Resource Directory /

Mokena Resources

  • Illinois Department of Human Services Find Food Website

    The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Find Food website offers a list of advocacy, education, and social support services, as well as links to food pantries and soup kitchens throughout Illinois. IDHS Find Food resources include:

    You can contact the IDHS Helpline at:

    • 1 (800) 843-6154
    • 1(866) 324-5553 TTY

  • The Early Years Project

    The Early Years Project is a free online toolkit from the Illinois Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program featuring easy-to-follow videos, activities and resources. Parents, caregivers, and educators can use these materials to help foster sensory development in young children, from birth to 6 years old.

    The Early Years Project toolkit aims to supplement home visiting and early education programs. It includes information on developmental milestones, activities, resources and more in four areas:

    • Hearing
    • Vision
    • Communication
    • Language

  • Best Buddies in Illinois

    Best Buddies in Illinois offers one-to-one friendship, integrated employment and leadership development programs for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

    Best Buddies offers chapters throughout Illinois. Programs and opportunities include:

    For contact information, visit the Best Buddies in Illinois staff directory page.

  • Families, Addiction and Mental Health Network

    The Caregiver Action Network’s Families, Addiction & Mental Health Network (FAM) is committed to helping and supporting caregivers, families, and patients navigate specialized supports and resources.

    FAM recognizes the diversity and specialized support caregivers need to navigate substance use disorders and mental health care. FAM can connect caregivers with tailored tools and news to help navigate the complex mental healthcare landscape and advocate for their loved ones, and take care of their own health. FAM also provides educational articles, webinars, training, and other resources with lessons from fellow caregivers, healthcare professionals, social workers and others.

  • Friends of Man

    Friends of Man is a non-profit that uses 100% of donations for charitable assistance. The charity receives applications requesting mobility equipment, prosthetics, home modifications, medical equipment, hearing aids, basic needs and much more from referring professionals. Referring professionals include caseworkers, case managers, healthcare workers, social workers, school counselors, teachers and clergy who apply on behalf of their patients and clients.

    In addition to the assistance listed above, Friends of Man can provide assistance nationwide for adaptive equipment, assistive technology, lift chairs, mobility equipment, orthopedic braces and shoes, stairlifts, vehicle adaptations and wheelchair ramps.

    More details are on the Friends of Man Eligibility page.

  • New Lenox Transportation Service

    New Lenox Transportation Service provides safe, affordable and reliable transportation for all New Lenox Township residents. Transportation is provided within the New Lenox Township and Village, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Rides are also available to the Mokena, Frankfort and Joliet areas for medical and physical therapy appointments or employment for New Lenox Township residents ages 22 years and older with disabilities. You must make reservations by telephone.

    Transportation office hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. To schedule a ride, please call transportation services manager Debbie Cunningham at (815) 485-6431.

  • Accessible Live Theater Productions Calendar

    The League of Chicago Theatres works with Chicago-area theaters to make live theater performances accessible to everyone. The league provides a calendar of upcoming performances based on specific access requirements and disabilities.

    The calendar includes touch tours, American Sign Language (ASL)-interpreted, audio-described, open-captioned, sensory-friendly and Spanish subtitled performances.  Sensory-friendly performances are relaxed and sensory-friendly theatre experiences aimed to be more accessible for individuals on the autism spectrum or others with cognitive/developmental disabilities.

    For more information, contact the League of Chicago Theatres at (312) 554-9800 or info@chicagoplays.com.

  • West40 Community Resources in West Cook County

    West40 serves 38 school districts and three co-ops in West Cook County. West40 provides a wide range of in-school advocacy,  student-centered programs and links to community resources to help students and the people surrounding them succeed.

    West40 offers:

    Call (708) 449-4284 or use the West40 Contact Us form for more information.

  • “Independent Living, Here We Come” Toolkit

    The “Independent Living, Here We Come Toolkit” is for young people and adults with disabilities who want to learn to live on their own or take care of themselves with less help. It serves as a guide for family members, caregivers, teachers and others helping anyone with disabilities navigate and build greater independence.

    The toolkit is divided into 13 skill areas. You can complete one section at a time or download the entire “Independent Living, Here We Come Toolkit.”

    Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans and the Louisiana Parent Training and Information Center created this toolkit.