Community Resources

At the start of the pandemic, we adapted our Weekly Activities In Austin email to become Weekly Resource Emails with a comprehensive list of any and all resources that could help Austin residents respond and recover. On February 1, 2022 the format and focus of our weekly emails were reverted back to highlight resources and updates from ACT members and partners. However, we wanted to be sure the valuable (and long!) list we worked hard to compile was still available so we have migrated it to this page and will verify the accuracy of this information twice a year. Should you like to report an error, please email shatley@austincomingtogether.org. Don’t get our Weekly email? Sign up via the form at the bottom of our website.

 

COVID-19 Resources

Research has shown that vaccines, particularly boosters, remain the best measure to help avoid severe disease and hospitalizations in those who get COVID-19.. Masking, staying six feet apart, and hand hygiene also help in warding off the virus. Click here to learn more ways to manage your health. Since it is possible to have coronavirus without symptoms, it is critical to follow the safety precautions linked here. For the City’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard listing current numbers, click here.

COVID-19 vaccine related:

If you need assistance locating a vaccination site or have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for children, call the City of Chicago COVID-19 helpline at 312.746.4835.

See where to get vaccinated or a booster at chi.gov/covidvax or click here for the Illinois Department of Public Health Adopts CDC Recommendations for Isolation and Quarantine. Contact your Primary Health Provider, employer, or 3rd party partner such as Walgreen’s to get vaccinated, or visit:

 Other helpful information about the vaccine:

  • Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests now so you have them when you need them: special.usps.com/testkits
  • The FDA has now authorized a new version of both the Pfizer and Moderna booster shots for the COVID-19 virus. Learn more about it here. Read about the CDC booster shot guidelines here.
  • Chicago Public Schools Covid-19 vaccine sites are open via appointment. Learn more here.
  • Free rides to vaccine sites: 
    • One free program is open to residents who want to use a Cook County Health location in suburban Cook County or within the city, or any other suburban vaccination site, including pharmacies. Residents can request a ride or schedule one by calling 833-308-1988. Rides may be available within 30-60 minutes of a call, depending on the time of day and fleet availability, though scheduling a ride in advance is preferred. Click here to learn more.
  • Illinois vaccination site list available for those interested in booking an appointment. Click here to view the list (Información en español esta aqui). For a map of case counts by zip code, click here. 
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Specific Groups has been updated
  • Bust Common Myths and Learn the Facts
  • Free risk assessments for COVID-19 hosted by Howard Brown Health and TaskForce Prevention & Community Services. Click here for more information.

COVID-19 testing related:

  • What To Know About Long COVID?
  • The Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS) has partnered with the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IDHA) to administer the Homeowner Assistance Fund Home Repair Program (HAFHR). The program helps homeowners who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 make eligible critical home repairs of up to $60,000 per household. The home repair grants carry a 3-year forgivable recapture agreement. Applications open at noon on February 12, 2024. Click here to learn more. 

