COVID-19 Community Resources

COVID-19 Community Resources

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

Education Resources
Food Resources
LGBTQ+ Resources
  • 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.
Mental Health Resources

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

Multilingual Resources
Nonprofit and Business Resources
Rush Resources
Undocumented Immigrant Health Resources
Utility Resources
Additional Resources

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