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.

At the Chicago Lights Social Service Center, we believe that all people deserve to have their basic needs met. Rooted in the vision of former Fourth Presbyterian Church pastor Dr. Elam Davies, the program has served “the least, the lost, and the lonely” since 1983. Each year, more than 1,300 adults connect with us for food and clothing, case management, self-development, and enrichment programming.

Food Pantry

Our Food Pantry helps people get the food they need—dairy, eggs, meat, fresh produce, and nonperishable items. Each appointment provides supplemental groceries, making limited resources go farther and healthy meals a reality.

Location

Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago

Hours

Tuesday – Friday
Please check-in between 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Appointments are strongly encouraged.

Eligibility

Individuals or families are eligible for an appointment once per month.

Make an Appointment

Contact the Social Service Center at 312.640.2571.

​Clothing Shop

Our Clothing 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.

Location

Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago

Hours

Tuesday – Friday
Please check-in between 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Appointments are strongly encouraged.

Eligibility

Individuals are eligible for an appointment once per month.
Make An Appointment

Contact the Social Service Center at 312.640.2571.

In-Kind Donations

Our Needs:

Men’s Clothing

  • Jeans and casual pants, all sizes
  • Hoodies, sweatshirts, and jackets, all sizes
  • Athletic shoes, all sizes
  • Belts, all sizes
  • Coats, all sizes
  • New underwear, all sizes

Women’s Clothing

  • Coats, all sizes
  • Athletic shoes, all sizes
  • New underwear, all sizes

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

Open Tuesday through Friday

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 Filed Outreach, teams of staff and volunteers deliver toiletries, clothing, and food to individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness. The team connects 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. Outreach takes place Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. For more information, contact Kaitlyn Borcherding at kborcherding@chicagolights.org/312.252.3574.

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.

Open Doors Program

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.