We understand that it’s hard to feel at ease when the COVID-19 pandemic is an ever-changing situation. We also understand that our communities are incredibly challenged with being able to keep up with this information and understand how to navigate this landscape. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the Office of Community Health Equity and Engagement is working closely with partners across Rush and throughout the city in support of the well-being of our shared community. Thank you for partnering with us to keep our communities safe and healthy.
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread across the United States and the Chicago area, the Rush system is dedicated to providing comprehensive care to people who have COVID-19, as well as sharing important and accurate information you can trust about as this pandemic evolves. To contact Rush with COVID-19 related inquiries and to connect with mental health support and resources, call (888) 352-RUSH (7874). For more immediate emotional support, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-TALK (8255).
Community partners: If you need to connect your communities to vital information and services needed to get well and care for others, NowPow is a technology company that provides this service through its social referral inventory platform. To learn more about this company, go here and use this link to quickly get started once you sign up.
For the latest health information and updates (including a free online COVID-19 self-assessment test), please bookmark this page: Rush COVID-19 information and resources.
For helpful COVID-19 video resources, visit our Rush COVID-19 Education Center.
Frontline workers in need of child care services: For all who are essential workers and in need of child care, the West Cook YMCA in Oak Park is offering Emergency Childcare for Essential Workers. Fees are subsidized by the state for all prioritized essential workers allowing them to offer the program to families at little to no cost. Space is available. Register today by emailing emergencychildcare@westcookymca.org or visit www.westcookymca.org/ecc for more information.
COVID-19 Community Resources
- Rush Education and Career Hub (REACH)
- For questions about current programming, please email us at reach@rush.edu or call us at (312) 942-5961
- Weekly emails will be sent regarding updates about programming. To receive these updates, please visit our News & Events page or subscribe on our website under Contact Us.
- Schools and institutions of higher education
- West Side United resources: Tools and activities for parents and children to use while out of school due to COVID-19
- Beyond Hunger
- Catholic Charities: To access other services, please call (312) 655-7700.
- Greater Chicago Food Depository: Use this tool to find food near you. Call the program before you go to confirm hours and requirements.
- St. Martin de Porres Food Pantry (5112 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago, IL) Open Wednesday and Thursday 10 am -12 pm. Contact: Leon Williams at (773) 287-0206.
- West Side United food resources: Important information on where to find or donate food during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidelines
- City Colleges of Chicago resources: Chicago COVID-19 from hotline numbers to financial resources
- Chicago Department of Public Health Coronavirus Response Center: Up-to-date COVID19 information
- Chicago Illinois resources: Helpful information about COVID-19 for those in Chicago and Illinois
- Chicago Park District
- Chicago Public Library
- Chicago Public Schools
- City of Chicago Family and Support Services
- Community Alert from the 15th District Chicago Police Department - includes list of Austin area food pantries. Spanish version here.
- COVID 19 and Unemployment Benefits Questions or call (800)244-5631
- Illinois Department on Aging
- Illinois Department of Public Health
- National U.S. resources: Up-to-date resources from national US sources about COVID-19 response
- Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) COVID-19 guidelines
- Unemployment resource: Illinois COVID-19 unemployment assistance
- Chicago Jobs Council: Work requirements for SNAP and other public benefits
- World Health Organization (WHO) coronavirus information
- AIDS Foundation of Chicago
- Affirm: The Rush Center for Gender, Sexuality and Reproductive Health
- Affinity: The meeting space is closed, however, programming still continues. Visit the Facebook page for more info.
- Center on Halsted: Resource lines remain open and support programs are available by phone. Visit website for more info.
- CenterLink: This organization provides a network of LGBT centers across the country and helps increase access to public resources. Note: Do not walk into a community center if you are sick or have been exposed. Call and ask if about virtual support groups.
- Chicago House: For housing, health, employment and TransLife Care resources along with additional community resources, visit the COVID-19 page on the website.
- Equality Illinois: Offers a coronavirus resource and information guide for the LGBTQ community
- Fenway Health: A health care center that runs an LGBT Helpline and a Peer Listening Line, which people can call from across the country. Call (888) 340-4528 for adults 25+. Call (800) 399-PEER for those under age 25.
- Howard Brown Health: Community Care Station open in Little Village offering free COVID-19 risk assessments and medical evaluations. Check website for updates to service changes and procedures during COVID-19.
- LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois: Find business resources that may be able to help with relief, business impact survey and much more.
- SAGE National LGBT Elder Hotline:This hotline provides crisis response and helps connect people with community resources. Call (877) 360-LGBT and request to speak to someone in either English or Spanish.
- Trans Lifeline: Provides a peer support hotline and microgrants for trans people in need of all ages. Hotline: (877) 565-8860
- Trevor Project: Offers LGBTQ youth access to counselors by phone (866) 488-7386) online chat or text (text START to 678678). They also provide an online community for LGBTQ youth ages 13-24.
