Liberatory Care Collective: Chicago

Liberatory Care Collective: Chicago is an organization dedicated to breaking down systemic barriers to mental health care by fostering anti-carceral, community-based approaches that uphold individual autonomy and advance our collective liberation.

At LC3, our work is guided by an abolitionist framework that challenges the oppressive structures embedded in conventional mental healthcare systems. We acknowledge—and many of us have personally experienced—that traditional mental healthcare systems often perpetuate harm and trauma through practices rooted in systemic oppression, including racism, ableism, classism, queerphobia, and other forms of harm.

We are passionate about reimagining and building care models that are community- based and center equity, anti-oppression, collective healing, and harm reduction while upholding and respecting individual autonomy. Through our services and resources we support BIPOC and Queer people access affirming, inclusive therapy and care work by connecting them with providers who respect their identities, values, and needs.

Liberatory Care Collective: Chicago’s journey began in 2020 when our founder, Finn, started by helping their pod—friends, family, and community—find therapists who honored and understood their identities and values. What began as a grassroots effort has since grown into a collective of dedicated volunteers united by a shared vision: a world where mental health care is no longer entangled with or modeled on carceral systems of punishment and control. Instead, we envision one that is inclusive, equitable, and grounded in dignity, autonomy, and community care.