Community based organizations
- Organizations that support individuals across the immigration spectrum
Ladder Up
Ladder Up offers free services to low-income individuals and families to help them achieve financial stability.
Key programs include:
Tax Assistance Program (TAP): Free tax preparation and filing.
Legal Tax Clinic: Help with tax disputes and IRS letters.
College Financial Aid Support: Assistance with FAFSA, Alternative Applocation, scholarships, and financial literacy.
Financial Education: Workshops on budgeting, credit, and ITIN application support.
Illinois Legal Aid Online
Illinois Legal Aid Online (I.L.A.O.) provides free legal information and tools online to help Illinois residents navigate common legal issues, including immigration, housing, family law, and more. Their website includes self-help guides, legal forms, and a search tool to find legal aid organizations .
National Immigration Justice Center
The National Immigrant Justice Center (N.I.J.C.) provides free or low-cost legal services to immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, specializing in areas like asylum, deportation defense, family reunification, D.A.C.A., visas for survivors of violence, LGBTQ+ immigrant support, and unaccompanied minors. They also advocate for immigrant rights, offer “Know Your Rights” resources, and run community education programs. N.I.J.C. works to secure justice for immigrants through direct representation, pro bono partnerships, and policy reform efforts.
The Resurrection Project
The Resurrection Project provides community resources to empower individuals and families. Their services include affordable housing, financial education, immigration legal support, and small business assistance. They also offer leadership development and advocacy programs to promote social justice and community engagement.
Illinois Coalition for Immigrants and Refugee Rights
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (I.C.I.R.R.) offers services including citizenship preparation, access to healthcare, and public benefits support. They advocate for immigrant-friendly policies, provide voter education, and support community integration initiatives. I.C.I.R.R. also conducts leadership training, organizes community campaigns, and offers resources for new arrivals, including Ukrainian immigrants.
The HANA Center
The HANA Center supports immigrant and refugee communities through programs including immigration legal services, English and citizenship classes, workforce training, youth leadership development, community organizing, mental health services, and senior programs. They focus on advocacy for immigrant rights, cultural preservation, and community empowerment.
Coalition for Immigrant Mental Health
The Coalition for Immigrant Mental Health (C.I.M.H.) promotes mental health services for immigrants and refugees, regardless of status. They focus on advocacy, education, and resource sharing to ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health care. C.I.M.H. offers community convenings, virtual education, and public resources to reduce stigma and address mental health needs effectively.
Beyond Legal Aid
Beyond Legal Aid provides community-driven legal services by partnering with grassroots organizations. Their programs include legal representation, community workshops, activism partnerships, and direct legal support through their Community Law Offices. They focus on empowering underserved communities by combining legal aid with advocacy for systemic social justice.
Immigrants Rising
Immigrants Rising provides resources for undocumented individuals to access higher education, build careers, and create businesses. They offer support for entrepreneurship, mental health, immigration law guidance, scholarships, and leadership development. Their goal is to empower undocumented people through tailored resources, educational tools, and community programs.
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (I.S.A.C.) provides a range of services to support Illinois students in accessing and affording higher education. Their services include FAFSA and Alternative Application completion support, loan repayment assistance, and providing resources to help families navigate college planning and financial aid.