022, we served 61,020 meals through our Food Pantry services, ensuring people had access to vital food resources.

COVID Response Efforts: COVID disproportionately affects the Black and Latino Communities. Latino(a) individuals comprise 47.2% of COVID cases and 32.7% of COVID-related fatalities, while Black, non-Hispanic individuals comprise 29.4% of COVID cases and 42.8% of COVID-related fatalities. Project VIDA partnered with Howard Brown Health Center during the COVID-19 pandemic to become the first walk-up COVID testing site in Little Village. This resulted in 4,315 COVID screenings and over 5,000 individuals were provided with COVID education, food, supportive counseling, and PPE in 2020.

These impactful efforts gained recognition from local and national media outlets, highlighting the vital role Project VIDA plays in serving the Latino, Black, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ communities.

Our Partners
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