Coles County Resource Guide

• Mid-Illinois Big Brothers Big Sisters

Contact: (217) 348-8741; info@joinsomethingbig.org

Address: 825 18th St #5, Charleston, IL 61920

Services: Community based mentoring

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Eligibility: https://bbbsa.my.site.com/bbbsforms/s/?type=little

• Child Care Resource & Referral

Child Care Assistance Program Hours:

Monday/Wednesday/Friday 8:00am-5:00pm; Tuesday/Thursday 8:00am-1:30pm*

*The Child Care Assistance Program is closed to the public for processing Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1:30-5:00pm. Paperwork may be dropped off during these hours. An after hours drop box is available. 

Parent Referral Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:00pm

Location: 3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 102, Moline, IL 61265 (Access at Entrance 4)

Phone: (309) 205-3070

Website: https://www.childcareillinois.org/

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Services: Assistance paying for childcare, referrals to childcare, information about child development and early education, resources for parents, resources for parents of special needs children 

Eligibility: Child care assistance program: https://www.childcareillinois.org/pay-child-care/what-ccap

• Children & Family Services

Contact: (217) 348-7661

Address: 825 S. 18th Street, Charleston 61920

Services: YouthCare- medical, behavioral health, dental, vision and pharmacy coverage for current and former youth in care aged birth through 21, 

Path Beyond adoption- services for families experiencing guardianship or adoption, Family First Prevention Services: child welfare act aimed at keeping children with their families and if removed from home in least restrictive setting to meet their needs, Child Welfare insights tool: https://dcfs.illinois.gov/about-us/dashboard-reports-and-statistics/dashboard-il-child-welfare-insights-tool.html

• One Hope United

Contact: (217) 294-6727

Address: 701 Monroe Street, Charleston

Services: One Hope United provides community-based family services and support children and families through life’s challenges with counseling, youth and family services, foster care, and adoption.https://onehopeunited.org/services/
 

Eligibility: Children and families who have open cases with DCFS, including Child Placement and Child Reunification

Individuals and families currently experiencing emotional, behavioral, social, parenting, or mental health issues negatively impact family functioningNo Cost to Families in this Program

• Charleston Collaboration for Youth

Contact: (217) 348-0530, Hours: M - F; 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Address: 825 18th St., Charleston, IL 61920

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Services: Advocacy and educational support to Charleston School District. Sponsor a service learning program and a school/work job shadowing program.

Eligibility: Free, for Charleston School District, K-12

• Charleston (Carnegie) Public Library

​Contact: (217) 345-4913; Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10am-3pm

Address: 712 Sixth St Charleston, IL 61920

Services: Social Service Navigator Program- help getting social services through community organizations, transportation assistance, SNAP & medical assistance application, affordable internet assistance, free cell phone assistance

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Eligibility: Coles County Resident for social services navigator program

Other library services: resident of Charleston, ID and proof of residency

• Mattoon Public Library

Contact: (217) 234-2621; info@mattoonlibrary.org

HOURS: Monday-Thursday: 9am-6pm; Friday: 9am-5pm; Saturday: 9am-1pm; Sunday

Address: 1600 Charleston Ave. ,Mattoon IL, 61938

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Services: “Family Strategies” classes: To register for class, email bodycheryl@yahoo.com, free notary public, room rental (community, conference and office room) To rent a room, fill out the Room Rental Request form https://mattoonlibrary.org/services/room-rental/ or contact the Library at 234-1710

Children’s services: Each week we offer Storytime for toddlers and preschoolers on Mondays and Fridays at 10:00 am. We will have a song, story, and craft or free play.  For more information, please call 217-234-2621. Summer and winter reading clubs and online homework help resources on website.

Teen services: teen space with wifi, video games and study space

Community Service

The Library is willing to take community service workers who are age 13 and older on an individual basis. Younger children can do community service as a group-wide project day.

The Library takes community service for the following reasons: Housing,School, Organizational (churches, social groups, etc), Court-ordered

Homebound delivery (books): Up to 25 items, For more information concerning Homebound Delivery, please contact Stacy at 217-234-2621.

