On June 29, First Ladies Health Day brings free vaccines, health screenings, and HIV awareness resources to 15 Chicago churches. Expanded services focus on maternal health, mental wellness, and Pride Month outreach (Photo Credit: First Ladies Health Initiative).
The First Ladies Health Initiative is expanding its reach and impact across Chicago with the return of First Ladies Health Day on Sunday, June 29. With 15 participating churches, this year’s event will provide free health services, including on-site vaccinations and biometric screenings.
The initiative brings a wide range of free vaccines to the community. Available vaccines include COVID-19 (for individuals aged five and above), RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus-Diphtheria (Tdap), Pneumococcal, Shingles, HPV (Human Papillomavirus) and Meningococcal.
Vaccinations will be offered at the 15 church sites, and additional services include screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar and heart health, as well as mental health support, HIV resources, cancer education and vital conversations around maternal health inequities that continue to affect Black women at alarming rates.
Photo Credit: First Ladies Health Initiative
In recognition of Pride Week and Pride Month, the initiative is also spotlighting its ongoing commitment to HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. With support from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and the Black Leadership Advocacy & Cultural Coalition (BLACC)—both key sponsors of this year’s Health Day—the event will feature expanded resources, access to testing and educational materials aimed at addressing the ongoing impact of HIV in Black communities.
“We’re excited to build on the legacy of this work by offering more locations, deeper health education, and a broader set of preventive services,” said Marquise Alston-Allison, Executive Director of the First Ladies Health Initiative. “We’re not just talking about health equity—we’re bringing it directly into the community, through trusted spaces, with dignity and care. The fact that we’ve grown from seven participating churches last year to 15 this year speaks volumes. Our faith leaders are seeing the urgent needs in their communities, and they’re stepping up in a major way to meet those needs.”
Photo Credit: First Ladies Health Initiative
Founded in 2008, the First Ladies Health Initiative is a faith-based 501(c)(3) organization committed to bridging the health equity gap in underserved communities. Through innovative partnerships with over 100 churches and more than 250 healthcare providers nationwide, the initiative has delivered over 600,000 free screenings and received recognition from the White House Cancer Moonshot, the American Journal of Nursing, the American Heart Association, and the Illinois Department of Public Health.
First Ladies Health Day is free and open to the public. While walk-ins are welcome, attendees are encouraged to register in advance for their preferred clinic at no cost by visiting FirstLadiesHealth.com/healthclinic.
Health providers for 2025 include Cook County Health, Care Access, Take 10 for Preeclampsia Research, Sista Afya Community Mental Wellness, ChiroOne, Artesian Collaborative, American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative, and Young and a Survivor (YAAS). Salem Baptist Church and Progressive Baptist Church will serve as this year’s marquee locations.
This year’s Health Day is made possible through the generous support of committed sponsors and community healthcare providers, including AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), Aetna, Gift of Hope, Comcast, Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation, Mariano’s, Onyx, Omni Channel One Radio.
The following churches will host clinics on Sunday, June 29:
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Progressive Life Giving Word Cathedral – 4500 Frontage Rd, Hillside, IL 60162 – 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
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Salem Baptist Church of Chicago – 752 E. 114th St, Chicago, IL 60628 – 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
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Progressive Baptist Church – 3658 S. Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60609 – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
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St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church – 14618 Lincoln Ave, Harvey, IL – 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
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Mt. Carmel Bible Church – 740 E. 42nd St, Chicago, IL 60653 – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
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Cosmopolitan Community Church – 5249 S. Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60615 – 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
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New Bethlehem #4 – 8850 S. Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60619 – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
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Sunrise Full Gospel Baptist Church – 6159 S. Aberdeen St, Chicago, IL 60621 – 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
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Holy Jerusalem MBC – 2335 East 100th Street, Chicago, IL 60617 – 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
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Grace Central Church – 10216 Kitchner St, Westchester, IL 60154 – 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
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New Joy Divine Church – 7625 S. Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60620 – 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
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St. John Missionary Baptist Church – 211 E. 115th St, Chicago, IL 60628 – 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
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St. Mark UMC – 8441 S. St. Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60619 – 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
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Mt. Hermon MBC – 7848 S. Normal Ave, Chicago, IL 60620 – 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
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Pleasant Green MBC – 140–146 W. 59th St, Chicago, IL 60623 – 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
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