Equity Resources
Caring.com Resources
Seniors often face unique challenges when it comes to finding appropriate care and housing. Ensuring that they have access to adequate support, services, and living arrangements is crucial for their well-being and overall quality of life. Listed below are a few valuable resources:
Article Published by Purdue Global (Member of the Higher Learning Commission)
Purdue Global has published an extensive article that details why diversity is important in the classroom and the impact that it has on students' learning. The article also details 5 activities that can help teach diversity in the classroom. This is a helpful resource that details classroom diversity and the importance of diversity recognition and inclusion.
Detox Rehabs
The guide created by Detox Rehabs provides help to individuals and their families as they seek and receive professional substance abuse rehabilitation servives: www.detoxrehabs.net/cities/chicago-il
Northern Illinois Recovery Center
This is a Northern Illinois addiction treatment center offering multiple levels of treatment programs that are accessible and affordable. They create customized treatment solutions to provide a more personalized, targeted approach to addiction treatment. www.northernillinoisrecovery.com/treatment/
Westwind Recovery
The people behind Westwind Recovery® are seasoned professionals with years of experience in psychology, therapy, and healthcare. They aim to provide a place and community for people who want to live sober.
Intelligent.com Guide
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, nearly 60% of college students use drugs and alcohol. Substance use among college students can diminish academic performance, reduce the likelihood of employment after graduation, and pose serious health risks.
This guide helps students learn about which substances pose the greatest risks to them, the consequences of continuous usage, and steps to overcoming addiction.
Addictions.com has put together an extensive list of mental health resources for the Black community in honor of Black History Month. The list includes free hotlines, youth organizations, online mental health tools, substance abuse resources, useful phone apps, and more: https://www.addictions.com/bipoc/
https://www.narcotics.com/na-meetings/illinois/
https://www.freerehabcenters.org/state/illinois
https://www.detox.com/local/illinois/
https://alcoholicsanonymous.com/aa-meetings/illinois/
RecoveryLocal.org Resources
Southeast Addiction Center - One of 2023's top 50 resources for Black men who are struggling with substance use and/or mental health issues.
The Summit Wellness Group - An excellent guide written and curated by women of color, including over 60 BIPOC resources for addiction and mental health.
Live Another Day - Features editorially-curated lists of the top-rated rehabilitation centers by state.
Tulip Hill Recovery - An in-depth guide on how to get someone into a rehabilitation facility.
Retreat of Atlanta - This guide offers information on the potential risks of taking vitamins with alcohol.
Southeast Detox - A guide to help Black women rise and thrive in 2023.
Louisville Addiction Center - An extensive resource curated for the parents of BIPOC students.
Layla Sleep has developed a resource that shares essential habits for getting a good night's sleep. As most of us know, sleep is an important aspect to staying healthy and energized for the day. Layla Sleep offers valuable insight on the science of sleep and how creating healthy nighttime routines can help minimize sleepless nights.
For Veterans, Single Mothers, and Previously Incarcerated Individuals
This website provides comprehensive details on grants for veterans. It has been featured on the US Office of Veteran Affairs website, idaho.gov, wisconsin.gov, the National Debt Relief website, sites of several educational institutions, and other governmental websites.
Another resource is this list of financial assistance programs that help single mothers with rent, utility bills, child care, education, medication, housing, medical bills, and mortgage, among others. Included are links to more than 1,000 grants that these women are eligible to apply for today.
This is the most trusted and widely-used resource for formerly incarcerated individuals who are looking to rebuild their lives. An unfortunate past does not have to mean an unfortunate future. Check out this website and reach out with questions.
The signs and symptoms of drug addiction are not the same for everyone. There is also no set list of signs of drug addiction that encompasses all addictive substances. The symptoms of addiction to one drug often vary when compared to the symptoms of addiction to another drug. View guide here.
Addressing underlying psychological and mental health issues is critical in many mental health therapies. Holistic counselors are at the heart of this procedure. They establish efficient ways to find a link between physical, psychological, and spiritual components. View guide here.
ResumeBuilder.com Resource Guide for Older Adults
A 2020 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report projected a 2.8% workforce participation increase for people over 75 by 2023. Seniors are continuing or returning to work for various reasons, including personal finances, enjoyment of what they do, and a desire to keep active. For this reason, ResumeBuilder.com created a guide that provides information for seniors looking to re-enter the workforce. The resource includes instructions on how to use the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), resources for older veterans, and state-specific job boards and employment resources.
Testing.com has partnered with many leading health organizations worldwide, such as the American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science, to provide communities with access to its medical guides. Their collection of approachable and actionable guides sheds light on important health-related issues and assists individuals in making informed health decisions. View the guides below:
Affordable Health Insurance (AHI) Options for Homeless & Vulnerable Youth
As a patient resource center, AHI’s mission includes helping vulnerable youth suffering from mental health issues better understand the benefits and coverage readily available. This new guide offers valuable information on who qualifies, what certain coverage plans include, and several low- to no-cost health coverage options. This guide also includes additional resources for individuals seeking to obtain specialized support.
Live Another Day
This organization’s website offers extensive information on mental health and substance use resources for people of color. Their mission is equal access to life-saving resources, and the site includes guides specifically for black, Latinx, Asian, and native people.
Detox Local for the AAPI Community
Excellent resource with information on safely quitting drugs and alcohol. There is an extensive list included of mental health and substance use resources specifically for the AAPI (American Asian and Pacific Islander) community.
A Guide to Addiction and Recovery for African Americans
African Americans may experience more barriers to treatment than other groups, this guide can help one become aware of payment options and how to find providers who understand the issues unique to this population.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Among African Americans
Provides helpful statistics, looks at the differences in substance abuse patterns across the black population, and treatment options to consider.
