Youth Support & Resources
NATIONAL CRISIS ORGANIZATIONS
Youth can feel overwhelmed, misunderstood, and alone. Help is available and trained individuals are ready to talk. The organizations below provide someone to speak with in times of need.
*If you are in need of immediate intervention, talk to your parent, guardian, or a trusted adult right away. Law Enforcement/Fire & Rescue/EMS (Emergency Medical Services) are always available - just call 911.*
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988)
Suicide prevention and mental health crisis lifeline - confidential, free, and available 24/7/365. Specialized intervention by certified crisis workers with advanced training in de-escalation and clinical suicide prevention. Also an access point to statewide community-based crisis resources such as mobile crisis outreach teams.
National Crisis Text Line (741741)
Offers free support and information from a trained counselor 24/7 through text messaging. Text the word REACH to 741741 to begin the conversation. Crises may include depression, anxiety, eating disorders, bullying, suicidal thoughts, or other examples of emotional stressors. Coordinated in DuPage County by https://www.kidsmatter2us.org/collaborative-youth-team/
https://www.crisistextline.org
Illinois Warm Line (866-359-7953, select option #2 then #5) (TTY: 866-880-4459)
Free phone support for anyone living in Illinois to include emotional support, recovery education, self-advocacy support, and referrals. This is NOT a crisis line. Rather, it is a line staffed by Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) who work with callers to address aspects of their wellness by identifying triggers, developing action plans, and learning what is necessary to maintain wellness. Available Monday - Friday 8am-5pm. Interpreter available for hundreds of languages. Illinois Mental Health Collaborative for Access and Choice
Boys Town National Hotline (800-448-3000)
Offers free support 24/7 from a trained counselor by phone, text, online chat, and email.
http://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/Pages/home.aspx
National Runaway Safeline (800-RUNAWAY)
Offers anonymous, free support 24/7 to youth who have run away from home or are thinking about running away. https://www.1800runaway.org/
The Trevor Project (866-488-7386)
Offers crisis and suicide prevention 24/7 for LGBTQ youth, including safe, non-judgmental listening for youth needing to talk. Text and chat features are available.
http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233)
Offers confidential advocacy, support, and service coordination 24/7. Bilingual advocates available.
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline(866-331-8453) (text loveis to 22522)
Offers answers to questions about dating in general or a specific relationship. Or, if you are in an unhealthy or abusive relationship, support and resources are available. You are not alone. Peer advocates can be reached 24/7/365. An online chat function is also available.
http://www.loveisrespect.org/for-yourself/
RAINN (800-656-HOPE)
Offers confidential, free, crisis support 24/7 to victims of sexual violence/abuse as well as their friends and family members.
https://hotline.rainn.org/online/terms-of-service.jsp
National Bullying Helpline
Offers free and confidential help for kids and teens over the age of 13. It is intended to assist those who are victims of all forms of bullying and those who may be at-risk for suicide as a result of being bullied. Counselors have been specially trained to assist kids and teens who are feeling distressed as a result of being bullied. Click the link below, scroll to the bottom of the page, and press Click to Enter Here to begin chatting online with a counselor.
http://www.stompoutbullying.org/livechat_portal.php
Say Something (1-844-5-SAYNOW)
Offers a secure, anonymous way to report safety concerns BEFORE someone hurts themselves or others. You can submit an anonymous tip 24/7 via phone call, app, or on the website. Tips are screened and information is given to local police and/or school personnel when appropriate.
LGBTQ+
PFLAG - Northern Illinois Council
Parents, Families, Friends of Lesbian and Gays (PFLAG) is a national organization that supports LGBTQ people, their families and friends through local PFLAG chapter help lines, support group meetings, and locally and nationally produced resources. PFLAG also offers education and advocacy.
The PFLAG Council of Northern Illinois is a loose coalition of PFLAG chapters within the greater Chicagoland area. Visit their website for local chapters serving DuPage County and specific communities within our county. Explore the resources page for books, movies, resources, articles, guides, and other organizations. Resource are useful for LGBTQ people and their straight allies.
PFLAG Council of Northern Illinois – PFLAG Council of Northern Illinois (pflagillinois.org)
Resources – PFLAG Council of Northern Illinois (pflagillinois.org)
Youth Outlook
Social service agency in Illinois solely dedicated to the support of LGBTQ+ youth. Youth Outlook works in 6 counties in the Chicago suburbs, offering drop-in centers for youth, parent support, and community education.
