Resource Directory /

General Resources

  • Camp Sunshine for Children with Life-Threatening Illnesses and Their Families in Maine

    Camp Sunshine helps children with life-threatening illnesses and their families find hope, community and a safe space for recharging together. Located in Maine, the camp offers medical support and free, year-round camping sessions for children ages 21 and under, their siblings, parents and caregivers. Campers come from all over the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world. Bereavement sessions are also available for families who have experienced the death of a child from a supported illness.

    Camp Sunshine offers sessions of varying lengths throughout the year. Supported conditions and diagnoses include:

    • A brain tumor, cancer and retinoblastoma
    • Kidney disease
    • Sickle cell disease
    • Hematologic conditions
    • Phenylketonuria (PKU) and more

  • Carbondale Area Interfaith Refugee Support

    Carbondale Area Interfaith Refugee Support (CAIRS) is a network of community members that helps refugees from around the world adjust to and build a new life in Southern Illinois. CAIRS provides the support necessary to navigate the transition, become citizens, find employment and become neighbors and friends.

    CAIRS provides resources that include:

    • A “New to the Area” resource page in English and Spanish
    • Immigration support services and legal help
    • Money to help with housing and other expenses

  • CaringInfo

    CaringInfo, a program of the National Alliance for Care at Home, provides free resources to educate and empower patients and caregivers to make decisions about serious illness and end-of-life care and services.

    The site provides guides and resources about topics including advance directives, palliative care, caregiving and hospice care.

  • Caritas Family Solutions

    Caritas Family Solutions is a non-profit social services agency that works to meet the physical, social and emotional needs of people in southern Illinois.

    Services include adoption support, foster care, community integrated living arrangements, counseling, parenting classes, pregnancy care and more.

  • Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet

    Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet serves people in need in Will, Grundy, DuPage, Kendall, Kankakee, Ford and Iroquois counties. Its programs and services include:

    • Information and assistance
    • Caregiver support groups
    • Crisis intervention
    • Volunteer opportunities for older adults and persons with disabilities
    • Mobile food pantry

  • Catholic Charities Diocese of Springfield Crisis Assistance

    Catholic Charities offers a crisis assistance program to help individuals and families facing short-term, one-time crises that may put them at risk of eviction or utility shut off.  The service is free for residents living in the 28-county Springfield diocese.

    Catholic Charities Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, serves the following areas:

    • Effingham office at (217) 857-1458, Monday through Friday from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
    • Granite City office at (618) 877-1184, ext. 201 or 205, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    • Springfield office at (217) 523-4551, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  • Catholic Charities of Rockford

    Catholic Charities of Rockford serves people in need in Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Carroll, Ogle, DeKalb, Kane, Whiteside and Lee counties. Its programs and services include:

    • Counseling and a mental health ministry
    • Immigration and refugee services
    • Emergency help
    • Food pantry and clothing closet
    • Project Hire employment training and services
    • Volunteer opportunities

  • Catholic Charities Social Services Archdiocese of Chicago

    Catholic Charities Social Services Archdiocese of Chicago provides help including homelessness prevention, food and basic needs, and crisis assistance. needshelp and crisis services. It also connects people to other organizations that can help with emergency assistance in Chicago, suburban Cook County and Lake County. Services include:

    • Burial and funeral assistance
    • Case management services
    • Emergency rental assistance
    • Utility assistance
    • Emergency shelter services
    • Stabilization services (pharmaceutical assistance, transportation assistance, clothing vouchers)

    The organization also provides family support programs, including child care and pregnancy and parenting support services, domestic violence support, behavioral health programs, and immigrant and refugee support.

  • CDC’s Developmental Milestones for Children

    From birth to age 5, your child should reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act and move.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides developmental milestones checklists to help track your child’s development and act early if you have a concern.

    The CDC also has a free Milestone Tracker App with photos and videos that illustrate each developmental milestone. You can use the app to track your child’s development and find out what to do if you have concerns.

  • CEDA: Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County

    CEDA: Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County offers a variety of services to families and individuals in need.

    Its programs include:

    • Utility bill assistance with gas, electric, water and furnace repair
    • Home weatherization providing long-term home repair solutions to reduce energy costs and make homes more energy efficient
    • Housing services including housing information counseling, education and advice for homebuyers, homeowners, renters and the homeless
    • Services for women, infants and children including food, education and support for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children under age 5