The Resource Page

To help you on your way ...

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Jobs

Click here ... for jobs in the Chicago area.: Many of these jobs are accessible by public transit.
Resources for job hunters: www.illinoisskillsmatch.com -- Illinois Dept. of Employment Security; O Net -- Dictionary of occupational titles; Cover letters; Interview Cheat Sheet; Illegal interview questions employers should not ask.; Replace a lost Social Security card at the SS office, 8658 S. Sacramento, 9-4pm. Bring your State ID and your birth certificate. At their office you will complete the "Application for a Social Security Card". Knowing your Social Security number will help too.; Selective Service System (www.sss.gov) -- Registration Verification
Make sure your next job is a "W-4 job". W-4 is what you fill out when you start a job so that your employer knows how much taxes to withhold for you.: People, companies, anyone who pays you without a "W-4" is required by law to get your Social Security number (or tax number).; No "W-4"?; Then you must print Form W-9, complete it, and deliver it to your employer. By law!; No "W-4"?; Then you should know about form 1099 too:; Use Form 1040. (Download a copy); Use Form 1099-MISC (Download a copy -- Use 'Box 3' Other Income)

More Job Information: Government Jobs: Federal Job Help -- Tips to using USAJOBS.gov.; TSA Career Coaching -- Explains your smart career moves "up the ladder".; U.S. Army -- 10 Steps to Joining.; One way to get a government job is to first join the military! After you successfully complete your military job, apply for a government job at the USAJOBS.gov web site.

Self Employment: Go to www.illinoisworknet.com, click "Find Jobs", click "Start a Business".; Now you will see this page: Starting & Managing a Business; At the bottom click "Webinar Video" for the :15 minute presentation "Starting a Business" and pay attention to "Sole Proprietor".
: The 7 Stages of the Sales Cycle -- No matter what you sell, every sales follows roughly this pattern.
: Becoming a "Sales Superstar" is CRITICAL to starting a small business.; Video: www.superstarbookvideo.com; After watching the introduction, click "Book Bonus", watch the next video, and read the free chapter from his book "Chapter 1 -- Sales is Not a Dirty Word"

Career Development: Starting over? Or starting fresh? Look for advice and opportunities here:; chicagovolunteer.net; illinoisworknet.com; IL Professional Regulation; Occupational Outlook Handbook

Education

How can I reinvent myself at a Chicago City College?: Associate Degree -- For technical and vocational workforce.; Security, Real Estate, Taxi, Nursing Assistant -- Continuing Education.; Food Service Sanitation Certificate; Health (prep for CNA), "Transportation-Warehouse-Logistics" -- Career Bridge.; Commercial Truck Driver; Mortician
How can I pay for classes at City Colleges of Chicago?: Tuition and Fees; Federal Student Aid, State and Federal Loans, Scholarships; College Cash 101: Work Your Way Through College
Help! I need GED Information!: Get Your GED in Chicago. Here's How.; Alternative High School. Between 16 and 21? This is for you!
Let's talk about education --: Blog: By Caroline Williams
More work skills ... Teach yourself ...: YearUp.org -- Adapting to the business world.; Typing (Dance Mat from BBC), Typing-lessons.org

License, Certificate, Card, Stamp

Find information on getting or renewing your job certification.: Health Care Worker Registry -- Background checks of health care workers.; CNA -- Certified Nursing Assistant; CPR Certification -- Call Kennedy-King College at 773.602.5042 or American Heart Assocation at 773-432-4086.; Barber License -- IL Div. of Professional Regulation.; Beautician License -- IL Div. of Professional Regulation.; Nail Technology -- IL Div. of Professional Regulation.; Real Estate Broker -- IL Div. of Professional Regulation.

Trade Schools for your license, certificate, card or stamp.: Larry's Barber College; Forklift Training

Driving for a living.: cyberdriveillinois.com -- CDL in Illinois; Commercial Truck Driver; Forklift

It's Your Money ...

Your credit score:: Get your credit score in order before applying for a credit card.; Request your free credit report at annualcreditreport.com.; How do they figure your credit score?

Individual Development Account:: Find an IDA program near you.; Special savings accounts can help break the cycle of poverty.; IDA Requirements may include: maximum annual income 200% above poverty level, earnings come from employment, caps at $5000, creditworthy.

Social Services

Illinois Department of Employment Security:: www.ides.state.il.us -- Office locator.

