Family Support Resources
Safe Harbor Family Crisis Center
The mission of Safe Harbor Family Crisis Center is to support and respond to the needs of survivors of domestic violence and their dependents in the effort to avoid further abuse. The center is based in Galesburg and serves victims of domestic violence in Knox County.
Safe Harbor’s services include a crisis hotline, court advocacy, support groups, social service referrals, clothing and food, and children’s programs.
For more information, call (309) 343-7233 or email info@safeharborfcc.org.
Salvation Army of Southern Illinois in Marion
The Salvation Army of Southern Illinois in Marion provides financial assistance with food, rent, utilities, and clothing for families and individuals across southern Illinois.
For questions or food pantry hours, please contact Darla Harms at (618) 993-5854 or darla.harms@usc.salvationarmy.org.
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline
If you or someone you care about feels overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression or anxiety, you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline.
The Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
(800) 985-5990
SAM’s Sweet Heart Memorial Foundation
SAM’s Sweet Heart Memorial Foundation is dedicated to helping Illinois families with children with complex medical diagnoses.
SAM’s Sweet Heart provides financial assistance to Boone and Winnebago county families with children under the age of 18 who have a medical condition requiring lifelong treatment. Local families may apply for a grant during open application periods.
Sangamon County Health Department
The Sangamon County Health Department protects, promotes and works to improve the health and well-being of all individuals and families in Sangamon and Menard Counties. Programs and services include vaccination clinics and other health services for children and adults, a discount card for medications, medication and sharps disposal, and more.
Sangamon County Resource Guide
The Sangamon County Department of Community Resources strives to improve the quality of life for people in-need in Sangamon County through department programs, services and referrals that promote economic stability and/or self-motivation.
The department provides several resource guides that cover financial assistance, food pantries, health care, housing and more for the residents of Sangamon County.
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.
To be able to care for the people you love, you must first take care of yourself. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides tips, tools and resources to help caregivers take care of themselves.
A self-care assessment tool from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Self-Help Legal Assistance Clinic from Governors State University
Governors State University’s Self-Help Legal Assistance Clinic (GSU-LC) provides free self-help legal assistance and non-legal resources to low-income Illinois residents navigating the court system without legal representation. The clinic’s team of attorneys, social workers and volunteers works under the supervision of a licensed attorney and social worker to increase access to legal services in underrepresented communities. GSU-LC offers pro se and free legal assistance in the areas of family law, immigration, housing and expungement, and can help with:
- Understanding legal rights and laws
- Filing depositions, settlement negotiations and court appearances
- Reviewing and explaining court orders and filings

