CALOR
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Serving Chicagoland to bridge underserved communities to HIV/AIDS prevention services, including HIV testing, PEP/PrEP services, and HIV treatment North Avenue.
Setting the Scene
In the 1980s and 1990s the Latino neighborhoods of Chicago experienced the devastating impact and frightening spread of HIV/AIDS. At the peak of this epidemic, many residents in these areas had a family member or knew of someone touched by HIV/AIDS. At that time, diagnosis and treatment options were confusing, particularly among Latinos, and complications from the disease were often devastating to those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and their families. In response, in 1990, a group of HIV and Latino activists formed a service initiative they named CALOR (Comprensión y Apoyo a Latinos en Oposición at Retrovirus). Early History
CALOR began as a grassroots organization, focusing on the Latino community on Chicago's West Side. At that time, culturally relevant HIV services were not available to Latino communities. For the first few years CALOR offered support groups for Latinos affected by the HIV virus and for Hispanic HIV/AIDS service providers. The emphasis was on providing intervention initiatives and building a support system for people recently diagnosed HIV+. For CALOR, 1993 was a turning point. With the help of grants, the organization began offering case management services and mental health services. Later, essential prevention initiatives were developed along with employment placement services. Merger with Anixter Center
In 1997 CALOR merged with Anixter Center, a well-respected and established eading provider of services for people with disabilities of all ages. The merger allowed CALOR to increase the programs and services it offered to people with HIV/AIDS and to reach out to people with other disabilities. CALOR began offering substance abuse services and added a vocational program to provide employment and training to Latinos with disabilities, including HIV/AIDS. In the years that followed, CALOR continued to expand. It opened Casa Contreras, a 17-unit residential building named after two of CALOR's founding members—Salvador Contreras and José Luis Contreras. Then a new HIV/AIDS prevention and education program was started targeting young Latino men who have sex with men. That program, A.C.E., is now one of CALOR's signature programs. Today
Having moved to a new location at 3201 W. CALOR is still growing. Today there is an even greater emphasis on serving all people of color impacted by HIV/AIDS. And there is a push to build key strategic relationships with other community organizations so even more people can be reached.
09/16/2026
CALOR’s Food Pantry schedule 🛒
📅 Pantry Hours:
• First Saturday of every month: 10 AM–12 PM
• Every Wednesday: 3–5 PM
*Schedule might be subject to change, in which case we will notify you 🫶🏻
📍 1544 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL
To help ensure you receive food assistance, please complete our Interest Form before visiting if you haven’t already.
You only need to complete the form once. If you have already signed up and received your Food Pantry Card, you can disregard this message:)
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We’re also looking for volunteers! If you’d like to support your community and help us keep the pantry running, we’d love to have you join us. ❤️🔥
09/02/2026
09/01/2026
We’re still looking for volunteers! 🤝🌱
Do you or someone you know want to help support our community? We’re looking for volunteers this Saturday SEPT 5th 2026 to help make our food distributions possible. 🥬🥕🍎
We have multiple volunteer dates available, so you can choose an opportunity that works best with your schedule. However, we’re especially looking for volunteers this Saturday.
If you’re interested in volunteering and helping us continue providing fresh, quality food to our community, please fill out our volunteer form through the link in our Linktree or directly here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SVDXWZ3
Please share this post with anyone who may be interested in getting involved! ❤️🔥
08/31/2026
Last week, we had the incredible opportunity to launch a service that has been years in the making. We are proud to share that, during our first food pantry distribution, we were able to serve 161 families in our community. 🥦❤️🔥
One of CALOR’s biggest dreams has always been to provide our community with access to fresh, high-quality produce, and we are so grateful to finally bring this vision to life. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Food for Health (Food For Health AHF)and AHF(AIDS Healthcare Foundation™️)for their support and partnership in making this service possible. We are also incredibly grateful to Iglesia Bautista Peniel, who has generously allowed us to use their space to host our food pantry.
