We Care (taken off website on 4/19/23) 

https://www.wecareofgrundy.com/what-we-do

530 Bedford Rd. Morris, IL 60450         (815)942-6389            info@wecareofgrundy.com

Office Hours: Mon-Wed & Fri: 8:30-12pm & 1:00-4:00pm 

Pantry Hours: Monday-Friday 1:00-3:00pm by appointment. Please call to schedule your time to come 815-942-6389

ON-SITE FOOD PANTRY: Our on-site food pantry is available to Grundy County residents in need two times each month. We have food, paper goods, personal care items and more.  Please see our hours for pantry and fresh & bread times. 

RENT/MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE: We can help with rent/mortgage assistance if someone experiences a short term crisis beyond their control and needs help with their rent or mortgage. Appointments can be made to discuss assistance by calling 815-942-6389 ext. 3. When coming to your appointment, please bring a current photo ID, proof of residency such as a utility bill, or a lease.

UTILITY ASSISTANCE: We can help with utility assistance if someone experiences a short term crisis and has a disconnection notice for a utility or a red tag for a water bill. Appointments can be made to discuss assistance by calling 815-942-6389 ext. 3. When coming to your appointment, please bring a current photo ID and a copy of the utility bill.

Kendell Grundy Community Action (taken off website on 4/19/23) https://www.grundyco.org/kendall-grundy-community-action/ 

Kendall-Grundy Community Action (KGCA) provides a variety of services to residents of both Kendall and Grundy counties.  Our programs offer assistance to income-eligible families to obtain the opportunities needed to encourage self-sufficiency. The funding is provided by Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Illinois Department of Health Care and Family Services.  KGCA constantly strives to meet the changing demands and needs of the growing community.

Grundy County:

1802 N. Division St., Suite 602 Morris, IL 60450

Phone: 815-941-3262       Fax: 815-942-3925

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. 4 p.m. Applications taken by appointment

Services and Programs:

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

For some families, energy expenses can mean sacrificing certain necessities which can be very stressful. LIHEAP is designed to help income-eligible households pay for winter and/ or summer energy services. You may be eligible to receive assistance under LIHEAP if your household’s income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty guidelines. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides a one-time benefit to eligible households. All payments are made directly to the applicable vendor (Direct Vendor Payment or referred to as “DVP”). The payment amount is based on four criteria: income, household size, fuel type and geographic location. Visit LIHEAP's website for current income levels and the application.

Nicor "Sharing" Program

NiCor Gas “Sharing” Program is funded by The Salvation Army.  To be eligible for Sharing, you must be a residential heating customer of Nicor with a payment due and you must be ineligible for state energy assistance program (LIHEAP).  The applicant must meet current guideline (Gross Monthly Income) above 150% but not exceeding 250% of the federally established poverty level.  Eligible residential customers can apply for the grant through The Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies (IACAA) member Local Administering Agency (LAA).

Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP)

Weatherization Assistance Program is designed to help low-income eligible Kendall and Grundy counties residents to save fuel, ensure safety and increase the comfort of their homes. Material and labor are free of charge to qualified homeowners. There may be a waiting list based on a first come-first serve basis. The agency’s technicians will conduct a professional energy audit of the home.

Depending on the circumstances and condition of the dwelling, the repairs may vary: air sealing, attic and wall insulation, health and safety checks, and furnace repair or replacements and special attention will be given to major appliances to insure proper drafting and fuel line safety. Once the assessment is complete, licensed and insured contractors that have been pre-approved by the agency will be assigned to apply the appropriate measures. The contractors are OSHA and Lead certified.

To be eligible for the program, households must be at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, eligible for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), or have an occupant receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Aid to Aged Blind and Disabled (AABD). For more information or to apply, please call Kendall-Grundy Community Action (815)941-3262, ext 2.

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

• Drive to Success Program- One of common barriers to maintain employment is affordable transportation.  Drive to Success is designed to help low income residents who are currently employed obtain reliable transportation for employment purposes.    All expenses are paid directly to the repair shop.  The applicant household has to be at or below 125% poverty level.  Your application will be reviewed and you will be notified within one month of your status.  You may need to be placed on a waiting list if funding is not available. 

• Education Scholarships- The Kendall-Grundy scholarship program awards scholarships annually to clients to aid them in obtaining formal education or occupational training from an accredited Illinois educational institution.  Scholarships may be used for tuition and fees, textbooks, supplies or room and/or board.  Scholarship awards will be made directly to the college or university’s financial aid office.   All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply in February of each year and the deadline is in mid April.  Successful applicants will accept their scholarship awards at the Awards Dinner in June.

Emergency Service Program provides intake and referrals to low income persons in crisis situations to have their emergency needs ameliorated. Kendall-Grundy Community Action provides access to needed resources through comprehensive outreach, information and referral services.

Other Types of Assistance

• Reconnection Assistance- This program is a one-time service provided to people whose utilities have been disconnected or have received disconnection notice from an energy sources because of non-payment. The assistance is only provided to households that have made an effort to maintain their services and maybe required to pay a portion of the reconnection amount.

• Emergency Furnace Program- LIHEAP furnace program is available for homeowners to receive furnace repairs or replacement if your heating system is inoperable or determined to be unsafe by fuel vendor. You must qualify for LIHEAP assistance.

• Summer Cooling Program- is available based on State funding. Through the Summer Energy Assistance Program, qualified households may be eligible for assistance in the form of a one-time payment sent directly to their electricity provider. Household’s eligible for this assistance includes: elderly age 60 and older, those with medical conditions that requires cooling, member receiving social security disability benefits, or those with children under the age of 6 years old.

Hotline Resources:

MentalHealth.gov: (877) 726‑4727

• This hotline is available between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST to provide mental health information and treatment referrals. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): 1-866-615-6464 (toll-free), 1-301-443-8431 (TTY), or 1-866-415-8051 (TTY toll-free). Available between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST, professionals can answer any mental health-related question in English or Spanish and attend to requests for copies of NIMH brochures. 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (also affiliated with Mental Health America): (800) 273-TALK (8255)

• Available any time of day or night, 365 days a year, this toll-free PTSD helpline has trained volunteers standing by to provide crisis intervention, to offer support for people in distress, and to give information and referrals to people with PTSD and their loved ones.

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

• This service is available 24/7 and provides free crisis support and information via text. 

National Hopeline Network: (800) 442-HOPE (4673)

• Available 365 days a year, volunteers who staff this toll-free hotline are specially trained in crisis intervention to provide support, information, and referrals to people in need. You can also access services via chat by pressing the “Chat Now” button on its website.

Fun Summer Activities and Resources:

Scholastic Free Virtual Learning

Virtual Field Trips with Links

• 30 Virtual Field Trips with Links

• 20 Virtual Field Trips with Links 

Ride the Rides in Disney World Virtually 

33 National Park Tours You Can Take Virtually

30 Days of LEGO Building Challenges