Resource Directory /

Non-English/Multilingual Resources Resources

  • Independent Living Radio/Radio Vida Independiente

    Independent Living Radio/Radio Vida Independiente broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week via the internet. The station aims to promote inclusion and awareness about issues related to disability. In addition to music, the station provides programs in English and Spanish on topics including:

    • Adaptive technology
    • Disability programs and services
    • Employment
    • Laws
    • Activities around the world

    for more information, call (708) 646-3179.

  • Instituto del Progreso Latino

     Instituto del Progreso Latino (Instituto) is a nationally recognized education hub serving over 8,000 participants from across Cook County and low-income communities on Chicago’s southwest side. Instituto programs and services include adult basic education, English Language Acquisition (ELA) classes, workforce development, career pathway and employment support, and wrap-around social services.

    Latino immigrants and their families can also gain skills that foster full participation in society while preserving cultural identity and dignity through citizenship and adult education courses, family literacy, immigration legal aid services, employment training, youth development programs and more. Instituto del Progreso Latino also includes:

    • Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy for high school students seeking to focus on a career in the health sciences field
    • Instituto College, which prioritizes the recruitment and retention of non-traditional, first-generation college students and values the training of bilingual and bi-culturally sensitive nursing professionals.
    • Online and in-person English, citizenship and adult education courses

    For questions, please call Instituto del Progreso Latino at (773) 890-0055.

  • La Casa Norte

    La Casa Norte serves youth and families confronting homelessness by providing access to stable housing and comprehensive services aimed at transforming lives. Programs include case management, health and nutrition community outreach, emergency shelters, drop-in centers for unaccompanied youth ages 16 to 24, and a variety of transitional, rapid and permanent supportive housing options. All housing placements (transitional, rapid and permanent) are made through Chicago’s Coordinated Entry System.

    La Casa Norte uses a Housing First/Continuum of Care service model that is bilingual, trauma-informed, culturally competent and impactful.

    For more information, call La Casa Norte at (773) 276.4900 or email info@lacasanorte.org.

  • 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.

  • Legal Aid Chicago

    Legal Aid Chicago provides free legal assistance in civil cases to people living in Chicago and suburban Cook County with limited income or special legal needs. It focuses on helping in the following key areas:

    • Family and safety –  where personal safety and financial stability are at risk
    • House and apartment – protecting safe and affordable housing for tenants and homeowners
    • Money and debt –  protecting income and assets from unfair collections and fraud
    • Work and employment rights – protecting the rights and benefits of workers and reducing barriers to employment
    • Health, disability and basic needs – accessing and protecting benefits for basic human needs
    • Immigration – obtaining protected status for victims of crime, including U-visa, VAWA (for victims of domestic violence) and T-visa (for victims of human trafficking)

    For questions, visit the Contact Us page on Legal Aid Chicago’s website.

  • 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:

  • Lifespan Disability Clinic in Chicago

     UI Health’s Lifespan Disability Clinic provides one-stop, comprehensive primary care for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Lifespan Disability Clinic is a welcoming space that aims to collaborate with each individual to achieve their personal goals, such as obtaining appropriate accommodations, coordinating care and supporting the transition to adulthood.

    The Lifespan Disability Clinic has two locations. Services include:

    • Primary care (routine health exams)
    • Support for the transition to adulthood
    • Care coordination
    • Education and resources

  • Love is Respect – Teen Dating and Healthy Relationships for Young Adults

    Love is Respect, a project of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, offers information, support and advocacy to young people between the ages of 13 and 26 who have questions or concerns about their romantic relationships. Free, confidential services are available anytime via:

    • Live chat
    • Call (866) 331-9474 or TTY (800) 787-3224
    • Text ‘LOVEIS’ to 22522

    Services for the deaf and hard of hearing are also available:

    Love is Respect also provides help for parents supporting a child who is, or you suspect is, dealing with dating abuse.

  • Mano a Mano Family Resource Center

    Mano a Mano Family Resource Center provides culturally and linguistically competent support services to immigrant communities in Lake and McHenry Counties. Mano a Mano focuses on helping the hardest-to-reach and most vulnerable families and individuals in the community. Its resources and services include health resources, educational classes and workshops, and immigration legal services. Mano a Mano programs also include:

    • Mano a Mano Informa on Facebook Live on the first and third Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. The live discussion offers immigration updates, community resources and guidance to help families
    • Informados & Conectados on Facebook and YouTube every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. It covers important community topics and available resources
    • The TANDA Emergency Community Fund, which provides assistance in the form of gift cards for local grocery stores and/or Visa gift cards to buy other critical, non-grocery items such as prescription medications and transportation.
    • A community garden

    Mano a mano is based in Round Lake and also has a satellite office in North Chicago.

    For questions or more information, please call (847) 201-1521 or email mamappointments@mamfrc.org.