Housing or property related information

  • The Emergency Heating Repair Program (EHRP) provides qualified homeowners with a one-time grant to repair or replace their furnaces or boiler heating systems. Applications will be accepted through April 1, 2024 or until all funds are exhausted. Click here to learn more.
  • Are you a family that is in need of rental, mortgage, or utility assistance? Click here to check out current emergency funds that are available by the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, and Cook County.
  • In need of rental assistance or mortgage assistance? West Cook Homeownership Center can help you find and apply for resources. They also assist with loan modifications, foreclosure prevention counseling, and more: (773) 887-5187.
  • New Cook County legal aid initiative helps residents resolve evictions, foreclosure, debt, and tax deed issues. Visit cookcountylegalaid.org or call (855) 956-5763 to find out more information and get help.
  • If you are at risk of eviction and/or homelessness and live in the Chicago metro area, you can apply for emergency financial assistance by calling the Homelessness Prevention Call Center. Staff will evaluate your eligibility for financial assistance and other community resources. Tenants living in the city of Chicago can access this resource by calling 3-1-1 or (312) 744-5000 and asking for “Short-Term Help.” The call center is open from 8:30 am-4:30 pm Monday through Thursday. Tenants living in suburban Cook County can access this resource by calling (877) 426-6515.
  • Eviction Help Illinois: Free legal help for Illinois residents who are renters facing potential eviction and landlords not represented by a lawyer. Learn more at evictionhelpillinois.org.
  • New Cook County legal aid initiative helps residents resolve evictions, foreclosure, debt, and tax deed issues. Visit cookcountylegalaid.org or call (855) 956-5763 to find out more information and get help.
  • The Center for Conflict Resolution is a community mediation center that serves all of Cook County. They provide free mediation and conflict resolution services. Now they are operating virtually until it is safe to meet in-person again. If you are facing conflicts with landlords, neighbors, family members or co-parents, small business, or co-workers, they are available to help. More information can be found at ccrchicago.org. Potential clients can open a case on our website, by emailing newcase@ccrchicago.org, or by calling (312) 922-6464 extension 22. 
  • Habitat for Humanity Chicago has a list of resources for home maintenance and improvement, as well as resources for supporting a healthy home routine. Click here for a list of home maintenance resources.
  • Interested in purchasing a home or vacant land? The City has incentives for purchasing in certain areas through its Chicago Neighborhood Recovery Program (CNRP). For questions, contact Austin Coming Together’s CNRP Intern  Nicholas Galassini at ngalassini@austincomingtogether.org
  • Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is overseeing the Help Illinois Families program and Utility Disconnection Avoidance Program, which has prevented disruption in utility service for thousands of Illinois households using $280 million in federal and state assistance. More information on how to apply can be found on HelpIllinoisFamilies.com. For more information, go to illinoishousinghelp.org.
  • COVID HELP (Housing and Economic Loss Prevention) is an award-winning statewide initiative providing no-cost legal guidance to Illinoisans experiencing common legal problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Illinois residents can access free legal assistance 24/7 at covidhelpillinois.org.
  • Growing Community Media’s At Home on the Greater West Side project is an opportunity to continue covering racial inequities and paths toward change. Click here to learn more.

Local food access

  • The Soul City Community Market, on Chicago Avenue, is a pop-up shop created with the purpose of promoting healthy food options and increasing access to affordable fresh foods in Austin. Each weekend, there will be fresh produce, live entertainment, local vendors, and more. Interested in vending or performing at the market? Email jrand@healthauthority.org.
  • NEED FREE FOOD? Visit a 24/7 access community fridge near you for fresh produce and hot meals from local businesses. Click here for the flyer.
  • If you could use extra help stretching your grocery budget, learn more about Summer EBT, a new program that helps families buy food during the summer while school is out. Find out if you’re eligible: www.wegotyouillinois.org/summer-ebt
  • The Kids Cafe hosted by Good Neighbor Campaign is now open EVERY Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2:30pm-4:30pm. Grab-N-Go boxes will be distributed to residents at 5437 W. Division St. Click here to view the flyer.
  • Whether you need food now or later, for yourself or your family, near your home, school, or workplace, OpenShelf will help you find it all with just a few clicks.
  • Check out the Austin Eats Monthly Calendar for local produce markets, free food distributions, volunteer gardening days, and more! Click here for the online calendar.
  • Whether you need food now or later, for yourself or your family, near your home, school, or workplace, OpenShelf will help you find it all with just a few clicks.
  • Forty Acres Fresh Market is based in Austin and offers delivery of fresh produce boxes. Now all purchases made with Link EBT will be matched up to $10 per day with Link Match coupons that can be used to purchase more produce at markets and delivery services. For more information and delivery options, click here.
  • Beyond Hunger in Oak Park remains open and committed to providing food and services to Oak Park and surrounding communities. They now offer Drive-Thru Pantries on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Details at  https://www.gobeyondhunger.org/programs/pantry-programs
  • Lakeview Food Pantry is also available and open to residents of the North or West side. For their requirements, click here.
  • For a full interactive map of programs in your area, please visit chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food. For a list of food pantries that serve Chicago’s Austin community, click here.
  • The Greater Chicago Food Depository can help individuals and families verify their eligibility for SNAP and Medicaid. If you are ready to apply or have questions call the Public Benefits Outreach Team at (773) 843-5416. To access the GCFD’s flyer, click here (información en español esta aqui
  • Community Alert from the 15th District Chicago Police Department includes a list of Austin area food pantries (información en español esta aqui).

