Life in Chicago is filled with new adventures, opportunities, and challenges. We aim to provide you with the best resources possible to help support you during this new and exciting journey. Below you will find a number of local health and wellness resources. Click here to find scholarships, cohorts and employment opportunities. If there is a resource that you would like us to add, please email us at info@metrochicagohillel.org with the information. All content, links, and information on our site is designed to be as accurate, unbiased, and up-to-date as possible. However, Metro Chicago Hillel is not a substitute for professional medical or legal advice and we do not endorse any third-party organizations or individuals unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Jewish Chicago Family Services (JCFS) provides social services and mental health support to the community. Contact Andrea Jacobs, who is the Jewish Community Liaison to Metro Chicago Hillel and Base if you want to work with someone confidentially. She is there to connect you to referrals and resources in Chicago. 855-ASK-JCFS (855-275-5237), www.jcfs.org.
NEW RESOURCES!
When hard things happen in our lives, others are there to care for us. But when our community is in crisis, we are collectively in pain. The news of what is happening in Israel affects all of us differently. If you or someone you love is struggling, JCFS is offering a warm line for anyone, anywhere looking for support. Call 855.275.5237 to talk with someone, including Hebrew-speaking emotional support professionals, between 9am and 5pm Monday through Thursday, 9am-4pm Fridays.
Financial Assistance
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At Jewish Free Loan Chicago, people of all backgrounds can discover personal loans that are fast, easy, and accessible to anyone in the Chicagoland area. An age-old tradition recrafted for the 21st century, a Jewish free loan is a small personal loan that is interest-free and can be paid back on a timeline that meets each borrower’s individual needs. Visit https://www.jflchicago.org/ to learn more.
Mental Health and Addiction
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This a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. They are committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness. The call line connects via phone or text to crisis counselors for emotional support for yourself or others.
Call/Text: 988
Website: https://988lifeline.org/
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Thresholds’ Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) is a new program in Chicago that provides access to emergency mental health intervention to people experiencing a mental health crisis. Thresholds clinicians response to the mental health crisis, acting as an alternative to hospitalization or police response. Their phone line is open 24/7 but you MUST be located in Chicago zip codes 60613, 60640, and 60657 to use
Call: 773-572-5464
Website: https://www.thresholds.org/programs-services/crisis-response/mobile-crisis-response-team
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Yellowbrick, located in Evanston, offers a variety of information and resources on their website.
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An organization dedicated to breaking the stigma associated with mental health so people who need the help will seek it, family members and friends will know how to provide proper support. Additional resources and support groups/events: https://www.noshameonu.org
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The Medication-Induced Suicide Prevention and Education Foundation in Memory of Stewart Dolin is a unique non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the memory of Stewart and other victims of akathisia by raising awareness and educating the public about the dangers of akathisia. Additional resources here: missd.co
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Helpline provides free, confidential support for yourself or a loved one.
Phone: 833-NAMI-CHI (626-4244) (Mon-Fri 9 AM to 8 PM; Sat & Sun 9 AM to 5 PM)
Resources on their website include local support groups and classes for adults, youth, families, and caregivers of those affected by mental illness: www.namichicago.org.
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Provides information & free and confidential support 24/7 for those in the LGBTQA+ community with suicidal ideation and/or feelings of isolation.
Phone: 1-866-488-7386
Text: 678-678
Additional resources: www.thetrevorproject.org.
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Check out the options for places to take comfort, solace, and wisdom from others… and share yours. Visit https://www.jcfs.org/events/support-groups
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No Shame On U released a new comprehensive and FREE guide, aimed at parents and caregivers, which provides an overview and guidance on how to respond when a child is experiencing a serious mental health challenge. Visit https://www.noshameonu.org/when-your-child-is-experiencing-a-mental-health-crisis to download.
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Located in Northbrook, provides state licensed and accredited outpatient, intensive outpatient (IOP), and partial hospitalization (PHP) Jewish treatment programs. We are the only state licensed and accredited Jewish treatment program in the midwest. Tikvah offers addiction treatment to adults (18+) and currently accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and Optum/United Health insurance plans. Click here to learn more about their treatment program.
