Services & Resources
If there are other services that are not listed that can help you overcome a barrier to gain employment, we might be able to help or point you in the right direction, just click “Get Started” below.
Virtual Resource Room
Community Resources
ExceleRate Illinois – Child Care
Free Computer – PCsForPeople *if found eligible
Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development – COVID-19
Domestic Violence – Free Legal Aid
Housing and Urban Development – Find Shelter, Food Pantries, Health Clinics, Clothing
Illinois Department of Human Services – Child Care Assistance Program
Illinois Department of Human Services – Help at Home Resources
Illinois Department of Human Services – Home Services Program
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program – Federal Communications Commission
Free Computer – PCsforPeople *if found eligible
Lifeline Support For Affordable Communications – Federal Communications Commission
Cook County Emergency Food Pantries
Housing and Urban Development – Find Food Pantries
Housing and Urban Development – Find Shelter
Illinois Homeless Shelter Directory
Illinois Rental Payment Program
My Entry Point: Serving Suburban Cook County
Illinois Department of Human Services – Talk to Someone
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Dial 988
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
IRS – Main Page – Phone: 800-829-1040
Employment Resources
Access to Focus 2 Assessment (Access code: hawks)
Career Development workshop by Harper College (Click “Enter as Guest”)
CareerOneStop Self Assessments
Illinois workNet Center Skill and Interest Survey
mySkills myFuture by CareerOneStop
Additional Self-Assessment Tools:
Work From Home Jobs & Resources (flyer)
Idealist – Non Profit Jobs, Internships & Volunteering
City of Chicago – Commission on Human Relations
Cook County Commission on Human Rights
Free Legal Aid – Work and Employment Rights
Illinois Department of Human Rights
Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commision
Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Worker Rights and Protections
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) – Health and Safety
America’s Small Business Development Centers
Association for Enterprise Opportunity
Business Basics – Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Harper College Small Business Development Center
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity – Small Business Assistance
Score Chicago – Free Mentoring and Webinars
- Interested to see if you’re eligible for the WIOA Programs and Services through the American Job Center in Wheeling? Submit the Job Seeker’s Get Started form.
State of IL Resources
Education
Harper College’s Continuing Professional Education Moving Forward Scholarship Application
Harper’s Virtual Info Sessions
Harper College Training Options
Information about Harper Areas of Interest
Technology Resources
Free BCS Computer Workshop Webinars:
- Computer Workshops-60 minute and 90 minute Concept Based Webinars (Free Excel Basics, Excel Advanced, Word Basics, PowerPoint and G-Suite
Free Online Education Classes – (Topics) include: Basic Skills, Languages, Computer Skills, Internet, etc.
Online Presence
Chances are a recruiter or employer will immediately search for you online to consider you for a job. Investigate your online presence. Search your name to get started. The below sites are all top in allowing you to tell a story about yourself. Use them strategically. You have to prove to an Employer you are comfortable online.
LinkedIn – Create a well-rounded profile, Seek out endorsements from past colleagues. Employers check this site first to see your background. Check for jobs and networking groups too.
Facebook – Create a professional profile or scrub your current profile of anything inappropriate. Check your privacy settings to see who is and isn’t able to view your profile page and update accordingly.
Twitter – Create a “Handle” (Twitter speak for a username) and profile and follow companies and industry-related handles. This will demonstrate to potential employers your interest and that you are staying up to date on the latest news and trends in your field
FREE WEBINARS at American Job Center in Wheeling:
- Target Resume
- Create a Winning Resume
- Interviewing Coaching
- Virtual Interview Skills
- Virtual Networking
- How to Work a Virtual Job Fair
- Why Volunteering can land your job up to 50% faster
- 10 Rules for Working with a Recruiter
- Relax your way to a new job
- Social Emotional Webinar
- Transferable Skills Webinar
Special Population Resources
Apprenticeships – U.S. Department of Labor
Apprenticeships – Illinois Worknet
Job Training – Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
American Job Center in Wheeling – Additional Programs
- Youth Programs & MCIP (Manufacturing Careers Internship Program)
- Upgrade your skills:
- On-the-job Training
- Apprenticeships
- Interested to see if you’re eligible for the WIOA Programs and Services through the American Job Center in Wheeling? Submit the Job Seeker’s Get Started form, based on your answers you will be directed to fill out a brief WIOA Survey and view the WIOA Orientation Video.
Free Legal Help for Seniors – Legal Aid Chicago
Technology Resources for Beginners and Seniors (Flyer)
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) Program Finder
Senior HelpLine
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CST
Toll-free: 1-800-252-8966, 1-888-206-1327 (TTY)
Phone: 217-524-6911
FAX: 217-524-6968
E-mail: aging.ilsenior@illinois.gov