Assistance programs from Volunteers of America of Illinois.
Volunteers of America of Illinois (often called VOA Illinois) is a nonprofit group that runs various assistance programs for people who are struggling. Its services include housing and help for the unhoused as well as support for veterans. The charity also offers services connected to foster care and child welfare, youth mentoring and therapeutic support, and affordable housing for older adults as well as adults with disabilities. Learn more about programs from VOA Illinois below as well as contact information.
Housing programs
The organization is strongly committed to the cause of providing quality, affordable housing and apartments across the state. A major focus of VOA Illinois is housing. The organization operates and supports multiple housing options in Illinois, including veteran-focused properties and other affordable housing communities. The “Find Housing” page (website at https://www.voaillinois.org/services/find-housing/) lists several locations and housing options, including Hope Manor sites in Chicago, Hope Hall in Melrose Park, Marycrest in Joliet, and Balsam Terrace/Spruce Manor in Jacksonville. Volunteers of America in Illinois willtry to help those who would otherwise be forced to live in substandard and unsafe conditions because of their limited financial resources
Volunteers of America of Illinois also operates programs aimed at people, whether veterans or not, who are experiencing homelessness. One example is the Rapid Rehousing program, described as a 12-month citywide referral program for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. It is designed to help households regain stability in permanent housing, including rental and utility assistance in Illinois as well as case management tied to employment, benefits coordination, and financial skills.
Older adults and adults with disabilities in Illinois may find affordable housing options through VOA Illinois older adult programs. The organization operates and partners on housing properties such as Balsam Terrace/Spruce Manor in Jacksonville and Marycrest Village in Joliet. The older adult housing page is here: https://www.voaillinois.org/services/elderly/
Veterans programs
For veterans who are homeless or at risk of losing housing due to reasons such as an eviction or utility shutoff, VOA Illinois provides Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF). This program is designed to help veterans in crisis or facing serious instability. Options include everything from rental assistance in Illinois to help with creating a personalized plan with staff and connecting the household to resources and support. The goal is to move the veteran from homelessness to long-term stability, employment and self-sufficiency.
VOA Illinois is also known for supportive housing developments for veterans in the Chicago area. For example, Hope Manor I in Chicago is a large-scale supportive housing development designed for qualified veterans, though with any housing option capacity is limited. The location has on-site supportive services such as job readiness help, job coaching, computer training, counseling, and case management.
Another key veteran resource is Hope Hall in Melrose Park. Hope Hall is as a transitional housing facility using a Safe Haven model, intended to reach people who have been living on the streets for a long time and have not found success in the general shelter system. This can include, but is not limited too, veterans people facing mental illness and substance use issues. The transitional housing also helps with 24-hour staff support and basic daily supports such as meals, laundry access, group therapy, and case management. If needed, there are other transitional housing programs in the Chicago area as well.
Additional programs from VOA Illinois
VOA Illinois also provides youth-focused services in partnership with community organizations. One example is work with North Lawndale College Prep to provide mentoring and therapeutic services for students, teachers, and parents, with the goal of improving school culture and preventing violence.
School Supplies from Operation Backpack are for homeless children and also for children living in foster care. The non-profit VOA Illinois counts on donations so they can help give these children in need a great start on their first day of school. Some of the supplies passed out can include backpacks for boys and girls grades K through 12th grade, , crayons, markers, highlighters, protractors, books and binders, calculators, and maybe even clothing. All items given out are limited and depend on availability.
Holiday Wishes is a Christmas assistance program. It is arranged for by Volunteers of America of Illinois during the holidays. All children in their foster care program and also children of the Veterans from the community service may be able to receive free gifts, meals and toys during the holidays. These gifts are donated every year by generous businesses, individuals and companies in Illinois.
For people with disabilities who want to work or increase income but are worried about losing benefits, VOA Illinois aims o provide Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) information. WIPA is generally connected to benefits counseling and work incentive planning for Social Security disability beneficiaries with other Illinois programs that help disabled people an option too.
Contact information
People who want to start the process of getting help, the general contact for VOA Illinois is at 47 West Polk Street, Suite 250-2, Chicago, IL 60605, and the main phone number (312) 564-2300. If they can‘t help you, then referrals may be provided.
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