Social Service Agencies and Support Resources

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SHALVA is one of many community resources available for those in need. Please see the following for help with crisis, shelter, legal issues, financial issues, and sexual abuse.

Crisis Hotlines

  • Illinois Domestic Violence Helpline (887-863-6338) is a free, confidential, 24/7, multilingual helpline that will connect you with support, information, and referrals for shelter, safety planning, legal advocacy, and more.
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233) offers free, confidential, 24/7 support via phone and online chat.
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255) is a free, confidential, 24/7 helpline for people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
  • Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline (888-293-2080) offers free, confidential, 24/7 support, crisis intervention, and referrals for surivors of sexual violence and their significant others.

Shelters

  • The ARK (773-973-1000) offers shelter and a myriad of services for Chicagoland Jews who are facing adversity.
  • Deborah’s Place (773-722-5080) provides housing and support services for women experiencing homelessness in Chicago.
  • Home of the Sparrow (815-271-5406) offers transitional shelter, affordable housing, rapid re-housing, and other supportive services for single women, pregnant women, and women with children.
  • Sarah’s Circle (773-728-1991) serves homeless and at-risk women with daytime services including food, clothing, shelter, housing ,and clinical services.

Legal Services

  • Lifespan (312-408-1210) provides legal representation, counseling, and advocacy for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
  • Ascend Justice (312-325-9155) empowers individuals and families impacted by gender-based violence through holistic legal advocacy.
  • Chicago Legal Clinic (773-731-1762) provides quality legal services and education to the underserved and disadvantaged.
  • DuPage Legal Aid (630-653-6212) provides free legal assistance for family law issues such as divorce, child support, and custody.
  • Legal Aid Chicago (312-341-1070) provides free civil legal services for people living in poverty in Cook County.
  • YWCA Evanston/North Shore (Skokie Court Advocates) (847-470-5052) offers legal advocates who assist domestic violence survivors with obtaining orders of protection, safety plan, and accessing other legal remedies.

Financial Services

  • The ARK (773-973-1000) provides free financial services such as help with managing budgets, applying for government benefits, and finding employment.
  • Chicago Chesed Fund (847-679-7799) offers assistance in the form of goods, services, and financial support for families in crisis throughout the Chicagoland area.
  • Catholic Charities (312-655-7700) provides food, clothing, shelter, and counseling for people and families in need.
  • Metropolitan Family Services (312-986-4000) provides low-income families with the tools to find and maintain employment, achieve financial literacy, and build family wealth.

Sexual Abuse

  • Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center (312-492-3700) responds to reports of child sexual abuse, witness to violence, and other serious maltreatment.
  • Our Resilience (312-443-9603) provides free crisis intervention, advocacy, and counseling to sexual violence suriviors and their significant others.
  • Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center (Gurnee & Skokie) (847-872-7799) provides free counseling and advocacy services to survivors of sexual abuse and assault, and non-offending loved ones.