General Resources
RAMP helps people with disabilities learn how to use public transportation in Rockford and Belvidere through a cooperative effort with the Rockford Mass Transit District.
C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation
C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation (C.E.F.S.) is a non-profit that serves residents in the Illinois counties of Christian, Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby.
C.E.F.S. aims to help economically and socially disadvantaged people become more self-sufficient. Its support and services include:
- Summer youth program and college scholarships
- Housing programs
- Employment and training services
- Education services
- Food and utility assistance
Visit the C.E.F.S. website for more information.
Children in Therapy and You (C.I.T.Y.) of Support is an online and in-person community that supports all families navigating the needs of their child in therapy, regardless of diagnosis, age, therapeutic needs or overall situation. Information, resources and events are available online, free of charge.
C.I.T.Y. of Support includes members from all across Chicagoland. Local leaders help coordinate on-site events and opportunities within specific geographic regions.
C.I.T.Y. of Support also sponsored the creation of the Accessibility Support Collection at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library. Children in therapy and their caregivers may borrow therapeutic toys/tools/print materials from the library to explore at home.
Camp Big Sky in West Central Illinois
Camp Big Sky provides accessible cabins and recreational opportunities for children and adults with developmental, physical, cognitive, sensory, and age-related disabilities. Located in northern Fulton County, Camp Big Sky offers three distinct and totally accessible activity areas with two lakes and a campground.
Daytime activities are free for people of all ages with a disability and their families, friends and caregivers. Overnight camping in cabins and tents is available for a nominal fee. Groups of campers are also welcome. Reservations are required for all visits.
See the Camp Big Sky fact sheet for more details.
Camp Erin Overnight Grief Camp
Camp Erin Chicago is part of a national bereavement program for youth grieving the death of a significant person in their lives. Free of charge for all families, Camp Erin combines traditional, fun camp activities with grief education and emotional support for children and teens ages 6 to 17 years old.
Camp Erin Chicago takes place in Delavan, Wisc., in July. Registration usually opens in December for the following summer. If you are interested in enrolling your child or family in Camp Erin, please email Camp Director Bryan Heidel at bheidel@nush.org, or call (773) 569.9553.
Camp New Hope offers year-round recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities ages 8 and older. Camp New Hope is accessible to all and located on 41 rolling acres on the shores of Lake Mattoon. Year-round programming includes summer camp, respite weekends, bowling and parties.
CaringInfo, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, provides free resources to educate and empower patients and caregivers to make decisions about serious illness and end-of-life care and services.
The site provides guides and resources about topics including advance directives, palliative care, caregiving and hospice care.
Caritas Family Solutions is a non-profit social services agency that works to meet the physical, social and emotional needs of people in southern Illinois.
Services include adoption support, foster care, community integrated living arrangements, counseling, parenting classes, pregnancy care and more.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet
Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet serves people in need in Will, Grundy, DuPage, Kendall, Kankakee, Ford and Iroquois counties. Its programs and services include:
- Information and assistance
- Caregiver support groups
- Crisis intervention
- Volunteer opportunities for older adults and persons with disabilities
- Mobile food pantry
Catholic Charities Social Services Archdiocese of Chicago
Catholic Charities Social Services Archdiocese of Chicago provides help including homelessness prevention, food and basic needs, and crisis assistance. needshelp and crisis services. It also connects people to other organizations that can help with emergency assistance in Chicago, suburban Cook County and Lake County. Services include:
- Burial and funeral assistance
- Case management services
- Emergency rental assistance
- Utility assistance
- Emergency shelter services
- Stabilization services (pharmaceutical assistance, transportation assistance, clothing vouchers)
The organization also provides family support programs, including child care and pregnancy and parenting support services, domestic violence support, behavioral health programs, and immigrant and refugee support.