Assistance with utilities or internet

  • Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is overseeing the Help Illinois Families program and Utility Disconnection Avoidance Program, which has prevented disruption in utility service for thousands of Illinois households using $280 million in federal and state assistance. More information on how to apply can be found on HelpIllinoisFamilies.com. For more information, go to illinoishousinghelp.org.
  • Comcast has expanded eligibility for its Internet Essentials program to those in need of internet services. Learn more here or call (855) 846-8376 for English and (855) 765-6995 for Spanish.  Broderick Johnson, Executive Vice President, Public Policy and EVP, Digital Equity, Comcast, writes more about it in this blog.
  • Residents can still apply for CEDA’s Utility Assistance program. The Utility payment relief programs include Gas & Electric, Furnace Repair & Replacement, and Water Assistance for eligible residents of Cook County, both City of Chicago and suburbs. To see if you are eligible or to apply, call CEDA at 800-571-2332. Learn more here.
  • ComEd offers programs and services to help those in need, including energy assistance, and help for customers with special needs. Click here for more information. Call 1-800-334-7661 if you have been previously disconnected and to obtain financial assistance based on eligibility. Or, see what you are eligible for through Com-Ed’s program to help reduce your energy usage/save on your Electric Bills. Com-Ed will come out to your home and do an assessment and help you reduce your expenses (by providing GED Light Bulbs and other electricity saving options). Click here for more details or call 1-855-433-2700.
  • Access from AT&T is an affordable way to stay connected with the internet for $10/month. They’ve also expanded eligibility requirements. Click here for the flyer. 
  • Comcast’s Affordable Connectivity Program lets folks save up to $30/month on their broadband bill (this is a federal stimulus program and people will sign up for the Internet Essentials or Internet Essentials Plus packages of Xfinity).
  • Comcast’s multi-year program to launch more than 1,000 WiFi-connect “Lift Zones” in community centers nationwide. BUILD Chicago is a Lift Zone for Austin! They are among one of five initial zones chosen by Comcast who will provide robust WiFi connectivity to create safe places where youth can connect, learn, and get a chance to succeed in school. Read the full story here. More information can be found here.
  • The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has posted free internet access opportunities to support school learning from Spectrum and others at isbe.net/keeplearning under “free internet access resources. Contact the CPS Command Center at (773) 553-KIDS (5437) or email familyservices@cps.edu
  • Chicago Connected provides CPS Students with free internet. For more details, visit cps.edu/strategic-initiatives/chicago-connected. Click here for the Parent Tech Support Help Center which has a hotline at 773-417-1060. To apply, review this document with step-by-step instructions. Learn more about Chicago Connected by reading this article.
  • Compudopt Chicago is holding FREE computer giveaways for Chicago residents who do not have access to the internet at home. Click here to sign up for the giveaway. If you are interested in donating a computer for the giveaway, click here.
  • Westside Health Authority (WHA) can arrange grocery and prescription deliveries for seniors, wellness checks, and provide financial and legal resources. Call (773) 234-4783 and leave a message. Plus, they offer a FREE quiet space for students to learn with a healthy breakfast and lunch served daily! Open Monday through Friday from 8:45 am-3:30 pm, the Good Neighbor Campaign Remote Learning Center is located at Every Block A Village Christian Center. For more information or to register your child call 773-786-0249. Also, they host a Morning Prayer Meeting each Wednesday at their office 5437 W Division St., Chicago, IL 60651 (click here for details), as well as virtual Support Group meetings for help overcoming anxiety, fear, or addiction each Thursday (click here for the flyer or here to stay updated with the Good Neighbor Campaign’s updates and events by visiting their Facebook page).

