At The Friendship Center, we know that food insecurity is not a standalone problem at that many in our community may be looking for financial stability, good employment options, a reliable health care provider, and other supports all at the same time. For this reason, The Friendship Center provides Benefits and Resources appointments onsite and over the phone for neighbors in need of additional assistance. With the help of our bilingual (English/Spanish) Public Benefits Coordinator, Lena, we are able to help you apply to SNAP, Medicaid, and some financial assistance programs in house. We can also refer you to some of our many partners for specialty services in the areas of health care, housing, therapy and counseling, immigration, employment, senior services, legal concerns, and more.
Schedule a benefits appointment with our team here.
Additionally, feel free to check out some of our local referral partners below. To learn more about their services or speak with these organizations directly, click on their logo or contact lena@friendshipcenterchicago.org.
Referral Partners
Trellus (formerly Asian Human Services) is dedicated to helping people become healthy, educated and employed. We serve all who seek our help, with special expertise in the challenges facing refugees, immigrants and other underserved communities in the greater Chicago area.
AHS Family Health Center welcomes new patients with no insurance and offers a sliding fee scale based on income. Our clinical services include Primary Care, Pediatrics, Free Cervical & Breast Cancer Screening, School Physicals, WIC Services.
The Rohingya Culture Center (RCC) is a community-based social service organization aimed at serving the needs of the Rohingya refugee population in Chicago. We offer Case Management, English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes, Citizenship Classes, Health support, Women’s Group, Academic Support, Religious Education, Youth Sports, and Youth Club.
NIJC provides legal consultations and representation for low-income immigrants seeking a wide range of immigration legal relief. We are able to help: eligible youth seeking to apply for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and employment authorization; immigrants applying for permanent residence through a family-based application; permanent residents applying for citizenship; immigrants who are victims of domestic violence or violent crime and seek protection in the United States; victims of international human trafficking; immigrants applying for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or NACARA; immigrants detained by Immigration and Custom Enforcement in Illinois, Wisconsin, Kentucky or Indiana; and asylum seekers, including LGBTQ individuals seeking safety from persecution based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
HANA’s mission is to empower Korean American and multi-ethnic immigrant communities through social services, education, culture, and community organizing to advance human rights. HANA Center provides free immigration legal services, public benefits assistance, housing counseling, mental health counseling, job training, and ESL/Korean/Citizenship classes.
The Alderman’s office can help residents navigate City services and connect with other government agencies. Additionally, we can help people get on waitlists for affordable housing.
Legal Aid Chicago provides free, civil legal services to people in Cook County who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer. Legal Aid Chicago represents clients in cases about: housing, consumer law, public benefits, criminal records relief (sealing and expungement), immigrant and worker’s rights, special education and school discipline, and family law matters involving domestic abuse
CEDA Energy Services offers utility bill assistance (gas, electric, and water bills) to income-eligible households throughout Cook County.
We run a 24-hour crisis hotline, inform domestic violence survivors of the services we and other agencies provide, and help clients to meet their goals for accessing safety and security. We work with many other agencies to link clients to housing, education, job training, healthcare, childcare, and legal services. We specialize in serving immigrant and refugees who have experienced abusive relationships.
Tapestry 360 Health (formerly Heartland Health Centers) is a federally qualified health center with 16 locations serving Chicago’s north side and nearby suburbs. We provide over 28,000 patients with a medical home where we offer affordable and comprehensive primary care, oral health care, and behavioral health care services.
North River Commission is a community and economic development nonprofit for the Northwest side. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in our community by developing affordable housing, quality education, arts & cultural endeavors, public health and safety advocacy, and thriving neighborhood businesses. Reach out to North River Commission for assistance with financial literacy and planning, housing help, and resources for victims of violence.
Thresholds provides home, health, and hope for thousands of persons living with mental illnesses and substance use disorders in Illinois. Through comprehensive care, housing, advocacy, employment, and research, Thresholds helps people reclaim their lives.
Equal Hope is a not-for-profit organization originally set up in 2008 as the Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force after the publication of disturbing research that showed that Chicago had large and growing racial disparities in breast cancer mortality. Equal Hope provides free breast and cervical cancer services to uninsured and underinsured people in need. We also help those with Medicaid/a medical card/ObamaCare or other insurance get breast and cervical screens, diagnostic follow up or treatment. Equal Hope can also help outreach and educate about breast and cervical cancer. Reach out if you or someone you know needs help.