Resource Directory /

Chicago Resources

  • FacingDisability

    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

    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

  • National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

    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.

  • Postpartum Support International

    Postpartum Support International (PSI) provides a worldwide network of peer support, information, professional trainings and coordinators in all U.S. states. Its mission is to promote awareness, prevention and treatment of mental health issues related to childbearing in every country worldwide. PSI has more than 400 local support volunteers who provide support, information, encouragement and connection with local providers and support groups.

    PSI offers 50-plus free online support groups to connect with other parents, including groups for special needs and medically fragile parenting, birth trauma support, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) postpartum parents and more. PSI also moderates closed Facebook groups for moms and dads.

    PSI also has a helpline for anyone to get basic information, support and resources. You can call or text daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. central standard time at:

    • Call (800) 944-4773 for English and Spanish support
    • Text in English to (800) 944-4773
    • Text en Español to (971) 203-7773

    Resources are available in English and Spanish.

  • Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

    The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is a nonprofit hospital providing patient care, a research community focused on physical medicine and rehabilitation, clinical trials and a wide range of resources to help with caregiving, adapting and accessibility. Based in Chicago, the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab provides help with pediatric and adolescent rehabilitation, spinal cord injuries, brain injury recovery, limb loss and impairment, stroke and more.

    Shirley Ryan Abilitylab’s Henry B. Betts, MD, Learning, Innovation, Family and Empowerment (LIFE) Center also offers resources to help empower people living with chronic, cognitive and physical impairments and diseases affecting function. Resource topics include:

    • Caregiving and equipment
    • Housing and transportation
    • Inspiration and hope
    • Support and wellness
    • Recreation and leisure
    • Medical information and care
    • Education and employment

  • BEACON for Illinois Youth and Families Seeking Behavioral Health Services

    BEACON (Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation) is a centralized resource for Illinois youth and families seeking services for behavioral health needs. It streamlines the process of finding and accessing behavioral health services  to help ensure that every child in Illinois can receive the support they need.

    BEACON is available to families, state agency staff and healthcare providers across Illinois:

    • Families can use BEACON to find services, get help navigating complicated systems and connect with state programs.
    • State agency staff can use the public portal to coordinate care across programs.

    You can read the BEACON frequently asked questions for more information.

  • El Mercadito (Nourishing Hope)

    El Mercadito is a partnership between La Casa Norte and Nourishing Hope. This partnership provides Chicago residents fresh food, benefits assistance, job search training, mental health counseling, and access to housing information and referral services. Assistance is available in multiple languages.

    Nourishing Hope also offers a free, monthly Online Market service where individuals can:

    • Place a grocery order using any computer or smartphone
    • Order frozen meats, canned goods, cereal, milk, eggs, and fresh produce each month
    • Pick up from the warehouse, The Hub or Sheridan Market
    • Skip waiting in line
    • Continue access to the physical pantry/market

  • Chicago Coordinated Entry System for Housing

    The Coordinated Entry System for Chicago (CES) connects people experiencing homelessness to housing opportunities in Chicago. CES can refer youth, individuals and families to housing. Its website includes information for individuals and service providers on finding housing, walk-in locations for assessments and updates (Access Points) and more.

    The Coordinated Entry Call Center is also available at (312) 971-4178 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    Individuals meeting the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) definition of homelessness can call to complete a CES housing assessment. Assessments and updates are available on a walk-in basis at access point locations throughout Chicago. Please contact the office (access point) in advance to confirm hours.

    Anyone who needs emergency shelter should call 311.