Resources for Undocumented Students and Families

Below are frequently asked questions asked by students, parents, and community members.

• Is there any support for students applying to DACA?

  Yes. Contact these immigration legal service providers.

  • Illinois Centro Romero 6216 N. Clark Chicago, IL 60660 (773) 508-5300
  • Erie Neighborhood House 1347 W. Erie Street Chicago, IL 60642 (312) 666-3430
  • Chicago Branch 4225 W.25th Street Chicago, IL 60623 (773) 542-7617
  • Instituto del Progreso Latino 2570 S. Blue Island Avenue Chicago, IL 60608 (773) 890-0055
  • Cicero Branch 1510 S. 49th Court Cicero, IL 60804 (708) 652-7711
  • Latinos Progresando 3047 W. Cermark Road Chicago, IL 60623 (773) 542-7011
  • The Resurrection Project 1801 S. Ashland Ave Chicago, IL 60608 (312) 666-1323
  • You can also find immigration legal service providers in neighboring states by following this link: UnidosUS Affiliates are authorized by the U.S. Department of Justice to provide immigration legal services
• How can I access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits?

  ABE Application for Benefits Eligibility - Use this site to apply for and manage your healthcare, food, and cash assistance benefits.

• Where can I find help feeding myself (and/or my family)?

  See the People in Need Forum Resource Directory (English) | People in Need Forum Resource Directory (Spanish) See page 42 for a list of food pantries.

  MCC provides food assistance to MCC students who have difficulty accessing enough food for an active, healthy life.

• I am homeless, is help available for me?

  If you struggle to find a roof over your head at night, these resources will help you find the assistance that you need.

  • For help navigating community housing and other resources, contact Rachel Boldman, Director of Crisis Intervention and Prevention Services at (815) 479-7572 or rboldman@mchenry.edu.
  • People in Need Forum of McHenry County - The annual forum is an excellent resource for human service agencies, faith-based organizations, civic group members, law enforcement, elected officials, school personnel, individuals interested in volunteer opportunities, or those seeking assistance. See the People in Need Forum Resource Directory (English) | People in Need Forum Resource Directory (Spanish) See page 22 for Housing Assistance Specific Resources.
  • Pioneer Center for Human Services - Meeting people’s most basic needs of food, shelter and support through programs designed for youth, families and individuals who are experiencing homelessness. Our services include McHenry County PADS, Runaway and Homeless Youth Program, and Homeless Youth 18-23 Program.
  • Home of the Sparrow - Provides transitional shelter, affordable housing and rapid re-housing combined with supportive services that address the core issues of homelessness. Home of the Sparrow serves single women, pregnant women and women with children.
  • Community Action Agency of McHenry County Head Start - (815) 338-8790 Head Start is a federally funded national preschool program for 3–5-year-old at no cost to income eligible families. Head Start Preschool centers are located in Harvard, McHenry and Crystal Lake. Classroom sessions are Monday through Thursday for 3.5 or 7 hours. Who we serve: 3–5-year-old children from income eligible families in McHenry County? Foster children are also eligible. Eligibility requirements: Eligibility is determined by federal poverty income guidelines and family needs. Additional Information: Children and their families are helped to access necessary medical, dental, nutritional, educational and social services in our community. Other Languages Offered/Interpreter Availability: Spanish
  • Veterans Path to Hope Transitional Living Services - Our drop-in resource center for veterans and their families offers certified veteran peer support to any veteran and family in need of assistance. The peer support group provides access to the food pantry on site, individual and group support for veterans in recovery, information for veterans struggling with claims barriers, and referral to other agency services such as New Horizons transitional living, employment assistance, housing assistance, and counseling. TLS Veterans has many community partners that work together to offer a safety network for veterans in need.
• How can I find bilingual help?
  • See the People in Need Forum Resource Directory (English) | People in Need Forum Resource Directory (Spanish)
  • Tabor Therapy Group has counselors who speak Polish and Spanish. Call (815) 331-8768 or email Jennifer_Tabor@tabortherapygroup.com for more information.
  • Youth and Family Center of McHenry County has Spanish-speaking counselors and bi-cultural service navigators. To get help, call (815) 322-2357 or fill out their form.
  • Association for Individual Development (AID) in McHenry has Spanish-speaking counselors. Call (877) 243-0001 for more information.
• Are there resources to help apply for U.S. citizenship?
  • Immigrant Legal Resource Center - Working with and educating immigrants, community organizations, and the legal sector to help build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people.
  • New Americans Campaign network - Call any of our partners for help with questions about the naturalization process or to find a citizenship application event in your area. You can also use the toll-free hotlines:
    • English/Spanish (NALEO): 888-839-8682
    • Chinese (Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA): 800-520-2356
    • Korean (Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA): 800-867-3640
    • Tagalog (Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA): 855-300-2552
    • Thai (Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA): 800-914-9583

  Organizations in the Local Area:

  • Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR)
  • Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Chicago
  • Chinese Mutual Aid Association
  • Esperanza Legal Assistance Center
  • Family Focus Aurora
  • Hana Center
  • Hanul Family Alliance
  • Hispanic American Community Education and Services
  • Indo-American Center
  • Muslim Women Resource Center
  • United African Organization

  Immigrant Justice Network - The Immigrant Justice Network fights for the human rights of all immigrants. We work with our partners towards a vision of communities that are healthy and thriving, not torn apart by unfair and discriminatory policing, incarceration, and deportation.

• Are there funds available to help me pay for the U.S. Citizenship application?

  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will approve a fee waiver only if you clearly demonstrate that you are unable to pay the filing fees. They carefully consider the merits of each fee waiver request before making a decision. Learn more about filing a fee waiver.

• Are there resources from the Consulate?

  If you’re a DACA beneficiary of Mexican origin, remember that your consulate offers you assistance. We invite Mexican DACA recipients to approach their consulate for an immigration screening and individualized legal assistance. Chicago Mexican Consulate