Community Resources

This resource directory offers a wide range of information, support, and services for patients, their families, and our communities during the ever-evolving COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

The Office of Community Health Equity and Engagement seeks to enable and support RUSH University Medical Center’s mission to improve the quality of life within RUSH’s diverse neighboring communities. We are working closely across RUSH and throughout the City of Chicago to support the well-being of our shared communities. We are committed to helping you find the information and support you need to take a more active role in your health. This directory includes resources that are available to everyone; you do not have to be a RUSH patient to access these resources. Thank you for partnering with us to keep our communities safe and healthy.

Schedule a COVID-19 Test

Community Vaccine Resources

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread across the United States and the Chicago area, the RUSH system is dedicated to providing comprehensive care to people who have COVID-19, as well as sharing important and accurate information you can trust about as this pandemic evolves. To contact RUSH with COVID-19 related inquiries and to connect with mental health support and resources, call (888) 352-RUSH (7874). For more immediate emotional support, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-TALK (8255).

Community partners: If you need to connect your communities to vital information and services needed to get well and care for others, Unite Us is a technology company that provides this service through its social referral inventory platform. To learn more about this company, use this link to quickly get started once you sign up.

For the latest health information and updates (including a free online COVID-19 self-assessment test), please bookmark this page: RUSH COVID-19 information and resources.

For helpful COVID-19 video resources, visit our RUSH COVID-19 Education Center.

Frontline workers in need of child care services: For all who are essential workers and in need of child care, the West Cook YMCA in Oak Park is offering Emergency Childcare for Essential Workers. Fees are subsidized by the state for all prioritized essential workers allowing them to offer the program to families at little to no cost. Space is available. Register today by emailing emergencychildcare@westcookymca.org or visit www.westcookymca.org/ecc for more information.

Community Resources

Disability Community Resources
  • Access Living
    A center of service, advocacy, and social change for people with all kinds of disabilities led and run by people with disabilities.
  • City of Chicago
    Supporting information from the Mayor of Chicago’s Office for People with Disabilities.
  • American Association on Health and Disability
    A cross-disability national nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring health equity for children and adults with disabilities through policy, research, education, and dissemination.
  • RUSH - Disability Rights and Accommodations
    Resources regarding the rights and accommodations for patients and visitors with disabilities visiting RUSH University Medical Center.
Education Resources
Food Resources
  • Beyond Hunger
    Beyond Hunger provides hunger-relief programming and services to 13 zip codes across Cook County. Services include offerings seeking to provide the food, resources, knowledge, and skills people need to live healthy, active lives.
  • Catholic Charities
    To access other services, please call (312) 655-7700.
  • Greater Chicago Food Depository
    Use this tool to find food near you. Call the program before you go to confirm hours and requirements.
  • West Side United
    Important information on where to find or donate food during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Government Resources
LGBTQ+ Resources
  • AIDS Foundation of Chicago
    Brings together services and funders to develop systems that meet the needs of those living with HIV/AIDS to maximize the use of scarce resources.
  • Affirm: The RUSH Center for Gender, Sexuality and Reproductive Health
  • Affinity
    The meeting space is closed, however, programming still continues. Visit the Facebook page for more info.
  • Center on Halsted
    Resource lines remain open and support programs are available by phone. Visit website for more info.
  • CenterLink
    This organization provides a network of LGBT centers across the country and helps increase access to public resources. Note: Do not walk into a community center if you are sick or have been exposed. Call and ask if about virtual support groups.
  • Chicago House
    For housing, health, employment and TransLife Care resources along with additional community resources, visit the COVID-19 page on the website.
  • Equality Illinois
    Offers a coronavirus resource and information guide for the LGBTQ community.
  • Fenway Health
    A health care center that runs an LGBT Helpline and a Peer Listening Line, which people can call from across the country. Call (888) 340-4528 for adults 25+. Call (800) 399-PEER for those under age 25.
  • Howard Brown Health
    Community Care Station open in Little Village offering free COVID-19 risk assessments and medical evaluations. Check website for updates to service changes and procedures during COVID-19.
  • LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois
    Find business resources that may be able to help with relief,  business impact survey and much more.
  • SAGE National LGBT Elder Hotline
    This hotline provides crisis response and helps connect people with community resources. Call (877) 360-LGBT and request to speak to someone in either English or Spanish.
  • Test Positive Awareness Network (T-Pan)
    Provides services including free HIV and hepatitis testing, access to condoms, PrEP, injection supplies, counseling and support for HIV positive individuals, and medical care through a Howard Brown clinic at TPAN. Phone: (773) 989-9400
  • Trans Lifeline
    Provides a peer support hotline and microgrants for trans people in need of all ages. Hotline: (877) 565-8860
  • Trevor Project
    Offers LGBTQ youth access to counselors by phone at (866) 488-7386, online chat or text (text START to 678678). They also provide an online community for LGBTQ youth ages 13-24.
Mental Health Resources

