This page includes resources to help you find a ride, some options for childcare if you need it, drop-in centers for a safe place to hang out, and support groups and programs.
Transportation
Safe Ride
Type of service: Transportation What they do: Provide transportation on Friday and Saturday nights from 8 p.m. - 2:45 a.m. Who is eligible? Everyone (Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult). $2.00 per person on Friday and Saturday nights. (217-370-7062). Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Call in advance or when you need a ride.
Address: 1120 W. Walnut, Jacksonville Hours of operation: Friday and Saturday from 8 p.m. - 2:45 a.m. Phone number: 217-370-7062 (this phone will only be answered on Friday and Saturday nights) or you can make reservations in advance during the day at 217-245-2900.
Type of service: Transportation What they do: Provide transportation during the week Who is eligible? Everyone. $2.00 one way for adults in town. Call at least 24 hours ahead of time to reserve your ride. Same day calls are $3.00 one way, and only available if space and time permits. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Children ages 12-16 must have signed parental permission (call the office to arrange for this). Trips to Springfield every other Wednesday are $15.00 round trip (leave between 8:30 and 9 a.m., return by 1:30). You must bring your own baby/child car seat. Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Call at least 24 hours in advance.
Address: 1120 W. Walnut, Jacksonville Hours of operation: Monday -Friday 6:00 am - 10:00 pm (closed Sunday). Friday and Saturday from 8 p.m. - 2:45 a.m (Safe Ride). Phone number: 217-245-2900.
Type of service: Childcare Resource and Referral What they do: Assist families and child care providers in obtaining education, and quality, adorable child care to help children and families reach their greatest potential Who is eligible? Open to those who meet income requirements - at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Online/in person/over phone
Address: 901 South Spring Street, Suite B, Springfield, IL 62704 Hours of operation: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wednesday 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Phone number: 217-525-2805 or 1-800-676-2805 Email: info@childcare.org
Type of service: Childcare What they do: After school program Who is eligible? Grades K- 6 (after school); assistance available Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Come in and fill out application
Address: 1000 Sherwood Lane, Jacksonville Hours of operation: Monday - Friday after school until 6 p.m. Phone number: 217-245-2141
Type of service: Drop-in Center What they do: After school and summer drop in community center. There is a gym, volleyball team, weight room, tutoring, homework help, and activity rooms for arts, games, music, and more! Parent/toddler room. Free! Who is eligible? Ages 5 and up. Under 5 must be accompanied by an adult. Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Walk in
Address: 105 E. Dunlap, Jacksonville IL Hours of operation: 2:45 - 5 p.m. (school year). 1:30 - 5 p.m. (summer) Phone number: 217-371-6363 Contact person: Polly Pulley
Jacksonville DREAM Center Foundation
Type of service: Drop-in Center What they do: provide space for youth and families to drop and learn something. Homework help, activities (fine arts, performing arts, computers, life skills all happen here, depending on the day!) Who is eligible? Open to all junior high, high school, and post secondary youth. You can even bring your friends or family with you! Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Email or call with questions
Address: 210 W. College, Jacksonville Hours of operation: Most afternoons and evenings from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Call or email ahead of time to get matched with someone. Phone Number: 217-473-1303 email: jacksonvilledreamcenter@gmail.com
Type of service: Community Center What they do: Offer space and programs for the Deaf and HH individuals to meet for education, guidance, support, and socialization. Who is eligible? Open to all. Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Walk in or email with questions
Address: 907 W. Superior Ave., Jacksonville Hours of operation: 5 days a week, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. email: jccd@mchsi.com
National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) Springfield
Type of service: Supportive Services What they do: Volunteer-run support groups for family members of people with mental health needs, advocacy, information Who is eligible? open to all Referral needed? No Best way to access support: Call.
Address: PO Box 13014, Springfield Phone: 217-522-1403 Helpline: 1-8000-950-3264
Type of service: Supportive Services and Home Visit Program What they do: Parent Education, Parent Support, Prenatal and birth support (doula), Developtmental Screenings Who is eligible? Must reside within district 117. Parent education and family recoursed for parents of children ages 0-3. Prenatal support/doula for expecting parents. Free! Program prioritizes "at-risk" children and families. Referral needed? Not required but they are accepted Best way to access services: Call office or walk in.
Type of service: Support What they do: Parent Education/Coaching, Supervised visits, Crisis Pregnancy Support (Safe Start Program) and Adoption Services. (Positive Parenting Program, Positive Parenting through Divorce) Who is eligible? Open to all. The Positive Parenting Program is free, divorced parenting classes are based on a sliding fee scale. Referral needed? Not required but they are accepted. Supervised visits required through a court system are $25/hour. Crisis pregnancy support services are free of charge to all involved and adoption service fees are provided during consultation. Best way to access services: Walk in or call with questions. Those seeking supervised visits due to a judicial determination must provide court order.
Address: 314 S. Main Street, Jacksonville, IL Hours of Operation: 8:30am to 4:30pm. Class/groups are provided during the daytime and evening hours. Evening and weekend appointments are scheduled as needed. Contact Person: Ericka Marshall Phone: 217-243-7708 Email: hobbyhorsehouse@hotmail.com
Type of service: Support Group What they do: Support group for grandparents and relatives raising children Who is eligible? Open to all grandparents and other relatives over age 55 raising their grandchildren or another family member's child. Also open to to any aged caregiver, caring for seniors over age 60. Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Call for more information
Type of service: Substance Abuse support What they do: support and information group (in person) and 24 hour hotline for individuals dealing with alcohol problems Who is eligible? Depends on the type of meeting Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Call for information or go to a meeting. See website for meeting times and locations.
Hours: There are many meetings every week. See website for meeting times and locations. Phone number: 217-370-4002 (24 hour local hotline)
Type of service: Substance Abuse support What they do: support and information group (in person) and 24 hour hotline for individuals dealing with drug problems Who is eligible? Depends on the type of meeting. Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Call for information or go to a meeting. See website for meeting times and locations.
Hours: There are several meetings. See website to search for meeting times and locations. Phone number: 1-800-539-0475
Type of service: Smoking Cessation What they do: FREE phone support with an expert. They will help you make a plan and provide you with information, materials, and follow up phone help to help you quit smoking. Who is eligible? Anyone who wants help to quit smoking Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Call or visit the website. Chat support available too.
Hours of operation: 7 days a week, 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. Phone number: 1-866-784-8937
Type of service: Substance Abuse family support What they do: group support meetings Who is eligible? People over 18 who are troubled by someone else's drinking. Referral needed? No Best way to access services: go to a meeting. See here for info: http://al-anon.org/find-a-meeting
email: wso@al-anon.org Current meetings: 7:30-8:30 pm on Wednesdays at Centenary United Methodist Church, 331 East State St., Jacksonville Phone number: 757-563-1600 (national office)
Type of service: Substance Abuse family support What they do: group support meetings (virtual) Who is eligible? Teens ages 13-18 who are troubled by someone else's drinking. Referral needed? No Best way to access services: visit this site: http://al-anon.org/try-an-alateen-chat-meeting
Type of Service: LGBTQ support What they do: support groups, youth groups, educational events, special events Who is eligible? Varies depending on group or program Referral Need? No Best way to access services: Call for more information or visit website for details.
Address: 109 E Lawrence Ave., Springfield, IL Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Phone Number: 217-528-5253 Website: https://www.phoenixcenterspringfield.org/contact-phoenix-center/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Phoenix-Center-129548107058357