General Resources
Habitat for Humanity – Illinois
Some Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Illinois also offer programs to help with home repairs, weatherization and access ramps for eligible homeowners. Please contact the Habitat for Humanity affiliate serving your area for specific details and application information.
Habitat affiliates offering the additional programs include:
- Grundy-Three Rivers Habitat for Humanity
- Habitat for Humanity of McClean County
- Jackson, Union County Habitat for Humanity
- Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County
- Quincy Area Habitat for Humanity
- Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity
- Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County
Habitat for Humanity International affiliates in the Chicagoland area:
Hands & Voices Guides and Resources for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Plus
Hands & Voices provides a variety of resources specific to children who are deaf/hard of hearing plus – the combination of being deaf or hard of hearing and having additional medical complexities or other needs.
Information includes the “Connecting Families of Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Plus (DHH Plus) with Resources and Support” guide, an Educational Plan Checklist for D/HH-Plus Students and presentations, articles and other guides for families of children who are D/HH plus.
Healing Horse Stables in Sidney, Ill., is a non-profit organization offering therapeutic riding and equine-facilitated learning for individuals of all ages and abilities. Healing Horse Stables promotes learning and physical, social and emotional well-being through programs that include:
- Therapeutic riding
- Riding for relaxation
- Horsemanship programs
- Field trips
Healing Hurt People Chicago (HHPC) is a hospital-based, youth advocacy program for violence recovery. HHPC services begin in the hospital and include crisis intervention, mental health care, medical advocacy, team support support and patient advocacy. The program also connects participants to supports and a community where they can continue to grow, thrive and break the cycle of violence once they leave the hospital.
HHPC programs and resources for individuals, families and loved ones recovering from trauma also include:
- Information about trauma and the SELF (Safety, Emotion, Loss, and Future) model
- Stories of healing
- Strategies for coping
- Resources for families
- Resources for providers
HealthyChildren.org’s “Childhood Grief: When to Seek Additional Help”
Many children experience the death of a close family member or friend at some point during their childhood. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ website HealthyChildren.org provides information for parents about childhood grief, ways to help your child, and where to find support.
The information includes:
- Signs your child may need more help
- Important information about tweens
- Resources for more information
Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association
The Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association offers support and information to help families adjust to the special needs of a child with Down syndrome. Its programs and resources for families and caregivers include Individual Education Program (IEP) resource providers, conference and classroom stipends, and events to increase inclusion and understanding of people with Down syndrome.
The association’s service area in central Illinois includes Peoria, Marshall, Tazewell and Woodford counties.
Heartland Alliance in Chicago provides programs to address the root causes of poverty, generate social change and inspire people to build better lives not only for themselves but for their communities.
Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) provides direct legal services to and advocates for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through policy reform, impact litigation and public education. Other programs include:
Help for Caregivers, Grandparents/Relatives Raising Children in Northeastern Illinois
AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois provides programs offering respite, legal services, counseling, financial help, training programs and more for caregivers and grandparents/relatives raising children. Residents in DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties may be eligible.
Helping Children and Adolescents Cope With Traumatic Events
Every year, children and adolescents experience disasters and other traumatic events. Family, friends and trusted adults play an essential role in helping youth cope with these experiences.
The National Institute of Mental health has numerous resources to help children and adolescents cope with traumatic events.
The High Fives Foundation focuses on preventing life-changing injuries and providing resources for outdoor adventure sports athletes if they happen. High Fives provides community support, inspiration and grants to help athletes and veterans with spinal cord injuries (SCI), traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and others get back to their outdoor physical activity of choice from snowboarding and skiing to surfing and mountain biking and beyond.
The High Fives Foundation Empowerment Fund grants are primarily need-based. Recipients can use the grant funds for adaptive sports equipment, healing network, medical equipment, programs, living expenses and emergency care/injury expenses. Athletes living in the United States or Canada and meeting the criteria for each grant cycle can apply each year.