Community Support Resources
This page is designed to connect individuals with local Kankakee County and Iroquois County organizations, services, and information that address various needs within a community, such as food assistance, housing, healthcare, and job training.
Currently enrolled students may be eligible for student support services*, such as emergency funding, resources, direct referrals, and other supports through the Student Success Navigator Team. If you need assistance, you can Connect with a Navigator.
*Assistance is based on need and availability.↩
Basic Needs
United Way
Find information and be connected to resources available in the community
Visit the United Way of Kankakee & Iroquois 2-1-1 page (opens in new tab/window)
(www.myunitedway.org/2-1-1)
Local Food Pantries
A list of all Kankakee County Food Resources with location and hours
View local food pantries on the City of Kankakee website (opens in new tab/window)
(www.citykankakee-il.gov/foodpantries.php)
My Pantry Express
Online source for fresh groceries with pickup on campus
Visit the My Pantry Express website (opens in new tab/window)
(www.mypantryexpress.org)
Catholic Charities
An organization providing service to people in need
Visit the Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet website (opens in new tab/window)
(catholiccharitiesjoliet.org)
Fortitude Community Outreach
Provides services and street outreach for the homeless
Homeless Helpline 1-833-815-HOPE (4673)
Visit the Fortitude Community Outreach website (opens in new tab/window)
(fortitudecommunityoutreach.org)
Kankakee County Housing Authority
Providing and ensuring quality affordable housing
Visit the Kankakee County Housing Authority website (opens in new tab/window)
(kchail.com)
Kankakee Salvation Army
Assessing needs, delivering programs and directing ministries for our local community
Visit the Salvation Army's Kankakee, IL Corps Community Center page (opens in new tab/window)
(centralusa.salvationarmy.org/kankakee/(opens in new tab/window))
Kankakee County Community Services, Inc. (KCCSI)
Human services program to promote self-sustainability (including housing and utility assistance)
Visit the Kankakee County Community Services, Inc. website (opens in new tab/window)
(kccsi-cap.org)
Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)
Provides integrated services for those who face multiple challenges to self-sufficiency
Visit the Illinois Department of Human Services website (opens in new tab/window)
(www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx)
KAN-I-Help
connects residents of Kankakee and Iroquois counties, with government agencies, human services, and non-profit organizations
Visit the Kan-I Help Information Network website (opens in new tab/window)
(www.kanihelp.org)
Financial
ComEd Assistance Program
Payment arrangement options for ComEd customers
Visit the ComEd Payment Assistance page (opens in new tab/window)
(www.comed.com/my-account/customer-support/payment-assistance)
Nicor Energy Assistance Program
Assistance resources for financial, as well as basic and energy-savings needs
Visit the Nicor Gas Bill Payment Assistance page (opens in new tab/window)
(www.nicorgas.com/residential/billingandpaymentoptions/bill-payment-assistance.html)
Utility Bill Assistance
Helps eligible low-income households pay for home energy services
Visit the Illinois Department of Commerce Utility Bill Assistance page (opens in new tab/window)
(dceo.illinois.gov/communityservices/utilitybillassistance.html)
Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE)
Assists with affordable childcare, housing supports, violence and abuse prevention, services for seniors and other challenges
Visit the Illinois Application for Benefits Eligibility page (opens in new tab/window)
(abe.illinois.gov/access/)
Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Provides housing assistance and/or supportive services
Visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Illinois page (opens in new tab/window)
(www.hud.gov/states/illinois)
South Suburban Housing Center
Promotes a housing market that: eliminates discrimination based on race or other protected group status; and fosters stable, long-term diverse communities
Visit the South Suburban Housing Center website (opens in new tab/window)
(southsuburbanhousingcenter.org)
Children & Family
Childcare Resource and Referral (CCR&R)
Promotes and facilitates the availability of affordable, quality child care
Visit the Childcare Resource and Referral website (opens in new tab/window)
(childcarehelp.com)
Easter Seals
Provides services, education, outreach, and advocacy for people living with autism and other disabilities
Visit the Easterseals Joliet Region website (opens in new tab/window)
(joliet.easterseals.com/)
Women, Infant, & Children (WIC)
Assists with linking families to basic needs, health care, community resources, breastfeeding support, and immunizations.
