Metro Chicago Hillel

The Resource Page

The Resource Page

“If You’re feeling… needing… wanting…”

The transition into adulthood brings mental, financial, and career related challenges that many of us have not been adequately prepared for. It may feel daunting to know where to begin, and that’s okay. Seeking reliable resources can be overwhelming, and sometimes we don't realize we need help. These resources are here for whether you’re casually browsing or are on a search for something specific. Click on the categories below to access the links and find the support you need. 

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.

Mental Health Hotlines

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 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

  • Thresholds’ Mobile Crisis Response Team 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

  • NAMI Chicago: 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

  • The Trevor Project: Provides information and free and confidential support 24/7 for those in the LGBTQA+ community with suicidal ideation and/or feelings of isolation. Phone: 866-488-7386; Text: 678-678

Online Mental Health Resources

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Yellowbrick, located in Evanston, offers a variety of information and resources on their website.

  • No Shame On U: 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.

  • MISSD: 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. 

  • Tikvah Center for Jewish Recovery & Healing: Located in Northbrook, provides state licensed and accredited outpatient, intensive outpatient (IOP), and partial hospitalization (PHP) Jewish treatment programs.

  • Youth Mental Health Guide made by students (includes tips for self care, digital learning, helping loved ones, and other resources)

Sexual Assault or Intimate Partner Violence Support and Information

  • 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/

  • RAINN is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.4673 (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/

  • 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/

  • 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/

Scholarships

 

  • Get money for college! Hillel International scholarships are for students who identify as Jewish, in the U.S. and Canada, who are attending or preparing to attend four-year colleges and universities or graduate school. Click here to learn more and apply.

  • Applications for academic year 2025/2026 are now open! Apply here.

    How it works: We administer educational scholarship funds from the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago to help Jewish college and graduate students offset some of their financial burden. Assistance is available for those with financial need who are pursuing careers in the helping professions. Scholarships range up to $4,000 and are potentially renewable. Applications and all supporting documents are due no later than March 1, 2025.

    If you have any questions or would like more information, please email us at jvsscholarship@jvschicago.org.

Financial Insecurity

  • 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.

  • ChesedChicago Provisions provides essential items such as food vouchers, clothing, baby needs, furniture and more.

Food Insecurity

  • 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

  • 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/

  • If you are a Chicago area student or young adult in need of support, please reach out to us at info@metrochicagohillel.org. We may be able to help with groceries or meals. 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.

Housing Insecurity

Employment Insecurity

  • Visit the Jewish Career Network, powered by Hillel. There, you can find friends, colleagues, and classmates wherever you call home, sign up to be a mentor or find a mentor of your own, explore your network, find your community, and/or connect with your school’s alumni or other professionals in your specific industry.

  • Visit https://www.metrochicagohillel.org/employment for job postings.

  • Career Hub by JPro

  • The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is always looking for outstanding candidates who have a strong passion to help and serve. We offer an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary. Click here for current vacancies.

    IDHA also offers virtual recruitment presentations twice a month. Click here for more information and to register.

  • The Highlands Company: Career path quiz