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Over 50 pediatric specialties

Children with Special Needs  You will link to an extensive list on another page

Photo Gallery of Springfield Moms Community Events
Poison Control Center

Support Groups  Link to our page to find the resources you need

The Autism Program

Tornado and Storm Preparation Checklist

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Illinois Capital Region

444 S. Grand Ave., Springfield

217-753-1216

www.bbscapitalregion.org
 

Article by Amanda Eicholz   Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Illinois Capital Region (BBBS) provides caring, adult mentors to children ages 5-14 in Sangamon, Christian, Macoupin and Montgomery Counties. Adults (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”) are matched one-to-one and spend time together playing games, going to area events or just hanging out and talking.   The amount of time each match spends together depends on which mentoring program they choose. Community-Based Mentoring (CBM) is the most flexible of the programs. Bigs and Littles spend 10-14 hours a month together doing a variety of activities in and around the community or at the Big’s house. Most matches enjoy going to the park or sporting events or watching movies and cooking together. The emphasis is on time, not money, and matches are encouraged to participate in low-cost or free activities.

Sitel-Based Mentoring (SBM) is more structured because it takes place at the child’s school. Bigs and Littles spend one lunch hour a week together during the school year. The Big visits the child at his/her school and they eat lunch, play games, work on arts and crafts or read. One hour a week makes a tremendous impact on a child’s life, and the volunteer receives many benefits as well. Adults mentor during the lunch hour and high school students mentor after school.

The children in the BBBS mentoring programs are referred by their parent or guardian for the CBM program or a teacher or counselor for the SBM program. Volunteer Bigs must be 18 or older to be a mentor for either program, and high school students who have transportation to and from the school are also able to volunteer in the SBM program.  Both children and volunteers must go through an interview process because matches are made based on common interests and personalities, not a first come first serve basis. All matches are supported by a professional case manager through the BBBS office to ensure the match is progressing and doing well. In addition, volunteers are thoroughly screened via background checks and reference calls.

For more information on becoming a Big Brother/Big Sister or to enroll a child into the program, contact the BBBS office at 753-1216 or visit the website at www.bbbscapitalregion.org.

Help create Little Moments and Big Magic in the life of a child!

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Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield

300 S. 15th St. Springfield 544-0548

Central Illinois Community Blood Center

1134 South Seventh Street, Springfield

217-753-1530

www.CICBC.org

Donate blood or platelets and help save a life.  Walk-ins are welcome.  To schedule an appointment, please call or register online.   They are now open on Saturdays from 9-Noon.

Editor’s testimonial: “My daughter needed a blood transfusion at the age of 3, and my father has been a donor as long as I can remember.  I am grateful that I learned to donate blood as a simple way to give back.  Now, all of the adults in our family donate regularly, and hey on the way out they provide juice, coffee and snacks, and my favorite the stickers that says “Be nice to me, I donated blood today!”  

Central Illinois Foodbank

2000 E. Moffat

Springfield

217-522-4022

Central Illinois Foodbank was established in 1982 by a coalition of churches and nonprofit organizations concerned about hunger and poverty.  Central Illinois Foodbank is an affiliate of America’s Second Harvest, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization.  The mission of the Foodbank is to collect donated food and grocery items from growers, manufacturers, processors, wholesalers and retailers for distribution to charitable agencies serving people in need.  The Central Illinois Foodbank distributes over four and one-half million pounds of food annually to nearly160 food pantries, soup kitchens, residential programs and after-school programs in a 21 county region.

When you are shopping locally at Schnuck’s and County Market Grocery stores, you can easily help CIF by purchasing a pre-packaged bag of food for $5.00 and is donated on the spot.

Child Find of America

1-800-426-5678
A service to help find missing children.

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Child SafetyTips Click here to access this page helpful tips from safety around the home, to recall information, car seat safety checkpoints and much more! 

If your child is diagnosed with this condition, feel free to contact Kim Little for local support group information. 

