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

Chicago Furniture Bank
4801 S. Whipple Street, Chicago, IL 60632 | 312-752-0211

The Chicago Furniture Bank is a nonprofit organization that serves as an intermediary between Chicagoans who have extra furniture and those who need it.   They provide furnishing packages to those in need, including beds, couches, armchairs, dressers, desks, tables, rugs, lamps, artwork, and more.  Learn more about donating furniture on the Chicago Furniture Bank website.

Those in need of furniture must become a client of one of the nonprofit partners of the Chicago Furniture Bank.  

Children of Restaurant Employees (CORE)
CORE provides financial relief to food and beverage service employees with children when navigating a 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

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.  This service is open to residents of Palos Hills, Palos Park, Palos Heights, Hickory Hills, Willow Springs, Justice, and 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.  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 information on donating, visit the Metropolitan Family Services website. 

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 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 helpline@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

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.