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This resource guide was compiled by Alternatives, Inc. to address the needs of Chicago communities during the Covid-19 crisis.
For the comprehensive most updated guide please visit http://tinyurl.com/alternativescovid
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”white”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_tabs color=”vista-blue” alignment=”center” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section title=”Covid-19 Specific ” tab_id=”1586895308629-76e16fe2-3c88″][vc_column_text]
Medical Information
Center for Disease Control (CDC): Covid-19 / Coronavirus – Symptoms, resources, guidelines for schools/businesses/community organizations
National Institutes of Health (NIH): Covid-19 / Coronavirus – Symptoms & testing, prevention, coping, FAQ, resources
World Health Organization (WHO): Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) Pandemic – Advice for the public, FAQ, mythbusters, research
World Health Organization (WHO): FAQ on Coronavirus
State of Illinois Coronavirus (Covid-19) Response
Rush Covid-19 Resources – COVID-19 Self Assessment
Covid-19 Statistics – Illinois
Responding to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) among People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Orders, Guidelines, and Legislation
Illinois Executive Orders related to Covid-19
Summary of Federal Funding Bills
Economic impact payments: What you need to know
CARES Act Unemployment Benefits Expansion Package[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
For Parents
Guidance for Parents in Talking to Children about Coronavirus
PBS How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
COVIBOOK: Printable book to help kids understand coronavirus
Tips for Families: Coronavirus[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Self-Care for Mental Wellbeing
Care for Your Coronavirus Anxiety
TalkSpace Coronavirus Resource Hub
Isolating Together: Inspiration
COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide
Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health
Spiritual Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Grief and Loss
Explaining Death to Kids & Teens When Someone Dies of Covid-19
GriefShare – Find a support group
Supporting Grieving Children and Teens During the COVID-19 Global Health Crisis
Covid Widow Program – People who have lost their romantic partner to death (wives, husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, partners)
Alternative Mourning Rituals Offer Comfort And Closure During An Outbreak[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Articles and Other Websites
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Financial Assistance for Individuals and Families
Help with Bills – Learn about the help you can get through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
Guidelines for Filing for Unemployment
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD)
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Scholly Covid-19 Student Relief Fund
Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project: Financial Assistance (Call or text (630) 877-8381)
Call 311 and ask for “Short-term Assistance”[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Job Specific Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance for Small Businesses or Nonprofits
[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Goods & Services” tab_id=”1586960790175-486b48af-fad0″][vc_column_text]
Food Assistance
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Common Pantry – Service areas: east-west from Ashland Avenue to Kimball Avenue; north-south from Lawrence Avenue to Diversey Parkway; all Lathrop homes
Meals on Wheels – Seniors and people with disabilities
Lakeview Pantry – Low-income folks in Lakeview & Humboldt Park; low-income folks anywhere in Chicago for the Online Market
Greater Chicago Food Depository
Free Meals for CPS Students and Families
CPS Covid-19 Food Delivery – Please note that one form submission will result in one delivery and you should only submit one form per day. If you need an additional delivery, please fill out the form two days in advance of needing another delivery.
Brave Space Alliance Mutual Aid Covid-19 Request for Support – Queer and trans folks on the south side of Chicago[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Housing and Shelter
Chicago Homelessness Prevention Call Center: Call 311 and ask for Short-Term Help to be transferred to the “Homelessness Prevention Call Center”
Street Light Chicago – Young adults in Chicago between the ages of 16 and 24 living with unstable housing
Connect Me Now – Get connected to a shelter
HOPE Hotline – Individuals facing foreclosure or struggling to pay mortgage
Community Service Center Locations – Anyone seeking shelter, food, clothing, or other assistance
Rentervention – For Chicago renters to diagnose legal issues, understand your rights, and choose the best solution
Squared Away Chicago – Solve home-related problems with your landlord
Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) Public Housing – Application for public housing
Chicago Rental Assistance – People in immediate risk of eviction
Find a Housing Counselor – Anyone interested in homeownership or foreclosure prevention
Mortgage Forbearance and Eviction/Foreclosure Protections for working families [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Childcare Services
Utilities
Legal Assistance & Info
Transportation
Banking and Financial Services
Search Tools & Service Locators
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Finding Employment & Freelance Work
Chicago Current Job Openings Board
1575+ Remote Jobs From 100+ companies
Freelancer/Small Business Owner Request for Promo Interview – Freelancers or small business owners with an online product or service readily available
25+ Sites for Finding Remote Work
Real Ways to Earn Money Online
Stimulus Package for Humanity: Open Call for Submissions – Artists, creatives, healers, & humanists
The Mom Project: Unity – Women, mothers, parents, advocates who have recently been laid off or furloughed
Relativity Fellow – Five-month, full-time program during which participants will be paid to learn and train for new careers at Relativity and with select clients.