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Continuum of Learning
A new community partnership, the Continuum of Learning, will strive to ensure all in Sangamon County are Ready to Learn, Ready to Work and Ready to Succeed.
Three coordinating partners will lead this initiative including: the Sangamon County Community Foundation and their Community Works Initiative, The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce through the Business/Education Partnership of Sangamon County and United Way of Central Illinois. Each of these partners has committed to provide support and resources as the Springfield community moves forward in setting a new vision to ensure everyone in Sangamon County is Ready to Learn, Ready to Work and Ready to Succeed.
Community members are encouraged to become involved in the process by contacting an action team. To learn more about this community partnership, visit www.ContinuumOfLearning.com

The Committee for Children

P.O. Box 1414 Springfield 62705 (217) 525-0549
The Committee for Children is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preventing child abuse and supporting the emotional and social growth of children in Sangamon County. Through the Someone Special Program we provide funding to fulfill a child’s wish to participate in an extracurricular activity that the child’s family would otherwise not be able to afford. Children are referred by area social service agencies.

Family Service Center

1308 S. 7th St. Springfield 62703 (217) 528-8402
The mission of the Family Service Center is to provide services designed to empower families and individuals of all ages to deal positively with the continuing changes and challenges that occur throughout the family life cycle. We achieve our mission by providing the following highest quality services to families: Counseling – 528-8406, Adoptions, Adoption Preservation Services, Day Care 528-8409, and Young Parent Support Services
 

Girl and Boy Scouts Continue To Provide Important Opportunities by Allyson Strauch

Research shows the influence one caring adult has on a child will last a lifetime. Without adults playing many pivotal roles, Boy and Girl Scouting couldn’t happen. Whether you’re a parent or guardian, volunteer, or mentor, your involvement can make a difference!  Family involvement is an essential part of Scouting and parents are encouraged to play an active role in the program.

Scouting is all about personal leadership. It's about supporting children in their quest to be their best selves and helping them develop the confidence to make good choices throughout their lives.

Girl Scouts have fun, make friends and discover new places!  Girl Scouts go camping, visit museums, care for the environment, sell cookies, help people in the community, put on talent shows, and experiment with science. Girls can participate by joining a Girl Scout troop or by becoming an independent member.  Who can be a Girl Scout? Any girl who is between 5 and 17 years old can become a Girl Scout by accepting the Girl Scout Promise and Law and paying a $10 membership fee. No girl will be denied membership in Girl Scouts for financial reasons.                           

        Daisy Girl Scouts - Kindergarten or age 5

        Brownie Girl Scouts - First to third grade

        Junior Girl Scouts - Fourth to sixth grade

      Girl Scouts - Seventh through twelfth grade

Girl Scouts, Land of Lincoln Council

www.girlscoutsllc.org

Phone: (217) 523-8159

E-mail: gsllc@girlscoutsllc.org

Boy Scouts

Cub Scouting which includes boys ages 7-10, is a year-round program uniquely designed to meet the needs of young boys and their parents. The program offers fun and challenging activities that promote character development and physical fitness.

Service projects, ceremonies, games and other activities guide boys through the core values and give them a sense of personal achievement. Through positive peer group interaction and parental guidance, boys also learn honesty, bravery and respect.

Most people associate Boy Scouting with outdoor adventure - and for good reason. Scouting is an outdoor program designed to develop character, teamwork, learn to lead as well as follow, citizenship, and fitness. With the Scout Oath and Law as a guide, Scouting helps a boy develop into a well-rounded young man.

    Tiger Cubs - First grade or age 7

        Cub Scouts - Second and third grade or ages 8 and 9

        Webelos Scouts - Fourth and fifth grade or age 10

        Boy Scouts - Boys ages 11-17

Scouting changes children and adults as well.  Scouting has changed with the times but remains "traditional."  Scouting puts you in touch with God's creation; it allows kids to interact with their peers in a positive way. It instills in children good, intrinsic moral values, and tolerance for others.

