8 Resources
Chicago Foundation for Women at 140 S Dearborn, Suite 400 has invested $50M+ in Chicago-area women's and girls' programs since 1985. While the foundation funds direct-service nonprofits rather than serving individuals, mothers can find their grantee network across Cook County including BV, Mujeres Latinas, and Between Friends. Call (312) 577-2801 weekdays 9am-5pm for grantee referrals or to learn about willPower donor circles.
(312) 577-2801 · 140 S Dearborn St Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60603
Women Employed at 65 E Wacker Pl, Suite 1500 has advocated for working women's economic advancement since 1973, with policy wins including Illinois's pregnancy-accommodation law and paid sick leave. The organization runs the Career Foundations program for low-income Chicago mothers entering or returning to work. Call (312) 782-3902 weekdays 9am-5pm to learn about workshops, scholarships, and policy advocacy.
(312) 782-3902 · 65 E Wacker Pl Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60601
Dress for Success Worldwide-Central at 2457 W Jackson on Chicago's West Side provides referred clients with free interview suits, ongoing career coaching, and the Professional Women's Group network. Mothers leaving DV shelters, prisons, or workforce programs are referred by partner agencies. Call (312) 527-2774 weekdays 9am-5pm; appointments are required and the boutique-style fitting includes shoes, accessories, and a follow-up workwear suit after job placement.
(312) 527-2774 · 2457 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612
YWCA Metropolitan Chicago at 1 N LaSalle, Suite 1150 operates childcare resource and referral, sexual-assault advocacy, early-childhood education, and economic empowerment programs across Cook, Lake, and DuPage counties. The agency serves 200,000 women and children annually. Call (312) 762-2719 weekdays 8am-5pm; intake routes mothers to financial-coaching, free tax prep through Ladder Up partnership, and YWCA's Family Support Services.
(312) 762-2719 · 1 N LaSalle St Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60602
Girls Inc. of Chicago runs research-based programming for girls ages 5-18 in Chicago Public Schools and after-school sites, focused on STEM, financial literacy, and healthy-relationship skills. Mothers of school-age girls can enroll daughters through partner schools; programs are free or sliding-scale and operate Mon-Fri 8am-6pm. Local affiliate work is centered on Chicago's South and West sides where research shows the greatest opportunity gaps for girls.
WBDC at 8 S Michigan, Suite 400 is the nation's oldest SBA-funded Women's Business Center, serving Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin since 1986. Free workshops, lender connections, and government-contracting certification (WOSB and WBE) help Illinois women start and grow businesses. Call (312) 853-3477 weekdays 9am-5pm; Spanish-language programming runs out of the Pilsen office and downstate satellites operate in Peoria and Springfield.
(312) 853-3477 · 8 S Michigan Ave Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60603
Mujeres Latinas en Acción at 2124 W 21st Pl in Pilsen is Illinois's oldest Latina-led nonprofit, serving Chicago Latinas with domestic-violence counseling, sexual-assault advocacy, youth programming, and family support. All services are bilingual Spanish-English. Call (773) 890-7676 weekdays 9am-5pm; a 24-hour DV crisis line operates separately. Walk-ins are accepted at the Pilsen office and outreach extends to Little Village and other Latina-heavy neighborhoods.
(773) 890-7676 · 2124 W 21st Pl, Chicago, IL 60608
Women's Treatment Center at 140 N Ashland on Chicago's near West Side is one of the nation's only providers offering long-term residential addiction treatment to pregnant women and mothers with children — clients can bring their children into residence. Programs include detox, outpatient, and women-only group therapy with on-site childcare. Call (312) 850-0050 around the clock; most beds are funded through Medicaid and IDHS.
(312) 850-0050 · 140 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60607