Annual benefit fundraiser honors ballroom culture, legacy, and resilience
CHICAGO, IL — September 23, 2025 — TaskForce Prevention & Community Services is proud to announce the return of its signature annual fundraiser, Vogue for Good, a celebration of community, culture, and resilience. The event will take place on Thursday, October 9, at the Columbus Park Refectory, marking both TaskForce’s 35th anniversary and the enduring influence of ballroom culture, uplifted this year alongside the 35th anniversary of the groundbreaking film Paris Is Burning.
“Ballroom has always been about resilience, creativity, and joy,” says Hannah Pewee, Associate Director of Communications for TaskForce. “For 35 years, TaskForce has embodied those same values on Chicago’s West Side: showing up for our community and creating safe, affirming spaces where LGBTQ+ youth can thrive. Vogue for Good is our way of honoring that legacy while building the future.”
Vogue for Good is more than a fundraiser; it is a space where the brilliance of Black and Brown LGBTQ+ communities is honored and affirmed. Guests can expect live performances, youth reflections, the 2025 Legacy Awards, complimentary drinks and light bites, a live DJ, raffle prizes, and an auction. All proceeds directly support TaskForce’s free health, wellness, leadership, and community programs for people on Chicago’s West Side.
TaskForce has had much to celebrate in 2025. In addition to its 35-year milestone, the organization made history in June as the inaugural “Out Front” leader of the Chicago Pride Parade, further cementing its legacy as a trusted advocate for LGBTQ+ youth. Over three and a half decades, TaskForce has welcomed thousands of community members through its doors, and the demand for affirming services continues to grow. With greater support, the organization is poised to expand its reach and meet the needs of even more people in the years ahead.
“Thirty-five years after Paris Is Burning first illuminated the beauty, resilience, and artistry of ballroom culture, we honor that legacy with Vogue for Good,” says Dr. Christopher Balthazar, Executive Director of TaskForce. “At a time when our communities are challenged by political forces seeking to silence our voices, we are still finding ways to celebrate, uplift one another, and embrace joy. This is what our work is about — creating spaces where young people can thrive, resist erasure, and continue writing the next chapters of our collective story.”
This year’s celebration carries particular weight. At a time when LGBTQ+ rights, racial equity, and even access to basic healthcare are under threat, Vogue for Good stands as a powerful reminder of the resilience and brilliance of LGBTQ+ communities. The event is not just about honoring TaskForce’s 35-year legacy, but about affirming that safe spaces, cultural pride, and community care remain urgent and necessary.
Tickets for Vogue for Good are available now: bit.ly/Vogue4Good.
About TaskForce Prevention & Community Services
TaskForce is a Black- and LGBTQ+-led nonprofit organization committed to improving the health, well-being, and leadership of LGBTQ+ youth of color in Chicago. For 35 years, TaskForce has provided free and affirming access to HIV testing, food and housing resources, arts programming, and holistic wellness support—particularly for youth on Chicago’s West Side.
