Community Resources In Illinois
Resources
For additional food resources, please see the following:
Contact Meals on Wheals
Meals on Wheels is a nationwide program that provides older Americans nutritious meals and safety checks at little to no cost. The meals can be delivered to your home if you meet eligibility requirements, or you can go to a congregate nutrition site for socialization and food. If you struggle with isolation and meal prep, then Meals on Wheels could provide ease and companionship. For more information, click here.
Contact a SNAP Team Member
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the food stamp program, provides extra funds to low-income families to buy groceries. Northern Illinois Food Bank SNAP Team is available from 8:30am – 8:00pm, Monday – Friday. Click here to contact a SNAP Team Member.
An additional guide on food stamps for seniors on Social Security can be found here.
Contact WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk. Click here to get more information.
Find a Local Pantry Near You
Northern Illinois Food Bank works with over 900 food pantries, mobile food truck markets, and soup kitchens who distribute perishable and non perishable foods that you can choose from based on your dietary needs. Find one near you.
Find a Mobile Market near you
Each week Northern Illinois Food Bank’s, Mobile Markets are distributing free and fresh groceries to neighbors throughout Northern Illinois. Everyone is welcome. Find one near you.
Shop Top Box Foods
A community-driven nonprofit that creates access to healthy and affordable food for all. Shop their menu of fresh fruits and vegetables, high-quality meats, seafood, local products, and seasonal specials. Top Box deliver directly to your door for no added fee and accept SNAP/Link card or Debit/Credit card. Click here to shop their menu.
USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Team Nutrition provides MyPlate materials that are developed specifically for kids and their parents/caregivers. Click here for more information.
In DEKALB County, call 2-1-1 or visit PATH to find help with housing, utilities, and more.
Find DeKalb County information here.
Contact the DeKalb County Health Department here.
Address: 2550 North Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb, IL 60115
Phone Number: (815) 758-6673
Family Service Agency
Family Service Agency serves as an “umbrella agency” of five distinct community programs: Youth Mentoring, Children’s Advocacy Center, Center for Youth Counseling, Community Action Program, and Senior Services. We organize the efforts of many local agencies to provide the best care possible to our community. For more information, click here.
Address: 1325 Sycamore Rd., DeKalb, IL 60115
Phone: (815) 758-8616
Network of Nations
Network of Nations (NofN) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that links Northern Illinois University (NIU) and community international students with each other and with volunteers from churches in the DeKalb Co., Illinois area. Network of Nations is committed to extending hospitality and practical assistance, and offering them a caring community for friendship and cross-cultural understanding. For more information, click here.
Safe Passage
Safe Passage, a comprehensive domestic violence and sexual assault agency, provides: a 24-hour hotline; short and long term transitional housing (including all food and personal items); counseling; children’s therapy for child victims of sexual assault and domestic violence; legal advocacy; 24-hour hospital response; prevention programs for children and adolescents and more. You can visit their website here.
24 Hour Crisis/Client service call line: (815) 756-5228
24 Hour Crisis/Client text line (815) 393-1995
Hope Haven
Hope Haven’s mission is to provide shelter, meals, and life skills programs for homeless individuals and families as they prepare for relocation. For more information, click here.
Address: 1145 Rushmoore Dr, DeKalb, IL 60115
Phone: (815) 758-5765
In GRUNDY County, call 2-1-1 or visit PATH to find help with housing, utilities, and more.
In KANE County, call 2-1-1 or visit PATH to find help with housing, utilities, and more.
In KANKAKEE County, call 2-1-1 or visit PATH to find help with housing, utilities, and more.
In LAKE County, call or text 2-1-1 for help with housing, utilities, mental health and addiction, health care, crisis help, support, and more. Visit 211LakeCounty.org
Find Lake County information here.
Find Lake County Health Department information here.
Address: 3010 Grand Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60085
Phone Number: (847) 377-8000
A Safe Place
A Safe Place is the sole provider of services exclusively addressing domestic violence and human trafficking in Lake County, Illinois. Through multi-faceted programs we assist victims in transforming their lives after violence, prevent future abuse by addressing its root cause through abuser intervention programs, and educate the community about domestic violence and human trafficking and how we can all be involved in ending them. For more information, click here.
24 Hour toll free hotline: (800) 600-SAFE (7233)
Main office: (847) 731-7165
Kids Above All
Since 1894, our mission has been to protect, heal and educate children and families so they can build better lives. Using a trauma-informed, clinical framework, Kids Above All invests in children and youth, strengths families through various programs, and offers therapeutic and counseling services. For more information, click here.