Opportunities for CPS students and other youth

  • Austin Branch YOUmedia is now open for teens ages 13-19. It’s a space in the library dedicated for teens, where they can come in and hang out, study, or try to make equipment like a 3D printer or vinyl cutter. Click here to view the flyer.
  • Catholic Charities SCaN program serves youth ages 14-24 in Austin, Montclare, and Belmont Cragin who have a history of interactions with the justice system or have been directly involved in or impacted by violence. Youth work with a Navigator to identify and accomplish individualized goals and connect to the services that can support these goals. If interested, fill out the program application here. View the flyer here.
  • Cook County recently launched Project Rainbow, an initiative that seeks to address learning loss magnified by COVID-19 by curating and creating free early childhood and family-oriented educational programming. Click here to learn more.
  • Chicago Park District is now offering a variety of in-person and virtual classes for all ages such as sports, fitness, arts & crafts, and more! View the class schedule and register here.
  • Opportunity Works trains young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 in suburban Cook County and connects them with businesses that are looking for new employees. Click here to learn more.
  • My CHI. My Future. has launched a new mobile app. This app helps connect Chicago-area youth with meaningful out-of-school events, programs, resources, job openings and more across the city. Learn more about the app on the MCMF website.

Legal Assistance

  • Do you have questions about court? Illinois Court Help is a free service that connects you to the information you need to go to court. Call or Text (833) 411-1121. View the flyer here.
  • Know your rights about residential tenant lockout. Click here for the Chicago Department of Housing flyer. Click here to learn more on their website.
  • Resources from First Defense Legal Aid available 24/7. Call the Hotline at (800) LAW-REP4 (529-7374) or click here to learn more.
  • Legal Aid Chicago offers complimentary legal services. Call (312) 341-1070 Monday to Friday between 8am – 4:30pm or apply online at legalaidchicago.org. Or, stop by Westside Health Authority at 5422 W. Division in Chicago for in-person intake available every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 10am-4pm. View the flyer here.
  • Every 3rd Saturday (9am-12pm) and every 4th Tuesday (4pm-6pm) are legal assistance days with the Hope Community Justice Center. These events provide the opportunity to speak to an attorney at low to no cost! For more info, see flyer here.

Resources for seniors

  • Care Coordination Unit (CCU) in Austin has Emergency Senior Services Funds for those adults on the westside residing in zip codes 60608, 60612, 60624, 60644 and 60651. These participants cannot be Managed Care Organization members (i.e. BCBS, Aetna, Meridian, County Care etc.) Participants must be 60 and over. The funds can be used to assist with groceries, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) assistance (walkers, blood pressure monitors, adult diapers etc.) There is a $500 limit per participant per year. For assistance, please call 773 922-7250.
  • Do you know grandparents that have custody of youth and who could benefit from monthly care packages? Contact Caytaworld by email or by phone 312-813-6047 to pre-register residents. View flyer here.
  • The Senior Citizen Sewer Exemption entitles seniors aged 65 or over, residing in their own residence with separate metered water service or a separate city water assessment for that residential unit, to an exemption from payment of the sewer service charge for their residence. View the application here or get additional information here.
  • Older adults, who are undocumented immigrants, can now access Medicaid! For more information or to get help applying, call the Benefits Hotline at 773-843-5416. You can also apply online at abe.illinois.gov
  • Need answers to your Medicare questions? Annese Piazza from Benefit Consulting Services can assist with questions and concerns you may have about Medicare. Call Kristin Norman to schedule your appointment at (708) 613-1112. Click here for a flyer.
  • Have technology questions? Senior Planet has a National Hotline number. They are available M-F from 8am-4pm at 920-666-1959.
  • The Austin Senior Satellite Center (5071 W. Congress) has a Cooking Class on Mondays (10am-11am), Line Dancing on Tuesdays and Chair Yoga/exercise several days and a Paint Party every last Friday of the month. All communities are welcome. Contact Cynthia Yarrington with any questions regarding events: cyarrington@catholiccharities.net 312-743-1538.
  • Need to draft end-of-life-planning documents such as Wills, Powers of Attorney, or Transfer on Death Instruments? The Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL) provides free legal services to low-income seniors (ages 60 and up) and persons living with disabilities. CDEL assists with specific case types including end-of-life planning, housing, consumer issues, adult guardianship, financial exploitation and divorce. For more information on how to get legal assistance, call (312) 376-1880, Monday through Friday between 9am and 12pm or visit cdelaw.org.
  • New Illinois Legislation: Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program Act. This means that employers in Illinois with five or more employees are required to offer a retirement plan. Learn more here.

