Social Services: Community Resources

For a list of helpful organizations on any topic, visit DuPage211. We have highlighted a selection of agencies on a few topics below, but for a comprehensive listing, DuPage211 is the place to go.

The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS): Administers a number of programs that offer housing, food, and medical assistance, including SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and cash assistance, which utilize the LINK card. DHS also offers Illinois' uninsured children comprehensive health care that includes doctor's visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, vision care, dental care, and medical devices like eyeglasses and asthma. 401 South Clinton Street, Chicago, IL 60607, 800/843-6154

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program: Helps eligible Illinois households pay for winter energy services, gas, heating, and/or electric bill(s). You can apply each year. 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187, 630/407-6500 or 800/942-9412

Metropolitan Family Services: Provides programs and services to families in the area to support education, economic stability, emotional wellness, and legal aid. 222 East Willow Avenue, Wheaton, IL 60187, 630/784-4800

People's Resource Center Southeast in Westmont: People's Resource Center serves over 9,000 DuPage families each year offering a food pantry, emergency rent, and mortgage assistance, clothes, financial assistance, and social services, job assistance, computers, and computer training, adult learning and literacy, art programs, and other community resources. 104 Chestnut Ave, Westmont, IL 60559, 630/682-5402

Safelinkwireless - Free government cell phones are available to those receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. SafeLink Wireless, One Verizon Way, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, 800/723-3546

Caregiver Resources

Alzheimer’s Association: Free, online informational programs, support groups, and more. 225 N Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601, 800/272-3900
Illinois Chapter: 2200 Cabot Drive, Suite 460, Lisle, IL 60532, 847/933-2413
ALZConnected: Connect with groups/support online. 24/7 Helpline 800/272-3900

DuPage Senior Citizens Council: Meals on Wheels, well-being checks, minor home repairs, community dining, yard clean-ups, plus other resources. 1990 Springer Drive, Lombard, IL 60148, 630/620-0804

Family Caregiver Alliance: Instructional videos and articles for caregivers, support groups, and links to resources by state. 235 Montgomery Street, Suite 930, San Francisco, CA 94104, 800/445-8106

Illinois Cognitive Resources Center: A state-based coalition to improve access to resources for cognitive health.

Illinois Department on Aging: Caregiver resources, including housing options, legal assistance, nutrition programs, and respite care. 555 W Monroe St., Suite 1500-S, Chicago, IL 60661-3714, Senior Helpline 800/252-8966

Illinois Family Caregiver Coalition: Connects caregivers with local resources on adult protective services, home-delivered meals or community dining programs, and benefits programs for prescription drugs, health care, rent, utilities, and other needs. 773/727-9340

Illinois Respite Coalition: Emergency respite care and links to local caregiver resources. 866/455-7377

Latino Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Alliance (LAMDA): LAMDA’s programs include direct-service group workshops with Latino family caregivers, A resource center for caregivers with information in both English and Spanish. 6112 West Cermak Road, Cicero, IL 60804, 224/715-4673

Metropolitan Family Services: Offers counseling, caregiver, and protective services, as well as support for grandparents raising grandchildren. 101 North Wacker Drive, 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606, 630/784-4800

Food

Home Delivery
DuPage Senior Citizens Council: Coordinates Meals on Wheels for homebound seniors. 1990 Springer Drive, Lombard, IL 60148, 630/620-0804

Food Pantries
HCS Family Services: Anne M. Jeans Elementary School, 16w631 91st Street, 630/323-2500
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel: 8404 S. Cass Ave., Darien, IL 60561, 630/852-3303
Our Lady of Peace: 701 Plainfield Rd., Darien, IL 60561, 630/323-4333
People's Resource Center Southeast: 104 Chestnut, Westmont, IL 60559, 630/682-5402
West Suburban Community Pantry: 6809 Hobson Valley Dr. Ste. 118, Woodridge, IL 60517, 630/512-9921

Health

DuPage County Health Department, Southeast Public Health Center: Community health center that provides affordable medical and behavioral health, including children's mental health services, family medicine, prenatal care, and the WIC program. 422 N. Cass Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, 630/682-7400

Medicaid and the Federal CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program): Medicaid is a federal and state health insurance program for people with a low income. The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offers health coverage to children from families with an income too high to qualify for Medicaid and too low to afford private coverage. Both programs are administered by the state agency, Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services. 6221 S Emerald Dr, Chicago, IL 60621-2059, 800/843-6154

Mental Health Organizations

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Whether facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns or just need someone to talk to, talk to caring counselors.

