Emergency Community Services
Childcare
Clothing
Counseling
Dental
Developmental Disabilities
Domestic Violence
Family Planning
Food
Foreclosure Info for Tenants
General Assistance
Healthcare Services
Housing
Mental Illness
Multiple Needs
Other Agencies
Sexual Assault Hotline
Sexual Health
Substance Abuse
Townships
Transportation
Utility Bills
Emergency Hotlines
Counseling
IL Mental Health Collaborative Warm Line
Phone: 1 (866) 359-7953
TTY: 1 (866) 880-4459
Domestic Violence
SSFS
Phone: 708-335-3028 (24 Hour Hotline)
Sexual Assault
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
Web: www.rainn.org
Phone: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) (24-Hour Hotline)
Suicide Prevention
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24-Hour Hotline): Phone: 800-273-TALK (8255)
This list of service providers is offered for those who need to seek resources quickly. It is not meant to replace the one-to-one help of a licensed counseling professional, and it is not all-inclusive. Every effort has been made to list accurate and current resources. Please report any changes to the Shannon Word, Personal Counselor at 708-709-3511 or at sword@prairiestate.edu, so that others may benefit from updated information. If you know of additional helping agencies, please help us update this list by contacting Shannon Word as well.
Each individual's situation and eligibility are unique; not every agency can assist each individual.
- Each agency or provider sets its own criteria for assistance.
- Residency and income requirements are determined by each agency.
- You may be asked to provide verification of your needs, as well as identification and proof of residency (driver's license; state I.D. card; current bill showing address) depending upon the agency's policies. This may include documentation of hardship; copies of bills; loss of income; etc.
- Be prepared to provide required info that will qualify you for services.
- St. Mary's Services/Hopeful Beginnings
Office: (847) 870-8181
Cell: (847 504-7806
Fax: (847) 870-8325
Web: http://www.stmaryservices.com/
Address: 300 E. Northwest Highway, Suite 200, Arlington Heights, IL 60004 - Building Loving Families Brochure
- Hopeful Beginnings Brochure
- Resources for Students with Children
Web: http://prairiestate.edu/student-services/resources-for-students-with-children.aspx - Resource list of area child care centers
- Available Grants for Fall 2016
- Additional child care resources for Illinois and Indiana residents
- PSC Student Career Development Center
Student job seekers can work with PSC Student Career Development Center to qualify for a clothing voucher to obtain one professional interview outfit.
Phone: (708) 709-3755
Phone: (708) 709-3922
Email: Terri Eakins, teakins@prairiestate.edu
Web: http://prairiestate.edu/student-services/advising-and-counseling/student-career-development-center/student-services/pscstudent-interview-closet.aspx
Clothing (emergency need)
- Respond Now
Phone: (708) 755-4357
Web: http://www.respondnow.org/
- Grand Prairie Services (individual, group and family counseling)
Phone: (708) 444-1012
Web: http://www.gpsbh.org/ - Marriage and Family Therapist (for couples, marriage and family counseling)
Web: http://www.marriagefriendlytherapists.com/ - PSC's Advising and Counseling Center (has licensed professional counselors available to assist during scheduled college
hours.)
Web: http://prairiestate.edu/student-services/advising-and-counseling/index.aspx
- Aunt Martha's
Phone: 1-877-692-8686
Phone: 1-877-MY-AUNT-M
Web: http://www.auntmarthas.org/
Developmental Disabilities (Children 0-3)
- Good Shepherd Center
Phone: (708) 335-0020
Web: http://www.gscenter.org/
- Crisis Center for South Suburbia
Phone: (708) 429-7255 (24-hour domestic violence hotline)
Web: https://crisisctr.org/ - South Suburban Family Shelter
Phone: (708) 335-3028
Phone: (877) 335-3020 (24-hour domestic violence hotline)
Web: http://www.ssfs1.org/
- For more information pertaining to family planning, please visit the Health Promotions’ webpage.
- Aunt Martha’s
Provides services such as family planning, case management, pregnancy testing, HIV/AIDS testing, breast and cervical cancer screens and a variety of other health screens and programs are available.
Web: https://www.auntmarthas.org/health-care/#6
- Many churches offer food distribution, based on their own daily or weekly schedules.
