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Response to COVID-19

Chicago Lights continues to care for Chicago’s youth and adults through supportive relationships and life-changing programs during this crisis.
Social Service Center
– In-person, essential programming for adults continues on Tuesdays through Fridays with safe curbside services providing clothing, hygiene items, snacks, inclement weather gear, and Food Pantry pickup. In addition, virtual case management continues with existing guests to provide resources and on-going support in obtaining identification, employment, stable housing, and more.

– New donations are being accepted. Donors can order from any online retailer and have it shipped to ATTN: Chicago Lights Social Service Center, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, IL 60611. We are not accepting any drop-offs of donations for the foreseeable future. Please see the current wish list here.

Urban Farm
– Agriculture is deemed as an essential business in Illinois, so in-person farm work continues each day with limited staff members going on site to water, plant, and perform other necessary duties to cultivate our crops for summer harvesting.

– The spring session of Farm Corps teens (in partnership with After School Matters) continue to learn virtually about healthy habits, urban agriculture, and farm history.

Tutoring
– Our first through twelfth grade students (and their families) are still actively engaged with the Tutoring program through one-to-one virtual connection with their tutor/mentors; virtual classes in career exploration, leadership, and college preparation for high school students; and resource support and advocacy for e-learning and other needs.

– Staff are on site two days per week to offer curbside school supply pickup and printed materials for families in need of these resources to complete remote learning school work.

Dance Academy
– The Dance Academy is providing e-learning in dance instruction to the students enrolled in our five partner, Chicago Public Schools and our Saturday program.

– Classes in ballet, jazz, musical theater, and yoga are on YouTube here.

Safety Precautions For In-Person Programming
– Staff are adhering to the guidelines and closely monitoring the changes to the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control, the Illinois Department of Health, and the Chicago Department of Health, especially the following guidelines about practicing good hygiene, avoiding close contact, disinfecting surfaces, and what to do if you are sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick.

– All staff members are wearing gloves and masks when providing supplies to Social Service Center guests or Tutoring families or when on site at the Urban Farm. The Farm is closed to any visitors, program participants, and volunteers. Staff among all programs are maintaining six feet of social distance at all times.

– Participants in need of supplies/services are being asked to wait outside the building, six feet apart. Staff members are meeting participants outside, six feet apart, to provide supplies/services.

– Regular sanitizing of tables, supplies, and doors is occurring before, during, and after program operation hours.