Visit the Kankakee County Health Department Women, Infants, and Children page (opens in new tab/window)
(www.kankakeehealth.org/maternal-child/women-infants-and-children-wic/)
Pregnancy Resource Center
Free services offered by staff who specialize in pregnancy and sexual health issues
Visit the Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center: Kankakee Location page (opens in new tab/window)
(www.pregnancyresourcecenter.org/locations/kankakee/)
Illinois Action for Children
Advocates for childcare providers, families, and children
Visit the Illinois Action for Children website (opens in new tab/window)
(www.actforchildren.org)
Child Care Assistance Program
Supports families to get the information and resources needed to find and select the best childcare for their child.
Visit the Illinois Department of Human Services Child Care Assistance Program page (opens in new tab/window)
(www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30355)
Birth to Five
Build and sustain equitable access to Early Childhood services for all
Visit the Birth to Five Illinois Region 32 (Iroquois, Kankakee) page (opens in new tab/window)
(www.birthtofiveil.com/region32)
Kankakee YWCA
Combines programming and advocacy to generate institutional change for women and girls
Visit the Find Your YWCA page (opens in new tab/window) and search for "Kankakee"
(www.ywca.org/what-we-do/in-your-community/find-your-ywca)
Project SUN
Works to strengthen the children's behavioral health system of care in Kankakee County
Visit the Project SUN website (opens in new tab/window)
(www.projectsunkankakee.org)
Health & Wellbeing
Aunt Martha's Health & Wellness
Ensuring equitable access to high quality health and wellness care
Visit the Aunt Martha's Health & Wellness website (opens in new tab/window)
(www.auntmarthas.org)
Community Health Partnership of IL
Create access to quality primary care services for the uninsured and underserved
Visit the Community Health Partnership of IL Kankakee Health Center page (opens in new tab/window)
(chpofil.org/locations/kankakee/)
Kankakee County Health Department
Access to community-based services that protect, maintain and promote the bio-psycho-social health and well-being of the community
Visit the Kankakee County Health Department website (opens in new tab/window)
(www.kankakeehealth.org)
Harbor House (Domestic Violence)
Domestic violence programs, advocacy, and prevention
Visit the Harbor House website (opens in new tab/window)
(www.harborhousedv.org)
Clove Alliance
Sexual Assault programs, advocacy, and prevention
Visit the Clove Alliance website (opens in new tab/window) (clovealliance.org)
Rincon Family Services
Counseling, case management, prevention, and substance abuse treatment services for both individuals and families
Visit the Rincon Family Services website (opens in new tab/window)
(www.rinconfamilyservices.org)
Transformative Growth Counseling
Personal counseling services for KCC students and staff
Visit the KCC Mental Health Counseling & Resources page (opens in new tab/window)
(www.kcc.edu/counseling)
Helen Wheeler Center
Outpatient community mental health center
Visit the Helen Wheeler Center page on the Kan-I Help website (opens in new tab/window)
(www.kanihelp.org/resources/helen-wheeler-center-for-community-mental-health/)
Veteran's Assistance Commission
Tools for positive life changes to veterans and their families
Visit the Veterans Assistance Commission of Kankakee County website (opens in new tab/window)
(k3countyvac.com)
KCC Office of Disability Services
Ensure equal access for students with disabilities
Visit the KCC Office of Disability Services page
(www.kcc.edu/disabilityservices)
Cornerstone Services
Services for people with disabilities promoting the opportunity to live and work in the community
Visit the Cornerstone Services website (opens in new tab/window)
(www.cornerstoneservices.org)
Options Center for Independent Living
Advocacy and service organization directed and managed by, and for, people with disabilities
Visit the Options Center for Independent Living website (opens in new tab/window)
(optionscil.org)
Legal
Prairie State Legal Services
Provides access to legal services to meet basic needs for low-income, elderly and vulnerable people
Visit the Prairie State Legal Services website (opens in new tab/window)
(pslegal.org)
Illinois Legal Aid Online
Provides access to justice especially to those with the least access to the legal system
Visit the Illinois Legal Aid Online website (opens in new tab/window)
(www.illinoislegalaid.org)
Education & Employment
Kankakee Workforce Services
Help individuals achieve their education and career goals for a high growth occupation
Visit the KCC Workforce Services website
(www.kcc.edu/workforceservices/)
KCC Adult & Community Education
Provider of GED preparation and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes
Visit the KCC Adult & Community Education website
(www.kcc.edu/adulted/)
Contacts
Abby Whalen
Retention Success Navigator
HOUSE Liaison
