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Resources in Illinois
88 listings. Please call ahead — hours and services change.
Adoption
Ada S. McKinley Community Services — Foster Care
Foster home licensing, placement, permanency and post-permanency support in Chicago.
- Chicago, IL
- (312) 554-0600
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Adoption Center for Family Building
Nonprofit open-adoption agency licensed in Illinois and Indiana. Toll-free: (800) 869-1005.
- Skokie, IL
- (847) 674-3231
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Brightpoint (formerly Children's Home & Aid)
Foster care, foster-to-adopt and adoption counseling (PEPAC: (888) 248-4335) with offices across Illinois, including Rockford.
- Rockford, IL
- (312) 424-0200
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Catholic Charities (Archdiocese of Chicago) — Post-Adoption Services
Post-adoption support, registry, and search and reunion for adoptions completed through Catholic Charities.
- Chicago, IL
- (312) 655-7700
- Website (opens in a new tab)
JCFS Chicago — Adoption Support
Consultation, education and support for people building families through adoption, and for adoptive families.
- Chicago, IL
- (855) 275-5237
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Metropolitan Family Services
Adoption and guardianship support and preservation, counseling and family services at community centers in Chicago and the suburbs.
- Chicago, IL
- (312) 986-4000
- Website (opens in a new tab)
The Cradle
Nonprofit infant adoption agency with counseling and support for birth parents and adoptive families. 24-hour helpline: (800) 272-3534.
- 2049 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL 60201
- (847) 475-5800
- Website (opens in a new tab)
AdoptUSKids — Illinois
StatewideIllinois's post-adoption services, support groups and contacts, from the national AdoptUSKids project.
Illinois Adoption Registry & Medical Information Exchange
StatewideHelps adult adoptees, birth parents and birth siblings register to exchange identifying and medical information by mutual consent.
Illinois DCFS — Become a Foster or Adoptive Parent
StatewideThe state's foster care and adoption program for children in Illinois foster care.
Free / Subsidized Childcare
Carole Robertson Center for Learning
Early childhood education (6 weeks to 5 years) and youth programs with family support in Chicago.
- Chicago, IL
- (773) 521-1600
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Educare Chicago (Start Early)
Early Head Start, Head Start and home visiting for families with young children.
- 5044 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60615
- (773) 924-2334
- Website (opens in a new tab)
YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago — Early Learning & Head Start
Head Start and early learning centers across Chicago. Call to find sites in your neighborhood.
- Chicago, IL
- (312) 823-1100
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Head Start & Early Head Start
NationwideFree preschool, child care and family support for eligible families. Find a program near you online or by phone (Mon–Fri 8–6 ET).
Churches / Baby Closets
Aid for Women
Free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and support at pregnancy centers around Chicago, plus two maternity homes. Call or text 24/7.
- 8 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL
- (312) 621-1100
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Catholic Charities (Archdiocese of Chicago) — Pregnant & New Moms
Support from pregnancy through early childhood: parenting education, referrals, advocacy, and free diapers, wipes and essentials.
- Chicago, IL
- (312) 655-7700
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Centers
Free pregnancy help at centers in Bloomington, Champaign, Joliet, Kankakee, Lincoln and other Illinois towns.
Women's Care Center — Chicago
Free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, counseling and baby items. Also in La Grange: (708) 352-5000.
- 1212 N. La Salle Dr., Chicago, IL 60610
- (312) 381-8180
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Clothing / Supplies
Aid for Women
Free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and support at pregnancy centers around Chicago, plus two maternity homes. Call or text 24/7.
- 8 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL
- (312) 621-1100
- Website (opens in a new tab)
IL Foster Closet
Free clothing, shoes, toys and blankets for children entering foster care in Illinois, run by foster parents.
Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Centers
Baby and maternity items and parenting support at pregnancy centers across central and northern Illinois.
Domestic Violence
Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline
StatewideConfidential 24/7 hotline (call, text or chat) in 240+ languages, with referrals to local domestic-violence programs.
love is respect (National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline)
NationwideFree, confidential 24/7 help for teens and young adults in unhealthy or abusive relationships. Text LOVEIS to 22522, or chat online.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
NationwideConfidential support 24/7 for anyone experiencing abuse.
StrongHearts Native Helpline
NationwideFree, confidential 24/7 support for Native Americans and Alaska Natives affected by domestic and sexual violence, by phone, text or chat.
The Deaf Hotline
Nationwide24/7 domestic-violence support for Deaf, DeafBlind and hard-of-hearing survivors, by videophone, chat or email (deafhelp@thehotline.org).
Employment
Dress for Success Greater Chicago
Professional clothing and career support for women, by appointment.