Career development opportunities

  • Do you work in childcare or early childhood education? Austin Childcare Providers Network (ACPN) is a progressive association that focuses on building the education and leadership skills of early care practitioners. Benefits of being part of the Network include professional development opportunities, personalized English Enrichment sessions to strengthen or refresh your writing and comprehension skills, and more. Further details are found here.
  • Greater West Town offers Wood Products Manufacturing Class and Shipping and  Receiving Training. Austin residents who need immediate employment can contact Lili Rosa or Lorena at (312) 432-1300. Click here to learn about their services. Download the brochure here.
  • The Greater Chicago Food Depository offers FREE 4-week part-time Hospitality and Supply Chain Career Path Programs for unemployed and underemployed adults living in Cook County. Click here to learn more.
  • Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC)’s free job training courses can help you gain employment in the manufacturing sector. In order to be eligible for free careers in manufacturing programs job training, you must first attend an application session. Visit their application schedule to sign up and start a career in manufacturing! Application sessions are hosted online every Wednesday at 9am and 4pm. Their new West Side Training Center is just a few blocks away from the Austin neighborhood. CNC, Welding and Bridge are some of the trainings that are offered. In addition, two new programs: 3-D Printing and Mechanical Assembly, will be rolled out soon. Click here to learn more. Learn more about JARC’s programs here.
  • Want a career in the culinary arts? Apply to the 8-week UHCHI Culinary Apprenticeship. Click here to join the mailing list to learn more. View the flyer here.
  • Malcolm X College and other City Colleges are providing TUITION FREE courses under the Future Ready program! Learn more at ccc.edu/futureready
  • Looking for a job? Check out cookcountycareerconnect.org for events and career opportunities in Cook County.
  • Hire Frequency Podcast is the official podcast of The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. It seeks to offer meaningful perspectives on the job market and employment strategies.
  • The Back to Work 50+ Program is a FREE workshop held by the AARP for job seekers over the age of 50. Participants get access to valuable resources, such as job coaching and access to an online community of job seekers. Learn more here.

Mental Health

  • Having a hard time coping with the mental health effects of the pandemic? Riveredge Hospital provides FREE assessments 24/7 for those in need of mental support. Visit  riveredgehospital.com or call 708-209-4181 to learn more.
  • Families can get help coping after a mass shooting! View the Chicago Sun-Times resource list here.
  • A mental health text line: Support4U is a free anonymous text line for students, answered within minutes by licensed clinicians. Click here to learn more.
  • NAMI Helpline: For mental health support, and information on next steps, consider contacting the free NAMI helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or helpline@nami.org. Learn more at nami.org/help (información en español está aqui).
  • BUILD’s Mental Health Program is designed to increase access to mental health care for young people impacted by violence and trauma. Click here to learn more about their wide range of services.
  • In need of Mental Health or other resources? Check out this list compiled by the Art Institute Chicago which also includes links to racial justice information.
  • Visit findtreatment.samhsa.gov or Mentalhealth.chicago.gov for more Mental Health resources.
  • City of Chicago mental health resources: For a list of mental health centers in Chicago, click here. To learn more about telepsychiatry, click here (Panfleta en español esta aquí).
  • Learn how working out benefits your mental well-being. Exercise and Mental Health is a resource from Garage Gym Reviews aiming to enhance people’s mental health through exercise. Their guide provides insight on starting and maintaining a routine and provides various perspectives on the topic from experts across different disciplines
  • People across the United States are able to call or text 9-8-8 to seek help during a mental health crisis. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, 9-8-8 provides a 24/7 connection to confidential support with a trained counselor within the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. There is Hope. Just call or text 9-8-8. #988Lifeline

