Family Support Resources
Special Father’s Network is a dad-to-dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs.
The program connects new fathers with special needs children to another father (a Mentor Father) who has experienced a similar situation. The program matches Mentor Fathers as closely as possible based on the child’s special needs, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic group and relationship to the child e.g., .father, stepfather, grandfather).
The Special Father’s Network is available through the 21st Century Dads Foundation, which raises awareness and resources for greater father involvement and seeks to inspire dads to be present, caring and nurturing.
Special Needs Child Passenger Safety Resource Center
The Special Needs Child Passenger Safety Resource Center, funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation, educates parents and caregivers of children with special needs on the importance of proper child passenger safety. The Special Needs Child Passenger Resource Center’s main location is at OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria. A satellite site is located at LaRabida Children’s Hospital, in Chicago. Its services include:
- A resource center for nurseries and organizations across Illinois that provides over-the-phone and in-person consultation and guidance for proper car seat usage and optimum safety.
- Education to parents, groups, hospital staff and certified child passenger safety technicians on changes in national guidelines and new seat choices.
- Proper selection, installation and fitting of special needs restraints for parents and their children.
- A short-term loan program to provide seats to parents in need.
Learn more on the Special Needs Child Passenger Safety Resource Center website.
The Special Needs Mom Squad is a non-profit organization based in Lombard. It aims to provide a safe and supportive community where moms of children with special needs can connect, access resources and find emotional and mental support.
The organization helps moms and families through:
- Sensory-friendly events throughout the year
- A safe space where moms can share their stories and feel heard
- Information and resources for understanding their child’s condition
Special Needs Resource Project
The Special Needs Resource Project provides a basic guide for parents of children with chronic health issues, disabilities, and special needs.
Springfield Office of Community Relations Resources
The Springfield Office of Community Relations provides information on where to find help with homelessness, rental and utility assistance, micro-pantries and more.
You can also contact the Springfield Office of Community Relations at (217) 789.2270 or Community.Relations@springfield.il.us
St. James Lutheran Church Food Pantry in Bettendorf, IA
The St. James Lutheran Church Food Pantry provides emergency food to families in need who reside in the food pantry service zone. Visitors are provided with a pre-packed box of food items, along with milk, eggs, and protein. Visitors are encouraged to schedule visits every 30 days, but can return each week for bread and fresh vegetables that may be available.
St. James Lutheran Church Food Pantry is at 1705 Oak Street. The pantry is open on:
- Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m.
- Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m.
For questions, please call (563) 355-4161.
St. Mary’s Food Pantry in Moline
St. Mary’s Food Pantry provides food to anyone living below 12th Avenue in Moline and between 53rd Street in Moline and 39th Street in Rock Island. Active members of St. Mary’s, Sacred Heart, Christ the King and St. Ann’s in Moline can also pick up food regardless of their address. Residents in the service area can pick up food once a month by providing a photo ID (such as a driver’s license) or a piece of mail with a current address.
St. Mary’s Food Pantry is at 412 10th St., in Moline. It is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
For questions, please call (309) 764-1562.
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Rock Island
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry is at 2502 29th Avenue in Rock Island. The pantry is open on Monday and Thursday mornings from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry is provided by volunteers from St. Pius X Church in Rock Island. For more information, please call (309) 793-7373.
Trained volunteer parents listen, offer support, and help you problem-solve. Available 10:00am – 10:00pm every day. Visit the website or call (888) 727-5889.
This site has been created for teens with chronic and life threatening medical conditions, and their siblings. The goal of the site is to help teens connect with other youth like themselves.