Migrant Ministry

Migrant Ministry of the Catholic Parishes of Oak Park provides a variety of support services to help migrants and asylum seekers work toward achieving financial independence. Located at the former St. Edmund School (now St. Edmund Center) at 200 S. Oak Park Ave. in Oak Park, Migrant Ministry offers:

  • Resources
  • Advocacy
  • Help finding food, housing and other supports
  • Family mentors

Carbondale Area Interfaith Refugee Support

Carbondale Area Interfaith Refugee Support (CAIRS) is a network of community members that helps refugees from around the world adjust to and build a new life in Southern Illinois. CAIRS provides the support necessary to navigate the transition, become citizens, find employment and become neighbors and friends.

CAIRS provides resources that include:

  • A “New to the Area” resource page in English and Spanish
  • Immigration support services and legal help
  • Money to help with housing and other expenses

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Resources

This tip sheet from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) aims to help guide parents and caregivers through the steps to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA). It links to several websites and provides general guidelines.

Please note information may change, so be sure to go directly to the Illinois Department of Public Health’s (IDPH) website to verify information remains accurate and up to date.

Certified Nursing Assistant Resources in English

Certified Nursing Assistant Resources in Spanish

ISBE Resiliency Toolkit

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)’s Resiliency Toolkit is a collection of resources designed to foster safe and healthy school climates. In response to the growing mental health challenges that Illinois youth face, this toolkit offers developmentally appropriate tools to help students, parents, caregivers and school personnel build the resilience necessary to thrive.

ISBE’s Resiliency Toolkit topics include:

  • Mental health
  • Discrimination and harassment
  • Preventing and addressing bullying
  • Substance use prevention and more

World Relief Chicagoland

World Relief Chicagoland is a not-for-profit agency providing services to refugees and immigrants in Aurora, Chicago and DuPage County. World Relief Chicagoland provides financial, emotional, and cultural support to refugees from around the world.

World Relief Chicagoland programs and services include:

  • An Immigrant Resource Hub in multiple languages
  • Immigration legal services
  • Workforce development
  • Adult education
  • Children and youth support
  • Mental health services

World Relief Quad Cities

World Relief Quad Cities is a not-for-profit agency providing services to refugees and immigrants in western Illinois and eastern Iowa. World Relief Quad Cities provides financial, emotional and cultural support to refugees – victims of war and persecution around the world – in the Quad Cities area.

World Relief Quad Cities’ Moline office provides:

Cook for Love

Cook For Love is a nonprofit organization providing support, resources and education to individuals, families and clinicians managing phenylketonuria (PKU). The site empowers members of the metabolic disorders community to improve their health through cooking and education.

Cook for Love’s website includes:

  • Recipes for creating low-protein foods
  • Information about low-protein products to keep in your pantry
  • Step-by-step instructions
  • Videos for making meals and treats

Complex Care at Home for Children

The Complex Care at Home for Children website aims to provide an educational resource for parents and caregivers of children with medical complexity. The site offers information and tools to help facilitate daily care, ensuring a safe environment for the child and family. Topics include:

  • Tracheostomy and other types of respiratory care
  • Peritoneal dialysis
  • Enterostomy care
  • Enteral nutrition
  • Parenteral nutrition
  • Intravenous antibiotic therapy
  • Intermittent bladder catheterization

Illinois Poison Center’s Caregivers Guide

The Illinois Poison Center’s Caregivers Guide webpage offers practical advice on keeping children safe from potentially harmful substances. The guide provides general safety tips along with concrete steps for medicine safety, handbag/purse safety and plant safety. It also offers:

You can also download a PDF of the guide:

In case of emergency, call the Poison Center Helpline at (800) 222-1222. Calls are free and confidential.

Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE)

Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) provides research, resources and advocacy to improve the quality of life and health of people of all ages with food allergy. Food allergy can cause life-threatening allergic reactions. FARE supports food allergy research, education programs for people with and without food allergy, and awareness around healthcare options and treatment.

FARE programs and services also include: