Community Resources

Heart of Illinois 2-1-1

Heart of Illinois 2-1-1 maintains a comprehensive database of local health and human care programs in Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Marshall, Putnam, and Stark Counties. If you need information or assistance with food, shelter, clothing, rental or utility assistance, physical or mental health services, transportation assistance, meal delivery, childcare, or assistance meeting any other basic needs due to COVID-19, please call Heart of Illinois 2-1-1 at 211 or (309) 299-4029 or visit the Heart of Illinois website.

Mental Health and Well-Being

  • Illinois Call4Calm Text Line (24/7) - If you or a loved one are struggling with stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic and need emotional support, text TALK to 552020 for English or HABLAR for Spanish (Message and Data Rates May Apply. See Terms and Conditions of Use). People seeking assistance remain anonymous and provide only their first name and ZIP code, which enables the service to link them to a counselor in the area who is knowledgeable about available local resources.
  • UnityPlace - UnityPlace is a local Central Illinois resource for those in need of emergency response services relating to mental health and addiction disorders. If you need help for yourself, please click here. If you need help for a loved one experiencing a mental health or addiction disorder, visit UnityPlace.. UnityPlace can be reached by phone at 309-671-8084.
  • Illinois Warm Line - If you or one of you family members has mental health and/or substance use challenges and would like to receive support by phone, call the Illinois Warm Line at 866-359-7953. Wellness support specialists are professionals who have experienced mental health and/or substance use recovery in their own lives. They are trained in recovery support, mentoring, and advocacy and are ready to listen and support you. The Illinois Warm Line is not a crisis hotline but is a source of support as you recover or help a family member to recover. Illinois Warm Line hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., except holidays.
  • Illinois CARES Line (24/7) - If your child is a risk to themselves or others, having a mental health crisis, or if you would like a referral to services for children, youth, and families, call the 24-hour Crisis and Referral Entry Services (CARES) line to talk to a mental health professional. Call: 800-345-9049; TTY: 773-523-4504
  • Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances (24/7) - If you or someone you know is suffering from an opioid use disorder or other substance use disorders, call the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances at 833-2FINDHELP to speak with a trained professional for support and advice or to be directed to customized resources or visit www.HelplineIL.org.
  • Suicide Prevention Hotline (24/7; available nationally) - If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). Caring staff will connect you with the closest possible crisis center in your area.
  • Crisis Text Line (24/7; available nationally) - The Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, 24 hours a day. Text HELLO to: 741741. Trained crisis counselors will respond and help you or visit their website at https://www.crisistextline.org.
  • Veteran's Crisis Line - Call to reach caring, qualified responders within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; many of them are veterans themselves. This free support is confidential, available 24/7, and serves all veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve, and their families and friends. Call 800-273-8255 or text 838255, support for deaf and hard of hearing: 800-799-4889. Online chat is available at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/.
  • Techniques to Cope and Stay Connected - The COVID-19 pandemic has increased stress levels for many individuals. The Heart of Illinois United Way, UnityPoint Health - UnityPlace, OSF Healthcare, and the Children’s Home Association of Illinois have compiled a list of available resources for anyone experiencing feelings of concern, worry, or fear. View a press release with available resources .

Meals, Food, and Supplies Assistance

  • Peoria Public Schools Food Distribution Sites 
  • Crittenton Centers Baby Supply Donations - Crittenton Centers is offering essential baby supply donations, such as diapers, wipes, and baby formula--for curbside pickup on Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. This service is available to anyone with an eligible child, and eligibility is not ZIP code specific. If you are in need of these supplies, please bring your photo ID and a copy of your child(ren)’s birth certificate or medical card to Crittenton Centers, located at 442 W John H Gwynn Jr., Peoria, IL 61605. Pull to the side door of the building and ring the buzzer. For questions, please contact 309-674-0105.

Volunteer Resources

Child Care

  • Child Care Resource and Referral Program from SAL Family and Community Services - The child care resource and referral (CCR&R) is a program of SAL Family and Community Services, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 social service agency. The program is part of a statewide network of child care resource and referral agencies funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and is a part of the Child Care Aware National Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. 