Free online newspapers https://mattoonlibrary.org/services/newsbank-links/

Eligibility:  Mattoon residents with ID and proof of residency OR Mattoon non-residents with $75 yearly fee per family, this can be reduce by 90% with application to readers bridge program

 you must fall into one or more of the following categories: 

You earn minimum wage, but you are working less than full time, Your children receive free or reduced school lunch, You have a Link card,  You have a state medical card, You live in subsidized housing

You are receiving TANF

Apply: https://mattoonlibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Readers-Bridge-Application.pdf

• DHS Mid-Illinois Family Community Resource Center

Contact: (217) 345-2188; Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

​Address: 1550 Douglas Street, Charleston, IL  61920-3195

Services: IDHS: Customers: childcare, housing, nutrition, disability, financial, youth, substance abuse, mental health, healthcare

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Eligibility: Most services require citizenship, except children + Illinois residents, financial need, see above and below links for specifics

CASH, SNAP and Medical Assistance: IDHS: Cash, SNAP & Medical Assistance

Disability Services: https://wr.dhs.illinois.gov/wrpublic/wr/dynamic/referral.jsf

Child Care: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/applications/ChildCareEligCalc/eligcalc.html

SNAP: https://fscalc.dhs.illinois.gov/FSCalc/

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30358

Women, Infants, Children (WIC): https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30513

• Parent Help Line

Contact: Call 1-800-632-8188

Free, confidential support for parents or caregivers

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https://parentshelpingparents.org/stressline

• DCFS Child Abuse Hotline

Contact: Report suspected child abuse or neglect online Online Child Abuse Neglect Reporting

In an emergency, call 1-800-25-ABUSE (800-252-2873).

• Child Mental Health (SASS) Services (CARES)

Contact: If you are in need of SASS Services or experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact the CARES line at 1-800-345-9049 (VOICE) 1-866-794-0374 (TTY)

Services: What Can I Expect From SASS?

A SASS crisis worker will come to talk with you and your child.

The crisis worker will help you make the best plan for your child and family.

SASS will work with you and your child for at least 90 days.

If your child goes into the hospital, SASS will join the hospital team to care for your child.

SASS will help the hospital team plan for your child's return home and will provide services when your child is at home.

If your child does not go into the hospital, SASS will provide mental health services and supports to help your child stay at home.

Eligibility: Children and youth in Illinois

• Standing Stone Community Center

Contact: Call or text (217) 549-3378, Email: info@standingstonecc.com,  HOURS: Wednesday - Friday: 9am-4pm, Saturday: 9am-3pm

Address: 375 N. 14th St, Charleston, IL 61920

Services: Standing Stone Community Center is a nonprofit ministry featuring food, clothing, and furniture. Additionally, A new foster child placement (any location) that brings in paperwork and child, would receive 10 free items of clothing from our main room the first visit.  Additional clothing of five free items would be available every 30 days. A stuffed animal (if age or developmentally appropriate) would also be given to the child for the first visit as well as a “blessing bag” which includes age and size appropriate items such as diapers, wipes, socks, undergarments, toiletries, and blanket.

If available, diapers or pull-ups and wipes are zero points in the pantry - twice a month (every two weeks).  These “points” are separate from the clothing points.

Larger items (such as a bouncer) may be available for sale at Standing Stone; however, one free item would be available to newly placed child depending on availability. 
 

Eligibility: People in need of food can participate as often as once every two weeks, For services related to new foster child placement; you must bring in the paperwork and the child

• HOPE of East Central Illinois

Contact: Email: info@hope-eci.org; Main Office: (217) 348-5931; Crisis Line: 1-888-345-3990

Address: 1927 18th Street, Charleston IL 61920

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Services: 24 hour crisis line providing support, intervention, information and referrals, 

Housing: HOPE maintains two housing programs. Domestic violence emergency shelter, and transitional housing. The DV shelter can house up to 24 clients, and there are five transitional housing units to help DV survivors achieve self sufficiency.

IDVA Advocacy- HOPE staff accompanies individuals to and from court appointments, explain the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, and assist clients with orders of protection.

Children’s Advocacy- HOPE provides children’s activities including individual and group counseling, educational recreation, and advocacy.

Community Advocacy- HOPE staff supports and accompanies clients to other community based social service agencies.

Counseling- Supportive counseling is offered in both individual and group settings for those affected by domestic violence.

Community Education- Provides information of family violence and homelessness to community organizations, clubs, and schools.

Transportation- Emergency transportation is provided to victims fleeing an abusive situation, to court hearings, and/or other community-based agencies.

Referrals- Connections to other community based services through means of speaking presentations, and crisis intervention.

Walk-in program- Support groups and services are provided for those not in need of emergency shelter.

Eligibility: Coles, Clark, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie, and Shelby counties.