- Bloom Township Food Pantry
The pantry features a client's choice style of food distribution including canned goods, dairy, meats, fresh vegetables and fruits. Once a month, eligible Bloom Township residents can choose their desired products from a list of available foods.
Web: http://cityofchicagoheights.org/News.aspx?pageid=137&newsid=546&siteid=1
Email: Leticia Gonzalez at LeticiaG@bloomtownship.org - Feeding Illinois Partner Agencies
Locate your nearest Feeding Illinois partner agency and its hours of operations. Choose your county and narrow it down by entering your zip code.
Web: http://feedingillinois.org/need/ - Greater Chicago Food Depository Agency
Enter a zip code to find a food pantry, soup kitchen or shelter in Cook County or scroll down and click on the map for an agency near you.
Web: http://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/site/PageServer?pagename=member_need_food - Northwest Indiana Food Pantries
For pantry listings please contact the Food Bank at 219-980-1777. The agencies are located in the following communities: Lake County - Cedar Lake, Crown Point, East Chicago, Gary, Griffith, Hammond, Hebron, Highland, Hobart, Lake Station, Lowell, Merrillville, Munster, Winfield. PORTER COUNTY—Chesterton, Portage, and Valparaiso.
Phone: (219) 980-1777
Web: http://www.foodbanknwi.org/
- Tenants in Foreclosure Help Line
To speak with someone directly, contact the free Tenants in Foreclosure Help Line.
Phone: (855) 207-8347
Web: www.lcbh.org
Brochure: Foreclosure Doesn't Mean Get Out Now!
General Assistance (see "multiple assistance" categories below)
- P.A.D.S. (Public Action to Deliver Shelter)
Homelessness/Housing
Phone: (708) 481-2610
Web: http://www.sspads.org/ - Respond Now
Phone: (708) 755-4357
Web: http://www.respondnow.org/ - Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago
Phone: (708) 271-4950
Web: http://www.lafchicago.org/get-help/client-services/how-to-reach-us - Aunt Martha's
Phone: 1-877-692-8686
Phone: 1-877-MY-AUNT-M
Web: http://www.auntmarthas.org/ - ACCESS to Care
Phone: (708) 754-9687
Web: http://www.accesstocare.org/ - Cook County Dept. of Public Health South District Office - Markham
Phone: (708) 235-4500
Web: http://www.cookcountypublichealth.org/ - Cottage Grove Medical Center, Ford Height
Phone: (708) 757-8800
Web: http://www.cookcountyhhs.org/health-centers/cottage-grove-health-center/ - CountyCare
Medicaid program for Cook County citizens age 19-64
Phone: (855) 444-1661
Web: http://www.cookcountyhhs.org/patient-services/county-care/ - Park Forest Health Department Nurses Plus
Loan closet for medical equipment, Immunizations/school physicals
Phone: (708) 748-1118
Web: http://www.cookcountyhhs.org/patient-services/county-care/
Address: 350 Victory Drive (lower level), Park Forest, IL 60466 - Brave Space Alliance
Health, housing, food and alliance services for the LGBTQ+ community.
https://bravespacealliance.org
- Please visit the Health Promotions’ webpage.
- Apartment Search Resources - search now
- Catholic Charities
Rent assistance: M-F, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
(Need financial assistance to help pay your rent? Have a 5 day notice? Have a temporary crisis? Have income?)
Phone: (877) 426-6515
Web: http://www.catholiccharities.net/gethelp.aspx - LAF (Legal Aid Foundation)
Tenants' Rights & Eviction Defense attorneys available for consultation on landlord/tenant issues; eviction defense; and assistance with documentation preparation.
Web: http://www.lafchicago.org/ - Respond Now
Phone: (708) 755-4357
Web: http://www.respondnow.org/ - PADS
Web: http://www.sspads.org/ - Heartland Alliance
Web: https://www.heartlandalliance.org/programs/housing/
- Nami South Suburbs of Chicago
If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. There are many supports, services and treatment options that may help. A change in behavior or mood may be the early warning signs of a mental health condition and should never be ignored. There are many different types of mental illness, and it isn’t easy to simplify the range of challenges people face. For more information contact Marianne Bithos
Phone: (708) 335-4008
Web: http://www.nami.org/Find-Support
Email: marianne.bithos@gmail.com
Multiple Needs - Case Assessment
Agencies which have case managers to assess all of your needs.
