General Resources
Jill’s House Weekend Adventures
Jill’s House House Weekend Adventures (JHWA) and Covenant Harbor in Lake Geneva, Wis., provide a two-day camping experience for kids and teens ages 6 to 17 with intellectual disabilities in the Chicagoland area. The program designs activities around campers’ needs. These activities include playing games, having cookouts, enjoying nature and making new friends.
The camp cannot support certain health and behavioral conditions. Please visit JHWA’s website for the specific eligibility requirements and intake application process.
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) Chicago
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) Chicago offers youth with disabilities and volunteer coaches free, non-competitive, one-on-one programs providing physical activity, fun and support for the overall health and well-being of all participants. Programs are open to all youth ages 5 to 21 with physical or developmental disabilities. Indoor and outdoor recreational activities are available year-round. Registration for programs takes place quarterly.
KEEN Chicago programs are age appropriate and tailored to each athlete’s needs. Athletes can choose from a wide variety of camps, programs and day trips, including sports, yoga, swimming, dance and more. Fill out the New Athletes Enrollment Form online to learn more about becoming a KEEN Chicago athlete.
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) St. Louis
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) St. Louis offers youth with disabilities and volunteer coaches free, non-competitive, one-on-one programs providing physical activity, fun and support for the overall health and well-being of all participants. Programs are open to all youth ages 5 to 21 with physical or developmental disabilities. Indoor and outdoor recreational activities are available year-round. Registration for programs takes place quarterly.
KEEN St. Louis programs are age appropriate and tailored to each athlete’s needs. Athletes can choose from a wide variety of camps, programs and day trips, including sports, yoga, swimming, dance and more. Fill out the New Athletes Enrollment Form online to learn more about becoming a KEEN St. Louis athlete.
All types of camps are listed in this camp directory. The directory includes special needs camps, residential camps, day camps and more.
The Kids Wish Network provides programs to help inspire hope, create happy memories, share comfort and reach kids in life-altering situations. The organization grants wishes and provides programs across the country to children between the ages of 3 and 18 who are facing extraordinary challenges due to illness, hospitalization, homelessness, and abuse. Anyone can refer a child.
Kids Wish Network services include:
- Lifetime Wishes – grants customized wishes to children who are battling a life-threatening medical condition
- A Child Forever – comforts families devastated by the loss of a child by offering funeral assistance and ensuring a proper end-of-life ceremony
- Holiday of Hope – brings holiday happiness to children facing poverty, addiction, homelessness and life-altering situations
- Hero Wishes – helps brave kid-warriors who have survived tough and often tragic life circumstances
- Project Toy Drop – delivers gifts and laughter to at-risk youth and kids of American servicemen or women
Kruger’s ATA Martial Arts Programs in Danville
Kruger’s ATA Black Belt Academy of Danville offers classes that help students of all ages and abilities learn to set goals and challenge themselves mentally and physically. Parents are encouraged to attend classes with their children to encourage bonding and hobby sharing.
Ladder Up provides free programs to eligible Chicagoland residents to help move up the economic ladder. Individuals can receive guidance in financial education, tax help and preparation, and turning the dream of college into reality. Ladder Up programs and services include:
- The Tax Assistance Program
- The Legal Tax Clinic
- Financial aid for college workshops
- Financial education workshops
- Tax tips for self-employed/small business owners
The Lake County Housing Authority (LCHA) provides a variety of programs to help individuals, families and senior citizens afford decent, safe housing and achieve economic independence.
Please contact LCHA at (847) 223-1170 for more information about coverage area and program availability.
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