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The Renfrew Center has been the pioneer in the treatment of eating disorders since 1985, with a core focus of empowering patients to change their lives. As the nation’s first residential eating disorder facility, Renfrew has helped more than 100,000 cisgender adolescent girls and adult women, transgender, and non-binary individuals move towards recovery by providing them with the tools they need to succeed in recovery and in life.
Visit https://renfrewcenter.com/ for information and resources.
Sexual Assault, Harassment, Intimate Partner Violence
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RAINN is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE, online.rainn.org) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. https://rainn.org/
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RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, help is available. This hotline is 24/7 and fully confidential
Call: 800-656-4673
Chat online: https://hotline.rainn.org/online
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SHALVA supports Jewish women experiencing and healing from domestic abuse, through counseling, supportive services, and community education. They specifically support those who are female-identifying and Jewish, or are in partnership with someone Jewish. They have counseling, safety plans, and legal support.
Call: 773-583-HOPE (4673).
Website: https://shalvacares.org/
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Between Friends is dedicated to preventing domestic violence and ending the cycle of abuse by equipping our communities with the tools necessary for everyone to feel safe and equal in their relationships. Between Friends works tirelessly to empower all people who have survived abuse. They also educate young people and adults across Chicagoland about domestic violence, counseling, safety plans, and legal.
Call:1-800-603-4357
Website: https://betweenfriendschicago.org/
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25 years of answering the hotline, 24 hours, 7 days a week. They also have local information on their website in regards to more personal in person work.
Call: 1800-799-SAFE (7233)
Website: https://www.thehotline.org/
Food Insecurity
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A local food pantry which also has free short-term mental health services, and case management support. If you're a first time user, you must call or go to the website to log in.
Call:773-525-1277
Location: 3945 N. Sheridan Rd
Pantry Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat, 11am-3pm, T & Th 4pm-7pm
Website: https://www.nourishinghopechi.org/get-food/
*Additional Humboldt Park location on website
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This pantry provides nutritious kosher food to hundreds of clients through a client choice model. Clients work with their case managers to select their groceries, and orders are filled by staff and volunteers. The pantry also provides non-food essentials, such as toiletries and household supplies. The pantry gets stocked by donations from the community, donations from community partners, and purchased items as needed.
Located: 6450 N California Ave, Chicago 60645
Call: 773-973-1000
Website for a Case Manager: https://arkchicago.org/our-services/case-management-and-social-services/
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We host weekly shabbat dinners and events through our Bases and jewish Life Spaces on our campus. If you're a student or young adult looking to collect leftovers after, please reach out to us so we can set up a pick up and drop off system that works for through our offices in Lincoln Park.
Email: info@metrochicagohillel.org
Housing
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Not only does the ARK provide a kosher food pantry to the community, they are also committed to providing safe housing for the community. You need a case manager to help guide and help you through the process.
Located: 6450 N California Ave, Chicago 60645
Call: 773-973-1000
Website for a Case Manager: https://arkchicago.org/our-services/case-management-and-social-services/
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For temporary shelter, warming centers, and assistance securing longer term shelter.
Call: 311 or 312-744-5000 and ask for “Short-Term Help.” between 8:30am and 4:30pm
Access is available for callers using specialized TTY equipment due to hearing problems: 312.948.6817
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They provide housing, health care, outreach, spiritual care, and social services to adults and youth who struggle with homelessness, poverty, and loneliness. We accept individuals as they are and offer support as they seek to improve their lives. Serving teens through age 24.
Call: 773-506-3122
email YOT@thenightministry.org.
Outreach van on corner of Belmont and Halsted on Thursdays, 8:30-10:30pm to provide support, referrals, and meals.
Emergency Resources & Crisis Lines for Cold Weather & the Holidays
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Where to Turn for Help When Temperatures Drop - Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
Note: Some 24/7 warming centers are drop-in (e.g., Garfield Park).
311 helps coordinate beds, where available, to individuals and families. Call for intake and guidance support.
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Chicago Public Libraries: Find a Location (Lakeview / Uptown Options)
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National Domestic Violence Hotline: This site has a ‘quick-exit’ feature.
National Runaway Safeline: Confidential, 24/7 talk or text for youth & teens experiencing mental health issues, and adults who are concerned about their youth or teens.