Winnebago County assistance programs.

Emergency and crisis assistance

If you are facing an emergency situation or have a short term hardship, two local non-profit agencies that may be able to help include:

• Catholic Charities, Rockford. Located on 102 South Madison in Rockford, Illinois. Phone number is 815.965.0623. The Catholic Charities non-profit organization, which will aid people of all faiths and religions in the Diocese of Rockford, will provide short term assistance for bills as funding allows. Get help with paying utility and heating bills, rent, and more. However, the primary goal of the agency is to help people get back on their feet, and they do this by helping them achieve a degree of independence and become self-sufficient.
   
• The Salvation Army of Rockford Illinois. Dial 815.226.4400. This non-profit charity organization can help people with numerous basic needs such as rent, food, clothing, eviction prevention assistance, furnishings, household products, etc. through the social service programs. In addition, they also run the Kilburn Community Center, which offers free computer classes for people of all ages, tutoring, resume review services, after-school care and supervised recreation.

Help for child care expenses

The Blackhawk Learning Connection can provide child care and support. Call them at 815.962.8853 to learn more or to apply. The main mission of the Blackhawk Learning Connection's mission is to provide high quality, yet affordable child care. The program they offer is tailored for low to moderate income families and individuals that are currently residing in Rockford. Having child care paid for can help people both achieve and maintain economic independence. BLC is a licensed child care center that provides free or discounted care for children 6 weeks to 12 years of age. Click here for additional child care tips and programs.

 

 

 

Heating and Energy Bills

The City of Rockford Human Services Department, which can be reached at (815) 987-5782, administers this assistance program for people in need of help with energy bills. The Department is the local agency that distributes cash grants from the federal government funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for Winnebago County. The LIHEAP program will assist those residents who pay their utility or heating bills to a regulated fuel company or has heating included in their rent. The amount of assistance and cash grants provided to an applicant will vary based upon household income, fuel type, and size. Priority eligibility for grants from LIHEAP is given to the elderly and handicapped people of Illinois.

Job finding and career development

The Careers Etc. organizations mission is to empower low income, jobless, recently unemployed, and other economically disadvantaged individuals. They want them to provide for themselves and their families, and they can do this by assisting them in finding a job and develop meaningful careers. The Careers, Etc. organization has been providing career counseling, job readiness training, development opportunities, resources and other services to economically disadvantaged adults who live in Winnebago County since 1985. 815.964.3491

Rent and Foreclosure Assistance

Another resource offered by the City of Rockford Human Services Department is a housing program. This offers several services, including mediation for landlord/tenant complaints, rent assistance, homeless prevention through direct financial assistance and cash grants, and also foreclosure counseling for persons who may lose their homes. Call them at (815) 987-5782, or click here to learn about other mortgage programs.

 

 

Free legal assistance

If you are facing a civil legal action, Prairie State Legal Services Services offers free legal assistance, representation and other services for low income persons, the elderly, disabled, and those people who are over 60 if they have serious civil legal problems and need counsel or some type of legal help to solve them.  Prairie State has always focused intensely on providing free legal services and representation to the most vulnerable groups in our society, which include the elderly, the poor, the physically and mentally disabled as well as other vulnerable or disadvantaged people. They need to ensure all people have a fair hearing. Phone number is 815.965.2134

Free food in Winnebago County

Rochelle Christian Food Pantry provides food and non-financial aid. Dial 815.562.6654

 

Credit repair, debt reduction, and foreclosure prevention

Family Credit Management is a non-profit agency that offers several different financial assistance and advice programs. Meet with a non-profit counselor to get help managing credit card bills and debts, get free or low cost advice on mortgage troubles and foreclosure filings, develop a household spending plan that works, or get information and resources on repairing your credit and finances. Learn about debt management programs as well, as well as whether you should use debt settlement. Call 800-994-3328. Rockford Illinois.

Rockford Area Affordable Housing Coalition also offers mortgage default and foreclosure prevention counseling and purchasing assistance. The non-profit is located at 205 N Church St. For more information or free advice dial (815) 962-2011.

Medical and health care

Contact the Winnebago County Health Department for low cost or maybe free health care and medical services. Programs offered include Well Child Clinics, Immunizations, Flu Shots, Check Ups, and other health care services. Call 815-720-4000