Resources

Medical

American Academy of Pediatrics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Dental

American Dental Association
Mouth Healthy.org
Healthy Mouths Healthy Lives
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

Behavioral Health

National Alliance on Mental Illinois
National Association for Loss and Grief
National Children’s Advocacy Center
Suicide Prevention

Chicagoland Mental Health Support

Mental Health America of Illinois (MHA)  is located in Chicago and provides consultation, suicide prevention, youth screen, and support.

RiverEdge Hospital offers inpatient programs, outpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs, co-occurring programs, intellectual disability programs, older adult programs, and medication management groups.

Pillars  is a not-for-profit social service organization that builds healthier communities by providing quality mental health services, social services and education for people of all ages. Services include: Mental Health Services, Children and Family Services, Addictions Services, Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, and Community Housing Initiatives within the Berwyn Community.

Thrive Counseling Center builds healthy minds, families and communities by empowering people to attain mental and emotional well-being. Services include Counseling, Psychiatric, 24/7 Crisis Care, Client Care Advocacy, Transitional Learning Center, Youth Services, and the TEAM Program servicing the Oak Park Community.

Resources for Abuse and Trauma in Children and Youth

Darkness to Light is working on preventing and educating individuals on child sexual abuse. Provides resources and information for parents and caregivers.

National Institute of Trauma and Loss in Children  provides information to parents that have children who experienced loss or trauma. This organization provides activities, crisis intervention, and information.

Prevent Child Abuse Illinois is focused on preventing child abuse through education, public awareness, community outreach, public policy advocacy, and prevention programs.

Stop It Now provides information and resources focused on preventing child sexual abuse in Illinois.

UCAN – Chicago  is focused on the healing process for those who have experience trauma through counseling, teen parenting, transitional living program, mentoring program, and workshops.

General Resources

Teen Help  is a website offering information for youth on drug abuse, depression, teen parenting, alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, teen challenges, ADD/ADHD, Teen suicide, Youth development, health, violence, disorders, stress and overall health.

Oak Park Township Youth Services  supports programs and services that work for the prevention of juvenile delinquency. Services involve Intervention, FACE-IT, Scholarships, Job Readiness, Gang and Drug Task Force, and the T.I.M.E Program within Oak Park Community.

Hephzibah Children's Association offers several programs in the Oak Park and River Forest communities to help children in need. Services includes: Residential, Foster Care, Day Care, and Family Services within the Oak Park and River Forest community.

CEDA provides Children and Family Services, CSBG Programs, Education, Energy Efficiency Programs, Home Energy Assistance Programs, Health and Nutrition, Head Start, and Housing.

Disabilities

Family Resource Center on Disabilities focuses on a range of topics that assist youth and their families with disabilities.

Best Buddies is dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that integrates employment and leadership development for people with developmental disabilities.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Al-Anon Family Group supports youth who have been exposed to alcohol abuse through group services.

Domestic Violence

Sarah's Inn Since its inception, Sarah’s Inn has embodied its mission to stand with women and their families to ensure freedom from domestic violence in every community. Services include Legal Advocacy, Child and Teen Counseling, Family Counseling, Violence Prevention, and Education and Training servicing the West Side of Chicago and 22 West Suburban communities.

Eating Disorders

Renfrew Center  is a residential program for youth and women struggling with eating disorders.

LGBTQ

Howard Brown Center  provides counseling, case management, and domestic violence support for the LGBTQ population.

Center on Halsted assists youth between 13-24 year of age who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, question their sexual orientation, or who are straight allies in realizing their full potential. Their services include psychotherapy, support groups, legal services, HIV/STD prevention, vocational training programs, seminars, and leadership development programs.

Resources for Parents & Students

Horizons for Youth is committed to helping children recognize and achieve their full potential. In partnership with dedicated families, the organizations provide academic support, one-on-one mentoring, and enrichment programs.

Oak Park Public Library serves as a resource for information, services, and opportunities.

Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA)

The Greater Chicago Food Depository has a Find Food Map that allows you to view hours, locations and information for all of their Cook County and Chicago food pantries, meal programs and distribution partners. They also provide free help applying for food and medical benefits.

Beyond Hunger -  Located in the basement of first United Church of Oak Park providing food assistance to individuals that live in the following zip codes: 60130, 60131, 60171, 60176, 60301, 60302, 60304, 60305, 60402, 60644, 60651, 60707.

The Chicagoland Food Sovereignty Coalition has information on mutual aid organizations in the Chicago area that may do free weekly deliveries dependent on neighborhood. The CFSC also has a free store in Hermosa (contact for address) on Thursdays 5-7pm and Saturdays 10-12:30pm. You can contact this email for store address and support in connecting to mutual aid food deliveries.

During summer break, CPS offers free meals for all children up to the age of 18. ID is not required but children must be present and meals must be consumed onsite.

El Mercadito (partnership between La Casa Norte and Nourishing Hope) serves Chicago residents struggling with hunger.

West Suburban Pads Emergency shelter, outreach and engagements, supportive services employment readiness and homeless prevention.

Contact 311 for information on other shelters and housing assistance.

VIDEO: Have You Ever Thought About a Job in Dentistry? Curious about what dentists really do? This video gives you a firsthand look at the responsibilities of a dentist in action at the IWS Children’s Clinic. Learn more about the job description for a dentist and what it’s like to work in a pediatric clinic setting. Perfect for kids and teens exploring careers in dental health.

VIDEO: Have You Ever Thought About a Job in Children's Healthcare? Hear firsthand from a pediatrician, medical assistant, and a nurse provider what it is like to have a job in healthcare. This video is geared towards kids interested in the field.