The PKU Organization of Illinois awards the Andrew Craig Memorial Scholarship annually to qualified individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU) or allied disorders. Eligible applicants may receive scholarships of up to $2,000. The scholarship applicant requirements include:

• Having PKU or an Allied Disorder diagnosis
• Currently residing in Illinois
• Enrolling to attend an accredited college, university or vocational school for the fall semester of the current calendar year

A student may receive more than one scholarship during their secondary education but not in consecutive years.

BRIC Foundation (Break, Reinvent, Impact and Change) is a non-profit company focused on increasing representation in entertainment, gaming, media and tech. BRIC works with leaders across these industries, and government and education partners to create inclusive opportunities for women and underrepresented people to be successful. BRIC Foundation’s student programming includes:

• Summer Internships
• Creative academies
• BRIC Student Communities providing virtual Art Jams and industry speakers

The Conversation Project is an initiative of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) to help people talk about their wishes for care through the end of life so others can understand and respect those wishes. The project offers free tools, videos and other resources to help make difficult conversations with loved ones easier. Resources are available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Audio (English). Guide topics include:

• A conversation starter guide
• Talking to your health team
• What matters to me workbook for people with serious illness
• How to start talking with a child who is living with a serious illness about the health care that is right for them
• Encouraging conversations in your community

211 DuPage provides information and access to trained local specialists who listen and help connect people with a wide range of resources that meet all their underlying needs, not just the one that prompted the call, text or email. 211 DuPage can help connect people with programs and services, including:

• Emergency counseling
• Disaster assistance
• Food, health care and insurance assistance
• Stable housing and utilities payment assistance
• Employment services
• Childcare and family services
• Veteran services and more

The Diverse Learners Recovery Fund is a lottery-style grant program for Chicago families with children with disabilities offered through the Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities and Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc. The fund will provide one-time grants of $500 to up to 8,000 eligible K-12 students through a lottery. Families must submit an application and complete the verification process to participate. The deadline to apply is Oct. 30, 2024.

The Diverse Learners Recovery Fund program will select recipients through three lottery drawings on the following dates:

• July 1, 2024
• Sept. 16, 2024
• On or after Nov. 30, 2024

The program will notify selected applicants by email. Verified applications that are not chosen will be included in the next drawing.

Submitting an eligible application does not guarantee you will receive the funds.

Fun4theDisabled is a community created by, for and about people with disabilities to help everyone live their best lives. Fun4theDisabled  creates video and content highlighting opportunities for people with disabilities in the community, connecting them with organizations, programs and events that provide accessibility in inclusive and fun ways. You can find all videos on the Fun4theDisabled YouTube channel.

Fun4theDisabled also offers video tours of Chicago-area sites, including the National Museum of Mexican Art, Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo and more.

Enjoy Illinois offers inspiration and accessibility information for travelers with disabilities, including independent and assisted wheelchair users and people with hidden disabilities. The website features information on attractions throughout Illinois, transportation options and video tours of Chicago museums, landmarks and the #AccessibleChicago docuseries from Fun4theDisabled.

The Inclusive Care Clinic (ICC) from the University of Illinois Chicago’s College of Dentistry offers comprehensive, preventative and integrated (multidisciplinary) dental treatment for patients 15 years or older with a wide range of physical and developmental disabilities. The ICC serves individuals with autism, physical disabilities, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and behavioral and other conditions.

The clinic includes:

• A sensory room
• A wheelchair lift
• Private treatment rooms
• Noise-cancelling headphones
• Personal entertainment tablets
• Weighted blankets

The Salvation Army St. Clair County provides a variety of programs and services to help individuals and families remove barriers, build job skills, find childcare and remain in their homes. It offers:

• After-school programs where youth and teens have a safe place to complete homework, learn new skills and relax with friends
• Pathway to Hope program that helps families identify barriers and address them by connecting with community support organizations and more
• Homelessness prevention services
• Emergency help with rent/mortgage, utility bills and other needs to keep families in their homes

Project Strong and Unified Network (Project SUN) is a family-driven, youth-guided and community-based system of care in Kankakee County. Project SUN provides resources, training and community education about children’s behavioral health and other child and family wellness topics. Its services include:

• Helping families navigate their children’s mental, emotional and behavioral health systems of care through trained staff and volunteer Community Navigators
• Supporting families on their journey by training peer parent mentors and companions and offering appreciation events for caregivers
• Assisting parents and youth to gain the skills necessary to actively participate in their care planning and delivery
• Offering professional development training for mental, emotional and behavioral health service providers
• Providing community education with a focus on children and their families