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Social Services
We help adults pursue and reach their goals toward achieving greater stability. Our food, clothing, housing, and other resources help build healthy and fulfilling lives.
Food Pantry
Location
Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago
Hours
Tuesday – Friday
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Appointments are strongly encouraged and required for service after 10:30 a.m.
Eligibility
Make an Appointment
Contact the Social Service Center at 312.640.2571.
Clothing Share Shop
Our Share Shop is stocked with new and gently used seasonal clothing, shoes, coats, undergarments, and accessories—from the necessity of a warm winter coat to professional attire for a job interview.
Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago
Hours
Check-in is between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Eligibility
Contact the Social Service Center at 312.640.2571.
In-Kind Donations
Our Needs:
Men’s Clothing
- Jeans and casual pants, sizes 30–42
- Hoodies, sweatshirts, and T-shirts, sizes S–3XL
- Sneakers/athletic shoes, sizes 10-14
- Belts, all sizes
- New underwear, sizes S–2XL
- Light jackets and coats, all sizes
Women’s Clothing
- Spring coats, all sizes
- Sneakers/athletic shoes, all sizes
- New underwear, sizes S–2XL
Other Essential Items
- Backpacks
- Suitcases
- Push or pull roller bags
- Large cloth bags/sturdy shopping bags
Clothing must be clean, in good condition, and free from stains, rips, or tears.
All items can be dropped off at reception (126 E. Chestnut) seven days a week between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Please do not leave any donations on the steps of the entrance. Alternatively, you may ship to: Chicago Lights Social Service Center, 126 E. Chestnut, Chicago, IL 60611.
Thank you for making a difference through your donation!
Drop-In Resources
Getting support doesn’t always follow a schedule. That’s why we offer drop-in services, like clothing, toiletries, housing consultations, public benefits resources, and referrals to other agencies. Our staff meets people where they are and provides compassionate service based on each person’s needs.
Hours
Please check in between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Location
Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago
Services
Resources include clothing, toiletries (soap, toothpaste, lotion, incontinence products, menstruation products), housing and shelter information, public benefits information, referrals to other agencies, access to a guest phone, and information about neighborhood food pantries and meal services.
Field Outreach
Through Good Neighbors Field Outreach, teams of staff and volunteers deliver toiletries, clothing, and food to individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness. On various days during the week, teams connect with people residing on the streets in the Near North neighborhood to listen, hand out daily living essentials, and to direct people to the resources they may need. With each interaction, we hope to build community and connect adults with more in-depth resources at our Social Service Center.
For more information, contact Kaitlyn Borcherding at kborcherding@chicagolights.org / 312.787-2729 ext. 1721
Case Management
Compassionate support is at the heart of case management.
After experiencing homelessness for over two years, Billy got keys to his own place with the help of our Stable Housing Case Manager. He says his home is “everything” to him.
“The Social Service Center helped me sort out my problems and was there for me. I’m happy to be independent and have a home to come to. It’s such a weight off my shoulders.”
The Social Service Center focuses on personalized case management. Our on-site case managers walk alongside adults as they work to achieve their individual goals.
General Case Management
Each person’s needs are different. Our case managers offer compassionate, supportive service during appointments, where they help adults get ID documents, create budgets, update resumes, get health or legal referrals, or apply for employment.
For more information, contact Theresa Thornburg at tthornburg@chicagolights.org / 312.274.3826.
Housing Case Management
Housing is a basic human right. Our workshops and case management connect adults with housing opportunities, as well as budgeting and tenant resources. Even more personalized, in-depth housing consultations can be scheduled with our on-site Stable Housing Case Manager. For more information, contact Micaiah Warren at mwarren@chicagolights.org / 872.269.4662.
Our Open Doors Program invites adults to engage in year-long programming, featuring weekly small-group meetings, one-to-one case management, guest speakers, and field trips. Together, adults open doors of opportunity as they strive toward achieving personal goals.
For more information, contact RaShonn Roberts at rroberts@chicagolights.org / 312.274.3810.
Make a difference with Chicago Lights.
Volunteers make our life-changing work possible and help our students thrive possible.
Volunteer
Build brighter futures. Change lives. Volunteer with Chicago Lights!
Invest in changing lives with us.
Every dollar you give goes directly toward empowering our participants.