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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.
At the Chicago Lights Social Service Center, we believe that all people deserve to have their basic needs met. Together, we connect with more than 1,300 adults to encourage self-development, deep connections, and brighter futures through food and clothing services, case management, and enrichment programming.
Rooted in the vision of former Fourth Presbyterian Church pastor Dr. Elam Davies, the program has served “the least, the lost, and the lonely” with dignity and respect since 1983.
Food Pantry
Our Food Pantry helps people get the food they need—from dairy, eggs, and meat to nonperishable items to fresh produce. Each appointment provides supplemental groceries, making limited resources go farther and healthy, delicious meals a reality.
Hours
Open Tuesday through Friday
Please check in between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. to receive services.
Eligibility
Appointments are available once a month.
Location
Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago
Make an Appointment
Contact the Social Service Center at 312.640.2571
Clothing 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.
Hours
Open Tuesday through Friday
Please check in between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. to receive services.
Eligibility
Appointments are available once per month.
Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago
Contact the Social Service Center at 312.640.2571
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 and pantries. 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 and 10:30 a.m. to receive services.
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. With each interaction, we hope to build community and connect adults with more in-depth resources at our Social Service Center.
Hours
12:00-1:00 Tuesday through Friday
Location
Good Neighbors Field Outreach connects with people residing on the streets in the Near North neighborhood.
Services
Teams listen to individuals experiencing homelessness, hand out daily living essentials, direct people to the resources they may need, and encourage them to visit the Social Service Center for additional support.
Case Management
Long-term, 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 benefits.
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. Learn more.
Open Doors Project
Our Open Doors Project 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.
Learn more.
HOUSING CASE MANAGEMENT
Hours
Appointments are scheduled based on participant and staff availability.
Monday–Friday, 1:00–4:00 p.m
Eligibility
Everyone is eligible to apply.
Participants are assigned a case manager based on our staff availability.
Location
Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago
Make an Appointment
Contact the Social Service Center at 312.640.2571.
Open Doors Project
Hours
Participants meet individually with their case managers based on their schedules. Small-group sessions are held weekly on-site.
Location
Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago
Eligibility
Guests are referred to or recommended for the program.
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