For those who've never had a
first point of care, this is where it begins.
Providing dignity-centered healthcare to Chicagoans with the greatest need.
Someone is sleeping outside tonight who hasn't seen a doctor in years
There are estimated to be over 58,000 people experiencing homelessness in the Chicago area. Many of whom haven't received health care in years — not because they don't want care, but because so many of the doors they've tried have been closed to them.
No insurance? Turned away. No ID? Turned away. No appointment? Sorry, can't help you.
The result is devastating. People experiencing homelessness face a mortality rate (death rate) 3–4 times higher than you and your housed neighbors. Illnesses that are routinely treated for most people can spiral into crises, with far too many ending in death. The quiet suffering of those in our community is immeasurable.
58,625
Chicagoans experiencing homelessness (2024 est.)
3–4x
Higher mortality vs. housed neighbors
At First Point Community, we’re breaking down barriers to care
Coming to First Point Community to see my doctor and case manager is one of my favorite things to do, because they care about me and show it every time I come.
- First Point Community Patient
We work to remove barriers between a person and the care they deserve.
First Point Community is Chicago's first point of care for people experiencing homelessness. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), we deliver a full continuum of integrated care - under one roof, on one team, with one mission.
5,300+
Participants Served
9,450+
Primary Care Visits
1,200+
Behavioral Health Visits
1,000+
Housing Linkages
..and counting.
Medical Care
Primary care, preventive screenings, acute and chronic disease management. HIV/AIDS prevention and care.
Dental Care
Preventive, restorative, and emergency services
Behavioral Health & Psychiatry
Trauma-informed therapy, mental health support, psychiatric care, Medication-Assisted Treatment, and more.
Supportive Services
Housing navigation, food access, hygiene services (e.g. showers, laundry), transportation, benefits enrollment. These are not extras. They are why care sticks.
For over 40 years,
we’ve been the first door that opens.
First Point Community has been a cornerstone of healthcare access in Chicago — serving the city’s most vulnerable residents with unwavering consistency. Long before “barrier-free care” became a sector conversation, we were practicing it. We know the neighborhoods, the shelters, the encampments, and — most importantly — the people. That depth of presence and institutional knowledge is not something you can replicate overnight. It is the foundation every dollar of support builds on.
Why Trust First Point Community?
40+ years serving Chicagoans experiencing homelessness
Deep institutional knowledge of Chicago’s homelessness and healthcare landscape
Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) — federally designated, accountable, and trusted
Breaking barriers to provide care regardless of where someone is starting from
Fully integrated care model, including medical, dental, behavioral health, and support services
Patient-centered governance – We operate with a Patient Advisory Board to ensure those we serve have a voice in how we operate to meet the needs of the community
Care begins with you
Every person who walks through our doors — or who our team finds under a bridge — is someone’s neighbor, someone’s child, someone who has been told “no” more times than they can count. Your support changes that. When you give to First Point Community, you fund…
The first appointment that leads to a diagnosis.
The first counseling session that begins healing.
The first housing referral that ends years of instability.
You are the reason care is possible for the people who need a first point of care…and finally found one. Help us open our door — and keep it open for those who need it most.
YOUR GIFT IN ACTION
$50 -
Ensures patient transportation to and from a critical appointment.
$250 -
Supports a team to connect through outreach to the unhoused members of our community.
$1,000 -
Supports a month of behavioral health services for a patient on their path to stability