Food
Catholic Charities
(312) 655-7700
Food pantry, clothing, outreach for Medicare/LINK; referral to emergency assistance program; suburban shelter; family and elder services; counseling and psychotherapy; outreach to survivors of suicide; immigration; children and adolescent pregnancy program (CAPP); adoption services and intact family services program; respite services.
Greater Chicago Food Depository
(773) 247-3663
Offers a directory of local food pantries. Also, get free help applying for SNAP/Link, explore free job training, and learn where to find free diapers.
No Kid Hungry
Find free meals near where you are.
Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry
(708) 386-1324
Clients select an allotment of food once a month; assistance with food stamp applications. Clients must reside within service boundaries and meet income guidelines set by the Illinois Emergency Food Assistance Program; photo ID and proof of residence.
Shelter
A Safe Haven
(773) 435-8300
A Safe Haven is an organization in Chicago that helps homeless people or those who might become homeless find jobs. They provide life skills, soft skills, job readiness training, on-the-job-training, internships and job placement services.
CEDA (Community & Economic Development Assn.) Near West
(312) 782-2332
A variety of services for income-eligible families including Family Case Management, Access to Care, Kid Care applications, Head Start, WIC, energy assistance (LIHEAP), weatherization, rent and mortgage assistance.
Housing Authority of Cook County
(312) 663-5447
Learn more about affordable housing options in the Chicagoland area.
Housing Forward
(708) 338-1724
Emergency homeless shelter, supportive services & housing, employment readiness and one-time homelessness prevention program.
Spanish Coalition for Housing
(773) 342-7575
Offers rental, utility, and mortgage assistance, homeowner education and financial coaching.
Employment
Cradles to Crayons
Provides resource guide and directory to social services across Chicagoland.
Chicago Center for Arts & Technology (CHICAT)
(312) 733-1701
The Chicago Center for Arts & Technology offers free offers workforce preparation and vocational training in rapidly growing fields that pay living wages, such as manufacturing, quality control, and health information technology. Leave a message at info@chicat.org
Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC)
(773) 728-9769
JARC’s free job training courses can help you gain employment in the manufacturing section. You can learn valuable skills, including computer Numerical Control (CNC), welding and mechanical assembly.
Year Up
This program provides job training and meaningful internships to young adults from low-income households. A GED or high school diploma is required. Classes begin in March and September in Chicago.
Illinois WorkNet Center
The Illinois workNet Portal System has information on employment resources, including up-to-date information on upcoming job fairs, adult education classes, and job training sessions.
City of Chicago Workforce Services Programs
The Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS) offers workforce programs for Chicagoans with criminal records, with limited English speaking ability, or who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness.
City of Chicago Resources for Job Seekers
Provides a list of employment programs for youth and adults, workshops in Cook County, and other resources for job seekers.
Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) SNAP Employment & Job Training
If you receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, you can also receive job training through the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS). DHS offers job training, GED classes, computer training programs, and more.