HOUSE PARTNERS WITH ELMHURST PRIDE COLLECTIVE
Progressive Valued Soccer/Athletic Club Announces Initiative to Partner with Elmhurst LGBTQ+ Support Organization
Elmhurst, Illinois (April 17, 2025) – Chicago House AC announced today that it has formed a partnership to support the Elmhurst Pride Collective’s mission of celebrating and empowering the LGBTQ+ community and building a more extensive network of community allies committed to making Elmhurst safe and inclusive.
The announcement was made by House Managing Partner and CEO Peter Wilt at the club’s “Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce Meet the Teams Event” at Jordan’s Athletic Center. “Chicago House was formed in 2020 to make Chicagoland a better place through community service, social justice, equality, and inclusion. We are being reminded too often now that not all uphold these ideals. It is important that we, and others, take public positions letting marginalized people know they have a safe space where they are welcome,” Wilt said.
“Being accepted and embraced should be status quo. This House is a house for all. Through collaboration like this, we aim to be an outspoken ally to foster a culture of empathy and empowerment, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to thrive,” Wilt concluded.
Elmhurst Pride Collective (EPC) Board President Stephanie Wargin echoed Wilt’s comments and welcomed the partnership. “We are grateful to add Chicago House to our growing network of community allies committed to making Elmhurst safe and inclusive,” Wargin said. “House is a high profile organization with aligned values that has chosen Elmhurst as its home for both its women’s and men’s soccer teams. Together, we will advocate for the right of all members of the Elmhurst community to feel safe and supported and to be treated with dignity and respect,” Wargin said.
The Elmhurst Pride Collective assists Elmhurst businesses and organizations in their efforts to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all, including LGBTQ+ families, friends, and allies, and people of all races, ethnicities, and religions. Through these connections the EPC looks for partnerships and opportunities to achieve similar goals in their community. The EPC also hosts a variety of social events and educational programming for local businesses, organizations, and the community at large.
House and the Elmhurst Pride Collective will collaborate in a number of ways. The soccer and athletic club will promote the partnership all year long highlighted by the Elmhurst Pride Kickoff at the Chicago House women’s and men’s teams doubleheader at Elmhurst University on Sunday, June 8th. The women’s game kicks off at 3:00 pm and the men’s team game starts at 7:00 pm.
The event will feature Pride-themed events and prizes. Newly re-elected Mayor Scott Levin will deliver the 2025 Pride Proclamation during the first game. The Elmhurst Pride Collective will be at both games selling merchandise, sharing information, and promoting Elmhurst Family Pride Fest.
Season tickets can be purchased on the Chicago House AC website now; while single tickets will be available beginning Monday, April 14. Special ticket and merchandise packages featuring an exclusive House/Elmhurst Pride Collective co-branded scarf will be available to EPC Inclusion Campaign Participants with 20% of proceeds being donated to the Elmhurst Pride Collective.
Other events House is partnering with the EPC include:
Drag Show:
MAYhem & Mascara
Friday, May 16, 7 pm
4 drag queens, DJ, raffles and prizes
Chicago House AC members on volunteer squad for the evening
Tickets available on the EPC website Events page
Elmhurst Family Pride Fest:
Saturday, June 21, 12-4 pm
Elmhurst Presbyterian Church, 367 Spring Rd., all outdoors
8th year of fest - more than 50 vendors, food trucks, DJ, family-friendly games/crafts/activities/entertainment
Chicago House AC players there to sign autographs, meet community
No tickets needed, free and open to the public, details on the EPC website Pride 2025 page
ABOUT ELMHURST PRIDE COLLECTIVE: The Elmhurst Pride Collective has been a part of the Elmhurst community since 2019. Its mission is to celebrate and show support for the local LGBTQ+ community, provide resources, create connections, and help make Elmhurst safer and more inclusive for all. Info on its mission and events is available on its website - elmhurstpridecollective.com - or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
ABOUT CHICAGO HOUSE AC: Founded in 2020, Chicago House AC is a community-based soccer club with men’s and women’s teams playing home games at Elmhurst University. The club also has semi-pro women’s and men’s futsal teams, a men’s reserve team, U-23 men’s and women’s squads and boys, girls and futsal academies in Chicago’s south and west suburbs. The men’s team joined the Midwest Premier League in 2022. The women’s team played an independent schedule in 2023 and joined WPSL for the 2024 season. The House men’s team is noted for its successful US Open Cup qualifying campaigns in 2022 and 2023, its Cinderella Open Cup run in 2023, and its success in sending 15 players to pro teams in 2023 and 2024.
Led by Managing Partner, President and CEO Peter Wilt, Chicago House AC is structured as a public benefit corporation committed to transparency and working with its constituents to use its platform for social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Chicago House AC is sponsored by Tech QBD, Diaza, Selvin’s Landscaping and Fruit Street Health. For more information, contact us at info@chicagohouseac.com, visit www.chicagohouseac.com, and follow on BlueSky at @ChicagoHouseAC.bsky.social.