Community Resources

AT&T Internet Access
AT&T offers low-cost Internet service for eligible households based on income.  

BEDS Plus
BEDS Plus helps vulnerable individuals stabilize their lives through housing and supportive services.  

Services include:

• Prevention and stabilization
• Emergency overnight shelter (limited availability due to COVID-19)
• Supportive housing
• Wraparound services 

To donate:

• One-time or recurring monetary donations
• Donation of goods

Catholic Charities of Archdiocese of Chicago
Catholic Charities supports all who turn to them, with or without religion, regardless of nationality and background.  

Southwest Regional Services: 12731 S. Wood Street, Blue Island, IL 60406 | 708-430-0428

Services include:

• Food pantry, suppers, and food supplements
• Case work and counseling
• Employment services
• Veterans services
• Parenting, childcare, and adoption
• Senior assistance
• Housing and transitional housing
• Retired priest housing
• Public benefits screenings
• Alcohol/drug abuse assessment and prevention
• Hospital transition
• Referrals
• Emergency assistance
• Access to all Catholic Charities assistance programs
• Free weekly supper open to all
  • • Temporary COVID schedule:
      • Tuesdays from 4:00-4:30pm at St. Christopher’s Parish: 4130 W. 147th Street, Midlothian, IL 60445
      • Wednesdays from 4:00-4:30pm at St. Blase Parish: 6101 S. 75th Avenue, Summit, IL 60501

Children of Restaurant Employees (CORE)
CORE provides support to food and beverage service employees with children who have been medically diagnosed with COVID-19 and are experiencing financial hardship.  If a family qualifies for CORE support, they receive a grant to cover medical bills for children, gas cards, groceries, clothing, medical supplies and therapies, utilities, rent and mortgage, and other essential needs a family might need to navigate their specific circumstances.  CORE works with the family to create the best and most impactful grant for their needs.  For more information, email info@coregives.org

Disaster Financial Assistance
Find out how to get emergency financial help from the government if you’ve been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or a natural disaster.  Get help with food, housing, bills, and more.  Learn about stimulus checks and read what’s included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Elsie’s Pantry
Elsie’s Pantry is a joint ministry of Savior Divine Lutheran Church and Living Faith Community Church.  The food pantry is open on Thursdays from 2-4pm (drive-through pickup of prepackaged boxes only during the pandemic).  This service is open to residents of Palos Hills, Palos Park, Palos Heights, Hickory Hills, Willow Springs, Justice, Orland Park, and a part of Bridgeview, based on monthly income.  There is a limit of two visits per month.  To donate, please put items in the pantry drop-off box located near the church. 

Location: 10040 S. 88th Avenue, Palos Hills, IL 60465

Other services may be available.  Please call 708-598-4435 for more information. 

Family & Community Services
The Division of Family & Community Services (FCS) helps Illinois residents by connecting them with many programs and services.  This Division improves the health and well-being of individuals and promotes self-sufficiency and integrity of families in Illinois.

To access services, use the DHS Office Locator to find your local Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) or other programs and services in your area.

Findhelp.org
Find food assistance, help paying bills, and other free or reduced cost programs, including new programs for the COVID-19 pandemic.  Users can search by zip code and filter results by need. 

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs.  LIHEAP provides federally funded assistance in managing costs associated with:

• Home energy bills
• Energy crises
• Weatherization and energy-related minor home repairs

LIHEAP can help you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer through programs that reduce the risk of health and safety problems that arise from unsafe heating and cooling practices.

Metropolitan Family Services
Metropolitan Family Services provides a wide variety of programs and services designed to strengthen families and help them realize their full potential.  Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, Metropolitan empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, and to thrive through services provided in four key areas.  Programs range from early learning, afterschool, and job readiness to counseling, mental health services, and legal assistance.  

Southwest Center: 10537 S. Roberts Road, Palos Hills, IL 60465 | 708-974-2300

To donate:

Please consider hosting a drive with your friends, colleagues, local community members, civic, corporate, or church groups.  Many items are needed on an on-going basis depending on the type of services.  For more questions and to deliver goods, contact Sarah Rifkind, Development Coordinator, at RifkindS@metrofamily.org.  The following items are needed: 

• Early Childhood Development (0 to 5 years old): shirts, pants, dresses, socks, shoes, sweaters, snow pants/suits, boots, jackets, mittens/gloves, and socks.  New diapers, burp cloths, and bottles are also in need. 
• After School Program (all ages): winter clothes, sweaters, snow pants, snowsuits, boots, jackets, mittens, gloves, and socks.
• Courthouse Advocacy Program (all ages): clothing for the entire family (adult male, female, and children of all ages) and/or grocery gift cards, big box gift cards, and toiletries.
• Domestic Violence Program (all ages): winter clothes, sweaters, snow pants, snowsuits, boots, jackets, mittens, gloves, and socks.
• Back to School (all ages): basic back to school essentials and backpacks (please include school supplies in backpacks).

National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)
The NAMI HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health conditions, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers, and the public.  HelpLine staff and volunteers are experienced, well-trained, and able to provide guidance.

• They understand, many from their own experiences, listen and offer support.
• They are informed on NAMI Programs, NAMI Support Groups and locate your local NAMI Affiliate.
• They are trained to help identify the best resource options for your individual concern.
• They are knowledgeable and a source of accurate information about relevant topics.
• They care.

