Illinois Help Stop Hate provides meaningful support to help victims and witnesses of hate acts in reporting what happened and connecting them and their communities with vital resources. The service is free, confidential and not affiliated with law enforcement. Individuals can make online reports in seven languages. Callers can report in the language of their preference and receive assistance from call specialists trained in trauma-informed care.

You can make reports anonymously by calling (877) 458-4283 or (877) 458-HATE, Monday to Friday from 12 to 9 p.m. or online any time by visiting ILStopHate.org.

La Casa Norte serves youth and families confronting homelessness by providing access to stable housing and comprehensive services aimed at transforming lives. Programs include case management, emergency shelters, drop-in centers for unaccompanied youth ages 16 to 24, and a variety of transitional, rapid and permanent supportive housing options. All housing placements (transitional, rapid and permanent) are made through Chicago’s Coordinated Entry System.

La Casa Norte uses a Housing First/Continuum of Care service model that is bilingual, trauma-informed, culturally competent and impactful.

BACKBONES connects people with spinal cord injury and their families to others with similar backgrounds, injuries and interests. BACKBONES provides inspirational stories and programs that include events, a youth program for teenagers (ages 15 to 18), leader development and monthly online meetups for people in the spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D) community looking to connect with their peers.

Nourishing Hope helps individuals and families in Chicago by meeting them where they are to overcome barriers. Help includes food programs, trauma-informed mental health counseling in multiple languages, domestic violence support and a wide range of social services. Nourishing Hope offers a choice-based food distribution program that also includes:

• Monthly food distribution and additional produce pickups through five different food access programs.
• A home delivery services for people with disabilities, older adults and homebound neighbors.
• Life-changing social services such as case management, job search support, domestic violence intervention and public benefits assistance (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, healthcare, government forms).

The Kids’ 4 Good Center in Eldorado provides children from ages 3 to 17 a unique opportunity to learn about generosity and giving back.  The “Youth Character Building Program” provides an opportunity for children to shop for their own needs and also select resources to give to others in need within their community. The Kids’ 4 Good Center and Store is a partnership with the Stress and Trauma Treatment Center, the Fowler Bonan Foundation and 4 Good Community

The Kids 4 Good Store is located on Locust Street in Eldorado. The store is open on Saturdays from from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 and includes:

• Shopping for all kids between the ages of 3 and 17
• A store stocked with Amazon returns
• Opportunities for individuals to volunteer to help children have a free dignified shopping experience

The Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity (CAN) at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby provides a wide range of supports and services to empower diverse learners. CAN services include:

• Accommodations
• Resources and study skills support
• Success coaching

CAN is on the Oglesby Campus in room C-211. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also make an appointment by contacting Tina Hardy at (815) 224-0284 or tina_hardy@ivcc.edu.

FacingDisability provides stories, hundreds of paralysis resources and up-to-date information on spinal cord injury. The organization works with medical experts from major hospitals, universities and rehabilitation institutions nationwide to provide insight and inspiration. FacingDisability resource topics include:

• Disability advocates
• Family and caregiver support
• Assistive technology
• Financial assistance and government programs
• Education and employment

A Place for Us provides students with disabilities and their allies a space to connect, network and empower one another through peer mentoring that spans from high school through college. This nationwide nonprofit helps students with disabilities succeed in higher education by unifying disability rights activists in colleges across the country. A Place for Us provides:

• A digital network of students with disabilities and their allies to be mentors for high school students and underclassmen with disabilities
• Students with disabilities and disability advocates willing to share their stories
• Nationwide mentors who can help you navigate your higher education journey
• Mentorship opportunities

If left unmanaged, stress can negatively impact our physical health, emotional well-being, relationships, work, and many other things in our lives. To effectively manage stress, one must identify the stressor and take active steps to reduce the impact of the stressor by using effective and individualized coping tools.

Illinois Extension provides this list of resources to help reduce stress and enhance coping skills.

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is free, confidential and here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week in English and Spanish for anyone who is pregnant or just had a baby.

Trained counselors can listen to what you’re going through, connect you with local support groups and organizations, and refer you to other healthcare professionals if you need more care.

Call or text (833) 852-6262 or (833) TLC-MAMA.