Our Community Resources
Libraries are all about community building, including acting as a conduit between resources and the community. This comprehensive, but not exhaustive, list below features information and links to area services for critical needs.
For more resources, the Heart of Illinois United Way operates a 24/7 comprehensive information and referral line to connect callers to critical health and human care programs.
Call 2-1-1 or (309) 999-4029 or visit 211hoi.org for direct assistance.
The HOI United Way also has created a database of local government and nonprofit resources for those needing help with basic needs such as food, housing and transportation and also disaster services, recreational opportunities and consumer information.
The community resources are sorted by subject by clicking on the tabs below. The underlined resources will take you directly to their websites for more detailed information.
Better Business Bureau
8100 N. University St., Peoria, IL
(309) 688-5124
BBB can help consumers with pre-purchase decisions, provide educational materials and tips, provide information le on charities and businesses and offer dispute resolution services.
Illinois Attorney General Consumer Protection Division
Consumer Fraud Hotlines: 1-800-243-0618 or 1-877-844-5461 (TTY)
The Consumer Protection Division works to protect consumers and businesses victimized by fraud, deception or other unfair business practices. Visit the website to learn more and fill out complaint forms or call the fraud hotline.
Illinois Attorney General’s Homeowner Helpline
1-866-544-7151
If you are behind in your mortgage payments, the Illinois Attorney General has information that may help you avoid foreclosure. Call the helpline and visit the website for materials on mortgage lending, homeowner rights during foreclosure and mortgage rescue fraud.
Illinois Job Link
The Illinois Department of Employment Security’s www.IllinoisJobLink.com offers you:
- Free, in-person and online career counseling and job search support, resume writing, interview coaching. In-person visits at the Peoria office require an appointment. Call the Scheduling Hotline at (217) 558-0401.
- Special support for Veterans, Youth 18 – 24, Older Workers, Reentry Programs
- Unemployment Insurance (applicants MUST register on IllinoisJobLink.com to receive unemployment benefits in Illinois)
- Access to more than 140,000 open position in Illinois
METEC
2605 W. Krause Ave., Peoria, IL
(309) 676-3832
METEC is a non-profit created to provide employment and economic opportunities to low-income families in Peoria. METEC is a HUD-approved housing counseling supplier with expertise in home ownership and down payment assistance.
Help for Illinois Families
1-833-711-0374
This statewide program helps eligible families with everything from energy bill assistance, rental assistance, temporary shelter, home weatherization assistance, employment training/placement and more.
Center for Prevention of Abuse
Crisis Hotline: 1-800-559-SAFE (7233)
Offers help to domestic abuse victims, regardless of age, race, gender or financial background. Operates two emergency shelters.
Peoria Township Relief
(309) 674-8237
Limited assistance available to eligible Peoria Township residents for general emergency or utility emergency needs.
Illinois Coronavirus Hotline
1-800-889-3931
Available 24/7, the Illinois Coronavirus Hotline (offered by the Illinois Department of Public Health) is staffed by health care professionals – nurses and pharmacists, as well as medical and pharmacy residents and senior pharmacy students. You can also email the helpline at dph.sick@illinois.gov to have all of your Coronavirus questions answered.
Peoria City / County Health Department
The Peoria City / County Health Department has a variety of programs and services to improve the physical and environmental health of our community. Most programs include fees based on income.
• The Child & Family Division links local families to needed community resources such as medical providers, parenting programs and other assistance. Programs include childhood lead screening, the federally funded WIC (Women, Infants & Children) Nutrition Program and the milk depot for breastfeeding moms. Call 309-679-6076.
• Preventative and Routine Dental Care for specific populations. By appointment only. Call 309-679-6141.
• Immunization Clinic for students or foreign travelers. Call 309-679-6655.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Offers free resources for people at any stage of recovery, as well as a local meeting directory. Confidential Hotline: 1-800-839-1686.
