Resource Directory /

Lombard Resources

  • Housing Opportunities for Women (HOW)

    Housing Opportunities for Women (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)

  • Special Needs Mom Squad

    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

  • Illinois Student Records Keeper: For Parents of Students Who Receive Special Education Services

    The Illinois Student Records Keeper booklet from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is for parents to use to keep important information about their child and their special education and related services. It is a companion to A Parent’s Guide – Educational Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois.​​​​​​​

    Records play an important role as you plan your child’s education. Dates, people, meetings and reports are important throughout your child’s educational career. ISBE developed the records keeper to help parents prepare for Individualized Education Program (IEP) and transition meetings; get ready for evaluations and reevaluations; and keep track of paperwork and other materials.

  • Special Education Assessment Tip Sheet and Resource List

    Family members and early care and education providers are adults who notice when the children in their care may have disabilities or developmental delays and would benefit from special education services.

    The Illinois Early Learning Project’s Special Education Assessment tip sheet series is a helpful tool for learning more about the steps in that process. The IEL also provides an Assessment for Special Education resource list.

  • Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations (A.B.L.E.)

    Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations (A.B.L.E.) creates theatre and film projects for, with and by individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities in Chicago. A.B.L.E. offers in-person and online ensembles, specialized workshops and outreach programming for individuals ages 13 and up.

    A.B.L.E. is a non-profit organization focusing on building participant confidence and skills, changing society’s beliefs about disability, and creating more inclusive communities. Their programs are financially accessible. No one will be turned away because of their ability to pay.

  • NubAbility Athletics Foundation and Camps

    The NubAbility Athletics Foundation is a non-profit organization that encourages, inspires and instructs limb different youth by getting them out of the stands, off the bench and into mainstream sports. NubAbility offers a wide variety of limb-different sports camps nationwide for youth athletes who are congenital, traumatic or medical amputees from around the world.

    NubAbility offers camps for a wide range of ages and interests. Options include:

    • All sports
    • Deep sea fishing
    • Competitive shooting
    • Equestrian
    • Basketball
    • Archery and more

  • Sarah’s Inn

    Sarah’s Inn provides comprehensive services for families affected by domestic violence so that they get the support they need to find safety, rebuild their lives and heal. It serves Chicago and 22 surrounding West Cook County suburban communities. Sarah’s Inn resources include:

    • Support and crisis interventions
    • Legal support
    • Violence prevention programs
    • Community education and training programs
    • The Partner Abuse Intervention Program (PAIP)

    Sarah’s Inn’s 24-hour emergency Crisis Line is (708) 386-4225.

  • Envision Illinois Domestic Violence Resources for People with Disabilities

    Envision Illinois is a statewide collaborative project addressing domestic violence against people with disabilities and Deaf people. Envision Illinois provides various resources designed for all people, families, agencies and organizations working to ensure that survivors with disabilities have equal access to healing, safety and justice.

    Envision Illinois’ website resources include:

    • Case studies and scenarios
    • Fact sheets and social story-type graphics
    • A Mandatory Reporting Toolkit
    • Sample forms and templates
    • Self-advocacy resources

  • Child Neurology Foundation

    The Child Neurology Foundation (CNF) is a patient advocacy organization offering tools, education resources, and a network of more than 48 organizations to help children and their families living with neurologic conditions find social services and emotional support.

    CNF’s Family Support Program helps families navigate the journey of being a caregiver of a child with a neurologic condition. Families can connect with trained staff who will listen and help with:

    • Learning about a child neurology disorder and clinical trials
    • Connecting to disease-specific organizations
    • Talking to another parent
    • Navigating insurance and more

    See the CNF Family Support Program flyer to learn more. You can request help online or by calling (859) 551-4977.