According to HELP (Help Ease Local Poverty), people we meet on the street should be treated with dignity and compassion. There are many ways you can help those in need, and here are some options that are available locally.
Participating organizations are Catholic Charities, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Greater Michigan Avenue Association, Holy Name Cathedral, Lawson House YMCA, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, River North Association, Streeterville Chamber of Commerce, Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, Threshold Mobile Assessment Unit and Winfield Moody Health Center. For further information, please leave a message at: Help Ease Local Poverty (312) 861-0883.
For persons seeking shelter
* Department of Human Services (DHS) at (312) 744-5000 or (800) 654-8595. If a person calls this number from any Chicago Police station, DHS will transport them to a shelter sometime that night. The police are familiar with this procedure and will help a person make the call. To locate the nearest police station, call their non-emergency number (311).
* Catholic Charities Shelter Program
721 N. LaSalle St. (312) 655-7700. Open Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Individuals or families can meet with an intake counselor to make arrangements for entering a shelter.
For persons with medical needs
* Winfield Moody Health Center, 1276 N. Clybourn Ave., (312) 337-1073. Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
* Northwestern Memorial Hospital Emergency Room, 250 E. Erie St., (312) 926-5188. Open 24 hours; 7 days a week.
For persons in need of food
* Chicago Shares Vouchers. Given instead of cash, the 50-cent increment vouchers can be purchased on-line through chicagoshares.org or by calling the hotline at (312) 573-4469 to obtain the names of participating churches/ organizations. Vouchers can be redeemed at face value for food and necessities (not for alcohol or tobacco) at a number of local merchants.
* Food coupons. Consider carrying gift certificates from local businesses such as Jewel, McDonald’s, Subway, etc.
* Food stamps. Persons may apply for the Link-Card (food stamps) at the local public aid office. To find the nearest public aid office and its hours, call (800) 843-6154.
For persons with mental illness
* Thresholds Mobile Assessment Unit, (773) 327-6873. Hours: Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Provides mental health assessment and intervention services to individuals who are homeless and have mental illness. Services are provided on the streets, in the shelters and any location where homeless mentally ill persons are.
* Northwestern Memorial Hospital Satellite Clinic Lawson House YMCA, 3rd floor, 30 W. Chicago Ave., (312) 926-8300. Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; Tuesday 9:30 a.m. to noon; and Thursday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Northwestern Clinic also provides mental health assessment and intervention services, as well as medication management. Services are provided at the clinic.
For persons with drug/alcohol addictions
* Recovery Point, 4753 N. Broadway, (773) 878-9999. Open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Offers a central intake and referral for persons in need. If possible, please call ahead for appointment.
* Family Guidance Center, Inc., 310 W. Chicago Ave., (312) 943-6545. Open Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Neighborhood outpatient drug treatment center.
Haymarket Center, 120 N. Sangamon St., (312) 226-4357. Open 24 hours; 7 days a week. Comprehensive alcohol and drug treatment program. |
