Support Groups

A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

The American Cancer Society provides free programs and services to local residents facing a cancer diagnosis, information on cancer prevention and early detection, and ways to get involved locally in the fight against cancer. Call 1-800-227-2345 to access patient services or to get more information about Society programs and events.
Hours: Local office 8:30 am to 5:00pm, M-F.
Volunteers: Needed to help plan and organize community events, provide services to patients including volunteer drivers, and assistance in the local office.

Camp Kesem specializes in providing free summer camp to children who have been affected by a parent or guardian's cancer. We provide programming opportunities year-round for campers to get to interact with one another. Summer camp sessions are held for 5 days in Fredonia, Wisconsin. Note: All camper programming will be virtual in 2021 due to COVID-19

Provides educational programs, wellness activities and support services to treat the whole cancer patient, from immediate diagnosis through post-treatment care. The center’s mission is to help anyone impacted by a cancer diagnosis connect with a welcoming, empowering community of people; navigate the emotional side of a diagnosis; find targeted, individualized programs; and provide resources and highly credentialed health professionals to smooth the journey through cancer.

A not-for-profit organization that helps individuals with disabilities and their families develop the "skills and opportunities to realize full lives."
Maintains Evanston Township High School's Transition House which helps students who have credits to graduate acquire life-skills.

Faith-based counseling and social service center. People of all denominations and religious backgrounds are welcomed. Appointments available between 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday.
Fees are determined primarily by the client’s resources.
Also facilitates support groups, specific subject groups, and group counseling.

GRASP Chicago-Evanston is a peer-run support group for adults with Asperger Syndrome, Autism, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified, Nonverbal Learning Disabilities and other similar Learning Disabilities. Meetings are on the third Sunday of each month from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Meeting topics relate to the challenges faced in work, relationships, and family life, and resources are available to people on the Asperger-Autism Spectrum.

Meetings are held at Evanston Northwestern Hospital, Room 1711, 2650 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201. From the main lobby, take escalators to the first floor and follow signs to Frank Auditorium. Room 1711 is adjacent to Frank Auditorium.
Information is kept through the main GRASP office; persons must subscribe before attending meetings. The Chicago-Evanston group requests that individuals RSVP at Chicago Adults with Aspergers and Friends Site.

The Illinois Spina Bifida Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality of life of children, adults, and families living with spina bifida.

Are you a new mother looking for additional emotional support? Do you have questions about your baby's development? Join the Mom Network, a weekly support group for new mothers that provides parenting support and information. Topics covered in the weekly meetings are determined by participants and typically include "the baby blues," fatigue, feeding issues and more. Free to attend; maximum of 20 attendees. For more information and to register, please call 773.665.3605.

National grassroots organization aids individuals and families coping with mental illness through support groups, educational programs and advocacy efforts.
Crisis hotline: 1-800-273-8255

NorthShore University HealthSystem hosts various support groups for individuals coping with chronic illness or loss, for parents and caregivers. Check Calendar of Events Most meet monthly. Some specific groups are:
Parenting: 847-570-2880 (Evanston Hospital)
and Parental Bereavement: 847-570-2882 (Evanston Hospital)

Nurture is a non-profit organization that provides cooking, nutrition and wellness education through social service agencies serving low-income families and through schools. Gives participants slow cookers to speed the cooking process and educates families on preparing whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. Provides recipes for delicious, nutritious meals costing $1.50 or less a serving. In 2012 Nurture programming reached over 7,000 children and parents. Program alumni are making healthier meals, increasing physical activity, and saving money on food. Nurture’s leadership manages over 130 volunteers, who donate over $500,000 worth of hours annually.

In Evanston, it partners with Junior League of Evanston-North Shore for hands-on cooking classes and Campus Kitchens of Northwestern University, which provides meals for for those in need and nutrition education, COPE,a community network of volunteers who are housed at individual Evanston schools and the Hillside Food Pantry.

Provides specialized classes, support groups, substance abuse, and mental health treatment programs. Provides specialized outpatient care for a wide range of behavioral problems, including:
- Mood disorders such as depression
- Bipolar disorder (manic depression)
- Serious and longer-term mental illness (SMI)
- Anxiety disorders, including panic attacks and post-traumatic stress
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders
- Anger management
- Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia and overeating
- Addictive behaviors, including substance abuse and gambling
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Other comprehensive services include:
1. Outpatient mental health counseling and psychiatric treatment for adults, teens and children – including individual, couple, family and group therapy
2. Intensive outpatient program for teens to address emotional or behavioral challenges by improving their social skills, self-esteem, coping skills, communication and insight
3. Substance abuse treatment for adults and adolescents, including intensive outpatient treatment, DUI services, medication assisted treatment and HIV testing
4. Parenting classes and support groups
5. Mental health residential program for adults, including short-term, long-term and transitional housing
6. Crisis services with 24-hour crisis intervention and psychiatric pre-screening
7. Anger management programs for adults and adolescents
8. Domestic violence group for males and females

Most major insurance plans are accepted as well as Medicare and Medicaid. Discounted rates are available for those who qualify.

Hospice provides support and guidance for patients and the families coping with loss and the end of life. Hospice care can be provided in the patients home, the home of a loved one, an assisted living community, a long-term care facility or a hospital. The hospice team includes a physician, nurse, social worker, home health aide, chaplain, volunteer and bereavement counselor. The hospice team visit and assist the patient and family on a regular basis, as determined by individual needs.

Volunteer advocacy group which promotes and supports restorative justice activities in the community such as Community Peace Circles. The Community Peace Circles facilitate peaceful dialogue to help promote mutual understanding and peaceful alternatives to violent responses among community members who are in conflict.Community Peace Circles work to bring all involved parties toward resolution through respectful and effective communication.

Theraplay is a child and family therapy for enhancing and building attachment, self-esteem, trust in others, and joyful engagement. It is based on the natural patterns of playful, healthy interaction 
between parent and child and is personal, physical, and fun. Theraplay interactions focus on four essential qualities found in parent-child relationships: Structure, Engagement, Nurture, and Challenge. Theraplay sessions at our Evanston clinic create an active, emotional connection between the child and parent or caregiver, resulting in a changed view of the self as worthy and lovable and of relationships as positive and rewarding.

The Theraplay Institute specializes in helping children with:
• Shy, withdrawn, or clingy behavior
• Acting-out, angry, or disruptive behavior
• Defiant, oppositional or controlling behavior
• Behavioral problems at school or with peers
• Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Developmental disorders such as Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorders
• A history of trauma, abuse, or neglect
• Attachment disorder due to adoption or multiple changes in living arrangements
• A history of social deprivation due to living in an institution
• Psychological trauma due to medical care or serious illness

YWCA Evanston/North Shore is a social justice organization working in the areas of racial justice and civil rights, women’s empowerment and economic advancement, and health and safety of women and girls. Learn more about YWCA programs and services below:

Domestic Violence Services: www.ywca-ens.org/what-we-do/domestic-violence-program
Relationship Violence Prevention: www.ywca-ens.org/what-we-do/violence-prevention
Women’s Economic Empowerment: www.ywca-ens.org/what-we-do/womens-empowerment
Racial Justice Initiatives: www.ywca-ens.org/what-we-do/racial-justice
Flying Fish Aquatics: www.ywca-ens.org/what-we-do/flying-fish-aquatics

24-hour hotline for domestic abuse victims: 847-864-8780 or (toll free) 877-718-1868.