Other resources for individuals or families

  • New Moms’ Academic Coaching Program helps young moms to complete college degrees, while also challenging the systemic barriers that make it difficult for them to do so. Learn more here.
  • Catholic Charities provides FREE pregnant/postpartum services to individuals struggling with substance abuse Learn more here (Panfleta en español esta aquí). They also offer adption support and prevention services. Learn more here (Panfleta en español esta aquí). 
  • Cook County’s Crisis Hotline is (833) 413-HELP (4357) and is made possible by a partnership with the Westside Community Triage and Wellness Center.
  • COVID-19 and Unemployment Benefits Questions? Call (800) 244-5631
  • Information on the Child Tax Credit
  • The Illinois Family Relief Plan, which went into effect 7/1/2022, outlines a variety of financial relief programs covering grocery taxes, gas taxes, property taxes, income taxes, and some tax rebates. Read a summary here (resumen en español está aquí) or read the full plan here. 
  • Want to see what’s happening in the Austin community? Click here to view current programs and events for family and friends.
  • A House in Austin provides Parent-Child Classes, Parent Support & Education to Austin families. Click here to learn more about their services. Click here to learn how you can help.
  • Hotline helping west siders find local relief. Click here for more information.
  • CDPH has a list of resources available to support health hygiene. Click here to learn more.
  • Immigrant Healthcare Resources & Rights in Response to Coronavirus. (información en español esta aqui)
  • FREE crisis childcare services for frontline staff with young children (ages birth thru 6). The Crisis Nursery is located at 6650 W. Irving Park in Chicago. Parents can call the 24/7 help-line at 773-205-3637 to speak with a family advocate. Click here for more information.
  • Need help connecting to health or social services? Call 2-1-1, a FREE confidential referral and information helpline and website that connects people to the essential health and social service help they need when they need it, such as food, housing supports, legal aid, and more. Learn more here.
  • Catholic Charities recently announced their new Domestic Violence Westside Program located at the Tolton Peace Center. Please contact the intake line at 312-655-7106, Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm, or email Beth Klieger at bklieger@catholiccharities.net with any questions. View the program flyer here.
  • Do you get the Austin Weekly News? If not, to sign up for their newsletters click here or to become a distribution site, contact jill@oakpark.com.
  • HabitNu has partnered with Walmart Health to provide health and wellness services to Chicago’s south and west side neighborhoods of Austin and Chatham through new Walmart Health locations. Click here to get started.
  • Loretto Hospital in Austin offers free STI, HIV screenings in hopes of curbing high rates of sexually transmitted infections on the West Side. Learn more here.

