The Liam Foundation

The Liam Foundation provides an affirming community center and vital supportive services for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families throughout Northern Illinois. The organization was established in memory of Liam Burdick, a transgender high school student advocate whose mother started the foundation to fill extensive service and resource gaps in the region. Headquartered in Rockford's Midtown District, the organization delivers compassionate, barrier-free assistance rooted in love, integrity, advocacy, and mentorship for individuals across Winnebago, Boone, and surrounding counties.

At the core of the foundation's work is its welcoming community center, which serves as a central hub for social connection, personal safety, and mutual support. Visitors can drop in during open hours to speak with supportive staff, utilize computer stations, study, or simply relax in an inclusive, judgment-free environment. The center regularly convenes peer-led support groups, including identity-affirming gatherings for transgender and nonbinary individuals, preteen social circles, and discussion spaces for parents and caregivers navigating transition journeys alongside their children. These spaces foster mutual understanding, resilience, and personal growth.

The Second-Hand Pride free boutique provides essential clothing and gender-affirming garments at no cost to participants. Community members can select professional attire, everyday clothing, winter outerwear, shoes, and new undergarments in an open, respectful setting. The boutique also distributes specialized items such as chest binders, tucking apparel, breast forms, and packers, alongside essential hygiene products, menstrual supplies, and harm reduction materials, ensuring that economic hardship does not hinder self-expression, comfort, or personal health. Donations from community allies keep the boutique fully stocked year-round.

Through its Access Program, the foundation offers individualized care coordination for community members navigating life transitions, housing insecurity, or personal crises. Dedicated case managers assist individuals experiencing homelessness or unstable living arrangements, linking them with regional housing programs and emergency resources. The program also facilitates access to LGBTQ-affirming medical care, mental health counseling, and health insurance enrollment, helping clients find knowledgeable providers who deliver compassionate, qualified care without judgment.

A signature initiative of the organization is its Legal Name and Gender Marker Assistance program. The foundation assists transgender and nonbinary individuals with navigating county court paperwork, state identity documents, and publication requirements, while awarding microgrants to help offset required court filing fees. By blending direct material relief with affirming social spaces, youth mentorship, and educational outreach for schools and healthcare providers, the Liam Foundation cultivates lasting empowerment, resilience, and belonging across Northern Illinois.

Beyond direct services, the foundation serves as an active educational partner for the wider Rockford community. Staff conduct cultural competency workshops and training sessions for educators, social workers, healthcare systems, and municipal leaders, fostering safer and more inclusive institutional environments. Through community collaborations and regional advocacy, the foundation ensures that LGBTQ+ voices are elevated and supported across every sector of public life.