The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University is a federally funded center providing elementary and secondary education programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The Clerc Center Online Community provides best-practice videos, research, toolkits and resources for families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children and the professionals who work with them.

Clerc Center resources include:

• The Language First Parent Guide, a step-by-step roadmap for parents with children who are deaf and hard of hearing
• Family-focused activities such as American Sign Language (ASL) classes, bilingual storybooks and more

The Peoria Friendship House offers wraparound services to empower families and meet changing community needs. Its services include a program supporting the Latino community, citizenship classes, a food pantry, health support services and youth programs. The Peoria Friendship House also provides:

• A parent mentor program
• S.T.E.A.M.S Academy for students focused on science, technology, engineering, arts and math
• La Familia healing support across the lifespan
• A financial stability program
• Pantry on the Move to help reduce barriers to receiving food

For more information, call (309) 671-5200 or email ceo@friendship.house.

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) provides scholarships, including scholarships for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and grants to charitable organizations in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago counties. Visit CFNIL’s scholarship opportunities page to learn more.

YWCA La Voz Latina‘s services include:

• Information and referral services
• One-on-one parenting classes and adult education workshops
• Advocacy for at-risk families
• Immigrant and refugee assistance, information, orientation and referral to services
• Language proficiency assessments and services for businesses and offices
• Partner Abuse Intervention Program (PAIP) classes for men in both English and Spanish

These programs are not limited to the Latino/Hispanic population. The organization serves Boone, Jo Daviess, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago counties.

Catholic Charities of Rockford serves people in need in Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Carroll, Ogle, DeKalb, Kane, Whiteside and Lee counties. Its programs and services include:

• Counseling and a mental health ministry
• Immigration and refugee services
• Emergency help
• Food pantry and clothing closet
• Project Hire employment training and services
• Volunteer opportunities

Arts of Life is a non-profit organization that offers an artistic community and work environment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Chicagoland pursuing careers in art. Art of Life has three professional art studios. Artists have their own studio space and work independently from individualized project plans or receive one-to-one visual arts help to increase their artistic skill set. Artists earn a monthly stipend for participating in the program and bonuses based on personal annual art sales. It also provides community programs designed to break down barriers and provide new opportunities for all artists, and remote programming.

Arts of Life offers opportunities for artists to work in one of its professional studios, in classes at partner art centers, or in their homes. It brings together artists from more than 40 zip codes to work in communities in West Town, Woodlawn, Glenview, Evanston, and Highland Park.

For questions, email info@artsoflife.org or visit Arts of Life’s website for contact information.

Eluna’s Camp Erin Online provides an intentional space for children and their families to connect, find support and remember the people in their lives who have died. Camp Erin Online focuses on helping families find meaningful support as they move through grief using creative outlets such as:

• Painting
• Music
• Mindfulness
• Movement
• Photography

To attend Camp Erin Online events and programs, fill out an application online.

Siblings with a Mission is an international organization that supports siblings and families of individuals with complex health conditions and developmental disabilities.  The organization serves both siblings and sibling supporters (parents, grandparents, friends, healthcare providers, professionals, etc.) of all ages and backgrounds. It provides:

• Sibling support groups focused on a specific diagnosis or disability
• SibSpot, a place where siblings and sibling supporters can read stories about sibling heroes and meet other siblings from around the world
• Resource lists and more

For questions, email siblingswithamission@gmail.com.

The City of Chicago Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights (IMRR) partners with community organizations, academic institutions and the private sector to provide a wide range of information, resources and services.

IMMR’s website resources include:

• A Resources Hub that includes the Know Your Rights Guide (Translations are available in Spanish, French, Simplified Chinese, Ukrainian and Haitian Creole)
• First steps and essential checklist for new arrivals
• Citizenship requirements and how to apply for citizenship
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) eligibility and resources
• Community connections and culture, and more

Western Avenue Community Center (WACC) offers programs for youth and seniors, interpretation and translation services, and a food program. WACC programs are open to anyone in the community. Its programs include:

• Interpretation and translation services in French and Spanish for medical, legal, educational and other general documents
• Mentoring and after-school programs
• Adult education and GED classes
• The Mamás Hogareñas Group to educate and support all moms in the community
• Food program for the Bloomington-Normal community
• Fitness programs

WACC is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you have questions, call (309) 829-4807. Para servicio en español, llame (309) 834-9205.