Working Remotely
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For Youth
One Summer Chicago – Youth ages 14-24[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Health & Wellness” tab_id=”1586960860260-8661e80a-e21f”][vc_column_text]
Crisis Hotlines
If you are a youth in crisis, please call this number: 877-870-2663
Alternatives provides crisis intervention support to homeless, runaway, or locked-out youth 11-17 years old.
Crisis Text Line (Text HOME to 741741) – Text or Facebook message a trained Crisis Counselor for free
Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) – Anyone experiencing emotional distress related to a disaster (like coronavirus). Available in English or Español.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) – Anyone thinking about suicide, worried about a friend or loved one, or wanting emotional support. Available in English or Español.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Mental Health Care
Alternatives has licensed behavioral health staff who are engaging with HIPAA compliant telemental health software so they can continue to work with young people and their families. Contact JNewsome@alternativesyouth.org
Access Community Health Network Behavioral Health
Howard Brown Health – Behavioral Health – Anyone (LGBTQ+ affirming healthcare)
Coronavirus Online Therapy – For essential workers (doctors, nurses, hospital receptionists, paramedics, firefighters, service industry workers, and more)
TalkSpace Free Therapy for Medical Workers[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Physical Health Care
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Self-Care for Mental Wellbeing
Care for Your Coronavirus Anxiety
TalkSpace Coronavirus Resource Hub
Isolating Together: Inspiration
COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide
Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health
Spiritual Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Liberate Meditation – For people in the Black and African diaspora
Latinx Therapy Resources[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Physical Wellbeing & Exercise
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Grief and Loss
Explaining Death to Kids & Teens When Someone Dies of Covid-19
GriefShare – Find a support group
Supporting Grieving Children and Teens During the COVID-19 Global Health Crisis
Covid Widow Program – People who have lost their romantic partner to death (wives, husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, partners)
Soaring Spirits – People who have lost their romantic partner to death (wives, husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, partners)
Alternative Mourning Rituals Offer Comfort And Closure During An Outbreak[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Substance Abuse & Harm Reduction
Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, and Resources for Survivors
Sex Workers – Harm Reduction
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Looking to connect, reflect, and learn with other young people? Alternatives is hosting regular interactive workshops and events. Visit https://alternativesyouth.org/events/ for more details!
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Jobs, Scholarships, and Financial Aid
One Summer Chicago – Youth ages 14-24
CCH 2020 Scholarship – High school seniors who have experienced homelessness or been involved with CCH
Coronavirus and Forbearance Info for Students, Borrowers, and Parents – Students with loans, borrowers, and parents[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Get Involved: Organizing, Advocacy, Mutual Aid, Community Outreach during Covid-19
Alternatives COVID-19 Virtual Leadership Committee (CVLC) – CVLC is a youth-led group that is forming in response to the global pandemic with the intention of engaging and empowering those worst affected
COVID-19 Student Organizing Toolkit
Ideas to Act for the Common Good During Coronavirus Crisis
Student Voice Coronavirus Resources for Students and Educators[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Health & Support
If you are a youth in crisis, please call this number: 877-870-2663. Alternatives provides crisis intervention support to homeless, runaway, or locked-out youth 11-17 years old.
Alternatives has licensed behavioral health staff who are engaging with HIPAA compliant telemental health software so they can continue to work with young people and their families. Contact JNewsome@alternativesyouth.org
CHAT: Chicago Healthy Adolescents and Teens
Youth Services Available in Chicago During COVID-19
Broadway Youth Center – For LGBTQ youth and young people experiencing homelessness or housing instability
The Night Ministry – For youth experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or poverty
Crisis Text Line (Text HOME to 741741) – Text or Facebook message a trained Crisis Counselor for free
Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) – Anyone experiencing emotional distress related to a disaster (like coronavirus). Available in English or Español.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) – Anyone thinking about suicide, worried about a friend or loved one, or wanting emotional support. Available in English or Español.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Activities
Education
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Support for Parents & Caregivers
Alternatives plans to provide Parent Workshops. Contact Tboone@alternativesyouth.org to get notified when the next event will happen.
Alternatives provides a Positive Parenting Workshop every Thursday between 2-3pm. A weekly virtual space for parents to discuss how current events are affecting you and your family.
Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Gads Hill Resources for Families
The Neighborhood: Virtual Events for LGBTQ+ Parents
ParenTeen Connect[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Support for Youth Education
Support for Youth Wellness
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COVID-19 for Parents
Guidance for Parents in Talking to Children about Coronavirus
PBS How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
COVIBOOK: Printable book to help kids understand coronavirus
Tips for Families: Coronavirus[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Misc” tab_id=”1586974109557-c59d193e-bac6″][vc_column_text]
Community, Culture, and Entertainment
Resources for Educators
Ways to Get Involved
Additional Resource Guides
Multilingual Resources: Español, العربية, 國語
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