- 17 N. State St., Suite 1490, Chicago, IL 60602
- (312) 527-0925
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Goodwill (Greater Milwaukee & Chicago) — Job Training
Free job training, résumé help and Workforce Connection Centers for job seekers in the Chicago area.
- Chicago, IL
- (312) 994-1440
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Illinois workNet Centers (American Job Centers)
StatewideFree job search help and training at centers statewide; find one near you with the Service Finder.
American Job Centers (CareerOneStop)
NationwideFree local help with job searches, training and career services. Find your nearest American Job Center online or by phone.
Dress for Success
NationwideProfessional clothing and career support for women. Find your local Dress for Success on the website.
Easterseals — Employment Services
NationwideJob training and employment support for people with disabilities through local Easterseals affiliates.
Goodwill Career Centers
NationwideFree job training, career coaching, résumé and interview help at local Goodwill career centers.
Potential Financial Assistance
Catholic Charities USA (Find a Local Agency)
NationwideFind the Catholic Charities agency serving your area for emergency, family and housing help.
Modest Needs
NationwideSmall one-time grants for working individuals and families facing an emergency expense. Apply online.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
NationwideParish volunteers who help neighbors in need. The national office does not give direct help: ask your nearest Catholic parish for its St. Vincent de Paul conference.
The Salvation Army
NationwideEmergency rent, utility and other assistance through local Salvation Army offices nationwide.
Food Programs
Central Illinois Foodbank
Food through 140+ feeding programs in 21 central Illinois counties.
- 1937 E. Cook St., Springfield, IL 62703
- (217) 522-4022
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Eastern Illinois Foodbank
Call to find a food pantry near you in its 14-county area.
- 2405 N. Shore Dr., Urbana, IL 61802
- (217) 328-3663
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Greater Chicago Food Depository
Find a food pantry or program near you anywhere in Cook County by address or ZIP code.
- 4100 W. Ann Lurie Pl., Chicago, IL 60632
- (773) 247-3663
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Northern Illinois Food Bank
Network of 900+ pantries and meal programs across 13 northern Illinois counties.
- 273 Dearborn Ct., Geneva, IL 60134
- (630) 443-6910
- Website (opens in a new tab)
River Bend Food Bank
Find a pantry near you in 23 counties of eastern Iowa and western Illinois.
Feeding America (Find Your Local Food Bank)
NationwideEnter your ZIP code to find the food bank, pantries and meal programs serving your community.
USDA National Hunger Hotline (Hunger Free America)
NationwideConnects you with nearby food banks, meal sites and programs like SNAP and WIC. Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET. En español: 1-877-842-6273.
Health Assistance
Erie Family Health Centers
Community health centers in Chicago and the northern suburbs; on-call provider 24/7. Suburbs: (847) 666-3494.
- Chicago, IL
- (312) 666-3494
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Lawndale Christian Health Center
Christian community health center serving Chicago's West Side.
- 3860 W. Ogden Ave., Chicago, IL 60623
- (872) 588-3000
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Illinois All Kids & Moms and Babies
StatewideFree or low-cost health coverage for children and for pregnant women and new babies. Apply online through ABE.
Illinois Home Visiting (Healthy Families Illinois & more)
StatewideFree home visiting for pregnant women and families with young children through Healthy Families, Parents as Teachers, Nurse-Family Partnership and Early Head Start sites across Illinois.
Abortion Pill Reversal hotline
NationwideStarted a chemical abortion and regret it? Call as soon as you can.
Housing Assistance & Shelters
Housing Forward
Shelter, diversion and homelessness prevention for individuals and families in west suburban Cook County.
- 1851 S. 9th Ave., Maywood, IL 60153
- (708) 338-1724
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Mercy Housing Lakefront
Affordable apartments across Chicago. Leasing Hotline for current openings.
- Chicago, IL
- (312) 447-4621
- Website (opens in a new tab)
The Salvation Army — North & Central Illinois
Emergency rent and utility help, shelter and family services through local corps community centers.
- Chicago, IL
- (773) 725-1100
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Family Promise
NationwidePrevention, shelter and housing help for families facing homelessness, through nearly 200 local affiliates. Find yours on the website.
Infant & Baby Equipment
IL Foster Closet
Free clothing, shoes, toys and blankets for children entering foster care in Illinois, run by foster parents.
Mental Health & Postpartum Assistance
Erie Family Health Centers
Community health centers in Chicago and the northern suburbs; on-call provider 24/7. Suburbs: (847) 666-3494.
- Chicago, IL
- (312) 666-3494
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Metropolitan Family Services
Adoption and guardianship support and preservation, counseling and family services at community centers in Chicago and the suburbs.