Please be gentle with yourselves, your loved ones and friends that may feel overwhelmed, anxious or sad and encourage them to reach out for support. Chicago residents have access to the following mental health resources free of charge:

  • Access Community Health Network
    Provides health services for issues such as anxiety, addiction, trauma, and grief in their 35 health centers, 25 which are in Chicago. Access will provide or connect you with services for free even if you are uninsured. Contact them through phone or online for assistance.
  • Bright Star Community Outreach
    Call the trauma counseling helpline at (833) TURN-123 (887-6123).
  • Chicago Department of Public Mental Health's Mental Health Centers
    Call (312) 747-1020 to connect to free teletherapy services.
  • Crisis Text Line
    For after-hours support, call this crisis line, which serves anyone, in any type of crisis, 24 hours a day. Text HELLO to 741741 to access a trained crisis counselor.
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness
    Call 311 or (833) 626-4244 to connect to a NAMI Chicago Helpline mental health counselor
  • National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health
    List of Chicago and Illinois mental health agencies and organizations
  • Sista Afya
    A Black woman-owned and staffed mental wellness organization that provides wellness education, resource connection, and community support to Black women. Its nonprofit arm, Sista Afya Community Care, provides free individual therapy, community workshops and professional development to people in the Chicagoland area.

Other Mental Health Resources

  • Centers for Disease Control
    Help managing anxiety and stress
  • Mental Health America
    COVID-19 and your mental health
Multilingual Resources
Nonprofit and Business Resources
Older Adult Resources
  • RUSH: Activities and resources to stay connected
  • Alzheimer's Association
    Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tips for Dementia Caregivers
  • RUSH experts offer COVID-19 tips for older adults
  • RUSH Generations
    If you're an older adult or a caregiver to one, we invite you to join RUSH Generations for free information and resources related to health and aging. Our programs are accessible in person, online and over the phone.
  • The Caregiver Initiative
    Offers family caregivers of adults 65 and older the education and support needed to take care of themselves while caring for others. It provides a thorough assessment followed by services tailored to the needs of family caregivers.
  • RUSH Older Adult Home Modification Program
    This program for older adults is designed to work with community and health professionals, so that they can learn how to gain additional support, with the goal of continuing to live at home, safely. Please call (312) 942-6400 for more information or to get started with the program.
RUSH Resources
Undocumented Immigrant Health Resources
Utility Resources
  • CATCH-ON Connect 
    Free cellular enabled tablets and one-on-one technical support assistance for RUSH patients who are 65+ years old. Note: There is currently a waiting list.
  • Charter Communications 
    Free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access to families with children in grades K-12 or college that are homebound due to the coronavirus outbreak. Customers are able to access services at no cost for 60 days (and with waived installation fees). Call (833) 267-6094 for more information.
  • High-speed Internet Service: Low-income Internet service programs for up to two months.
  • Technology access:
Additional Resources
  • RUSH: Access Programs 
    Access Programs provide patient care health service to disadvantaged populations. Services include but are not limited to: free vision services, vaccination and testing teams, preventative and primary health care services, housing, social services, and much more.
  • Allergies vs. Flu vs. COVID-19
    Distinguishing the difference among these conditions.
  • Blood Donation
    American Red Cross explains the need for blood donation and why it's safe to donate.
  • Childcare Programs
    IDPH guidance on preventing COVID-19 spread in daycare/childcare centers.
  • First Responders
    CDC guidance on COVID-19 for first responders and law enforcement.
  • Franciscan Outreach 
    A system of support for men and women who are marginalized and homeless. Through five service sites, we provide a wide variety of programs and services to address the immediate and long-term needs of guests. Healthy meals, a warm bed, vital case management, and critical resources are offered as well as health care, mental health counseling, and substance use disorder treatment.
  • Funeral Homes
    IDPH recommendations for preventing COVID-19 spread in funeral homes.
  • Homeless Shelters
    COVID-19 guidance for homeless shelters.
  • Legal Council for Health Justice
    Offers programs to serve individuals and families facing barriers due to chronic, disabling, and stigmatizing health and social conditions. Clients receive life-saving legal help.
  • Unite Us
    A women-owned and led technology company that provides communities with the information people need to get well, care for others, and manage with disease through multi-sided self-care referral platform.
  • Student Loan Relief
    COVID-19 relief for student borrowers of federal school loans.
  • West Side United Health Resources
    Resources to maintain a healthy physical and mental lifestyle while staying safe during COVID-19.

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