Lyte Collective | Need Help

Under 18
- CALL NATIONAL RUNAWAY SAFELINE
  
  If you are under the age of 18 and need to get somewhere safe, call the National Runaway Safeline at 1-800-RUNAWAY.
18-24
- TWO OPTIONS
  If you are 18-24, you can go directly to one of these three Chicago youth emergency shelters: Casa Corazon, The Crib, Ujima Village (contact info, times and procedures for each shelter in resource guide below) however if you are unable to get to the location safely on your own, you can:
  
  CALL 311
  1. Tell the operator that you are experiencing homelessness and need to get to shelter
  2. The operator will then transfer you to a hotline run by Catholic Charities and they will ask you information about your current situation including your age and location.
  3. Tell them that you want to go to a YOUTH emergency shelter
  4. Wait at your location (sometimes for a very long time...) for transport van to pick you up and take you to shelter
25 or older
- CALL 311
  1. Tell the operator that you are experiencing homelessness and need to get to shelter
  2. The operator will then transfer you to a hotline run by Catholic Charities and they will ask you information about your current situation including your age and location.
  3. Wait at your location (sometimes for a very long time...) for transport van to pick you up and take you to shelter

If you are currently homeless and need help in Chicago a list of emergency shelters, daytime drop-in centers where you can get support and much more can be found in this resource guide. Call ahead as hours and locations may change.

StreetLight Chicago

The StreetLight Chicago phone app is also a great way to get up-to-date info on shelters and other emergency support.

Are you a young adult and struggling to find a safe place to stay, having a hard time getting basic items like food, want to enroll in school or find a job, or are just having a difficult time and want to talk to someone?

We are here to listen and to help!

You don’t need a referral
You don’t need to bring any documents
Just send us a note about how we can help!

We can support you with things like:

Connecting to basic needs such as food, showers, laundry and shelter
Getting your personal documents such as your state ID, birth certificate, and social security card
Applying for LINK, WIC and TANF
Finding a doctor and applying for health insurance
Helping you find a counselor, therapist or other mental health support
Enrolling in high school or college
Applying for a job or enrolling in a job training program
Connecting to fun activities in art, sports, music and other areas that interest you
And much, much more!