General Resources
Peoples Gas Payment Arrangements and Energy Assistance
If you cannot pay your energy bill due to financial difficulties, Peoples Gas has flexible payment arrangement plans or energy assistance options that may help.
Peoria Friendship House/La Familia
The Peoria Friendship House offers wraparound services to empower families and meet changing community needs. Its services include a program supporting the Latino community, citizenship classes, a food pantry, health support services and youth programs. The Peoria Friendship House also provides:
- A parent mentor program
- S.T.E.A.M.S Academy for students focused on science, technology, engineering, arts and math
- La Familia healing support across the lifespan
- A financial stability program
- Pantry on the Move to help reduce barriers to receiving food
For more information, call (309) 671-5200 or email ceo@friendship.house.
A portable medical summary is helpful for summarizing your medical information in one to two pages. You can use this summary across healthcare systems, including:
- With the emergency department
- In the transition to adult providers
- With your college campus health services and more
The summary can help provide quick and concise communication with all providers involved in your care as you transition to adulthood.
- Project Fire Buddies is a nonprofit group of Chicago-area firefighters and first responders who find ways to support and spread joy to children with serious illnesses and their families.The project volunteers organize toy drives, bring Halloween candy to children who are too sick to trick-or-treat, and invite kids to local firehouses. Volunteers also visit with their fire buddies at home to play games, read books, bring gifts for special occasions and more.Project Fire Buddies started with the Oak Forest Fire Department but has grown to include fire departments throughout Illinois – and beyond.
Project Mobility is a nonprofit organization that offers recreational events using specialized bicycles for people with disabilities. Its professional staff works with families, rehabilitative professionals and organizations to promote better health, independence, and most of all the freedom of mobility for people with physical disabilities.
Project Mobility also does an Adaptive Bike Giveaway. Please fill out Project Mobility’s Adaptive Bike Giveaway form to receive information and be added to the waitlist.
Protected Tomorrows is an advocacy and financial advisory organization supporting families of individuals with special needs and disabilities. The organization provides compassionate guidance to help individuals and caregivers navigate government benefits, legal considerations, future care planning and financial strategies for a more fulfilling future for everyone. Protected Tomorrows’ resources include:
- Monthly Protected Tomorrows Parent University online classes
- Step-by-step, comprehensive planning tools
- Individual and family services
- A Resource Hub with information, articles and videos
For questions, please contact Protected Tomorrows using the online contact form.
Questions and Answers About COVID-19 Vaccines
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia provides answers to some of the most common questions people are asking about COVID-19 and vaccines.
Racial Healing Tools and Resources
The pursuit of racial healing and racial equity calls for more than one conversation. To help you plan your first, second or even your 10th conversation, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has curated this list of resources to help shape healthy dialogue across Illinois.
The IDHS initiative Healing Illinois also lists events and resources about racial healing across the state.
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) Radon program provides information on the risks of radon and how to reduce radon levels in homes.
For more information, call the IEMA Radon Information Line at (800) 325-1245.
RAMP Disability Resources and Services – Center for Independent Living (CIL)
RAMP (RAMP-CIL) is a non-profit, non-residential Center for Independent Living (CIL). It welcomes anyone with a disability, regardless of the type of disability, age, or economic status. The organization serves Boone, DeKalb, Stephenson and Winnebago counties. RAMP-CIL services for youth and adults include:- Information and referral
- Youth education and advocacy
- Portable ramp loans
- Independent living skills training
- Bus training and public transportation skills
- Employment services
- Fast Track Transition services for youth
- Project SEARCH school-to-work program transition program
For questions, please see RAMP’s website for specific contact information and office hours.