Resource Directory /

Recreation and Inclusion Resources

  • The Salvation Army St. Clair County

    The Salvation Army St. Clair County provides a variety of programs and services to help individuals and families remove barriers, build job skills, find childcare and remain in their homes. It offers:

    • After-school programs where youth and teens have a safe place to complete homework, learn new skills and relax with friends
    • Pathway to Hope program that helps families identify barriers and address them by connecting with community support organizations and more
    • Homelessness prevention services
    • Emergency help with rent/mortgage, utility bills and other needs to keep families in their homes

    For questions, please contact the Salvation Army St. Clair County in Belleville, Ill., at (618) 235-7378.

  • The Southwest Collective Resources for Families in Chicago

    The Southwest Collective is an open forum for southwest side residents to voice their concerns, learn about resources and connect with opportunities and fun specific to the southwest side of Chicago. Resources include “Freebies for Families” events, small business support, providing food to people in high-need areas, weekly free art classes at De Colores Ice Cream & Coffee Shop in Archer Heights, little free libraries and more.​

    These resources are specific to the southwest side of Chicago.

  • Thumbuddy Special

    Thumbuddy Special is a non-profit organization founded by a group of special education teachers and therapists to raise funds to provide adaptive equipment for children with special needs.

    Thumbuddy Special supplies equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, bath chairs, adapted bikes, ramps and computers. In addition, the nonprofit offers scholarships to children to attend local special recreation camps in the summer.

    For questions, please call Thumbuddy Special at (630) 212-3419.

  • Thunder Adaptive Sports

    Thunder Adaptive Sports, based in McLean County, is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization that offers adaptive sports for youth and adults with physical disabilities and/or medical diagnoses. The group strives to help everyone participate in sports, including sled hockey, cycling, and track and field. There is no cost to participate at the recreational level.

    The Thunder Adaptive Sports “family” includes:

    • The Central Illinois Sled Hockey Association (CISHA) – a volunteer, non-profit organization offering recreational and competitive sled hockey for youth and adult players with physical disabilities throughout the central Illinois region. Families do not pay to participate. CISHA provides sleds, hockey equipment, team jerseys and ice time.

    For questions, updates and more information:

  • Timber Pointe Outdoor Center in Hudson

    Timber Pointe Outdoor Center (TPOC) offers specialized lodging, staff and programming modified to accommodate kids and adults of all abilities. The center provides year-round opportunities for individuals with disabilities and illnesses to experience a fun, safe and accessible environment with family and friends.

    Owned and operated by Easterseals Central Illinois, Timber Pointe Outdoor Center programs include:

    • Day and overnight summer camps
    • Partner group camps
    • Weekend family retreats
    • Facility rentals

    For more information, please contact TPOC at (309) 365-8021 or TPOC@eastersealsci.com.

  • Tip Sheets for Self-Advocacy Groups

    The Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) provides ten tip sheets written by self-advocates to help people understand self-advocacy and provide self-advocacy groups tips to keep things running smoothly.

    The topics for the self-advocacy groups tip sheets include:

    • What is self-advocacy?
    • Ways of working on issues
    • Good leaders and officers
    • How do you find an advisor?

    Each tip sheet is one-page. Each tip sheet is available in English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.

  • TotalLink to Community

    TotalLink to Community provides individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities ages 18 years or older in the north suburbs of Chicago with a wide range of person-centered services to promote employment, independence and strong social connections in the community.

    TotalLink provides career and vocational services, including job development and placement, using Customized Employment, a proven and innovative approach that utilizes skill-based coaching, family coaching, life planning, and educational and recreational opportunities designed to get young adults with disabilities involved in their community and deepen social connections.

  • Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center in Makanda

    Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center (TON) in the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois offers a diverse range of camps, retreats, programs and activities for children and adults of all abilities. Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center programs include:

    For questions, please contact TON by phone (618) 453-1122 or email at ton@siu.edu.

  • Transition Planning Committee for McLean, Dewitt and Logan Counties

    The Transition Planning Committee (TPC) for McLean, Dewitt and Logan Counties provides a wide range of resources to support students with disabilities and help their families navigate the transition to adulthood and life after high school. The resources are also helpful for educators and community members who are helping students and young adults build skills and explore their options after high school. The committee’s resources include:

    • Education and training programs
    • Support and mental health services
    • Transportation and employment
    • Legal and financial help
    • Recreation and social opportunities
    • Prioritization of Urgent Need for Services (PUNS)
    • Housing and developmental training

  • UCP – Center for Disability Services

    UCP – Center for Disability Services (UCP-CDS) in Joliet serves individuals with severe, multiple disabilities including autism, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic impairment and other developmental disabilities. UCP-CDS provides its services in a five-county area including Will, Kankakee, Grundy, Kendall and Iroquois.

    UCP-CDS also provides in-home respite for families of individuals with developmental disabilities.  Participants enrolled in the In-Home Respite Program may receive up to 360 hours per year. The participant cannot be enrolled in a state waiver program. The family must find their own respite provider and be located in Will or Grundy counties. For more information, contact Kassandra Farley at (815) 744-3500, extension 202.