Arts of Life is a non-profit organization offering an artistic community and work environment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Chicagoland pursuing a career 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.

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 40-plus zip codes to work in community in West Town, Woodlawn, Glenview, Evanston, and Highland Park.

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

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 Know Your Rights Guide (Translations are available in Spanish, French, Simplified Chinese, Ukrainian and Haitian Creole)
• A Resource Guide for New Arrivals in Chicago (Translations are available in Spanish, French, Arabic, Haitian Creole and Portuguese)
• Citizenship requirements and how to apply for citizenship
• Information and resources for new Americans
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) eligibility and resources
• Legal Protection Fund information 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

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 (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

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

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 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