People needing help with housing, clothing and food may find it here:: Chicago's Food Bank -- Find a food pantry near you based on zip code.; Bottomless Closet -- Womens' clothing for job interviews.; Drug Counseling, SW Intervention, 5701 S. Wood, Chicago, IL; Project Brotherhood -- A black men's clinic.; Woodlawn Health Center

Ex-offender? Information available:: Expungement and Sealing -- Expungement and Sealing; hirenetwork.org Re-entry.

Volunteer, Community Service, Community Development

Career networking opportunities.: www.linkedin.com -- Discover social networking for business professionals.

Volunteering is one of the best ways to network in your community.: Community Economic Development Association (CEDA) -- Volunteer for Head Start, Computer Trainer or Community Service.; Open Books -- Help kids improve their reading skills.; Ada McKinley -- Community services for people with limiting conditions.; Family Rescue -- Domestic Violence Advocacy and Prevention; Community Emergency Response Team; Human Resource Development Institute (HRDI) -- Black male menthal health care

Church, Municipal and Community Development Organizations: GAGDC -- Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation; AuburnGreshamPortal.org -- News from a Chicago Smart Community

: Job Circle -- Volunteers help people find work.

Help for Unemployed Workers

ides.illinois.gove: State agencies are working together to deliver services to unemployed Illinois workers. That effort includes providing additional information through this Web portal and access to services for basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. Detailed information and additional web links are available below.
Health Care: Illinois Healthcare Portal; This portal is a one-stop source for healthcare needs. Individuals can sign-up for affordable health insurance programs, prescription drug assistance, and free breast and cervical cancer screenings.; Visit the Illinois Healthcare Portal
Family Care Illinois: Health insurance for parents and certain caretaker relatives living with children 18 or younger in Illinois. Call 1-866-All-Kids, 1-866-255-5437 (TTY: 1-877-204-1012) or visit the familycareillinois.com Family Care website.
All Kids: Health insurance coverage for Illinois children 18 or younger, regardless of family income. Call 1-866-All-Kids, 1-866-255-5437 (TTY: 1-877-204-1012) or visit the allkids.com All Kids website.
Illinois Rx Buying Club: Helps anyone save an average of 24% on hundreds prescription drugs. Call 1-866-215-3462 or visit www.illinoisRxBuyingClub.com
School Health Program: Coordinates activities to help all Illinois school-aged children. DHS funds 39 School Health Centers statewide that offer routine medical care, school/sports physicals, immunizations, nutrition counseling, health education, sexually transmitted disease testing and pregnancy testing. Each health center has a medical director and is staffed by a nurse practitioner or physician assistant who is qualified to provide medical care to children. For information about a School Health Center in your area, contact the School Health Program at (217) 785-4525.
Veterans, Women, Seniors and Disabled: Illinois Warrior Assistance Program; Assistance for Illinois Veterans as they transition back to their lives after serving our country. Call 1-866-554-IWAP (1-866-554-4927) or visit the Illinois Warrior website.
Veterans Care: Health insurance for uninsured Illinois veterans without access to reliable healthcare. Call 1-877-4VETSRX (1-877-483-8779; TTY: 1-877-204-1012) or visit www.illinoisveteranscare.com.
Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program: Provides free mammograms, breast exams, pelvic exams and Pap tests, as well as treatment, to all uninsured Illinois women ages 35-64 regardless of income. Call 1-888-522-1282 (TTY: 1-800-547-0466) or visit www.cancerscreening.illinois.gov
Illinois Healthy Women: Covers family planning/birth control for Illinois women ages 19-44. Call 1-800-226-0768 or visit www.illinoishealthywomen.com
Illinois Cares Rx: Offers Illinois' low-income seniors and persons with disabilities prescription drug assistance to address out-of-pocket expenses and gaps in coverage that might exist in the Medicare Part D program. Call 1-800-252-8966 or visit www.illinoiscaresrx.com
Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities: Working individuals with a disability pay a low monthly premium and receive full medical benefits. Call 1-800-226-0768 (TTY: 1-866-675-8440) or visit www.hbwdillinois.com
Homeowners: The Homeowners Protection Act; Signed into law April 5, 2009, the Homeowner Protection Act establishes a grace period of up to 90-days on mortgage foreclosures for homeowners that enter housing counseling. The Act requires that all lenders and loan servicers notify homeowners who are at least 30-days late on their mortgage payments that they have 30-days to seek housing counseling to get their loan back on track. If a homeowner enters housing counseling, he or she gets an additional 30-day grace period on foreclosure in order to work out a payment plan or refinance option. For more information and a list of HUD approved counseling agencies, please visit our website or contact the IDFPR Toll Free Hotline at 800-532-8785.
