Homelessness Resources
FoodFinder
Families can use the Find Food IL map to find places in your community offering free food or meals, stores and markets that accept SNAP/LINK or WIC coupons, and the closest Illinois Department of Human Services or WIC office.
Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE)
Fill out the ABE application to receive state benefits for health care, food (SNAP), and cash assistance:
College Resources
Opportunities for the education of students experiencing homelessness.
North Cook County Township Food Pantries
- Barrington Township Food Pantry
- Elk Grove Township Food Pantry
- Evanston Township Food Pantry
- Maine Township Food Pantry
- New Trier Township Food Pantry
- Niles Township Food Pantry
- Northfield Township Food Pantry
- Palatine Township Food Pantry
- Schaumburg Township Food Pantry
- Wheeling Township Food Pantry
Northern Illinois Food Bank
Find the closest food panty, and learn about Mobile Markets to get free and fresh groceries.
College Resources
Opportunities for the education of students experiencing homelessness.
Tenants Rights
The Metropolitan Tenants Organization provides tips for Chicagoland renters, resources for those who cannot pay rent, and news regarding moratoriums on evictions, utility cut-offs, etc.
Community & Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA)
Contact CEDA's information and referral helpline at (312) 795-8948. Leave a message and an information referral specialist will call you back within 48 hours.
Youth Hotline
Find hotline numbers and other information and resources, including food, healthcare, emergency shelter and temporary housing, as well as support to stay in school, for unaccompanied youth, both 17 and younger and 18 and older.
All-ages Hotline: 847-524-8800
Programs for youth involved in the Juvenile Justice System: 224-5515250
National Run Away Crisis Line: 800-786-2929
The Kenneth Young Center
The Kenneth Young Center partners with communities to support people of all ages to navigate life’s challenges through personalized prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery.
- LGBTQ Center
- Substance Use Assessment
- Mental Health Support or call 847-383-0406
North/Northwest Suburbs Resource Directory
The Association of Homeless Advocates in the North/Northwest District (AHAND) offers a directory of resources.
SchoolHouse Connection
SchoolHouse Connection is a national non-profit organization working to overcome homelessness through education.
Family Focus
Family Focus invests in strengthening families and their children in Chicago and NE Illinois so they build social capital and achieve upward economic mobility through high-quality innovative programs and services, grounded in anti-racism and social justice.
Early Childhood Programs
Birth to Five Illinois creates a statewide regional infrastructure that will amplify input from communities in the development of policies and funding priorities. We support the mobilization of communities to build and sustain equitable access to inclusive, high-quality Early Childhood services for all children and families in the state of Illinois.
The Refugee Center
The Refugee Center's professional staff understand what those who are new to the country are going through. They are available to accompany you to appointments, meetings, and other situations where families need help with translation or interpretation. We offer counseling services to help prepare for these events. Services include social services, mediation services and language assistance. Email admin@ecirmac.org or call 217-344-8455. They are open 9am-5pm Monday through Friday, or by appointment.