Human Resources Development Institute

About Human Resources Development Institute

Human Resources Development Institute (HRDI) is a community behavioral health center on Chicago’s South Side, serving underserved neighborhoods since 1974 and now operating as a subsidiary of Friend Health. They were founded by Dr. C. Vincent Bakeman and Doris M. Lomax to fill a gap in culturally appropriate treatment in the area, and they still emphasize whole-person care that brings behavioral and primary health together. They treat substance use and mental health concerns using evidence-based and evidence-informed approaches, and they serve people regardless of their ability to pay. Their levels of care include crisis services, outpatient mental health and substance use treatment, and 24-hour residential treatment.

Their residential program for alcohol and drug use serves both men and women, and the women’s program accepts pregnant and parenting mothers, with room for up to 10 children ages 0 to 4. They also offer separate supervised residential placement for adults facing mental health challenges, available to people enrolled in an HRDI program as space allows. Beyond residential care, they provide screening and assessment, treatment planning, targeted case management, psychiatric rehabilitation, peer and family support, primary care screening, and community-based mental health care for veterans. Walk-in services mean no appointment is needed, and a recreational and recovery drop-in center gives people a place to stay connected to support in the community.