The Mortgage Relief Project: Helps take advantage of new government programs that can help you lower your mortgage payments, avoid foreclosure and keep your home. The program will be traveling throughout the State of Illinois, providing free housing counseling and information on avoiding mortgage scams. For more information and to view upcoming dates, please visit our website or call 800-532-8785.
Food: Illinois has several programs to help those in need.; Food Stamps; Help low-income people and families buy food for good health. The online Food Stamp Eligibility Calculator will help estimate your benefits. The most important factors for eligibility include income and expenses; the number of persons who live and eat together; and the amount of available liquid assets, such as money in checking and savings accounts. Your application will be reviewed and if you qualify, you will receive an Illinois Link Card which is accepted at most grocery stores. Apply Online for Benefits
Emergency Food: Resources include U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) commodities and other donated foods at food pantries across the state. To find a food pantry, soup kitchen, or homeless shelter in your area, visit the Illinois Food Bank Association website. Food pantries might ask for proof of identity and residency.
Illinois Free School Lunch and Breakfast Programs: Each public school is required to provide a free meal to eligible students (National School Lunch and/or School Breakfast Programs; Special Milk Program; Illinois Free programs; or any combination of these programs). How is a student determined to be eligible for free meals? >> eligibility criteria | Map - Illinois School Nutritional Programs | household eligibility
WIC - Women, Infants, and Children: mothers, and children under 5 years old buy healthy foods like milk, juice, eggs, cheese, cereal, dry beans, and peanut butter. There are many locations in Illinois to apply for this program. To find one close to you, use the online DHS office locator.
Earnfare: Helps adults without dependants receive Food Stamps. They must first work off the value of their food stamps (at minimum wage), after which they may work more hours and earn up to $294 per month. >> more
Food Bank Finder: Locate the Feeding America food bank that serves your local community. >> online locator
Housing
Homeless Prevention Program: Helps keep individuals and families in their homes, shorten the time they spend in shelters, and assist in securing affordable housing. Individuals and families in immediate danger of eviction, foreclosure, or homelessness, as well as those currently homeless, might qualify when they document a temporary economic crisis beyond their control. They must also demonstrate their ability to meet prospective rental/utility obligations after the assistance has been granted. >> more
Supportive Housing Program: Provides services such as alcohol and substance abuse counseling and mental health programs while helping to prevent people from becoming homeless. Job training, transportation, child care and transitional housing might be available. Case management is required. Services are delivered by local governments, community organizations and not-for-profit agencies. Applications accepted at DHS Family Community Resource Centers. To find an office near you, see the DHS Office Locator.
Homeless Youth Services: Provides a place to live and job services for youths between 14- and 20-years-old who lack housing, the skills to live on their own, and who cannot return home. Parents, guardians, school staff and youths can find the nearest agency at >> more information
Cash Assistance: Cash assistance may be available for Illinois families and individuals who qualify. Here are some of the programs that may be helpful.; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Helps pregnant women and families with children to pay for food, shelter, utilities, clothing and other expenses for a limited time period. Benefits are provided on the Illinois Link Card. Apply online for cash assistance
Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD): Helps those who need money and are 65 years or older, blind, or disabled. A US citizen living in Illinois may be eligible if they receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or are ineligible for SSI due to income. Certain immigrants who are ineligible for SSI due to federal time limits to become U.S. citizens may also qualify. >> more
General Assistance (GA) Program: Provides money and limited medical care to U.S. citizens and some non-citizens who do not qualify for other cash programs. >> more
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Puts cash back in your pocket if you worked during the past year. If you qualify, you can reduce your taxes or get a bigger refund. Each year, in January, updated information about where to get help to file your taxes and guidelines for the federal and state EITC are posted online.

Technology, Computers, Devices

Your Internet and computer skills at work:: Legal, Cheap and Free Computer Software -- No bootleg, no illegal software!

"Digital Divide" is the separation between computer users and non-computer users.: Jobless, Crossing the Digital Divide -- Listen to their story.

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The Resource Page

Jobs

Education

License, Certificate, Card, Stamp

It's Your Money ...

Social Services

Volunteer, Community Service, Community Development

Help for Unemployed Workers

Technology, Computers, Devices

Inside