Amidst the fun, merriment and music at Market Days, there is a seriousness that exists amongst several of the vendors whose booths will sit next to the artists and merchants along Halsted Street. These vendors are the not-for-profit organizations that serve and provide for those in need as well as make significant contributions to our community. As you enjoy Market Days, we encourage you to visit the booths of these following highlighted organizations and the other worthwhile groups participating this weekend. Howard Brown Health Center 4025 N. Sheridan Rd. | 773.338.1600 | www.howardbrown.org Founded in 1974, Howard Brown has become the Midwest's premier LGBT health care organization. HBHC provides a range of medical and behavioral health services and seeks to ensure that everyone receives affordable essential healthcare needs with its sliding scale rates. Howard Brown's multi-site operation includes a main health and research center in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood, Triad Health practice at Illinois Masonic Hospital, Broadway Youth Center, and four Brown Elephant resale stores in Chicago and Oak Park Center on Halsted 3656 N. Halsted St. | 773.472.6469 | www.centeronhalsted.org COH opened its the doors in April 2007 and in little more than a year has become a major focal point and meeting spot for Chicago's LGBT community. At COH, you'll find an entertainment venue, an organic grocery store (Whole Foods), a café, more than a dozen community service partners, a technology center, a gymnasium, a theater and a number of other unique gathering spaces to house the Center's programs and services to the community.   Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) 5537 N. Broadway | 773.989.9400 | www.tpan.org Begun 20 years ago as a peer-led HIV information provider, TPAN is one of Chicago's oldest agencies devoted exclusively to HIV & AIDS. TPAN has had a strong commitment to peer-led programming since its inception and currently offers a wide range of services, the majority of which are provided by trained volunteers who are HIV-positive. TPAN also publishes the internationally acclaimed Positively Aware magazine.   AIDS Foundation of Chicago 411 S. Wells St. | 312.922.2322 | www.aidschicago.org Founded in 1985 by community activists and physicians, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago collaborates with community organizations to develop and improve HIV/AIDS services; fund and coordinate prevention, care, and advocacy projects; and champion effective, compassionate HIV/AIDS policy. AFC is one of the most influential AIDS service organizations in the country and has long been praised for its national leadership role in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Lakeview Pantry (East) 3831 N. Broadway Ave. | 773-525-1777 (West) 1414 W. Oakdale | 773.404.6333| www.lakeviewpantry.org Established in 1970, Lakeview Pantry provides food for the homeless and low-income residents of the Lakeview neighborhood in Chicago. Every effort is made to provide clients with a nutritionally balanced supply of food that is appropriate for a person's dietary restrictions, cooking facilities and tastes. Additionally, the Pantry helps clients address the issues that often lead to food insecurity, such as unemployment and housing instability. This is only a partial list of the numerous not-for-profit organizations helping our community and reaching out to Chicagoans in need. They and many other worthy organizations rely on your support, so please consider giving a contribution or volunteering some of your time to ensure that they continue with their important work.