Uncertainty surrounding this health crisis can cause a variety of emotional reactions. Please be gentle with yourselves, your loved ones and friends that may feel overwhelmed, anxious or sad and encourage them to reach out for support. Chicago residents have access to the following mental health resources free of charge:
- Bright Star Community Outreach: Call the trauma counseling helpline at (833) TURN-123 (887-6123).
- Chicago Department of Public Mental Health's Mental Health Centers: Call (312) 747-1020 to connect to free teletherapy services.
- Crisis Text Line: For after-hours support, call this crisis line, which serves anyone, in any type of crisis, 24 hours a day. Text HELLO to 741741 to access a trained crisis counselor.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: Call 311 or (833) 626-4244 to connect to a NAMI Chicago Helpline mental health counselor
Other Mental Health Resources
- Centers for Disease Control: Help managing anxiety and stress
- Mental Health America: COVID-19 and your mental health
- COVID-19 Health Literacy Project: Get fact sheets in 30+ languages
- Switchboard resource hub: A roundup of multilingual COVID-19 resources
- Facebook Business Resource Hub
- Nonprofit risk management resources
- Nonprofits and coronavirus
- Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce: Information on financial assistance programs, upcoming business webinars and business impact survey along with additional resources.
- Small business resources: Information for small business owners in areas affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Emergency Loans: Small Business Guide and checklist
- Activities and resources to stay connected
- Alzheimer's Association: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tips for Dementia Caregivers
- Rush experts offer COVID-19 tips for older adults
- Rush Generations
- The Caregiver Initiative
- Affirm: The Rush Center for Gender, Sexuality & Reproductive Health
- Stories on health and wellness
- Is It Safe To Go To the Doctor During COVID-19?
- 8 Tips to Avoid Emotional Eating While Social Distancing
- A Parent's Guide to COVID-19
- Back to Basics: Washing Your Hands
- Caring for Yourself When You're the Caregiver
- Combating the Effects of Social Isolation
- Exercising During COVID-19
- Mindfulness Can Help in Times of Uncertainty
- Self-Care in Unprecedented Times
- Shelter in Place, Social Distancing and What It All Means
- Stay Engaged, Active and Health at Home
- Rush Adolescent Family Centers
- Rush COVID-19 FAQs
- Rush COVID-19 FAQs (en español)
- RUSH COVID-19 latest updates
- Rush Education and Career Hub (REACH)
- For questions about current programming, please email us at reach@rush.edu or call us at (312) 942-5961
- Weekly emails will be sent regarding updates about programming. To receive these updates, please visit our News & Events page or subscribe on our website under Contact Us.
- Rush Generations
- Rush School-Based Health Centers
- Rush Telephonic Support Group
“Coping and Connection in the Time of COVID”
A Telephonic Support GroupWednesdays and Fridays, 2-3pm CT
Phone number: (312) 535-8110
Access Code: 928 919 117These support groups are available to all individuals interested in joining weekly conference calls to connect with others during this isolative time. Each group will be co-facilitated by two licensed Rush social workers and will provide an opportunity for emotional connection and support.
These groups are available at no charge to Rush patients, their families and community members. - The Caregiver Initiative
- Centers for Disease Control en espanol: Enfermedad del Coronavirus 2019 (COVID‑19)
- Charter Communications: Charter Communications is offering free Spectrum broadband and WiFi access to families with children in
grades K-12 or college that are homebound due to the coronavirus outbreak. Customers are able to access services at no cost for 60 days (and with waived
installation fees). Call (833) 267-6094 for more information. - Free Clinic Directory
- Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) Community Resources
- Immigrants Rising: Tangible support for undocumented communities
- Legal Aid Chicago: Call (312) 341-1070 for more information
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: COVID-19 testing information
- United We Dream: Clinic health care access directory
- Yo Soy Ella: During this time of social distancing, women can call (773) 663-5001 any day of the week between 7 pm and 9 pm and receive talk therapy or email Sarah@yosoyella.org.
- High-speed Internet service: Low-income Internet service programs for up to two months
- Technology access:
- Allergies vs. Flu vs. COVID-19: Distinguishing the difference among these conditions
- Blood donation: American Red Cross explains the need for blood donation and why it's safe to donate
- Childcare programs: IDPH guidance on preventing COVID-19 spread in daycare/childcare centers
- First responders: CDC guidance on COVID-19 for first responders and law enforcement
- Funeral homes: IDPH recommendations for preventing COVID-19 spread in funeral homes
- Homeless shelters: COVID-19 guidance for homeless shelters
- Legal resources
- NowPow resources
- Student loan relief: COVID-19 relief for student borrowers of federal school loans
- West Side United health resources: Resources to maintain a healthy physical and mental lifestyle while staying safe during COVID-19
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