Catholic Charity assistance programs in Chicago.
The Catholic Charity locations in Chicago and Cook County Illinois can help low income families and the less fortunate. Programs can assist families regardless of their religion and background. Depending on funding and the applicants needs, some emergency financial assistance may be provided for paying bills, housing and basic needs. However much more likely is that Catholic Charities of Chicago will provide social services, referrals and case management. Details on the various resources are below as well as the application number to the Catholic Charities programs in Chicago IL.
Financial help from Catholic Charities in Cook County
The Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Department of Chicago operates from several offices around the region. Various services are offered as part of this resource, with a focus on addressing urgent basic human needs.
Case managers from the department coordinate the Catholic Charities Food Stamp Employment Training and Earnfare Program. The centers provide intake for clothing, emergency shelter, emergency financial assistance for bills, referral, advocacy, short-term case management, a food pantry and information on government benefits screening. The office locations are below with the main intake number of 312) 655-7700..
- 721 N. LaSalle, Chicago, Illinois 60654, dial (312) 655-7500
- 1120 W. 79th Street, Chicago
- 212 S. Francisco, Chicago (Marillac Social Center)
- North/Northwest Regional Office, 1717 Rand Road, Des Plaines, Illinois, phone (847) 376-2100
- West Regional Office, 1400 S. Austin, Cicero, IL 60804, phone number (708) 222-1491
- South Regional Office, 16100 Seton Drive, South Holland, IL 60473, dial (708) 333-8379
- Southwest Regional Services, 7000 W. 111th Street, Suite 101, Worth, Illinois 60482, main phone number (708) 430-0428
- St. Blasé, 7438 W. 61st Street, Summit, IL 60501, dial (708) 563-2407
- Casa Catalina Basic Human Needs Center, 4537 S. Ashland Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60609-3250, main number is (773) 376-9425
Information on resources is provided by the Department of Central Information and Referral. Catholic Charities provides a central telephone entry point for needy persons and the low income who need assistance. The agency has a number of highly trained counselors that can recommend possible financial assistance or aid that is available within the Catholic Charities service system. The agency also has extensive information on other local non-profits in Cook County and/or state of Illinois and federal government public assistance programs.
Get information and details on emergency rental assistance, homeless prevention funds and other emergency assistance for expenses such as utilities. Use services such as benefits screenings, community casework and counseling, addiction counseling and housing programs and family shelter. The center operates from 651 W. Lake Street, Chicago, IL, 60661, dial (312) 655-7700. Other information departments are located at 1717 Rand Road, Des Plaines, Illinois, dial (847) 376-2100 as well as the West Regional Office, 1400 S. Austin, Cicero, Illinois 60804, phone (708) 222-1491.
Rent help and eviction prevention can be provided by the Homeless Prevention Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP). This government funded program is focused on offering low income and safe housing for the currently homeless and at-risk households. The re-housing program provides temporary financial assistance for paying rent as well as housing relocation and stabilization services to qualified families in Chicago. Services are offered for people who would be homeless without this assistance as well as people who are currently homeless. This is a temporary program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 651 West Lake Street, Chicago, IL 60661.
Another program run by the Catholic charities in partnership with other non-profits is the Homelessness Prevention Call Center. The center employs a number of specialists who screen callers experiencing a one-time crisis or short-term hardship. The specialists will determine if funds and resources are available from agencies such as state of Illinois, municipal and Cook county programs.
If you are found to be eligible, callers will be referred to the appropriate social service agency or non-profit organization that will process their application and help them apply for emergency rental assistance. The call center program and the various housing programs administered are done in collaboration between the Catholic Charities, Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness, homelessness prevention advocates, the City of Chicago, Emergency Fund, private foundations, and local social service agencies and charities. Call (877) 426-6515, or click here for other City of Chicago government rental and utility assistance programs in the region.
Catholic Charities Legal Assistance – Provides clients and qualified families in Chicago with free basic legal advice and referral services. Advice is offered via a telephone hotline and/or in person.
People who are in need of free or low cost, yet high quality legal representation and aid may be directed to a local Cook County legal aid organization or they could be assigned a volunteer attorney from CCLA’s Pro Bono Network. In addition, educational seminars and workshops are offered on various legal topics, such as powers of attorney for health care, debt collections, understanding juvenile court, and property issues such as foreclosures and evictions. The legal program operates from 651 W. Lake Street, Chicago, IL 60661, call (312) 948-6821
Hunger prevention, free food assistance, and USDA programs
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) can help people find a job. Clients and individuals may be able to improve their work skills and assist individuals in securing employment through work assignments and short term job training. Services can provide assistance with interviewing techniques, resume-writing, job readiness, and general life skills. The Illinois Department of Human Services needs to refer people to this Catholic charity program. 721 N. LaSalle, Chicago, IL 60654, phone (312) 655-7506. Find information on human services and public aid in Illinois.