To contact the NAMI HelpLine, please call 800-950-NAMI (6264) or send an email to info@nami.org.

Oak Lawn High School Free Meals
Oak Lawn Community High School (OLCHS) in partnership with Country House Kitchens will begin providing free meal packets as part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) extension to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).  Free meals will be available for curbside pick-up from 10:30am- 1:00pm Monday through Friday.  Each daily meal packet will include breakfast, lunch, and beverage items.  Free meals are available to any and all families with household children under age 18.  Participants are not required to be OLCHS students nor do children need to be present at the pick-up.The meals will be distributed at Oak Lawn Community High School from the Northwest corner of the building.  Vehicles should enter the campus from Austin Avenue (north of the football field) and exit onto Southwest Highway.

Location: 9400 Southwest Highway, Oak Lawn, IL 60453

Pilgrim Faith Food Pantry
The pantry is a volunteer effort supported by donations from individuals, churches and community groups.  This food pantry is open to everyone.  Regular Pantry Days are Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10am-12pm.  Please note that registration is required and that you are limited to one visit per week.  

Location: 9411 S. 51st Avenue, Oak Lawn, IL 60453 

To donate: 

• Accepts all non-perishables, but in most need of peanut butter, jelly, one-pound boxes of pasta, and jars of pasta sauce.  Donations may be dropped off at the church Monday-Saturday from 10am-12pm.  
• Monetary donations

Pillars Community Health 
Offers health and social services, sometimes free but otherwise offered on a sliding scale.  There are various locations in the surrounding area.  Call 708-PILLARS (745-5277) for more information. 

Services offered:

• Community health center services
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Integrated behavioral health
  • Enrollment and benefits 
• Behavioral health
  • Outpatient mental health
  • Addictions/DUI services
  • Grief support
  • Family support program
  • Community support
  • Mobile crisis response
  • Employment services
  • The Living Room (a peer-run alternative to the emergency room for mental health concerns and crises)
• Domestic and sexual violence services 
• Community education and outreach

Pathlights
Programs and services from Pathlights, formerly known as PLOWS Council on Aging, help people 60 years and over and adults with disabilities living at home.  They offer integrated solutions to help individuals maintain their health, dignity and self-worth in the community, ensuring independence in their homes for as long as possible.  Call 708-361-0219 for more information. 

Services include:

• Adult protective services
• Advocacy and benefits
• Caregiver support
• Care planning
• Choices for Care Program
• Home-Delivered Meals Program
• Information and assistance
• In-home services
• Shared housing

Southside Pregnancy Center
The Southside Pregnancy Center offers a variety of services to pregnant women.  This includes Southside Women’s Services, a clinic that provides free and confidential pregnancy services. 

Individuals can also take benefit from The Market, a program that offers material assistance for baby and maternity necessities.  Clients earn points for attending educational classes, going to prenatal Doctor’s appointments, etc.  They then exchange their points for desired items, free of charge.

For information about services and scheduling, please call 708-229-0092 or text 708-325-8765. 

To donate:
The Market accepts material donations from individuals and organizations.  Materials can be dropped off at 3759 W. 95th Street, Evergreen Park, IL 60805 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-7:30pm.  Most needed items include: 

• Baby formula
• Diapers
• Baby food
• Toiletries
• Baby clothes
• High chairs
• Baby wipes
• Swings
• Play pens
• Strollers
• Bed linens

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
This program provides temporary financial assistance for pregnant women and families with one or more dependent children.  TANF provides financial assistance to help pay for food, shelter, utilities, and expenses other than medical.

Services include:

• Time-limited cash assistance for basic needs, such as food, clothing, housing, etc.
• Transitional services to help families become independent, such as GED preparation, vocational training, postsecondary education, vocational rehabilitation, classes in basic English, help with childcare, work stipends, job retention services, etc.
• Screening for issues related to substance abuse, mental health, and domestic violence, and referrals for available services to address them.

Together We Cope
A prevention agency based in Tinley Park, Illinois, Together We Cope provides resources to families in temporary crisis, enabling them to stay in their homes.

Location: 17010 Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park, IL 60477 | 708-633-5040

Services include:

• Urgent
  • Shelter assistance
  • Flood- or fire-victim assistance
  • Medication assistance
  • Domestic violence assistance
• Financial 
  • Housing assistance (rent/mortgage/security deposit)
  • Utilities assistance (gas/electric/water)
• Non-Financial 
  • Food pantry
    • Individuals residing within their service area are eligible to receive groceries once a month.
    • Individuals who do not live within their service area are allowed one bag of emergency food, one time each year.
• Clothing
• Transportation
• Referrals and resources

To donate:

• Food drive
  • Always needed: boxed cereal (18oz or less), macaroni and cheese, oatmeal, pasta, and peanut butter.
  • Other desired items: canned beans, fruits, vegetables, soups, jelly/jam, pasta sauce, rice, tuna, and other unexpired non-perishable food.
• Personal care products drive
  • Adult shampoo/conditioner, adult toothpaste, baby toothpaste, baby shampoo*, baby wipes, bar soap, body lotion, body wash*, conditioner*, condoms, dental floss, deodorant, diapers (especially sizes 4-6), menstrual hygiene products, hand lotion, incontinence products, laundry detergent (small liquid or powder), mouthwash, Q-tips (travel size), razors, shampoo*, shaving cream, toothbrushes.
    • *not travel sized
• Winter coat drive
  • Winter gear items for all ages