Miracle Flights provides free commercial airline tickets to pediatric patients ages 17 and under in need of life-changing medical care far from home. Families must meet certain requirements and apply online using the online application for requesting each flight.

The organization also provides flights for service dog retrieval and/or training. Miracle Flights’ service dog program is open to all individuals who need help retrieving/training their service dog.

The Sunshine Foundation helps make dreams come true for children ages 3 to 18 who have severe or profound illnesses or conditions. Referrals can come from anywhere in the United States for children with severe or profound physical/developmental/intellectual challenges or trauma from physical/sexual abuse and whose families have limited income.

Dream requests can include:

• Staying at the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village and visiting area theme parks and attractions
• Funding towards a special gift or item of interest
• Funding towards medical or adaptive equipment that insurance may not cover

Dare2tri is a nonprofit specializing in adaptive sports. It encourages recreation, racing and competition while cultivating a sense of community for all athletes who are not labeled by physical ability but rather their determination and will to succeed.

Dare2tri offers free training opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities and visual impairments throughout the year for children and adults. Its programs include:

• Play for All at Chicago Children’s Museum
• Kids Tri Camp for youth ages 6 and up
• Learn 2 Tri beginner-level training camp
• Multisport clinics and more

The Kids Wish Network provides programs to help inspire hope, create happy memories, share comfort and reach kids in life-altering situations. The organization grants wishes and provides programs across the country to children between the ages of 3 and 18 who are facing extraordinary challenges due to illness, hospitalization, homelessness, and abuse. Anyone can refer a child.

Kids Wish Network services include:

• Lifetime Wishes – grants customized wishes to children who are battling a life-threatening medical condition
• A Child Forever – comforts families devastated by the loss of a child by offering funeral assistance and ensuring a proper end-of-life ceremony
• Holiday of Hope – brings holiday happiness to children facing poverty, addiction, homelessness and life-altering situations
• Hero Wishes – helps brave kid-warriors who have survived tough and often tragic life circumstances
• Project Toy Drop – delivers gifts and laughter to at-risk youth and kids of American servicemen or women

The Dream Factory is a volunteer-driven children’s wish-granting organization. Volunteers raise funds in their communities to grant dreams to local children ages 3 through 18 who have a life-threatening illness or are critically and chronically ill. Dreams are granted through local chapters. Referrals can be made by:

• A parent or legal guardian of an ill child
• A treating physician of an ill child
• The ill child

In Illinois, contact the Dream Factory of Central Illinois at centralillinois@dreamfactoryinc.org. You can find other local chapters on the Dream Factory website.

Disability EmpowHer Network is a non-profit run by and for girls and women with disabilities that connects, motivates, and guides girls and women to learn and develop to their highest potential and have the confidence to lead. The group, based in Rochester, NY, focuses on building skills and community by connecting girls with disabilities with successful women with disabilities to serve as mentors and role models.

Resources and programs include:

•  A stories blog
• EmpowHer Camp (a year-long program)
• Letter from a role model
• Get a Mentor
• EmpowHer Expressions, a public speaking and career coaching program

FindTreatment.gov is a confidential and anonymous resource for people seeking treatment options anywhere in the United States. Information about paying for treatment and understanding addiction and mental health is also available. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ) oversees the site.

FindTreatment.org also offers:

• The National Helpline at (800) 662-4357
• State substance use and mental health agency links and phone numbers
• Video tutorials for using the site
• Information about the Disaster Distress Helpline for counseling related to disasters
• Other treatment resources

Illinois River Valley Special Recreation Association (IRVSRA) provides recreation and social opportunities for individuals ages 7 and up with a wide range of disabilities. Programs include year-round Special Olympics, sports, camps, social clubs, trips and more.  IRVSRA is part of the Pekin and Fon du Lac park districts serving residents and non-residents in Tazewell County and the surrounding area.

Rebuilding Together is a nationwide nonprofit providing critical, high-impact home repair and renovation services at no cost to eligible homeowners in need. Organization affiliates focus on community projects aimed at improving safety, quality of life and independence for all people. Illinois affiliates are located in Aurora, Henry County, Metro Chicago, North Suburban Chicago, Peoria, Southwest Illinois, and Stephenson County.

Use the Rebuilding Together locator to get up-to-date information for each location. Rebuilding Together services may include:

• Ramps and home repair services targeting significant safety and health hazards
• Minor repairs and modifications such as installing grab bars and securing or installing interior and exterior railings
• Community projects based on input from residents and other stakeholders

Understood is a nonprofit dedicated to helping people with learning and thinking differences thrive in school, at work and throughout life. Understood raises awareness about dyslexia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and neurodiversity by sharing personal stories and providing resources for understanding behaviors, supporting learning, building everyday skills and exploring careers.

Understood’s resources include:

• Fact sheets on myths, ADHD, bullying and more
• Toolkits
• Communication strategies for all stages of life
• Podcasts featuring personal stories and perspectives