Resource Directory /

General Resources

  • Bounce Children’s Foundation

    Bounce Children’s Foundation is a Chicago area non-profit that aims to transform the lives of chronically ill children, and their families, shifting all from surviving to thriving. The foundation serves children from birth to 18 years of age.

    Bounce’s  free programs aim to build the resilience needed to cope with the ongoing, unexpected setbacks that define chronic illness. Programs include family adventures, education to strengthen vital coping skills, donated tickets to high demand events, themed care packages for household families, access to resources, peer support and more.

  • Boyton Street Community Center

    Boyton Street Community Center in Marion provides children and their families opportunities for fun, learning, development and building self-esteem. The Center collaborates with local social service agencies to provide a variety of programs and services year-round. Programs at the Boyton Street Community Center include:

    Nutritious meals built around keeping kids fit and healthy
    An after-school program for children and youth in K-12
    Summer art, recreation, reading and tutoring programs
    Special events

    For more information or to learn how to enroll in a program, contact the Boyton Street Community Center at (618) 997-1113.

  • Brades’ Place

    Traveling with a child with medical complexity can be challenging. Brades’ Place provides tips, tools and templates to help parents with children with specialized healthcare needs plan and create memorable family travel experiences.

    The site also provides diagnosis resources for certain conditions.

  • Brightpoint (formerly Children’s Home & Aid)

    Brightpoint provides a wide range of programs statewide to help families and their children navigate challenges such as poverty, trauma and systemic barriers to equity. Brightpoint focuses on prevention and helping families before problems become life-altering crises. Its programs include:

    Early childhood care and education
    Parenting support and family services
    Foster care
    Workforce development and youth programs
    Mental health and wellness

    Brightpoint started as Children’s Home & Aid and has offices in Bloomington, Carpentersville, Englewood, Palatine and Schaumburg.

  • Bullying and Youth with Disabilities and Special Health Needs

    Children with disabilities — such as physical, developmental, intellectual, emotional, and sensory disabilities — are at an increased risk of being bullied. Any number of factors —  physical vulnerability, social skill challenges, or intolerant environments — may increase the risk.

    StopBullying.Gov provides information on risk factors, strategies to create a safe environment and other resources at www.stopbullying.gov/bullying/special-needs.

  • Bus Training from RAMP

    RAMP helps people with disabilities learn how to use public transportation in Rockford and Belvidere through a cooperative effort with the Rockford Mass Transit District.

  • C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation

    C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation (C.E.F.S.) is a non-profit that serves residents in the Illinois counties of Christian, Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby.

    C.E.F.S. aims to help economically and socially disadvantaged people become more self-sufficient. Its support and services include:

    Summer youth program and college scholarships
    Housing programs
    Employment and training services
    Education services
    Food and utility assistance

    Visit the C.E.F.S. website for more information.

  • C.I.T.Y. of Support

    Children in Therapy and You (C.I.T.Y.) of Support is an online and in-person community that supports all families navigating the needs of their child in therapy, regardless of diagnosis, age, therapeutic needs or overall situation. Information, resources and events are available online, free of charge.

    C.I.T.Y. of Support includes members from all across Chicagoland. Local leaders help coordinate on-site events and opportunities within specific geographic regions.

    C.I.T.Y. of Support also sponsored the creation of the Accessibility Support Collection at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library. Children in therapy and their caregivers may borrow therapeutic toys/tools/print materials from the library to explore at home.

  • Camp Big Sky in West Central Illinois

    Camp Big Sky provides accessible cabins and recreational opportunities for children and adults with developmental, physical, cognitive, sensory, and age-related disabilities. Located in northern Fulton County, Camp Big Sky offers three distinct and totally accessible activity areas with two lakes and a campground.

    Daytime activities are free for people of all ages with a disability and their families, friends and caregivers. Overnight camping in cabins and tents is available for a nominal fee. Groups of campers are also welcome. Reservations are required for all visits.

    See the Camp Big Sky fact sheet for more details.

  • Camp Erin Overnight Grief Camp


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    Camp Erin Chicago is part of a national bereavement program for youth grieving the death of a significant person in their lives.  Free of charge for all families, Camp Erin combines traditional, fun camp activities with grief education and emotional support for children and teens ages 6 to 17 years old.

    ​Camp Erin Chicago takes place in Delavan, Wisc., in July. Registration usually opens in December for the following summer. ​If you are interested in enrolling your child or family in Camp Erin, please email Camp Director Bryan Heidel at bheidel@nush.org, or call (773) 569.9553.