Holistic Wellness Model

Black LGBTQ+ people in Chicago continue to face a syndemic of violence, poverty, substance use, and HIV—interconnected crises that stem from systemic racism, economic exclusion, and structural inequity. These are not isolated issues; they are layered, compounding, and deeply rooted in the conditions we are forced to navigate daily.

To meet the depth of this reality, we created the Holistic Wellness Model—a comprehensive, community-driven approach to health, healing, and liberation. This model is woven into every part of our work and reflects the complexity of our lives at the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, class, and more.

Our model is built around three interconnected domains:

• Physical Wellness – Honoring and caring for our bodies as a foundation for long-term health and safety.

• Spiritual Wellness – Healing from isolation, trauma, and cultural disconnection while building community, joy, and mental well-being.

• Economic Wellness – Shifting power and creating opportunity through workforce development, skill-building, and economic empowerment.

These domains are not separate; they work together to address our immediate needs and dismantle long-standing barriers. Embedded throughout Lighthouse’s programs, this model creates space for Black LGBTQ+ people to access the care and resources we need to lead, build, and thrive.

By centering holistic wellness in all of our programming, we generate multilevel outcomes:

• Increased self-efficacy and leadership

• Stronger community connection

• Improved physical and mental health

• Greater access to affirming care and economic opportunity