Social Services Resources
Share Our Spare collects new and gently-used items for children ages 0-5 and donates them to low-income families living in Metropolitan Chicago. Items are not available directly: instead, Share our Spare reaches families in need by partnering with local social services organizations that provide their clients with needed social services such as parenting classes, early childhood education, housing referrals, job readiness training, and behavioral health services.
Springfield Rental Assistance Program
Funds are available through the Springfield rental assistance program, a partnership between the city and the Springfield Urban League. To qualify for the program:
- The property address must be in the corporate limits of the city of Springfield.
- Your household income is within the allowable limits.
- Applicant must provide documentation showing a loss of income due to COVID-19.
- Cooperation from the applicant’s landlord to participate in the program.
Tenants seeking assistance should call the Springfield Urban League at (217) 789-0830, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Please specify that you are seeking rental assistance within the city of Springfield. The intake process will occur over the phone. If you are leaving a message with the Urban League regarding the program after hours, please specify that you are seeking Springfield rental assistance along with your contact information.
The application process will include communication with your landlord to verify the rental agreement and the total rent owed. The maximum amount a tenant may receive is $1,000.
Stephenson County COVID-19 Information
Stephenson County COVID-19 Information provides links to resources and agencies that can provide you with the best up-to-date information.
Suburban Cook County Homeless Prevention Call Center
If you need financial assistance with mortgage, rent payments, rent deposits, utility payments or other housing issues, please call the Homeless Prevention Call Center at 1-877-4-Cook-15 (1-877-426-6515).
Listen carefully to the prompts to choose which kind of help you need.
The Diaper Bank of Southern Illinois
The Diaper Bank of Southern Illinois serves as a central location to collect and store donated diapers. The Diaper Bank partners with local service agencies to distribute diapers to low-income children and their families.
To request diapers, the Diaper Bank of Southern Illinois requires that the agency has an ongoing relationship with the client and has screened for need. Agencies may contact diaperbanksi@gmail.com or call (618) 549-2148, ext. 110.
The Neighbor Project (TNP) is a nonprofit, HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agency dedicated to helping low to moderate-income families in Aurora reduce debt, build credit, save and ultimately buy their first homes.
The Southwest Collective Resources for Families
A list of resources for vulnerable families on Chicago’s southwest side. The list is available in the following languages:
Violence Prevention and Support Resources
The Illinois Department of Public Health put together this list of violence prevention and support resources.
Topics covered include mental health and crisis support, violence prevention and intervention support, and report of child abuse or abuse of an older adult or adult with a disability.
Youth and Family Center of McHenry County
The Youth and Family Center of McHenry County continues to provide bi-cultural navigation services during the COVID-19 pandemic, remotely or by appointment.
Services include registering for child care and food assistance, helping to understand and translate documents, finding financial assistance, food pantry assistance, finding mental health services, employment services, English classes and more.
You can review the center’s flyer, provided in Spanish and English, for more information.
You can schedule an appointment online or call the main office in McHenry at (815) 322-2357. Please provide a full name and phone number to receive a callback.