Evictions, Housing, and Utilities

Housing/Rent Resources

  • Heart of Illinois 2-1-1 - For more information on rental assistance, utility payment assistance, and other services offered in our community, please contact 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or (309) 999-4029 on any phone or visiting www.211hoi.org.
  • Peoria Cares - The city of Peoria’s Community Development Department aims to promote safe and affordable housing for tenants and homeowners by fighting blight in our neighborhoods. Residents encountering health,life, and safety issues in their rental units are encouraged to report issues to Peoria Cares at (309) 494-2273 or online at www.peoriagov.org/peoria-cares.
  • Prairie State Legal Services - Prairie State Legal Services is continuing to provide legal services to low-income residents in need of legal assistance and is continuing to accept referrals from community partners. Prairie State Legal Services has discontinued all unnecessary in-person contact until further notice, but they encourage residents in need of legal assistance to contact their office via phone at (309) 674-9831 or online at www.pslegal.org.

Utilities

  • Ameren Illinois Relief Response - In response to the economic hardships that residential and business customers may experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ameren Illinois is suspending non-pay disconnections and forgiving late payment fees through at least May 1, 2020.  Visit Ameren.

Domestic Violence and Resources for Victims of Abuse

  • Center for Prevention of Abuse - The Center for Prevention of Abuse continues to be available to those seeking safety from domestic violence, elder abuse, or sexual abuse. The Center’s crisis hotline can be reached 24/7 at 1-800-559-SAFE (7233).
  • Illinois Department of Human Services - The Illinois Domestic Violence Helpline can be reached at 1-877-863-6338.
  • The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) hotline remains prepared to take calls 24 hours a day in the event of any suspected child abuse that needs reported. The emergency hotline number is 1-800-252-2873. Non-emergencies can also be reported online at https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/safekids/reporting.
  • Prairie State Legal Services Legal Advice Line for Victims of Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault
    • Prairie State Legal Services is pleased to launch its telephone legal advice line for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. This service is available for Peoria County and several surrounding counties. The Legal Advice Line is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9 AM - 1 PM and Wednesday evenings 6 PM - 8 PM. Bilingual staff or interpreters are available if needed.
    • Prairie State Legal Services - Victims Legal Advice Line: 844-388-7757
    • Additional information is available here: Legal Advice Line Flyer (English) - Legal Advice Line Flyer (Spanish)
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline - 800-799-SAFE (7233), 800-787-3224 (TDD), 800-787-3224 (TTY), Chat for deaf or hard of hearing individuals 855-812-1001, video for deaf callers (nationaldeafhotline@adwas.org), Español available plus another 200+ languages not specified.
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline - 800-656-HOPE (4673), English chat, Español chat

Resources for Business Owners

  • June 9, 2020 - The Greater Peoria Economic Development Council has launched the Greater Peoria Business Recovery Program, serving Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Mason, and Logan Counties. The BRP is a resource for businesses to connect with local professionals who can help them on the road to recovery, and to help asses the economic health of the Central Illinois region we begin local recovery efforts. The BRP is free for businesses to participate in.
  • The Greater Peoria Economic Development Council (EDC) has created a Greater Peoria COVID-19 Info and Resources Page for local business owners to utilize and ask questions during the COVID-19 situation. 

Pet Owners

  • April 7, 2020 - The American Veterinary Medical Association has released an informational flyer with information on how to protect your pets, should you become ill from COVID-19. View the pet flyer.
  • (March 24, 2020) - At this time, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Centers for Disease Control have stated that there is no evidence that companion animals, including pets, can spread COVID-19. However, pet owners who are assumed to have been exposed to COVID-19 should take extra precautions and limit contact with animals. 
    • If you are ill with COVID-19, have another member of your household take care of walking, feeding, and playing with your pet. Additionally, do not share food, kiss, or hug your pet and wash your hands before and after any contact with your pet. (Remember: While we think of them as members of our families, pets can also act as a surface for germs, like countertops and door handles.) 
    • Additional information can be found at the American Veterinary Medical Association or the Centers for Disease Control.