Health Leads Chicago

Health Leads envisions a healthcare system that addresses all patients' basic resource needs as a standard part of quality care. Our mission is to catalyze this healthcare system by connecting patients with the basic resources they need to be healthy, and in doing so, build leaders with the conviction and ability to champion quality care for all patients.

Health Leads mobilizes college student Advocates to connect patients and their families with the basic resources--things like health insurance, safe housing, and food--they need to be healthy. With Health Leads, doctors can “prescribe” resources such as food, housing and heating assistance – just as they do medication. Patients take their prescriptions to the clinic waiting room, where Advocates help “fill” them by connecting patients to community services.

Health Leads Chicago

Health Leads Chicago was founded in 2006, and currently operates in the South Chicago and Chicago Lawn branches of the Chicago Family Health Center. Last year, 70+ students sserved more than 1,200 families in the Chicago area.