General Resources
Lake Forest Open Lands Association All-Terrain Outdoor Wheelchair Access
Lake Forest Open Lands Association in Lake County has partnered with Access Ability Wisconsin (AAW) to become the first host location in Illinois for an AAW all-terrain outdoor wheelchair and trailer for use at their preserves and in the community. The outdoor wheelchair is free to use at a Lake Forest Open Lands’ preserve or the AAW trailer can be used to tow it to another site. Reservations and a deposit (refundable) are required.
Lake Forest Open Lands has nearly 900 acres of open space. Visit the outdoor wheelchair reservation page for more details.
Latino Resources Institute in Chicago
The Latino Resource Institute of Illinois (LRII) provides case management, advocacy, community outreach, counseling and other services to individuals and families in the south side of Chicago and suburban Cook County. LRII also offers:
- Coaching and mentoring
- Work readiness, life skills/empowerment training
- Court advocacy
For questions, please visit LRII contact page or call (773) 356 – 5923.
Laundry Service at All in One Laundry Center
All In One Laundry Center & Services partners with the nonprofit Clean Slate Advocates to provide a low-cost laundry program for unhoused and low-income residents.
$1 per load wash n’ fold laundry service, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
801 South Grand Avenue East
Springfield, IL(217) 544-5058
Learning Disabilities Association of America
The Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA) provides tools, resources, podcasts and community. LDA helps create opportunities for success for all individuals affected by learning disabilities through support, education and advocacy.
Legal Information in American Sign Language
The Chicago Hearing Society (CHS) and the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation (IEJF) offer a variety of videos that provide legal information in American Sign Language (ASL), with English voice-over and captions, for the public. The videos cover topics such as traffic court, domestic violence, obtaining citizenship, types of discrimination and more. These videos are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute legal advice.
For questions or assistance, please contact CHS’s Community Outreach and Advocacy Team at CHSCOA@anixter.org.
Life’s Plan Mini Grant for Self-Advocates
Life’s Plan mini grants provide self-advocates start-up money to build a micro-industry business. A micro-industry is a business run by an adult or adults with a disability to earn money and be more financially independent. The micro-industry mini grant will provide up to $2,000 in funding.
Individuals may be supported by staff or advocates to run a variety of business such as jewelry making, used book resale, greeting cards, errand running, food cart, shredding, lawn/snow removal services and other ideas. Agencies and service organizations are not eligible for this grant.
Grant applications are available year-round:
LifeLine Pilots is a non-profit group providing free air transportation to patients seeking a second opinion or in need of treatment at a clinic far from home for non-emergency medical needs.
The organization serves individuals who may not be able to travel long distances any other way or have financial or health-related needs. Volunteer pilots fly passengers in need within a 10 state region. Lifeline Pilots also works with other volunteer pilot organizations to arrange flights beyond their service area.
If you have questions or need to determine if you qualify for services, call 800-822-7972 or fill out the mission request form.
Loving Bottoms Diaper Bank works with 26 partner agencies in Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Knox, McDonough, Mercer, Peoria, Tazewell, Stark, and Warren counties. In addition to diapers, they provide period supplies and incontinence products.
For help, use this list to contact the partner agency closest to you. You can also visit the Loving Bottoms Diaper Bank FAQ page on their website for more information.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible low-income households pay for home energy services (primarily heating during winter months).
Illinois residents with a household income that does not exceed an amount determined annually by the Department of Commerce are eligible. The program determines annual eligibility levels based on available funding and may not exceed 200 percent of the federal nonfarm poverty level.
See the How to Apply for LIHEAP page for more information. To help find an office serving your area, visit this complete list of LIHEAP application agencies based on county.
For more program information, check out the LIHEAP frequently asked questions or call the Help Illinois Families Call Center at (833) 711-0374.
Luella’s Lodge provides resources, retreats, support groups and non-traditional holistic therapies for families grieving the death of a child.
The non-profit includes a secluded log cabin on 10 acres in Oakwood, Ill., offering a private lake, hiking and biking trails, and other amenities to help families connect with one another through grief and healing.
For questions, visit Luella’s Lodge website.