Youth Outlook - Safe. Supported. Celebrated. | Support for LGBTQ+ Youth (youth-outlook.org)
LGBT National Help Center
FREE, confidential support provided by trained volunteers.
National Youth Talkline (ages 25 and younger)
Hotline is available:
Monday-Friday 3PM-11PM; Saturdays 11AM-4PM
800-246-7743
Peer-Support Online Chat (see site for time restrictions)
Online Peer Support Chat | Lgbthelpcenter (lgbthotline.org)
Weekly Youth Chatrooms (see site for meeting times)
DESI LQBTQ+ Helpline for South Asians
FREE peer support from trained South Asian LGBQ/TGNB+ volunteers. Topics may include questions about coming out, family/culture/religion, locating community support in your area, finding a doctor/lawyer/therapist, LGBTQ parenting, advice for a friend/family member, etc.
Online Support - someone will respond within a week
Contact us! - DEQH · DESI LGBTQ+ HELPLINE FOR SOUTH ASIANS
and/or
Talk - volunteers are available Thursdays 7-9PM CST and Sundays 7-9PM CST
908-367-3374
Trans Lifeline
Offers trans peer support - run by and for trans people. Services available in English and Spanish. Services likely available 24/7 but operators are guaranteed to answer 9AM-4AM CST.
877-565-8860
- For Spanish, select Option 2
- Support for friends, partners, family members and professionals supporting trans loved ones and community members, call the main line then ask for the Family & Friends Line
Education
ROE - HSE/GED
College of DuPage - HSE/GED & ELA
College of DuPage - HSE/GED & ELA
Individuals qualify for the HSE program if:
- 18 years or older*
- do not have a high school diploma or GED
- is a State of Illinois resident
GED/HSE – DuPage Regional Office of Education (dupageroe.org)
College of DuPage - HSE/GED & ELA
College of DuPage - HSE/GED & ELA
College of DuPage - HSE/GED & ELA
COD's HSE program prepares you to pass the GED. HSE classes, textbooks, and tutoring are FREE and offered at several locations across DuPage County. Online classes also available. Classes and testing offered in English and Spanish.
Placement tests are required before starting HSE classes
High School Equivalency | College of DuPage (cod.edu)
FREE English Language Acquisition (ELA) classes develop your conversation, listening and speaking, reading and writing skills.
English Language Acquisition (ELA) | Basic Education | College of DuPage (cod.edu)
Financial Aid - Higher Education
Financial Aid - Higher Education
Financial Aid - Higher Education
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for financial aid for college or graduate school
Scholarships & Supports
Financial Aid - Higher Education
Financial Aid - Higher Education
Talk to your school counselor and search online for scholarships to support you in achieving educational goals. There are lots of sties offering support and guidance. See below for an example.
Employment
workNet DuPage
workNet DuPage
workNet DuPage
Programming supported through federal funding to educate, connect, and develop the workforce in DuPage County. Services include:
FREE education/job training, resume & interview assistance, explore career pathways, and connections to local employers.
630-955-2030
Home - workNet DuPage Career Center
workNet DuPage provides eligible young adults ages 17 to 24 with free career and employment services to help them start a career with a future.
Text MYWAY to 630-5857-0842 or visit Youth Services - workNet DuPage Career Center
COD - ICAPS
workNet DuPage
workNet DuPage
The Integrated Career and Academic Preparation System (ICAPS) program is available to high school graduates and those seeking to attain the HSE. Earn in-demand certification in Office Technology, Manufacturing, or Entrepreneurship. Also available to advanced adult ESL students.
Support for Pregnant & Parenting Young Adults
TEEN PARENT CONNECTION
Community-based organization serving pregnant and parenting youth ages 12-22. They offer a spectrum of services aimed at educating and supporting young parents.
