Community Resources

We've compiled general resources for support under the following categories. This list includes national, Illinois, and Chicago resources.

Click the buttons below to navigate to each section, and click the “+” symbol by each resource to see more information.

Food Support

National Resources

  • Meals on Wheels America (National) 

    Find food independently-run local food delivery programs for seniors by zip code; requires address for delivery

Illinois Resources

  • Illinois Hunger Coalition Hunger Hotline - call 1-800-359-2163

    Toll-free, Spanish/English bilingual hotline; call for assistance applying to food benefit programs: Supplemental Nutrition Service (SNAP), All Kids, Medicaid, Medicare, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Monday-Sunday, 9-5pm.

  • Greater Chicago Food Depository - call 773-247-3663

    Find food assistance programs using their interactive map; call for help applying for food benefit programs including Supplemental Nutrition Service (SNAP) and Link (Food Stamps). Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 5 pm.

  • Riverside Peoria Fridge (Peoria, IL) 

    Free community refrigerator located at Riverside Community Church (207 NE Monroe St. Peoria, IL 61602); Monday-Friday, 9am - 5pm, Sunday 9am - 1pm.

Chicagoland Resources

  • Food Not Bombs: Rogers Park | Humboldt Park (Chicago, IL) 

    Grocery distribution project of rescued food. Check individual sites for the most updated location and distribution dates.

  • Love Fridge Pantry Box Program

    Network of free community refrigerators in Englewood, Little Village, Pilsen, and Rogers Park where neighbors can donate and access food, toiletries and household essentials. 

  • Market Box

    Mutual aid project that distributes free fresh farm produce across the South Side of Chicago; requires address for delivery.

  • Nourishing Hope

    Distributes food six days a week through standard pantry food distribution programs (Sheridan Market and El Mercadito), monthly home delivery program, and an Online Market program with pick up locations across Chicago. 

Domestic Violence & Sexual Abuse Support

National Resources

  • RAINN (National Sexual Assault Hotline) - 800-656-HOPE(4673)

    The hotline provides emotional support, advice and crisis intervention and through local partnerships callers can receive immediate help in their community. Spanish support available here.

  • Cyber Civil Rights Initiative Crisis Helpline - 844-879-CCRI(2274)

    24/7 hotline provides information, support, referrals, and non-legal advice for people who have experienced nonconsensual pornography (“NCP”, also known as “revenge porn”), recorded sexual assault (RSA), or sextortion. Interpretation is available in most languages.

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline - call 800-799-SAFE(7233) or text "START" to 88788

    24/7 anonymous, confidential hotline for anyone impacted by relationship abuse. Search the Local Resources database to locate assistance providers in your area. Spanish and Deaf services available. 

  • FreeForm

    National nonprofit that supports DV survivors financially and by building community. Programs may not be available year round. Interest forms for financial support programs are available in English and Spanish.

Illinois Resources

  • The Network IL Domestic Violence Hotline - call or text 877-863-6338

    DV Hotline provides crisis safety planning and referrals to emergency housing and support services to survivors of domestic violence in Illinois as well as concerned family and friends.

Chicagoland Resources

  • Resilience - call 312-443-9603 or email info@ourresilience.org

    Nonprofit that offers non-judgmental crisis intervention counseling, individual and group trauma therapy, and medical and legal advocacy in the greater Chicago metropolitan area; provides public education and institutional advocacy in order to improve the treatment of sexual assault survivors and to effect positive change in policies and public attitudes toward sexual assault.

    They can support with questions about seeking medical treatment in the ER after a sexual assault, filing an emergency order of protection, making a police report, seeking ongoing medical treatment, and understanding all of your rights and options.

  • Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline: 1 (888) 293-2080

    As an affiliate of Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) for the city of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, this hotline provides crisis intervention, immediate support, and referrals for survivors and their significant others.

  • Mujeres Latinas en Acción

    Nonprofit that offers community services that empower Latinas and their families, including a Domestic Violence Program (crisis intervention, a 24 hour crisis line, individual and group counseling, adult and child therapy, court advocacy, community education, professional and volunteer trainings, and referrals to shelters and other resources). All staff speak both English and Spanish.

Health and Healthcare Resources

National Resources

  • HRSA Find a Health Center

    Helps find locations of HRSA-funded health centers. HRSA programs provide health care to people who are geographically isolated and economically or medically vulnerable. This resource is available in 16 different languages.