Address: 415 Washington St., Suite 002 Waukegan, IL 60085
Phone: (773) 867-7360
Mano a Mano
Mano a Mano’s mission is to empower immigrant families to become full participants in their community. Our vision is an integrated community where everyone has access to opportunities and pathways to success. Through programs that support engaged citizens, healthy families, productive parents, and successful children. Serving Lake and McHenry Counties. For more information, click here.
Address: 1801 Sheridan Rd., Suite #101 North Chicago, IL 60064
Phone: (224) 538-7270
PADS Lake County
PADS Lake County is a community-based organization that provides trauma-informed support, resources, and shelter to individuals and families experiencing a housing crisis. For more information, click here.
Address: 1800 Grand Ave, Waukegan, IL 60085
Email: info@padslakecounty.org
If you or someone you know are experiencing homelessness you can find help at (847) 689-4357 or help@padslakecounty.org
Need help now?
Find Shelter: 847-689-4357
After-hours Support: 847-377-8088
Street Outreach: 847-616-5557
Stay in Your Housing: 847-389-4357
YWCA
YWCA empowers women, children, and families in the Lake County community. They have been in Lake County for over 98 years and continue to strive for the growth and success of all those living in the area. YWCA provides services such as: childcare resources and referral, an economic empowerment program, health services program, and youth development programs. For more information, click here.
Address: 1425 Tri State Pkwy Suite 180, Gurnee, IL
Phone: (847) 662-4247
In WILL County, visit PATH to find help with housing, utilities, and more.
Find Will County Center for Community Concerns here
The mission of Will County Center for Community Concerns is to assist and enable low and moderate income individuals to obtain the opportunities needed to prepare themselves for self-sufficiency.
Address: 2455 Glenwood Avenue, Joliet, IL 60435
Phone: (815) 722-0722
Find Will County Health Department information here
Address: 501 Ella Ave Joliet, IL 60433
Phone: (815) 727-8480
In WINNEBAGO County, visit PATH to find help with housing, utilities, and more.
Winnebago Community Market
The Winnebago Community Market is a healthy, client-choice market serving neighbors in need of food assistance in Winnebago County by providing groceries and other resources. For more information, click here.
Address: 765 Research Parkway Rockford, IL 61109
Phone: (815) 639-1257 ext. 555
Find Winnebago County information here
Find Winnebago County Health Department information here
Address: 555 North Court Street, Rockford, IL 61103
Phone: (815) 720-4000
Rock Valley College Dislocated Workers Program
Click here to find more information.
Phone Number: 815-921-2200 or 815-395-6619
The Workforce Connection
The Workforce Connection serves Winnebago, Boone, and Stephenson counties. Current resources include: job training, computer and internet access, job search and resume assistance, refugee and immigrant services, assistive technology, and more. For more information, click here.
Phone: 815-847-7574
Find additional resources with the Northern Illinois Food Bank click here
CaptionCall
CaptionCall is a federally funded program, established by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and is a no-cost resource for those with hearing loss who could need captioning to use the phone effectively. Helps people with hearing loss live more independently for a longer period of time. For more information, click here.
Services in English and Spanish
COBRA
https://www.dol.gov/ebsa/newsroom/fscobra.html
Comprehensive healthcare for children
To locate child care for parents at this time, call the statewide toll free number (888) 228-1146
Free way to find a list of housing options in Illinois
https://www.ilhousingsearch.org/
Free services for career, education and work support
https://www.illinoisworknet.com/
Free/Low Cost Internet
For more information, visit: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/ConnectIllinois/Pages/LowCostBroadband.aspx
Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Program
Illinois Department of Aging: Senior HelpLine
If you’re a senior citizen in Illinois trying to reach the Senior HelpLine, call: 1-800-252- 8966
Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)
For unemployment benefits questions, call: 1-800-244-5631
Or visit the IDES website: www.2.illinois.gov/ides/Pages/default.aspx
Please note: IDES has been experiencing a higher than normal influx of inquiries. Please be patient but persistent in your outreach
Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)
Apply for SNAP, Medical Assistance, and other assistance programs.
Visit their website to learn more about what programs and assistance IDHS can help provide: http://www.dhs.state.il.us
To apply for assistance visit: ABE.Illinois.gov
You can also call the ABE hotline for assistance at 1-800-843-6154
Official Health Marketplace
http://getcoveredillinois.gov/
Utility Bill Assistance/LIHEAP
http://www.illinois.gov/dceo/CommunityServices/UtilityBillAssistance/Pages/HowtoApply.aspx or call 877-411-9276
Veteran Services
https://www.ides.illinois.gov/Pages/Veteran_Services.aspx