Services Include:
Pre-Natal/Child Birthing Classes (8-week program; evening classes)
Doula Program (pregnancy support + 6-8 weeks of support post-delivery; weekly in-home visits)
Post-Partum Groups (4-week group; evening classes for those in their first year of parenting; peer led education)
Young Parent Support Groups (evenings from 6-8pm; meal provided)
Counseling Services (offered during the school year; outside referral made as needed)
http://teenparentconnection.org/
PARENTS AS TEACHERS
Supports children from the prenatal period through preschool as well as their parents. This early childhood intervention program offers routine parent education, discusses stages of healthy child development, offers developmental screening, and is FREE to parents residing in select DuPage School Districts. We partner with the following school districts in DuPage County: Addison SD 4, Bensenville SD 2, Community Consolidated SD 93, Fenton SD 100, Keeneyville SD 20, Marquart SD 15, Queen Bee SD 16, Roselle SD 12, Villa Park SD 45, Wood Dale SD 7, Woodridge SD 68
Contact Vicki Trotter (vtrotter@dupageroe.org), Director - Parents as Teachers Program
and/or view these links for additional information:
Early Childhood Education – DuPage Regional Office of Education (dupageroe.org)
DuPage Regional Office of Education Parents as Teachers - Referral Form (google.com)
Project HOPE - Birth to 3 Program - West Chicago School District 33 (630-473-0778)
Offers services to qualifying families with children ages birth to 3 years old. This is an early education intervention program that focuses on parent-child Interactions, developmental-centered parenting, and family well-being and connections to resources. Families expecting a baby or with children under age 3 are screened for the program using our needs matrix. Contact Project HOPE for a screening to determine eligibility.
Birth-to-Three / About Our Program (wego33.org)
MUTUAL GROUND (630-897-0080 OR 630-897-8383)
Community-based organization in Aurora focused on building strong family foundations.
Services Include:
Parent/Caregiver Support, Parenting Classes, Education on the Impact of Trauma on Children, and Family Enrichment Activities.
Family Services – Mutual Ground
WAYS (Wayne/Winfield Area Youth/Family Services)
Community-based organization which assists local residents develop supports and skills.
Services Include:
STEP (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) (teaches parents to understand their child's behavior, communication, setting limits, and applying consequences)
EVANGELICAL CHILD AND FAMILY AGENCY
Offers a variety of supports. Services include:
Parenting Services (support in making decisions about parenting vs. adoption when pregnant), Parenting Skills, Child Development, Pregnancy and Childbirth Education, Goal Setting, Baby Items, and Healthy Relationship Education and Family Planning
Expungement
Expungement can be a challenging process to understand. There may be costs associated with expungement. The links below can help you understand what types of juvenile cases can be expunged and how to request the process in eligible cases. These resources offer answers to frequently asked questions, definitions associated with the process, and links to important documents.
The Illinois legislature made important changes to expungement laws, effective January 1, 2018. Public Act 100-0285 http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=100-0285
If you still have questions, contact the attorney involved in your case for guidance.
Illinois Legal Aid Online
https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/expunging-juvenile-record
The Office of the State Appellate Defender
https://www2.illinois.gov/osad/Expungement/Pages/JuvenileExpungement.aspx
DuPage County Clerk of the Circuit Court
https://www.dupageco.org/CourtClerk/3360/
Illinois Supreme Court- Approved Statewide Documents
http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/Forms/approved/expungement/expungement.asp
Youth Connections Magazine
Fall 2021
Winter 2020
Winter 2020
- How to be Happy
- Marijuana and ADHD
- Benefits of Getting Youth Involved
- Hidden Hardships of Back to School
- Xanax and Youth
Winter 2020
Winter 2020
Winter 2020
- What to Do to Help Child Being Bullied
- Understanding and Addressing Anxiety
- Sleep Hygiene Quiz
- Listen to Hear and Not to Respond
- Why the Surge in Vaping Marijuana
Spring 2020
Winter 2020
Spring 2020
Issue Highlights:
- Cultivating Self-Awareness
- 5 Truths About Middle Schoolers
- How to Develop Positive Self-Esteem in Youth
- Ways to Reduce Stress
Fall 2019
Spring 2019
Spring 2020
Issue Highlights:
- Stress? Insights from Your Child's Behavior
- Calming the Perfect Storm
- Navigating Self Time and Family Time
Spring 2019
Spring 2019
Spring 2019
Issue Highlights:
- Cultivating Trusting Relationships
- Vaping: What Parents Need to Know
Fall 2018
Spring 2019
Spring 2019
Issue Highlights:
No Means No (and I Love You)
Looking Behind the Screen
Time to Talk: Dangers Behind Electronic Cigarettes
Spring 2018
Spring 2018
Spring 2018
Issue Highlights:
- Facts About e-Cigarettes
- How to Avoid Raising Co-Dependent Kids
- Teen Texting vs. Talking
Fall 2017
Spring 2018
Spring 2018
Issue Highlights:
- 40 Developmental Assets: Setting Boundaries & Expectations
- Restorative Justice at Home
- How to Talk to Your Teen About Consent