Celebrating National Volunteer Week 2025
50 years ago, Howard Brown Health was founded by four volunteers with a vision to improve the health of their communities. So many years later, our volunteers are still a core part of the work we do every day. In the last year, over 175 individuals and 25 corporate groups have collectively dedicated nearly 6,500 total volunteer hours at Howard Brown locations and over 20 community events to support their neighbors and community members.
National Volunteer Week is celebrated during April every year. It is an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society’s most significant challenges, build stronger communities, and be a force that transforms the world. Celebrate with us and thank community members like Richard, Lonnie, and Matt for the amazing impact they’ve had over the last year!
If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer yourself, you can learn more at our Volunteer page.
Richard D.
“I moved to Chicago in August 2024 to begin a new chapter in my life. Looking for a primary care provider, I researched Howard Brown Health on the recommendation of a friend and what I found left me with such an appreciation for what the organization does for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. My life had a lot of changes in a short period of time, and HBH was there to help, so when I saw the Get Involved link on the website I knew this was my opportunity to give back.
Initially, I thought there would be an event here or there – just a few hours a month – but I’ve never been so happy to be mistaken. There are so many opportunities to help, and I’ve made many friends and continue to build my connection to this vast community. The most rewarding thing for me is I know this work is making a difference in people’s lives whether it’s helping patients to check in at the clinic, assisting attendees at the diabetes fair or sorting donations at The Brown Elephant. I have never felt so much appreciation and camaraderie as I have with Howard Brown, but the difference it is making in the lives of the community is truly what keeps me coming back.
I am excited to volunteer with Howard Brown’s 50th Anniversary Gala later this month to help honor our past, present and future!”
Lonnie K.
“I proudly volunteer at Howard Brown Health because I appreciate the support that was given to me as a transgendered male during my transition. I believe everyone is entitled to affordable health care and the support of the LGBTQAI+ Community to which I’m a proud member. I was honored to be chosen to tell my story which was featured in this video that premiered at Dish in 2022 raising more than $350,000 to provide affirming medical and behavioral healthcare, education, outreach, and support services for Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
As a grateful patient, I serve as a member of the Patient Advisory Council, which is composed of Howard Brown Health patients who provide feedback to staff on how the agency can improve its services and work with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQIA+), and HIV+ communities in Chicago. I have enjoyed volunteering the Howard Brown beer booth at Pride Fest and Market Days to help raise money for LGBTQ+ affirming patient care. I also liked volunteering at the Trans Media Fashion show because all the money we raised through tickets sales goes to help young LGBTQ+ people using services at Broadway Youth Center. Marching in the Pride and Bud Billiken Parade were great ways for us to be visible in the community.
I would encourage others to become Howard Brown volunteers like me. It’s an honor and privilege to serve my community. Thank you for the opportunity to serve at Howard Brown Health and Happy 50th Anniversary!”
Matt K.
“I volunteer with Howard Brown Health because I’m passionate about supporting the LGBTQ+ community and giving back in ways that create lasting impact. Over the past year, I’ve proudly dedicated over 100 hours of service, contributing my time and energy to both the Brown Elephant resale store and special events like the Trans Media Fashion Show.
At Brown Elephant, I assist with everything from organizing merchandise to helping customers and maintaining a welcoming and inclusive environment. For the TransFashion Show, I helped behind the scenes to ensure the event ran smoothly—an experience that was both meaningful and inspiring.
The work I do as a volunteer is important because it supports vital healthcare and social services for underserved communities. By contributing to Howard Brown’s mission, I’m helping to create safer spaces, raise awareness, and celebrate diversity—all things I deeply believe in.”
Stacey H.
“Growing up, I had two first loves, music and film. It is no secret that I am a HUGE fan of the eighties. Many iconic artists emerged from this era that shaped my view of life, love and more importantly being a woman who owns her words and actions. I choose to devote many hours with Howard Brown Health because it is through the LGBTQ community that created new genres in music and film. Think about it; every time you hear Lady Gaga, watch Evita, listen to Madonna, attend films or listen to house, disco or electronic music, you have the LGBTQ community to thank for celebrating and bringing their experiences to fruition through music and film. Now this community is once again under attack; simply for being so colorful and bright that it burns and enrages our government.
I am no stranger to opportunities to not only create change but to stand up and with my family of the LGBTQ+ communities. My family taught me the value of standing up when it is called into action and that is the kind of world I want to live in. It is for this and many other reasons why I donate my time and energy to those who have given me every reason to celebrate the greatest loves of my life. Without this community, we would not have such an immense range of music or film that inspires and uplifts us. One can choose to be anything, but for me, I prefer to be legit than to stand in a bar pretending that the very music I listen to is not inspired by those who also took a stand, by dancing in bars when their lives were threatened, taken or persecuted, simply for being too bright to dim. I will always dance to the very music I love, in their honor and memory.”
Stacey is a member of Howard Brown’s Vernita Gray Council for Philanthropy which helps further the mission of Howard Brown Health through fundraising, engagement, and outreach.