Community Aid Opportunities
Pro Bono Therapy for Immigrant & Refugee Communities
A local Chicago student, Kaiyen Arana, recently founded Healing Without Fear, an initiative to provide compassionate, trauma-informed mental health care to individuals and families affected by the current immigration, detention and deportation crisis here in Chicago.
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Healing Without Fear is a confidential network of mental health clinicians who volunteer their time and talent to offer pro bono therapy sessions. These sessions are available to children, adolescents, and adults experiencing stress, trauma, or other mental health challenges related to the current immigration, detention, and deportation threats.
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HWF is for individuals and families affected by immigration-related stress or concerns about deportation, and consists of at least five therapy sessions (with the possibility of extension), provided by licensed clinicians at no cost. Spanish-speaking therapists are available but in limited quantities. If you or someone you know may benefit from these services, you can contact Healing Without Fear by filling out this form. Once a referral form is received, it will be reviewed and forwarded to a volunteer clinician to initiate services.
State Sen. Mike Simmons Mutual Aid Food Drive
Senator Mike Simmons’ office is accepting donations of non-perishable food, reusable grocery bags, and new toiletries/diapers/cleaning supplies. Drop off donations Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. at 1040 W Bryn Mawr. For questions, email senatormikesimmons@gmail.com or call 773-769-1717.
Salvation Army GORRC Program
Are you 55 or older and caring for a child under 18 or a loved one (19-59) with a disability? The Salvation Army offers a Grandparents and Older Adults Raising Children (GORRC) program for grandparents 55 years old and older who are raising their grandchildren. Through the GORRC program, they offer support group meetings and financial assistance with tangible needs to seniors, for children whose grandparents are caring for them. Find out more by emailing aging@cityofchicago.org.
Loyola University ICE Map Tracker Live!
The Loyola Phoenix, the official student newspaper of Loyola University Chicago, has launched an ICE tracker where constituents can report ICE sightings in the ward. You can access the map here and read more about using the map here.
Protecting Chicago Resources Available!
As part of Mayor Johnson's Executive Order 2025-6 Establishing the Protecting Chicago Initiative, the Mayor's Office has launched the Protecting Chicago website, which can be found at: chicago.gov/protect. Protecting Chicago aims to make available information and resources that allow every resident—regardless of background, immigration status, or neighborhood—to live with safety, dignity, and peace of mind. This initiative is Chicago’s commitment to promote the well-being of our communities and to safeguard the rights of all Chicagoans.