Center for Creative Arts Therapy: Provides individual, couples, and group counseling for all ages and on a wide variety of issues. 2600 Warrenville Rd., Suite 205, Downers Grove, IL 60515, 847/477-8244

Illinois Warm Line: For health and/or substance use support, call the Illinois Warm Line at 866/359-7953. The Warm Line is not a crisis hotline, but is a source of support as you recover or help a family member to recover. Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m., except holidays. Illinois Department of Human Services, 401 South Clinton Street, Chicago, IL 60607, 866/359-7953

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - DuPage County: Offers support groups, classes, supported employment, and community outreach to individuals living with a mental illness and their families. 115 North County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187, 630/752-0066

The Trevor Project: The leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25. You can also text "START" to 678678 or use their WebChat. PO Box 69232, West Hollywood, CA 90069, 866/488-7386

Housing

Shelters
Beds Plus: Their mission is to provide emergency overnight shelter and assist homeless people of west suburban Cook County to become self-sufficient. 9601 East Ogden Avenue, La Grange, IL 60525, 708/354-0858

Catholic Charities: Provides transitional housing for homeless families. 3040 Finley Rd., Suite 200, Downers Grove, IL 60515, 630/495-8008

DuPage P.A.D.S.: Provides safe and hospitable shelter, support services, and advocacy to homeless or at-risk individuals and families of DuPage County. 601 West Liberty, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, 630/682-3846

Kathy Paulsen Hope House Shelter: Providing housing and supportive services to individuals and families who are homeless often due to divorce, job loss or depleted savings. During a short stay, participants work toward securing employment and permanent housing. 26 E St. Charles Road, Lombard, IL 60148, 630/941-8681

Legal
DuPage Legal Aid: Provides free legal services to income-eligible persons who live in the DuPage County area or are defending a case in DuPage County and are referred by another legal services provider. Services: Domestic/Family Violence Legal Services, Lawyer Referral Services, Legal Counseling. 126 South County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187, 630/653-6212

Prairie State Legal Services: An organization that offers free legal services for low-income persons and those aged 60 and over who have serious civil legal problems and need legal help to solve them. 31W001 East North Avenue, Suite 200, West Chicago, IL 60185, 630/690-2130

Veterans Legal Aid Society: Nonprofit organization serving needy veterans and their families in Illinois. Services: Lawyer Referral Services, Veteran Benefits Assistance. 1018 W Madison Street

Chicago, IL 60607, 773/340-3838

Seniors
AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois: One of 13 Area Agencies on Aging in Illinois, AgeGuide directs seniors to many services, including adult protective services, benefit access services, community care programs, counseling, employment assistance, family caregiver programs, and nursing home advocates. 1910 S. Highland Ave, Ste. 100, Lombard, IL 60148, 630/293-5990

Downers Grove Township Senior Services: Find information on Dial-a-Ride, Meals on Wheels, the Home Maintenance Program, and more. 4340 Prince Street, Downers Grove IL 60515, 630/719-6600

DuPage County Seniors Services: A list of services that includes information about available assistance, hotlines and helplines, and volunteer and recreation opportunities. Call the DuPage County Senior Citizen Services at 630/407-6500 for more information. 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187

DuPage Senior Citizens Council: The county agency providing a Home Maintenance Program and a Home Delivered Meals Program for local, eligible senior residents. Minor home repairs for 60+ seniors at reduced fees. For more information call 630/620-0804. 1990 Springer Drive, Lombard, IL 60148

Transportation

Downers Grove Township Dial-A-Ride: Dial-A-Ride (DAR) is a curb-to-curb, shared-ride service for Township residents who are 65 and older. Riders with disabilities or under age 65 may also qualify if they have an RTA/ADA card, the applications for which are available at the Township office. 4340 Prince Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515. 630/719-6670

Community Assisted Rides: Previously Interfaith Community Partners, CARS provides ride services for older adults, serving over 400 older adults in more than 22 communities. P.O. Box 310, La Grange, IL 60525, 708/354-9328