Home Delivered Meals and Congregate Meals deliver hundreds of cold or hot meals to the homebound and seniors in Chicago. The meals are healthy, fresh, and prepared by Lunch-N-More, and will both meet the nutrition standards and they are also appealing to seniors. Congregate meals are also part of this resource, and they are provided by this program five days a week at the Robbins at Catholic Charities' St. Peter Claver Courts senior residence as well as Arlington Heights Senior Center. Main number is (847) 797-5353
The USDA supplemental food and nutrition program, which is also called the Senior Mother and Child Nutrition Program (SMCNP), is offered by Catholic Charities for Chicago and is offered for those who are 60 years of age or older. A monthly, free or low cost nutrition food package and/or emergency food box is offered. Nutrition education is also provided. The food assistance program also provides nutrition services and supplemental food to low-income, working poor, and post-partum woman and children from 5 to 6 years of age. The program is run from 4940 W. Flournoy St., Chicago, Illinois 60644, and dial (773) 378-3127 for intake. A number of distribution sites operate in other parts of Cook County.
Seniors Farmer's Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) offers low-income seniors help. They are provided coupons and vouchers that can be exchanged for eligible fresh foods at farmer’s markets, community-supported agriculture programs, and even roadside stands. Or any family in chicago can also find other free coupon programs. 4940 W. Flournoy St., Chicago, IL 60644, telephone (773) 379-5268
Summer Lunch Program is for children in low-income areas of Chicago Illinois. The Catholic Charities program can help them get free, nutritious meals and snacks when they are out of school during the summer months. Both breakfast and lunch are distributed to a network of churches, school nonprofits and other community partners in areas that quality for free and reduced lunch in Cook County Illinois. Phone (312) 655-7330
WIC Farmer's Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) – This program may help young children, pregnant women, and new mothers get the food they need to eat well and stay healthy. It operates during the summer months, and can be reached at (312) 951-7382.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a USDA food and nutrition program administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and operated by Catholic Charities. Sixteen centers provide a variety of WIC-approved foods for eligible participants. The food centers also provide access to social services, job training and educational programs.
Catholic Charities and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) run the WIC Food and Nutrition Centers Program from several locations across Chicago. WIC-approved foods is offered for eligible participants, and the various WIC food centers also provide access to educational programs, social services, and job training. Phone (312) 951-9659
Catholic Charities helps with employment and legal aid
Another employment program tailored more for youths is the Chicago Catholic Charities’ WIA Out of School Youth Program. This is offered for people up to age 21, and it can provide work-readiness preparation and employment opportunities. Cook County Works is also a partner in this program, and together they will assist clients in providing assistance with short term vocational training, immediate employment opportunities, and other supportive services as needed in order to obtain GED and High School education/placement. 1448 Wesley Ave., Berwyn, Illinois 60402, phone (773) 729-3910
Health Fairs are often coordinated by Catholic Charities across Cook County. Some of the services and resources offered include Blood Pressure checks, Back-to-School Physicals and Dental Exams, BMI Index, Glucose & Cholesterol Screening, Vision Screening, free Children’s Immunizations and referrals.
Catholic Charities of Chicago also helps the under or uninsured get medical care they need. There are both state programs as well as federal resources, ranging from Medicaid to assistance programs that the city or Cook County offers. Services range from dental to immunizations, check ups, prescriptions, and more. Read more and find health care for the uninsured in Illinois.
Catholic Charity senior programs are offer as part of Older Adult Case Management Services. This is the central access point for senior citizens and the elderly who live in Chicago: Intake and Assessment is offered for programs such as Meals on Wheels Program; Outreach, Nursing Home Pre-screening; for Community Care Programs; Elder Abuse Investigations and Intervention; Caregiver Support Services, and linkage to support services and related programs. 3125 N Knox, Chicago, Illinois 60641, dial (773) 583-9224
Applying for help from Catholic Charities in Cook County
There are churches all over Chicago that are part of the charity. They offer some or all of the assistance programs below. Whether free food, legal aid, financial help for rent or utility bills, job programs and more, the charity helps people of all religions, races, and languages, including Spanish speakers and immigrants. Dial (312) 655-7700 for details, or call a number above.
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