Black Underrepresentation in Addiction Treatment
Discusses the idea of ‘underrepresentation’ in more detail looking at common barriers, legal biases and the importance of cultural competency.
Racial Disparities In Addiction/Substance Abuse Treatment
Racial health disparities are a significant barrier to maintaining good health and quality of life for communities of color in the United States. Identifying how these disparities show up in addiction treatment settings, and how to address them, is a critical goal for helping all people with substance abuse struggles achieve recovery.
Race and Ethnicity: How It Affects Your Risk of Cancer
A resource with information on whether race, color, and ethnicity are factors of having cancer.
Public Health Resources for Understanding Environmental Racism
A resource that brings awareness to environmental racism. Environmental racism is intentional racial discrimination in infrastructural and environmental policy making. This resource can equip individuals with information to better address these issues in their communities.
Skin Cancer Awareness & Prevention for People of Color
A guide from The Derm Review with information on skin cancer in people of color, what cancer looks like on the skin of people of color, facts about how fast it spreads, how deadly it can be, sunscreen specifics for people of color, and more.
Mental Health Issues Facing the Black Community
A guide from Sunshine Behavioral Health to discuss the impact of racism and discrimination on the mental health of our Black communities.
Learning for Justice: Addressing Anti-Asian Bias
A resource list from Learning for Justice to support educators in introducing ways for students to recognize and speak up against coronavirus racism and start conversations about recognizing and acting to address injustice.
Educators 4 Social Change: Teaching About Anti-Asian Racism and Xenophobia
A curated list of lesson plans, articles, and informational sites for educators to use to talk in their classroom to discuss anti-Asian racism and xenophobia.
Chicago Public Schools: Equity Toolkit
An equity-focused toolkit curated by Chicago Public Schools including relevant resources, guides, articles, tools, and more. View the CPS Equity Framework for the district’s plan to create and sustain equity at the individual, school, and district level.
Teach to Change Illinois Now: An Anti-Racist Toolkit by Educators for Educators
An anti-racist toolkit curated by educators, for educators and developed in partnership with anti-racist expert Lorena Germán.
Chicago Public Schools: Say Their Names
A toolkit created by Chicago Public Schools to engage students in productive conversations about race and civil disobedience.
NewsELA: Black Students Matter
Resources for anti-racism teaching and instruction developed by NewsELA.
21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge
For 21 days, do one action to further your understanding of power, privilege, supremacy, oppression, and equity using this plan developed by America & Moore.
An anti-racist reading list curated by Willamette University.
New Repertory Theatre’s Anti-Racism Starter Kit
A list of anti-racism resources and tools curated by New Repertory Theatre.
Golden Apple | Resources for Conversations about Racism
As we all consider ways where we can contribute to addressing and ending systemic racism facing black Americans, indigenous people, and people of color, the Golden Apple is providing curated materials from a diverse collection of experts in this space to help empower educators and parents to have meaningful conversations around this issue.
Anti-Racism Resources and Tools
A list of anti-racism resources and tools curated by Ethos Talent, a consulting practice that helps drive company performance by shaping and developing DEI and culture.
Recent events - along with the lack of accountability for the police officers who murdered myriad unarmed victims - have prompted educators to seek resources on how to address these subjects in the classroom. The resources on this page can help spur much-needed discussion around implicit bias and systemic racism. This collection of resources can also empower your students to enact the changes that will create a more just society.
Best Colleges: “Why You Should Major in African American Studies”
A guide from Best Colleges on majoring in African American Studies and the unique opportunities that this major offers in providing students with an understanding of African Americans’ historical, political, and cultural impact.
The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) has compiled a list of curated resources to support educators in centralizing equity and environmental justice within environmental education.
Support Black-Owned Businesses: 181 Places to Start Online
COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted Black-owned businesses. Looking for a way to support Black business owners online? Check out this list of 181 Black-owned businesses across the United States.
100kcals Resources
This is a compilation of useful websites, applications, and Youtube channels that offer credible information to help people make healthy nutrition choices and promote better physical and mental health.
The Sleep Gap: Diving Deeper Into the Inequality Surrounding Sleep
This guide reviews the factors that contribute to sleep inequality and provides insight from educators so that individuals have the tools they need to raise awareness on this issue that is contributing to a larger public health crisis.
What So Many Get Wrong About Racism in the Workplace
Racism has been wreaking havoc not only in our personal but also professional lives. Fingerprint for Success recently gathered various insightful stats on instances of racism in the workplace, which includes data from Glassdoor, SHRM, and other organizations. They have also highlighted simple steps you can take to fight racism and promote equity in your own workplace.
Resources
Literature & Texts
for Students
Mattress Clarity: Bedtime Stories Featuring Inspiring and Diverse Female Characters
Bedtime stories are not just crucial for a child’s language development, but are a fun way to teach important lessons and history. Mattress Clarity’s list of “12 Inspiring Bedtime Stories for Your Child” has a quick summary of each story, as well as the target age range that they are best suited for.
American Defamation League Curriculum Resources & Texts on Bias, Race, and Injustice
Recent events in our nation have once again illuminated racial injustice and incidents involving police officers and the deaths of Black American and Latino men. The lack of convictions and trials in these cases have prompted a wide range of emotions, conversations, policy proposals, protests, and other actions. As parents, teachers, and family members continue to have difficult conversations, the American Defamation League is providing relevant lesson plans, related curricula, as well as additional anti-bias resources and strategies to help guide these conversations with your youth in school and at home.
New York Times | “These Books Can Help You Explain Racism and Protest to Your Kids”
Books curated by age-band to encourage conversations with children about race, racism, protests.
Talking to Young Children About Race and Racism
Tips and resources from PBS Kids to help you have a meaningful conversation with young children about race, racism, and being anti-racist.