FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE/SOCIAL SERVICES/ADVICE:

St. James Parish - St. Vincent DePaul Society: The St. James Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an emergency source for short‑term financial help for parishioners and others living within the parish boundaries in areas such as: helping families and individuals who have short-term financial trouble pay a past due heating bill or rent payment, help families and individuals deal with a serious illness or loss of a job and the unexpected bills they face, provide groceries to clients expressing a need, provide Jewel’s certificates for food and gas to those who are having trouble making ends meet, work with Catholic Charities, the Village of Arlington Heights and Wheeling Township to coordinate services for clients, volunteer at the Catholic Charities "meals for the hungry" program on Rand Road in Des Plaines by providing the meals and serving the food say a prayer with or offer some words of friendship and hope to our clients grow in spirituality as we make a difference in the lives of the sometimes unseen needy in our parish and community For information on volunteering for or using this service, call the Parish Office at 224-345-7200 Ext: 8517 Please leave a message and one of our volunteers will call you back. Be assured that all requests for assistance are handled with care and confidentiality.

Helpful Information for the Uninsured/Underinsured: http://www.leslieslist.org/

Links to Local Agencies That Might Offer Help: For career and job searches, childcare, senior services, mental health, transitional living programs, emergency food assistance, housing/shelter assistance, budget counseling and other social services:

• Village of Arlington Heights
• Arlington Heights Community Web Site (Social Services Organizations)
• Wheeling Township Information and Referral
• CEDA NorthWest
• Elk Grove Township General Assistance
• Catholic CharitiesNorthwest Regional Senior Services 847-253-5500North/Northwest Region Office847-376-2100

Safe Families for Children: 773-653-2200 or visit http://www.safe-families.org/

Safe Families is a positive alternative to the state child welfare system, allowing parents to work out their problems without having to worry about losing custody of their kids. Parents experiencing a temporary crisis can arrange for their children (newborn through 16 years old) to stay with Safe Families volunteers while they address the issues that led to the instability in their lives. Children are matched with families in their own community whenever possible, and placements average from one day to three months. Biological parents maintain custody during the placement and are encouraged to be actively involved in their children's lives, as well as develop a relationship with the volunteer family.

Save Money with Coupons! Speaker Series and helpful links: http://www.jillcataldo.com/