DSCC Fact Sheets Resources
The Shannon Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping to pay for medical care for children whose families can’t afford it
Working through social workers at various hospitals across the country to identify kids in need, the foundation has paid for medicine, medical tests and procedures, equipment (such as wheelchairs, ventilators, etc.), hospital visits, surgery, medical co-pays, chemotherapy and physical therapy.
For more information, email shannonfoundation@fishersuhr.com or call (303) 436-1224.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA (SVdP) fosters personal relationships and service to people in need. Local SVdP Councils and Conferences, located in rural, suburban, and urban communities, provide rental and utility assistance, food pantries, charitable pharmacies, day centers, transitional housing for people with disabilities and veterans, thrift stores and more.
SVdP has chapters throughout Illinois. To find help near you, contact SVdP or ask your local Catholic church if they have a Society of St. Vincent de Paul chapter.
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.
The Superhero Project matches children facing serious illnesses, disabilities and complex medical needs with artists to create their superhero alter egos.
The nonprofit interviews kids and teens about their superhero alter egos. Artists then design the characters the children have described, creating a visual representation of their strength, courage and resilience. Families then receive an inspiring poster of their superheroes.
The Superhero Project is free and open to families around the world.
The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.
This flyer provides information about the TrevorLifeline, TrevorText, TrevorChat and its other crisis support services.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Find Shelter Tool
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Find Shelter tool provides information about housing, shelter, medical clinics, food pantries and clothing resources for someone in need in your community. Visit www.hud.gov/findshelter/.
The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry Pediatric Special Needs Dentistry
The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry Pediatric Dental Care provides comprehensive dental care for children including individuals with complex oral health needs and special developmental and behavioral care needs. Pediatric Dentistry clinics provide care for children from infancy through adolescence (under age 17), including:
- Comprehensive oral health examinations, teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, sealants, restorative procedures (fillings, crowns, etc.)
- Extractions and minor surgical procedures
- Urgent care (trauma, infection, etc.) and more
These services can be completed using inhalation sedation (Nitrous oxide), moderate sedation and general anesthesia. Read more about pediatric services.
Social stories are also available to help children with autism or sensory issues get ready for a dental visit:
Think College provides resources, technical assistance and training related to college options for students with intellectual disabilities. It also manages a national listing of college programs for students with intellectual disabilities in the United States.
See the Think College fact sheet in English or Spanish for more details. Think College resources also include:
- Learning modules for families on exploring college options, how to pay for college and more
- The “Student Corner” and Emerging Advocates Student Group
- A searchable list of colleges nationwide and what they offer
- Recursos para Familias (Family resources in Spanish)
Thresholds provides recovery services for persons with mental illnesses and substance use disorders in Illinois. Thresholds’ services include:
- Youth and young adult services
- Deaf program
- Intensive outreach for mental illness
- Training and workforce development
- Integrated primary and behavioral health care
Thresholds offers programs at more than 75 locations throughout Chicago, the adjacent suburbs and four surrounding counties.
Thumbuddy Special is a non-profit organization that was started by a group of special education teachers and therapists to raise money 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.