OF COLOR INC

Of Color, Inc. builds wealth in disinvested, under-resourced Chicago communities of color by braiding services that result in good jobs and stable housing for veterans, youth and families who lack both.

Of Color, Inc. was founded in 2010 because of a gap in Chicago human services delivery. Nonprofits miss too many opportunities to serve specific targeted populations across Chicago’s most marginalized, disinvested, and impoverished communities. As a purpose-driven organization with decades of leadership experience, the agency embraces a grass roots approach: to assist under-resourced families that walk through our doors in one uniform and holistic manner, not excluding any person that has a need. We advocate that stable housing and having a “good job” is a human right, and our comprehensive, wrap-around approaches ensure that that right is made manifest.

Of Color, Inc.’s strong record of interconnected service delivery – braiding housing security with access to employment – builds stronger communities of color. Our headquarters is on the south side of Chicago; we serve all people of color that are suffering economically. Our service delivery is trauma-informed and culturally competent. We don't just talk what we are, we live it. We hire from the community and have veterans and those with lived experience working in and leading our programs. Our staff reflect those we serve and live within the communities that we represent, demonstrating extreme professionalism as well as genuine care throughout our programs. Our advocacy is significant on behalf of our clientele, connecting at high levels of government and throughout communities. Our clients overwhelmingly achieve gainful employment and housing stability, and we listen to their experiences to better tailor resources to true needs and remove barriers during service delivery.