Social Services Resources
Share Our Spare collects new and gently-used items for children ages 0-5 and donates them to low-income families living in Metropolitan Chicago. Items are not available directly: instead, Share our Spare reaches families in need by partnering with local social services organizations that provide their clients with needed social services such as parenting classes, early childhood education, housing referrals, job readiness training, and behavioral health services.
Springfield Mass Transit District and Access Sangamon
The Springfield Mass Transit District provides free or reduced fare programs for eligible residents with disabilities and seniors. You must meet eligibility requirements and enroll to use the Benefit Access, Access Sangamon or Reduced Fare ID programs. For the latest information, visit www.smtd.org/news.
- Benefit Access allows program members to ride any fixed-route bus free of charge. If you do not qualify for Benefit Access, you may still be eligible for a reduced fare ID. Apply for the Benefit Access program online on the Illinois Department on Aging’s website.
- The Reduced Fare ID allows people with disabilities and seniors to ride any fixed-route bus for just under half the price of a normal fare.
- Access Sangamon provides transportation for persons with disabilities who are unable to use the SMTD fixed-route bus service. Individuals with disabilities must apply to become eligible to use the service.
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
Springfield Rental Assistance Program
Funds are available through the Springfield rental assistance program, a partnership between the city and the Springfield Urban League. To qualify for the program:
The property address must be in the corporate limits of the city of Springfield.
Your household income is within the allowable limits.
Applicant must provide documentation showing a loss of income due to COVID-19.
Cooperation from the applicant’s landlord to participate in the program.Tenants seeking assistance should call the Springfield Urban League at (217) 789-0830, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Please specify that you are seeking rental assistance within the city of Springfield. The intake process will occur over the phone. If you are leaving a message with the Urban League regarding the program after hours, please specify that you are seeking Springfield rental assistance along with your contact information.
The application process will include communication with your landlord to verify the rental agreement and the total rent owed. The maximum amount a tenant may receive is $1,000.
Stephenson County COVID-19 Information
Stephenson County COVID-19 Information provides links to resources and agencies that can provide you with the best up-to-date information.
Suburban Cook County Homeless Prevention Call Center
If you need financial assistance with mortgage, rent payments, rent deposits, utility payments or other housing issues, please call the Homeless Prevention Call Center at 1-877-4-Cook-15 (1-877-426-6515).
Listen carefully to the prompts to choose which kind of help you need.
The Arc of Illinois Financial Assistance for Training
The Arc of Illinois, through a grant from the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, administers the Financial Assistance for Training Program. The program provides funds for people with developmental disabilities and their family members to attend conferences of their choice that are directly related to developmental disability issues.
Due to the pandemic, there is a need for training, important meetings and conferences to be virtual. This program will now allow stipends to pay for the assistive technology needed to attend virtual events.
The Diaper Bank of Southern Illinois
The Diaper Bank of Southern Illinois serves as a central location to collect and store donated diapers. The Diaper Bank partners with local service agencies to distribute diapers to low-income children and their families.
To request diapers, the Diaper Bank of Southern Illinois requires that the agency has an ongoing relationship with the client and has screened for need. Agencies may contact diaperbanksi@gmail.com or call (618) 549-2148, ext. 110.
The Neighbor Project (TNP) is a nonprofit, HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agency dedicated to helping low to moderate-income families in Aurora reduce debt, build credit, save and ultimately buy their first homes.
The Southwest Collective Resources for Families
A list of resources for vulnerable families on Chicago’s southwest side. The list is available in the following languages:
English
Spanish
Polish