Warm Neighbors Cool Friends (WNCF) Energy Assistance Foundation provides year-round help with energy bills and making homes more energy efficient for income-qualified families.  The program helps low-to-moderate-income individuals and families who don’t qualify for federal assistance.  Visit the WNCF website to learn about:

• Income and eligibility guidelines
• Program coverage areas
• Help for weatherizing your home
• Energy bill payment programs

Achieving Independence and Mobility Center for Independent Living (AIM-CIL) provides training, peer support, information and referrals, community development and advocacy services to help individuals with disabilities participate in all aspects of family, social and community life. AIM-CIL serves residents with disabilities and their families in DuPage, Kane and Kendall counties. 

Other AIM-CIL programs include:

• Assistive Technology Program – Individuals/families can apply to receive up to $500 for an authorized device(s). Only one device per person/per household.
• Educational Scholarship Program – Students can get up to $1,000 for college or trade school registration/application/lab fees, books and/or class tuition. Only one scholarship per student/household. Please refer AIM-CIL’s website for specific requirements and deadline dates.

For questions, please see AIM-CIL’s Contact Us page, call (630) 469-2300, or video relay (630) 984-4251.

Urban Autism Solutions (UAS) is a Chicago non-profit organization serving young adults with autism and other learning differences. Their person-centered programming focuses on building life skills, community integration, social interaction, an integrated community life, and social and vocational opportunities. UAS programs include:

• The West Side Transition Academy
• Growing Solutions Farm
• Life Lab
• Network 1212 social meet-ups and outings for young adults

For questions, please email UAS at info@urbanautismsolutions.com

Swann Special Care Center is a non-profit organization located in Champaign that offers residential and educational programs for people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities.  Its programs serve residents from throughout Illinois and include residential nursing care, adult day training and an accredited year-round school. Swann Special Care Center also offers:

• Restorative and long-term habilitation
• Palliative and end-of-life care
• Evaluation on an individual and ongoing basis
• Physical, occupational and speech therapies

For questions, please visit Swann Center’s Contact Us page online, or call (217) 356-5164.

The Resource Center for Autism & Developmental Delays’ (RCADD) Virtual Resource Room offers back-to-school resources for parents/caregivers and their children with autism and/or neurodiversity. Resources in English and Spanish to help with a new school year include:

• Tip sheets- Hojas de consejos
• Schedules and routines materials- Horarios & rutinas
• Social stories- Historias sociales
• Visual supports – Apoyos visuales
• Structured activities- Actividades estructuradas

The non-profit Diaper Bank of Chicago provides diapers in sizes newborn through large-sized Underjams, ensuring all kids who need protection are covered. It partners with other nonprofits and social service agencies to distribute diapers. The diaper bank only accepts requests for diapers through an agency partner or social service agency.

For questions or to volunteer, please contact the Diaper Bank of Chicago at info@diaperchicago.org or ‪(312) 880-7195‬.

Housing Opportunities for Women Inc. (HOW) empowers individuals and families in the Chicagoland area to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. HOW aims to provide individuals experiencing homelessness with housing as quickly as possible along with individualized support services to help them build success and self-sufficiency. Its services and programs include:

• Permanent supportive housing for people with disabilities
• Employment and life skills
• Children and youth after-school enrichment activities and Saturday teen programs
• Advocacy for individuals/families involved with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
• Housing and support for Families in Transition (FIT)

For questions or more information, please contact HOW at (773) 465-5770.

The Special Needs Mom Squad is a non-profit organization based in Lombard. It aims to provide a safe and supportive community where moms of children with special needs can connect, access resources and find emotional and mental support.

The organization helps moms and families through:

• Sensory-friendly events throughout the year
• A safe space where moms can share their stories and feel heard
• Information and resources for understanding their child’s condition

For questions, please contact the Special Needs Mom Squad at (630) 258-7664 or info@specialneedsmomsquad.com.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has developed guides and resources specifically for parents of students with disabilities to help them navigate the educational system and know how to best work with district and school personnel. Visit ISBE’s Special Education – Parents/Guardians page for more information.

For questions, please visit ISBE’s Contact Us page for more details.