HOUSING FAQ: https://hope-eci.org/programs/shelter-faq/

• The Haven

Contact/HOURS: (217) 234-7237- you may call on Weekdays at any time to inquire about beds available, HOURS: Community Kitchen Lunch:Monday - Sunday: Noon-1pm, Dinner: Everynight 6pm-7pm, 24/7 emergency shelter

Address: 1812 Western Ave, Mattoon, IL 61938

Services: The Haven provides 30 days of shelter with extensions based on goal attainment.

They also serve three meals a day to anyone that is in need of food. Meeting with each individual staying at their location minimally once a week to provide counseling, life coaching, and advocacy. Partners with other community agencies, classes and volunteer opportunities are provided for those staying at the shelter to develop their workforce skills and increase their self-sufficiency.Overnight guests have access to laundry, shower facilities. Separate sleeping areas for men and women, two family rooms to accommodate children

Eligibility: Community Kitchen is available to all. The permitted length of stay at the shelter is based on individual's zip code from their current form of identification. Please call the shelter to find out more details on our length of stay policy.

Unfortunately, registered sex offenders, parolees and anyone with outstanding warrants are not eligible to stay at the shelter. Anyone wishing to stay overnight must undergo a background check conducted by the Mattoon Police Department.

• Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois

https://www.gsofsi.org/

• Camp New Hope

Camp New Hope is a year-round recreational experience for Special Needs individuals ages eight and above.

Contact: (217) 895-2341; officemanager@campnewhopeillinois.org

Adress:1364 County Road 100 East, Neoga, IL 62447

PO Box 764, Mattoon, IL 61938

• Fit-2-Serve

Contact: 217-235-3839

Address: 1320 LAFAYETTE AVENUE, MATTOON, IL 61938, US

We are faith-based, grass roots not-for-profit organization dedicated to 'equipping people for works of service.'

Community Bridges 

Farm-2-Table

Learn-2-Grow

School-2-Farm

Talents-2-Strengths

Adopt-A-Senior

 https://fit-2-serve.net/community-bridges​

• Charleston Community Early Learning Center

Contact: 217-345-3111

Address: 2206 South Fourth Street, Charleston, IL 61920

Services: It is the mission of the Charleston Community Early Learning Center to serve Charleston and the surrounding communities by providing a developmentally appropriate early-childhood setting for children ages six-weeks through 10 years of age. Operation time is 6:30 am – 5:30 pm. All adults and children 2-years of age and older entering the building are required to wear a face covering. During the summer, school age children can attend the center on a full-time, part-time or drop-in basis.

Eligibility: Charleston and surrounding communities

• Coles County Health Department

Contact: (217) 348-0530, Hours: https://www.colesco.illinois.gov/cchd/

Address: 753 Windsor Road, Charleston, IL 61920

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Services: Environmental Health, COVID-19, Nursing, Legal

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Eligibility: Handicapped Accessible, Available to anyone

• Catholic Charities of Coles, Douglas and Edgar Counties

Contact: (217) 348-0530, Hours: https://www.colesco.illinois.gov/cchd/

Address: 753 Windsor Road, Charleston, IL 61920

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Services: Environmental Health, COVID-19, Nursing, Legal

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Eligibility: Handicapped Accessible, Available to anyone

• DHS Mid- Illinois Family Community Resource Center

Contact: (217) 345-2188; HOURS: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Address: 1550 Douglas Street, Charleston, IL  61920-3195

Services: IDHS: Customers: childcare, housing, nutrition, disability, financial, youth, substance abuse, mental health, healthcare
 

Eligibility: Most services require citizenship, except children + Illinois residents, financial need, see above and below links for specifics

 CASH, SNAP and Medical Assistance: IDHS: Cash, SNAP & Medical Assistance

Disability Services: https://wr.dhs.illinois.gov/wrpublic/wr/dynamic/referral.jsf

Child Care: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/applications/ChildCareEligCalc/eligcalc.html

SNAP: https://fscalc.dhs.illinois.gov/FSCalc/

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30358

Women, Infants, Children (WIC): https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30513

• Agencies

Agency: Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital

Phone: (217) 258-2525

Address: 1000 Health Center Dr, Mattoon, IL 61938

Agency: Sarah Bush Lincoln Walk-In Clinic Phone: (217) 345-2030

Address: 2040 Lincoln Ave, Charleston, IL 61920

Agency: Sarah Bush Walk-In Clinic

Phone: (217) 238-3000

Address: 200 Dettro Dr, Mattoon, IL 61938

Agency: Carle Medical Center

Phone: (217) 258-5900

Address: 200 Lerna Rd South, Mattoon, IL 61938