- Chicago, IL
- (312) 986-4000
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Postpartum Support International — Illinois Chapter
StatewideSupport groups and local resources for depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after birth. PSI HelpLine: call or text (800) 944-4773.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
NationwideCall or text 988 any time if you are in crisis.
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
NationwideCall or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA, free and confidential, for support before, during and after pregnancy.
Postpartum Support International HelpLine
NationwideSupport and local resources for postpartum depression and anxiety.
Parenting Classes
Brightpoint — Parent Support
Prenatal services, home visiting, parenting workshops and support groups across Illinois (many available online).
- Chicago, IL
- (312) 424-0200
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Erie Neighborhood House
Family, youth, education and wellness programs for immigrant families, including Proyecto Cuídate family education ((773) 542-7617).
- Chicago, IL
- (312) 563-5800
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Metropolitan Family Services
Adoption and guardianship support and preservation, counseling and family services at community centers in Chicago and the suburbs.
- Chicago, IL
- (312) 986-4000
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Parents as Teachers
NationwideFree home visiting and parent education for expecting families and parents of young children, through local affiliates.
Triple P – Positive Parenting Program
NationwideSelf-paced online parenting courses (also in Spanish). Many states and local agencies offer them free.
Pregnancy Centers
Aid for Women
Free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and support at pregnancy centers around Chicago, plus two maternity homes. Call or text 24/7.
- 8 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL
- (312) 621-1100
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Southside Women's Services (Southside Pregnancy Center)
Free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, options counseling and STI testing since 1984.
- 3759 W. 95th St., Evergreen Park, IL 60805
- (708) 229-0092
- Website (opens in a new tab)
The Pregnancy Care Center of Rockford
Free pregnancy help and a mobile medical unit.
- 4108 Morsay Dr., Rockford, IL 61107
- (815) 997-1200
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Waterleaf Women's Center
Free pregnancy services in Aurora. Call or text (630) 360-2256.
- 3055 E. New York St., Aurora, IL 60504
- (630) 701-6270
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Women's Care Center — Chicago
Free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, counseling and baby items. Also in La Grange: (708) 352-5000.
- 1212 N. La Salle Dr., Chicago, IL 60610
- (312) 381-8180
- Website (opens in a new tab)
American Pregnancy Association
NationwideFree, confidential pregnancy helpline and a search for local pregnancy centers, adoption agencies and maternity homes.
Care Net Pregnancy Decision Line
NationwideFree, confidential pregnancy decision coaching by phone, and a map of 1,200+ affiliated pregnancy centers.
Heartbeat International (Worldwide Directory of Pregnancy Help)
NationwideSearch 7,000+ life-affirming pregnancy help locations by state, city or ZIP.
Option Line
NationwideCall or text 24/7 to talk about a pregnancy and be connected with a pregnancy center near you.
Special Needs Assistance
Family Resource Center on Disabilities
Help for Chicago-area families of children with disabilities with special education and services.
- 11 E. Adams St., Suite 1002, Chicago, IL 60603
- (312) 939-3513
- info@frcd.org
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Family Matters Parent Training & Information Center
StatewideIllinois's Parent Training and Information Center, now statewide: help for families of children with disabilities.
- Effingham, IL
- (866) 436-7842
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Illinois Life Span (The Arc of Illinois)
StatewideStatewide disability information and referral for people of any age and their families.
The Arc of Illinois — Family-to-Family Health Information Center
StatewideHelp for families of children with special health care needs or disabilities with Medicaid, SSI, insurance, waivers and special education.
Easterseals
NationwideServices for children and adults with disabilities and their families. Find your local Easterseals affiliate.
Parent to Parent USA
NationwideMatches parents of children with disabilities or special health needs with a trained support parent. Find your state program on the map.
The Arc
NationwideSupport and advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, through 549 chapters.
Support for Fathers
Fathers, Families & Healthy Communities
Programs and support for Chicago fathers and families.
Metropolitan Family Services
Adoption and guardianship support and preservation, counseling and family services at community centers in Chicago and the suburbs.
- Chicago, IL
- (312) 986-4000
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Brightpoint — Advancing Fathers
StatewideSupport groups, home visits and skills workshops for fathers, available locally and online across Illinois.
National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse
NationwideResources for dads from a national clearinghouse funded by HHS’s Office of Family Assistance.
Transportation
Illinois Medicaid rides to medical appointments
StatewideFree rides to covered appointments. Managed-care members call the number on their card; others call the state's line. Book three days ahead.
Family Promise
NationwideLocal Family Promise affiliates help families facing homelessness, including gas cards, transit passes and car-related help where available.
Medicaid rides to medical appointments (NEMT)
NationwideMedicaid covers free rides to covered appointments for members with no other way to get there. Call your Medicaid health plan, ideally two days ahead.