Center for Prevention of Abuse
Offers help to domestic abuse victims, regardless of age, race, gender or financial background. Operates two emergency shelters. Crisis Hotline: 1-800-559-SAFE (7233)
Crittenton Centers – Family Advocacy Center
2016 N. Knoxville Ave., Peoria IL
(309) 839-8908
FamilyCore
330 SW Washington St., Peoria, IL
(309) 676-2400
Provides a variety of counseling, child welfare, family preservation and preventative education and health services.
Heartland Health Services
Six area locations
(309) 680-7600
Accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance. Fees are assessed on a sliding scale. Additional financial assistance may be available. *Please note that Heartland is not a “free clinic.”
Help for Illinois Families
(833) 711-0374
This statewide program helps eligible families with everything from prescription assistance to hearing aids to dental care assistance to glasses and contacts.
Illinois Central College Dental Hygiene Clinic
(309) 690-6999
Provides x-rays, preventative treatments and referrals. The cost is $20 per visit.
NAMI Tri-County Illinois
(309) 693-0541
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a self-help, non-profit, advocacy group for those with mental illnesses and their supporters. Offers free education and support groups.
Peoria Township Relief
(309) 674-8237
Limited assistance available to eligible Peoria Township residents for dental and vision needs.
Mental Health:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
Illinois Youth Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-800-345-9049
Bob Michel VA Outpatient Clinic
7717 N. Orange Prairie Road, Peoria, IL
(309) 589-6800
Provides primary care services for veterans in the Peoria area as well as behavioral health services such as group and family counseling. Specialty health services offered include: Optometry, audiology, radiology, neurology and podiatry.
Prairie State Legal Services
(309) 674-9831
Offers free legal services for low income persons and those over 60 who have serious civil legal problems and need legal help to solve them.
Peoria County Pro Bono Help Desk
Located on the 4th Floor, Room 422
Peoria County Courthouse
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Every 2nd Wednesday & 3rd Thursday of the month
If you are representing yourself in a civil legal case, volunteer attorneys are available for 30 minute consultations to answer questions, explain legal procedures, and provide general direction on your case. They are not able to represent you in court or assist in domestic violence matters or emergency petitions or orders.
700 Hamilton Boulevard, Peoria, IL
(309) 674-2071 or toll free 1-877-777-2422
An independent, not-for-profit organization serving persons of all ages, incomes and abilities in Fulton, Marshall, Peoria, Stark, Tazewell and Woodford Counties. Central Illinois Agency on Aging also works with CityLink, Peoria’s mass transit service, to enroll qualified individuals for free CityLink bus cards.
Programs include: mental health depression screening, medication management screening, home-delivered meals and legal assistance, among others.
Illinois Department on Aging
Senior HelpLine: 1-800-252-8966 or 1-888-206-1327 (TTY)
Staff will assess needs of those 60 or older and make referrals for a range of services such as health care, legal help, transportation or long-term care ombudsman services.
Adult Protective Services Hotline: 1-866-800-1409
To report suspected abuse, financial exploitation or neglect of anyone 60 or older or any adult with disabilities.
Center for Prevention of Abuse
(309) 637-3905
Adult Protective Services are available for seniors 60 or older and adults with disabilities who are experiencing some form of abuse.
Dream Center Peoria-Emergency Shelter
714 Hamilton Boulevard, Peoria IL
(309) 839-1810
Dream Center Peoria offers a 24/7 emergency shelter that includes snacks, showers, a bed to sleep in, breakfast, lunch, dinner, job readiness assistance, case management services, and storage (not for furniture). Phones can be utilized for job interviews.
COVID-19 Update
The shelter and day services remain operational. Day services also include shower and warming center availability for their eligible population (single women; mothers with children; single fathers with children; couples with children; married couples) even if they are not staying at the Dream Center.
CityLift and CityLink
(309) 999-3667
In addition to mass transit bus service, provides non-emergency medical transportation, disability-related transportation and paratransit programs.