For more information on area Scouting programs: contact the following:

Boy Scouts of America, Abraham Lincoln Council

www.joincubscouting.org

Phone: (217) 546-5570

E-mail: AskAbe@bsmail.org

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Girls & Boys Town National Hotline

800-448-3000
 

Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County

320 North Dirksen Parkway

Springfield, IL  62702

217-523-2710

www.habitatsangamon.com

Habitat for Humanity brings families in need and communities together with volunteers and resources to build decent, affordable housing.  Habitat is always looking for volunteers and there are many different ways to get involved.  Contact the local office for more information.  If you want to find out if your family may qualify for a Habitat home, visit the website or call 217-523-2710. 

Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County also runs a Restore which sells new and used household items including paint, light fixtures, and much more for prices 20%-50% below retail prices.  Income from the Restore helps pay for the use of the warehouse, pays the salary of the full-time Warehouse Manager, and also generates funding for building more houses!

Your donations of new and used home improvement items are welcome and for your next home improvement project - Remember to shop Habitat's Restore first!

Harley Owners Group (HOG)

Harley Owners Group is sponsored by Hall's Harley Davidson and includes an enthusiastic group of people who ride motorcycles and belong to a club. The HOG group does wonderful things for the community including “adopt a street” and removal of items along Sangamon Avenue. The HOG group donates money and food to the St. John's Breadline and also participates in the St. Patrick's Day parade. At Christmas, children can come to Hall's Harley Davidson and have their picture taken with Santa Claus free of charge. 

Illinois Early Learning Project

www.illinoisearlylearning.org
Offers printable tip sheets for caregivers and parents, frequently asked question, a statewide calendar of events for parents and caregivers, online chats, and good links to other sites.
 

The Lincoln Land Down Syndrome Society (LLDSS)

217-622-1992

www.lldss.org

President, Tim Rigby

The Lincoln Land Down Syndrome Society (LLDSS) is an Illinois not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization, with approximately 50 member-families throughout central Illinois.  LLDSS was organized to promote awareness, inclusion, acceptance and education of individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities. 

In cooperation with the YMCA of Springfield, LLDSS hosts swim lessons for individuals with developmental disabilities and awards scholarships to its members for classes and camps specifically designed for individuals with developmental disabilities.  These include horseback riding lessons and camps hosted by the local branch of UCP, dance classes hosted by the Turnout Movement Arts Studio and cardio kickboxing classes.  Through its affiliate, the Chatham Area Special Athletics, LLDSS helps children train for Special Olympics competitions.  LLDSS is involved in community outreach, specifically involving existing and new families with a member having Down syndrome, and LLDSS makes annual contributions to, and is an affiliate of, the National Down Syndrome Society.

To fund its programs, LLDSS hosts a Buddy Walk in the fall of each year at Washington Park which is attended by over 600 people annually.  In addition, LLDSS hosted its first annual golf outing in May, 2006.  LLDSS contributed 100% of the net proceeds from the golf outing (over $14,000) to the Edwin Watts Southwind Park, which will be a fully accessible and ADA compliant park serving all families, including those with a member having a disability.  

There is a Down Syndrome Baby Play Group in the area as well.  Visit our Children with Special Needs page for more.

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March of Dimes

www.marchofdimes.com

Our mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

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Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery

1011 N. 7th St. Springfield (217) 525-6800
Open 24 hours a day.

www.miniobeirne.org

National Center for Exploited and Missing Children
1-800-843-5678, 1-800-826-7653
 

Parent Place

314 W. South Grand Avenue

Springfield

217-546-5257

www.tppos.org

The Parent Place is a nonprofit social service agency that has been serving the Springfield community for over 30 years.  The Parent Place is dedicated to preventing child abuse by strengthening the skills and reducing the stress of parents and caregivers.  All services offered by The Parent Place are either free or on a sliding fee scale.  The Parent Place is a United Way Certified Agency.