A special thank-you to Jessie Fuentes, (Alderperson Jessie L. Fuentes)and Lilian Jimenez(Representative Lilian Jiménez) who came out to support us and celebrate this important milestone with our community. Your presence and support mean so much to us.
Stay tuned for more information about upcoming food pantry distributions…. ☀️
We’re also looking for volunteers!
If you’re interested in helping us support our community and make future distributions possible, please fill out the volunteer form through the link in our Linktree or here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SVDXWZ3
Thank you to everyone who helped make this dream a reality. This is only the beginning. 🌱
08/27/2026
📢CALOR IS HIRING !!!! 📢
We’re seeking to fill three Position: 💼
• Training and Development Specialist
• Two Community health workers
Have Questions?
Send us a DM or apply for the position via the link in our bio!
Links:
Community Health Worker:
https://myjobs.adp.com/ahfexternalcareers/cx/job-details?reqId=5001213665606
Training and Development:
https://myjobs.adp.com/ahfexternalcareers/cx/job-details?reqId=5001214763106
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AHF will also be having a HIRING EVENT ‼️
📆 Thursday Sept 3rd 2026
📍 1709 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL
Open positions:
• Food Bank Coordinator
• Outreach Specialist
• Regional Director
• Pharmacy Outreach Coordinator
• Pharmacy Director
• Program Coordinator
Make sure to RSVP by sending an email to:
📧[email protected]
communityhealth
08/25/2026
📢NEWS: CALOR, AHF(AIDS Healthcare Foundation™️ ) and Food for Health (Food For Health AHF ) are coming together to offer a WEEKLY FOOD distribution program on Chicago’s West Side, providing fresh produce, perishable items, and nutritious groceries to help fight food insecurity and support our community.
★Launch Event: August 26
★Event Hours: 1–7 PM
★Program Begins: 2 PM
★Registration Begins: 3 PM
Join us for the launch event featuring special guest speakers, including Rep. Lilian Jiménez (Representative Lilian Jiménez ), Antonio King from the Mayor’s Office of LGBT+ Affairs, Alderperson Jessie Fuentes Alderperson Jessie L. Fuentes , and more.❤️🔥
📋New registrations are currently being accepted!
Submit the registration form to learn more about eligibility, membership, and next steps. ☀️
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08/21/2026
¡CALOR estará en Encuentro Vaquero este fin de semana! 🤠🏳️🌈
Estaremos ofreciendo pruebas GRATUITAS de VIH durante los 3 días. ¡No te lo querrás perder!
📍 DÍA 1: Fantasy Night Club
3641 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60613
📍 DÍA 2: Rancho Misterioso
12943 W Major Ave, Beach Park, IL
📍 DÍA 3: Fantasy Night Club
3641 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60613
Pasa a visitarnos, hazte la prueba y aprovecha nuestros recursos gratuitos. ¡Esperamos verte ahí! 🫶🏽
¡Especialmente el sábado en Rancho Misterioso!
08/19/2026
THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 22! 🎉
CALOR will be at Villapalooza providing FREE HIV TESTING!
Come by, say hi, and take advantage of our free resources and services. We’d love to see you there!
📍 2800 S Sacramento Ave Chicago, IL 60623
08/18/2026
JOIN THE CALOR TEAM! ❤️🔥
We’re hiring a Training & Development Specialist to help strengthen our team through intentional, culturally responsive training and professional development.
In this role, you will:
• Develop and facilitate engaging, culturally responsive staff trainings.
• Support professional growth through ongoing learning and capacity-building.
• Create training programs rooted in equity, trauma-informed care, and public health best practices.
• Help ensure our team is prepared to provide high-quality services to the diverse communities we serve.
APPLY through the link in our bio! 🔗
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Send us a DM
08/15/2026
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Contact the organization
Telephone
Address
3201 W North Avenue
Chicago, IL
60647
Opening Hours
| Monday | 10am - 4pm |
| Tuesday | 10am - 4pm |
| Wednesday | 10am - 4pm |
| Thursday | 10am - 4pm |
| Friday | 10am - 4pm |