Resource Directory /

Education Resources

  • Boyton Street Community Center

    Boyton Street Community Center in Marion provides children and their families opportunities for fun, learning, development and building self-esteem. The Center collaborates with local social service agencies to provide a variety of programs and services year-round. Programs at the Boyton Street Community Center include:

    • Nutritious meals built around keeping kids fit and healthy
    • An after-school program for children and youth in K-12
    • Summer art, recreation, reading and tutoring programs
    • Special events

    For more information or to learn how to enroll in a program, contact the Boyton Street Community Center at (618) 997-1113.

  • Bridgeway

    Bridgeway provides a wide range of programs for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities in west-central and northern Illinois. Bridgeway offers a variety of person-centered programs that focus on greater choice, achieving independence and community participation. Bridgeway programs include:

    • Day services
    • Adult learning services
    • School-based counseling
    • Community living and supports
    • Employment programs
    • Substance use assessments and programs for youth and adults

  • Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation

    The Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation provides financial assistance to people of all ages with spinal cord injury and neurological disorders. It also offers funding for medical research. Financial assistance includes post-high school education scholarships and charitable grants to help pay for items such as van modifications, wheelchairs and ramps.

    The foundation awards scholarships annually. It reviews charitable grants quarterly in January, March, June, and September. Wisconsin residents receive priority. Individuals anywhere in the United States may receive financial assistance depending on available funds. For program applications and more information, visit:

  • 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.

  • Candor Health Education

    Candor Health Education is a nonprofit organization that provides students, their trusted adults and communities programs and resources on puberty, sex education and substance abuse prevention.

    Candor Health Education also offers in-person and virtual presentations with age-appropriate, science-based information to help students make informed decisions and understand how these things can impact their health.

  • Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby

    The Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity (CAN) at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby provides a wide range of supports and services to empower diverse learners. CAN services include:

    CAN is on the Oglesby Campus in room C-211. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also make an appointment by contacting Tina Hardy at (815) 224-0284 or tina_hardy@ivcc.edu.

  • Charting the LifeCourse Nexus Training and Technical Resource Center

    Charting the LifeCourse Nexus or LifeCourse Nexus framework was developed by families to help individuals with disabilities at any age or stage of life and their families develop a vision for a good life. LifeCourse Nexus provides free infographics, YouTube videos and step-by-step tip sheets to help people of all ages and abilities with identifying their dreams and desires, thinking about what they need to know and do, identifying how to find or develop supports, and discovering what it takes to live the lives they want to live.

    The LifeCourse Nexus Library features a wide range of downloadable materials to help with the transition from school to community, including:

    • Person-centered tools for exploring your desires and unique needs
    • The family perspective booklet and tip sheets
    • Kits (The Life Domains) focusing on life stages and exploring employment, healthy living, housing options and other areas
    • Videos and step-by-step tip sheets on using the Integrated Supports Star tools to bring everything together

  • Chicago Children’s Theatre’s Family Activities

    Chicago Children’s Theatre shares a variety of instructional videos and activity ideas, including tapestry weaving, coloring books, making a shadow puppet theatre and more.

  • Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

    The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by advancing innovative research and improving quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis.

    The website includes:

  • College Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

    Information from College Scholarships.org about college scholarships available to students with disabilities.