Parks Directory  Link to our page to see the extensive list of area parks, including photos of the playgrounds in Springfield & the surrounding communities

Pet Corner  Link to our page to learn about the many local groups to help our four-legged friends!

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Poison Control Center

1-800-222-2122

Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault

110 W. Laurel Springfield 744-2560, (217) 753-8081 (hotline)
Provides comprehensive sexual assault/abuse services including counseling, advocacy and community education.

Pregnancy Care Center of Springfield, Inc.

217-525-5630

www.springfieldpregnancycare.org.

The Pregnancy Care Center’s mission is to help pregnant women bring healthy babies into the world and to prepare parents for parenthood through education, advocacy and collaborative partnerships with private and public organizations. The Center offers adoption support, Lamaze classes, maternal health and counseling services, newborn care education, prenatal care education, parenting education, prenatal vitamins and physician referrals. All services provided by the Pregnancy Care Center are free of charge and confidential.

For more information, please contact the Pregnancy Care Center at (217) 525-5630 or visit them on the web at www.springfieldpregnancycare.org  

Prevent Child Abuse Illinois

528 South 5th Street

Springfield, Illinois 62701

217-522-1129

www.preventchildabuseillinois.org

Prevent Child Abuse Illinois envisions an Illinois where all children grow up in healthy nurturing homes and communities free of child abuse, neglect or violence of any kind.  Since 1990, we have provided key leadership in this effort, working with individuals, organizations, and communities across the state.  Prevent Child Abuse Illinois works to protect children and strengthen families through public awareness, education, advocacy, community assistance and promoting support to new parents and families.

We are making a difference!  Today more people are aware of the signs of abuse and neglect and are reporting it.  Parents and guardians are changing the way they talk to and treat their children and are involved in activities that support families and children.  There is still more to do.  With your help, we can succeed in preventing child abuse!

To learn more about our professional education services, parent/community-based education, Shaken Baby Syndrome educational outreach, prevention-based legislative advocacy efforts, Prevention Resource Development Project, Healthy Families Illinois programs and our literature distribution program please contact us at 217-522-1129 or visit our web site at www.preventchildabuseillinois.org

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois

610 N. 7th Street

Springfield, IL  62702

217-528-3314

www.rmhcspringfield.org

The Ronald McDonald House is here to serve and sustain families when catastrophe strikes the most cherished part of their lives – their children. The Ronald McDonald House is a “home away from home” for families whose children are being hospitalized. The Ronald McDonald House has served over 10,000 families by offering a place to stay and a hot meal to eat since our doors opened in 1986. Our guests come from all across Illinois, the United States and the world. Guests are not required to pay anything to enjoy the comforts of our “home away from home.”

 To learn how you can make an impact in the lives of these families, please call us at 217.528.3314 or visit our website at www.rmhcspringfield.org.

Runaways National Switchboard

3080 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60657 (773) 880-9860

 www.nrscrisisline.org

The Springfield Angel of Hope

217-553-1329 or 217-241-1675 and ask for Doug Reynolds or Elise LoBue

www.springfieldangelofhope.org

The Springfield Angel of Hope (not-for-profit) organization was established by parents who have experienced the heartbreaking pain of losing a child.  The organization hopes to obtain and place an Angel of Hope statue in Springfield.   The Angel of Hope statue commemorates the lives of children who have died and is designed to provide a place of comfort, peace and hope for bereaved parents and families. A site for the angel statue has been finalized—it will be located in the Washington Park Botanical Gardens.  A dedication of the statue is planned for October 4, 2008.  The Springfield Angel of Hope (NFP) is seeking donations for this important project.  Gifts of all sizes are welcomed.  Contributors may make a gift in memory of a child, and all children’s names will be memorialized on commemorative plaques adjacent to the angel statue.  Donors giving $2,000 or greater will be recognized as Springfield Angel of Hope Patrons on an additional plaque at the site.  For more information, please call the Springfield Angel of Hope, NFP, at 217-553-1329 or 217-241-1675 and ask for Doug Reynolds or Elise LoBue or visit www.springfieldangelofhope.org

The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP)
928 So. 6th Street, Springfield, IL 62704, 217-525-8332,
www.theautismprogram.org
The U.S. Center for Disease Control estimates 1 in 150 children may have an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Autism Program of Illinois, headquartered at The Hope Institute for Children and Families was established in FY2003 by Public Act 93-0395.  It is a comprehensive system development initiative with a primary mandate to design the
system of care for children with autism and their families. 