Illinois Resources

Chicagoland Resources

  • Howard Brown Health

    Clinics with affordable, LGBTQ+ affirming healthcare throughout Chicago. The website is also available in Spanish.

    See more information about their sliding fee scale, and check to see if you qualify.

  • CommunityHealth

    CommunityHealth centers provide primary and specialty care, medications, lab testing, mental health services, and health education at no charge to low-income, uninsured and underinsured adults in Chicago. Website also available in Spanish and Polish.

    Check here to see if you qualify for care.

  • Pilsen Wellness Center

    12 clinics in Chicago and 5 suburban locations provide culturally sensitive services to a multicultural population with limited financial resources. Four divisions of care include: Mental Health, Substance Use, Youth Services, and Education. Website is also available in Spanish.

Chicago Housing Resources

Below are (1) housing and social support resources for community members that are currently unhoused and/or that need safe long term/temporary/daytime shelter and (2) resources for renters who are in unsafe living conditions, are facing eviction, or need other support.

Support for Unhoused People or People Seeking Safe Shelter

  • If you need a place to stay, call 311 or visit a Community Service Center. They will connect you with resources for rental assistance and homelessness prevention. They can also refer you to an overnight shelter.

  • Franciscan Outreach  

    Nonprofit organization with five service sites. Provides meals, shelter, and resource sharing for unhoused and those in need. Franciscan Catholic, but non-religious (website states that they do not limit services based on religion)

  • The Night Ministry

    Chicago-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide human connection, housing support, and health care to those who are unhoused or experiencing poverty. While the organization was founded by a Reverend, it is not currently religiously affiliated.

    • For teens or young adults who need emergency housing: The Night Ministry provides overnight and short-term housing programs for young people experiencing homelessness in Chicago. Call 877-286-2523 for more information.

    • If you are a teen or young adult who needs support: You can call the Youth Outreach Team directly at 773-506-3122 or email them at YOT@thenightministry.org

    • If you are an adult who needs healthcare or referrals to services: The Night Ministry’s Health Outreach Bus visits the Humboldt Park, Pilsen, New City, South Shore, and Roseland neighborhoods, providing free health care, referrals, food, and human connection. Find the Bus schedule here.

  • Matthew House – 3722 S. Indiana, 773-536-6628.

    For 30 years, Matthew House, a nonprofit community-based organization, has provided food, daytime shelter, permanent supportive housing, and supportive services to men, women, families, and children who are experiencing or at risk of becoming homeless. Matthew House proudly serves trans* and gender non-conforming people. They cannot serve minors under 18 without an adult.

    The drop-in center at Matthew House in Bronzeville is open Monday through Saturday. Intake hours are Monday through Friday from 8 am to 3 pm.

  • The Broadway Youth Center – 1023 W. Irving Park, Chicago. 773-388-1600.

    The Broadway Youth Center (BYC) in Uptown is a welcoming space for LGBTQ youth and young people experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Anyone ages 12 to 24 can find community, as well as medical, social, and mental wellness services, regardless of ability to pay.

    The Broadway Youth Center has supportive services, a health clinic, activities, and more, Drop-in hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Friday 9 am to 3 pm; Wednesday 1 to 5 pm. If you are ages 18 to 24, you can schedule an appointment with a provider at BYC today using their online scheduling page.

Renter’s Rights and Tenant Support

  • Chicago Renter's Rights Hotline - call (312) 742-7368

    Hotline with directory of different local organizations who can assist with legal responsibilities and rights of renters and property owners. No one will pick up on the other line.

  • Tenant Rights Regarding Mold Removal

    Overview of tenant rights for people renting apartments in Chicago regarding mold, and lists prevention measures for mold growth.

  • Free Water Quality Test (for lead)

    Contact Info for Chicago Department of Water Management to test water in Chicago apartments for lead.

  • City of Chicago Department of Housing

    Virtual database of resources for Chicago tenants and landlords. The resource finder tool is in English and Spanish. The Chicago Renter Rights booklet is available in Arabic, French, Polish, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and Tagalog. 

  • Rentervention

    Virtual (AI) program of the Law Center for Better Housing, a nonprofit organization, that offers support with drafting a letter to a landlord, contacting a volunteer attorney, information about available community resources, and providing an overview of tenant rights.