The non-profit Respond Now provides help to the working poor and low income in Chicago by supporting a number of neighborhoods. There is help available for things like food and rent, as well as things like heating bills and security deposits. You can also get help with things like school supplies. There is more information about the resources that are available below.
The programs are only available in certain towns and areas in Chicago, Illinois. They are as follows: Residents of the following cities can call on the agency: Beecher, University Park, Chicago Heights, Steger, Country Club Hills, Calumet City, Peotone, Crete, Flossmoor, Ford Heights, Thornton, Olympia Fields, Sauk Village, South Chicago Heights, Glenwood, Homewood, Lansing, Lynwood, Matteson, Monee, Park Forest, and Richton Park. There are only a limited amount of resources available.
In the past, Respond Now has helped many families pay rent to stop eviction, provided food for thousands of households, given out free school supplies to children, and given rides to work or interviews. Volunteers play an important role in providing services to the Cook County community and raising money to support these services.
The focus is on helping the homeless and preventing evictions. This means that if there is enough money, there will be some help available to pay for things like utility bills, rent, and mortgage payments. The Homeless Prevention Call Center provides a service to help prevent homelessness. Any client who needs this service must first be referred by another agency or organization. To get started with this service, clients can call the Homeless Prevention Call Center at 877.426.6515 to schedule an intake interview. Tenants can talk to the landlord to try to solve their problems, or they can get help from someone who specializes in this area.
In some cases, people who are homeless or who have been impacted by a disaster such as a fire can stay in an emergency shelter. There may also be housing and financial support for other at-risk groups, such as single mothers and seniors. This can lead to other short-term solutions, such as transitional housing.
A food pantry from Respond Now is a place where people can go to choose their own food. There may be free food available based on donations, including veggies, fruit, milk, protein, grains, and dairy items. A garden is a space where people can grow fruits, vegetables, and other perishable items. Case managers from Respond Now also help the poor apply for government food stamps through the federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Outreach program.
If you have a very low income or no insurance, you may be able to get free prescription vouchers. The support is for clients who have little income or savings. This support helps them to meet their everyday needs and expenses. Medical care is also targeted at those who cannot afford insurance and may urgently need prescription medication. The staff at Respond Now also helps clients to access insurance coverage through the Medicaid Expansion and the Affordable Care Act.
Donations are always appreciated. The organization is working to end hunger for seniors and other residents of south suburban Cook County by providing them with food and clothing. Donate non-perishable food items, groceries, formula, and more to food pantries. Some additional non-perishable items that may be needed are clothing items, toiletries, holiday gifts, and household items. This means that any donations made through Respond Now will only go to people who are in need and live in the Southland area of Chicago.
Respond Now is a social service organization that provides assistance to people in emergency situations. Other aid can include prescription medications, free motel vouchers, clothing, and other items. The focus will also be on housing and preventing homelessness in the Chicago neighbors supported. If Respond Now does not have enough money for something like rent, they can sometimes get a loan with low interest.
Other than partnering with United Way, they are also partnering with the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Some groups help provide funds to keep their programs operational.
Since there are a limited amount of resources, referrals are offered. For other homelessness prevention assistance in Cook County or Chicago, people can dial 877.426.6515. If you are a homeowner and are behind on your mortgage payments, there are programs that can help you. You can call 1-855-KEEP-411 for more information. For other nutritional needs and food, please call 708.754.4357. The main point is that Respond Now will help if possible, or give referrals to other services if not. They also have information on other services, such as job training.
There are two main offices, the first being located at 1439 Emerald Avenue, Chicago Heights, Illinois 60411, and the second being the Sauk Village Food Pantry, located at 21701 Torrence Avenue, Sauk Village, IL 60411. If you need referrals or information, call 708.755.4357.