The Autism Program of Illinois, a statewide initiative, is anchored by five Training Centers that provide model programs in diagnosis, treatment, education, resource and referral:
1.  TAP Training Center at the University of Illinois-Chicago
2.  TAP Training Center at The Hope Institute for Children and Families, Springfield
3.  TAP Training Center at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
4.  TAP Training Center at Illinois State University, Bloomington - Normal
5.  TAP Training Center at University of Illinois, Urbana - Champaign
Funding is provided by the Illinois General Assembly through the Illinois Department of Human Services.

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Tornado & Storm Preparation Checklist from the Red Cross

Our local chapter of the Red Cross has done an outstanding job responding to the needs of our community in the midst of our tornado devastation.  They have shared a helpful checklist for families.  I think we have all learned to respect the power of Mother Nature a lot more, let’s take the time to make sure we are more prepared in the future.  The Disaster Supplies Kit is a must!  Log on to www.il-redcross.org or call 522-3357

Women's Organizations:  Social & Professional

American Association of University Women

General Federation of Women's Clubs

Junior League of Springfield, Inc.

Illinois Women in Leadership

National Association of Women Business Owners

American Association of University Women

General Federation of Women's Clubs

A community service organization under the umbrella of the International General Federation of Woman’s Clubs that focuses on children's advocacy, the prevention of domestic violence; and the empowerment of women.  Women from all over the area are invited to help us in these and other endeavors.  For more information on the GFWC, go to www.GFWC.org.  Contact Amee Lee, President at 565-9192 or at aelee69@aim.com for membership information.

Junior League of Springfield, Inc. 

The Junior League of Springfield is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.  Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.  Log on to www.jlsil.org for more or call 217-787-7802, info@jls.org 

Illinois Women in Leadership

www.iwil.biz

A professional women's organization of members responsible for the management functions of their organization or field of endeavor.

National Association of Women Business Owners

www.nawbo.com

Associate of women-owned businesses.  There is a chapter that meets locally in Springfield for area professionals.

Young Parent Support Services – Family Service Center

1308 S. 7th St., Springfield 62703 (217) 528-8402
If you are a teen expecting your first child or have a newborn (2 weeks old or younger) and live in Sangamon County, you may be eligible for our program. Services are free, confidential and voluntary. This program offers you the opportunity to learn about your baby, meet other teen moms, access community resources and work toward self-sufficiency. Other services offered include adoption, adoption preservation, counseling, and daycare.
 

Young Springfield Professionals Network

The Young Springfield Professionals Network (YSPN), an affiliate of The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, engages the diverse Young Professionals of the Springfield area in networking, community service and professional development opportunities.  Parents are welcome!  For more information, visit www.ypspringfield.org or email Sarah Wolin at swolin@uwcil.org.

Youth Service Bureau

2901 Normandy Road Springfield 62703 (217) 529-8300 www.ysbi.com
It is the mission of the Youth Service Bureau to divert youth ages 10-21 from the juvenile justice and/or child welfare systems by providing access to needed comprehensive community based services aimed at prevention, diversion or treatment. The mission also includes serving the needs of the homeless adolescent population. Of note is the Safe Place which is designed to reach youth in early stages of a crisis situation. Volunteer outreach stations are established in each neighborhood in business establishments in the area we serve. When a youth approaches a Safe Place for help, the Youth Service Bureau sends a counselor, trained to handle these types of situations.

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