- Ford Heights Community Service Organization
Phone: (708) 758-2565 - Catholic Charities
Phone: (312) 655-7700
Web: http://www.catholiccharities.net/ - Respond Now
food; utility bill assistance–show bills
Phone: (708) 755-4357
Web: http://www.respondnow.org/ - Together We Cope
The service area of Together We Cope is bounded by 87th Street on the north, Will-Cook Road on the west, 183rd Street on the south, and Western Avenue on the east (with the Mount Greenwood area excepted because it is part of the City of Chicago). Our service area includes the townships of Bremen, Orland, Palos, and Worth. We serve all of Alsip, Chicago Ridge, Crestwood, Evergreen Park, Hickory Hills, Hometown, Merrionette Park, Midlothian, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Orland Hills, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Palos Park, Posen, Robbins, Tinley Park, and Worth. Also serving parts of Blue Island, Bridgeview, Country Club Hills, Harvey, Hazel Crest, Homewood, and Markham.
Phone: (708) 633-5040
Web: http://www.togetherwecope.com/
Other Agencies Providing Multiple Assistance
- Salvation Army
Food, shelter, utility assistance
Phone: (708) 332-0100 Blue Island
Phone: (219) 838-0380 Munster
Web: http://www.salarmychicago.org/locations - Catholic Charities
(food, clothing, counseling, emergency funding: non-denominational)
Address: 16100 Seton Dr., South Holland, IL 60473
Phone: (312) 655-7700
Phone: (877) 426-6515
Phone: (708) 333-8379
Web: http://www.catholiccharities.net/gethelp.asp - CEDA
(Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc.)
Address: 1203 West End Avenue, Chicago Heights, Illinois 60411
Phone: 800 571-CEDA (2332)
Phone: (708) 754-4575
Web: http://www.cedaorg.net/ - Aunt Martha's
(targeting youth/adolescents; women & children; offers health & prevention services; housing & shelter; intervention & support)
Address: 233 W. Joe Orr Rd., Chicago Heights
Phone: 708-754-1044
Phone: (877) 692-8686
Phone: (877) MY-AUNT-M
Web: http://www.auntmarthas.org/ - Shriver Center
The Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law provides national leadership in advancing laws and policies that secure justice to improve the lives and opportunities of people living in poverty.
Web: http://www.povertylaw.org/publicbenefitsguide
- Hotline Numbers (available 24 hours, seven days a week):
Phone: 708-748-5672 (For the South Suburbs)
Phone: 888-293-2080 (For the Chicago Metropolitan Area)
- Please visit the Health Promotions’ webpage.
- South Suburban Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
The South Suburban Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse has been providing affordable and effective chemical dependency treatment and rehabilitation to residents of the greater Chicago Southland community for over thirty years.
Phone: (708) 647-3333
Web: http://www.sscouncil.org/
Townships (not all townships are listed; most townships include high school districts) General and emergency assistance; food distribution; contact township where you reside.
- Bloom Township Office
(must be Bloom Twp. resident)Halsted St. (Across from PSC)
Address: 425 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights
Phone: (708) 754-9400
Web: http://www.bloomtownship.org/ - Bremen Township Office
(must be Bremen Twp. resident)
Address: 16361 S. Kedzie Parkway,Markham, IL 60428
Phone: (708) 333-9530
Web: http://brementownship.net/ - Crete Township Office
(must be Crete Twp. resident)
Address: 1367 Wood Street, Crete, IL 60417
Phone: (708) 672-8279
Web: http://www.cretetownship.com/ - Monee Township Office
(must be Monee Twp. resident)
Address: 26121 Egyptian Trail, Monee, IL 60449
Phone: (708) 534-6020
Web: http://www.moneetownship.com/ - Rich Township Office
(must be Rich Twp. resident)
Address: 22013 Governors Hwy., Richton Park
Phone: (708) 748-6722
Web: http://www.richtownship.org/ - Thornton Township Office
(must be Thornton Twp. resident)
Address: 333 East 162nd Street,South Holland, IL 60473
Phone: (708) 596-6040
Web: http://thorntontownship.com - Washington Township
(must be Washington Twp. resident; Beecher)
Address: 30200 Town Center Road, Beecher, IL 60401
Phone: (708) 94-2026
Web: http://www.washingtontownshipil.com/