Lombard Resources
The Answer, Inc. provides resources and education, recreation and advocacy services to families with loved ones with autism and developmental disabilities in the greater Chicago area.
Visit The Answer, Inc., website for more information.
Signed By Stories aims to raise mental health awareness, advocacy, education and support for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, late-deafened and deaf-disabled through storytelling.
Signed By Stories is working to create a community where deaf and hard-of-hearing people can:
- Join together and share their mental health stories
- Receive validation for their experiences
- Learn how to better support their own and the larger community’s mental health needs
- Have a platform where both deaf and hearing people have the knowledge, tools and feel empowered to take action to improve the current state of mental health care for deaf people
Food and Support Programs in Chicago and Cook County
Get help finding food, diapers, job training and accessing programs at over 700 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other community partners in the Chicagoland area.
Visit the Greater Chicago Food Depository website for more information.
Destination Vaccination – Cook County Department of Public Health
Destination Vaccination, a partnership between the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) and Kaizen Health, offers free rides to get people to and from their vaccinations. Kaizen can provide vehicles to accommodate most residents, including those in wheelchairs or those who require child seats. This service is provided at no cost to residents.
Visit the Destination Vaccination website for more details.
In-Home COVID-19 Vaccinations and Boosters for Chicago and Suburban Cook County
Residents of suburban Cook County and the city of Chicago can schedule in-home appointments for vaccination and booster shots. Flu shots may also be available.
If you live in suburban Cook County, call (833) 308-1988. In-home vaccination and booster appointments will be scheduled for one to two weeks. You can also schedule transportation to a vaccine outside of your home by calling this number.
If you live in the city of Chicago, call (312) 746-4835. In-home vaccination, booster and flu shot appointments are readily available to be scheduled. More details are on the In-Home COVID Vaccinations and Boosters flyer. The flyer is also available in Spanish.
Synapse House provides services to adults with an acquired brain injury, such as an accident, stroke, gunshot wound or overdose, and traditional developmental disability services may not be appropriate. Located in Downers Grove, Synapse House programs and services include:
- The Clubhouse/employment programs
- KNZ NeuroFitness Gym
- Community integration therapeutic activities
- Community support services
- Family support
Community Alternatives Unlimited
Community Alternatives Unlimited (CAU) provides a wide range of services for people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as programs to help economically challenged families with health and wellness during pregnancy and birth.
CAU provides residents of the city of Chicago (north side), several northern suburbs and Lake County with services and programs that include:
- Interview for Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS)
- Pre-Admission Screening (PAS) and determinations for eligibility for services
- Individual services and supports
- Connecting new mothers to appropriate medical care, eligible public benefits, support services and community resources
- Information and referral regarding prenatal care, checkups and immunizations, breastfeeding, infant development, family planning and parenting
STRIVE for Independence offers driver evaluations and training for all ages, disabilities and medical conditions for the Chicagoland area. STRIVE for Independence serves clients with a wide variety of driver rehabilitation needs. Their team of specialists includes occupational therapists, certified driver rehabilitation specialists and state of Illinois certified driving instructors (CDI) for adults and teenagers.
Visit the STRIVE for Independence website for more details.
GiGi’s Playhouse: Down Syndrome Achievement Centers
GiGi’s Playhouse: Down Syndrome Achievement Centers provide free, nationwide on-site and virtual educational, therapeutic-based and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community. Programs are available for individuals of all ages focusing on speech and language, social skills, cooking and fitness.
GiGi’s Playhouse Illinois locations include:
- Chicago
- Deerfield
- Fox Valley
- Hoffman Estates
- McHenry County
- Quad Cities
- Rockford
- Tinley Park
GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse offers opportunities to build relationships and community connections and access free programming and resources tailored for individuals with Down syndrome. The playhouse serves individuals with Down syndrome of all ages, expecting moms and dads, caregivers, siblings, parents, grandparents, doctors, educators, volunteers and more.
GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse provides a variety of programs focused on therapeutic needs, educational needs, career development and global acceptance. You can log in to the virtual playhouse to access on-demand programs for all ages, resources for supporting a loved one with Down syndrome and communities of other parents, self-advocates and volunteers.