Business resources

  • The COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan program supports small businesses’ recovery from the COVID-19 disaster’s economic impacts by providing accessible and borrower-friendly capital. Details here.
  • The City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) has created the Chicago Business Centers (CBC) program and provided grants to eight Chicago-based business service organizations located in neighborhoods to serve as regional hubs providing business licensing assistance and other resources for small businesses. Click here to view the resources. 
  • The Center for Creative Entrepreneurship offers resources, education and access to capital to entrepreneurs in Entertainment and the Creative Sector. Click here to learn more.
  • Allies for Community Business has partnered with several public and private organizations to provide grants to small businesses. Contact them at (312) 924-2189 or help@a4cb.org. They also offer small business loans and lines of credit between $500 and $100,000 to early, emerging, and established businesses at fair prices. Refer a small business for a loan or free coaching here.
  • CHIBIZHUB’s Connect2Capital is a collaborative online lending network that links small businesses to loans. Click here to learn more.
  • Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) has created the Chicago Business Centers (CBC) program to provide business licensing assistance and other resources for small businesses through eight Chicago-based regional hubs. Learn more here. View the program flyer here.
  • Looking for networking opportunities and resources to grow your business? Click here to check out the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce events calendar for upcoming programming.
  • Chicago West Side Chamber’s mission is to connect the nine west side communities by offering resources that will help decrease the wealth gap among the Black and Latino communities while building a safer and peaceful neighborhood.
  • The Austin Chamber of Commerce helps local businesses establish connections in the community by providing opportunities to connect with others in-person and virtually.
  • Chicago Community Loan Fund Lending supports local organizations through funding, programs, and resources.
  • FREE virtual legal services for small businesses and nonprofits from the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights under law Inc. Click here to apply.
  • Illinois’ Participation Loan Program (PLP) has been re-launched to support businesses with projects that create or retain jobs and/or modernize their business to improve competitiveness. Click here to learn more about the organization’s website. Click here to view the PLP loan program presentation(PDF).
  • Employers that promote vaccination against COVID-19 may be eligible to receive a tax credit.
  • Health and safety guidelines for businesses (CDC.gov)
  • Quick start guide – preparing your workforce for vaccine requirements
  • Small business guide – strengthening workplace vaccination & safety
  • COVID-19 vaccines – a conversation guide for managers
  • Click here for resources for businesses impacted by COVID-19 from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunities and others.
  • Entrepreneur Loan Program from CIBC

Nonprofit resources

  • The Charitable Trust grant program seeks to help small non-profits with annual budgets of $1 million or less that provide food, housing assistance, or workforce and economic development training. Applications are accepted from July 1 through September 30. Click here for details.

Ways to support your neighbors and local businesses

  • SUPPORT AUSTIN by helping families in need. Click here to donate to Austin Coming Together (ACT) and support our work to bring opportunities to Austin that allow all residents to thrive.
  • DONATE to Growing Community Media to keep your independent community newsroom thriving. They produce Austin Weekly News and other local publications. Click here to donate today!
  • DONATE to provide monthly care packages to youth & foster grandparents in the Austin community. Email info@caytaworld.org or click here for more information. Click here for the flyer.
  • INTERVENTION PROGRAMS: BUILD Chicago’s staff from across all their programs go out on peace walks each weekday to talk to our communities. Donate to support them.
  • FUND a Chicagoan’s career in manufacturing! Now, more than ever, dozens of students in specialized training programs are in need of support. Click here for a list of JARC participants who could use your help.
  • FEED THE HUNGRY by donating funds and/or items to your local food pantry such as Beyond Hunger. Every donation makes an impact. Just $5 provides 15 meals. Plus, Beyond Hunger is currently accepting new volunteers. Click here to volunteer. Check out any one of their Rescue Partners. Click here for drop-off times and location.
  • SHOP CONSCIOUSLY by using these Chicago black-owned business directories, RankTibe, Nationalblackguide, BlackShopFriday.com, Seasoned & Blessed, or by getting fresh produce delivered from black-owned woman-owned business Forty Acres Fresh Market.
  • HELP NEIGHBORS STAY IN THEIR HOMES: A fund has been set up for residents of properties owned by Mercy Housing Lakefront. Details at info.mercyhousing.org/resident-relief
  • HELP ESSENTIAL WORKERS: Institute for Nonviolence Chicago is in need of hand sanitizer, gloves, and toiletries to distribute to neighbors and outreach workers. Contact info@nonviolencechicago.org to coordinate your kit donations. Details at nonviolencechicago.org/donate
  • VOLUNTEER:
    • Towers of Excellence is looking for tutors to help students 1 hour per week with their studies. Contact Katie List at klist@towersofexcellence.org if interested.
    • Project Exploration seeking volunteers to teach STEM to youth. Content areas are listed in this graphic. Learn more by visiting their website: projectexploration.org.
    • The Love Fridge is combating food insecurity across the city. Click here to learn more and get involved.
    • Lend your professional skills to nonprofits via the online platform Catchafire