Health and Wellness

The Chicago Help Initiative offers the following programs to our guests:

HIV and Hepatitis C Testing - The Night Ministry conducts free, confidential, rapid HIV and Hepatitis C testing for guests at our weekly meal. 

Flu Shots - Northwestern Memorial Hospital provides free flu vaccines in the fall to our guests.

Blood Pressure - A group of medical students from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Rush Medical College conduct blood pressure readings and other simple medical services.

Mental Health Services - Professional staff members from Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Norman and Ida Stone Institute of Psychiatry provide regular one-on-one counseling and psychiatric referrals to guests experiencing emotional difficulties or mental illness. 

Nurse Practitioner - Every week, a nurse practitioner from The Night Ministry is on hand during our meal to assist any of our guests in need of medical attention with general help and referrals. 

Chair Yoga - A certified yoga instructor guides our residents who have physical challenges — or just want to relieve stress — through an hour-long “chair yoga” class prior to each meal. The instruction is low-impact and focused on flexibility and mindfulness.