Resource Listings

Welcome to our Veterans Resources Page. The goal of this page is to offer access to the widest possible array of services, discounts and other opportunities available to veterans and their families. Just scroll down until you find what you’re looking for and click on the name to get to the corresponding website. Send suggested additions to info@iavmuseum.org.

To view mini-profiles of many of the resources listed below, click here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Being listed on this page does not constitute an endorsement by the Italian American Veterans Museum or its board of directors. The museum and its board assumes no liability for losses or damages incurred by anyone availing themselves of these resources or any other resource referred to by the resources on this page.


U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Veterans Crisis Line
Rapid response for Veterans in crisis

VA Welcome Kit
More than 20 guides to benefits and services for Veterans and their families

National Call Center for Homeless Vets
Rapid response for homeless Veterans

Benefits enrollment
How to sign up for VA benefits

Health Care Enrollment
How to apply for VA health care

Hines VA Hospital
The Chicago-area’s main VA facility

Hines Veterans Mental Health Council
Improving VA mental health services through community engagement

Vet Centers
Assists with the transition from military to civilian life

Locations
A list of VA locations in Illinois

My HealtheVet
VA health care management portal

Video Connect
Video access to a VA care team

COVID-19 Updates
The latest information on vaccines for Veterans

VA Podcasts
News-related interview shows on a variety of topics

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Illinois Veterans Service Officer
Cynthia McKee
Leyden Town Hall
2501 North Mannheim Road
Franklin Park, IL 60131
847-451-5111
Cynthia.McKee@illinois.gov

COOK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

LAKE COUNTY VETERANS ASSISTANCE COMMISSION


ADVOCACY

Coalition of Veterans Organizations
Educating and advocating on behalf of veterans

Military Officers Association of America
Advocating on behalf of and providing benefits to its officer members and their families.

ANIMAL SERVICES

America’s VetDogs
Service dogs for Veterans and first responders

BJ Chimenti Angel Fund for Veterans and Pets
Matches Veterans in need of support with pets that are in need of good homes.

Canine Companions for Independence
Service dogs for Veterans and Veterans with PTSD

Dog T.A.G.S.
Service animals for Veterans returning from the Middle East

Dog Tags (Puppies Behind Bars)
Service Dogs for Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan

Freedom Farm for Vets
Animal therapy in a rustic setting

Freedom Service Dogs of America
Free service dogs free to Veterans and active-duty military who suffer from PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, or are physically disabled

K9s For Warriors
Training and pairing rescue dogs with injured and traumatized Veterans

Lutheran Church Charities Kare 9 Military Ministry
Ministerial visits with trained comfort dogs to injured and traumatized Veterans

Operation Horses and Heroes
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy for Veterans

Paws of War
Reuniting military personnel and Veterans with the dogs and cats they rescued and bonded with while serving overseas

Pets for Vets Chicagoland
Training and pairing rescue dogs with injured and traumatized Veterans

Pits for Vets (Facebook)
Training and pairing pit bulls with injured and traumatized Veterans

Project K-9 Hero
Finds post career homes for police and military dogs

Soul Harbour Ranch
Animal therapy and intervention

Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation Pets and Vets
Training and pairing rescue dogs with injured and traumatized Veterans

United States War Dogs Association
Retired war dogs for adoption

Warrior Canine Connection
Training and pairing rescue dogs with injured and traumatized Veterans

CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT

Hire a Veteran
Employment opportunities and job resources for Veterans

Illinois Department of Employment Security
Employment services and special benefits for Veterans

Rider University
General resource guide

RecruitMilitary
Information and resources for Veteran, military and spouse job seekers.

Veteran Business Project
Advice for Veterans who want to become entrepreneurs

Veteran-Owned Business Directory
Profiles of nearly 20,000 Veteran-owned businesses

DISCOUNTS

Chicago Clerk
No-fee vehicle stickers

ComEd
Electric bill financial assistance program

Cook County Assessor’s Office
Property Tax Relief through Veteran Homeowners Exemptions

Cook County Clerk
Military and Veteran discount cards

Cook County Clerk (scroll down)
Free recording and storage of DD214s

Dealhack.com
Military and Veteran discount guide

Disabled Veterans Eligible for Free Entry with National Park Service Lifetime Access Pass

KinderCare
Childcare discounts

National Park
Free admission for Veterans with disabilities

National Park
Free admission for gold star family members

Vet Tix
Discounts on entertainment and other events

Veterans Canteen Service
Discounts available to VA employees and Veterans and families enrolled in VA health care

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Cafe Liberty
11-Week cooking school for Veterans

Folds of Honor
Scholarships to spouses and children who have had a spouse or parent killed or disabled in service to their country, either as a member of the military or as a first responder.

George Washington University
Benefits for service members and Veterans

Maryville University
Benefits for service members and Veterans

University of North Dakota
Cyber Security Education and Training Resources for Veterans

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Allen J. Lynch Medal of Honor Veterans Foundation
Assistance and relief to Veterans and immediate family members, Grants to Veterans groups, events and causes

Debt Reduction Services
Free credit and debt counseling for active duty service members

Purple Heart Foundation
Veterans critical assistance grants and funding for scholarships, PTSD resources and service dogs

The Military Wallet
A variety of personal finance resources, programs and benefits

GENERAL

100 Pretty Purses for Female Veterans
Providing dignity, love and respect to all female service members, both past and present

Archdiocese of Chicago Veterans Website
Resources for returning Service members, Veterans and their families, and for the families of those who died in service.

America Cares Too
A range of services for needy Veterans and families

Blue Star Families
Assistance for military families

Birdies for the Brave
Broad-based assistance provided by the Professional Golfers’ Association Tour

Catholic Charities
Housing, employment and other services

Combined Veterans of Berwyn
2020 virtual expo

Cook County Veterans Services
A variety of services available through the county and other sources

Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation
Educational programs; help for veterans experiencing substance abuse, PTSD, homelessness, joblessness or suicidal ideation; assistance in securing a chaplain, honor guard, TRICARE or VA benefits

The Guide to Movies for Vets
Spotlighting movies with military themes

Illinois Joining Forces
Linking Veterans with available services

Midwest Veterans Closet
Free food, clothing, goods and services for active-duty service members and Veterans

National Resource Directory
Database of validated resources that ervice members, Veterans, family members and caregivers

Operation Homefront
Financial support, programs and events aimed at helping military families overcome adversity

Rags of Honor
Employment and services for homeless and unemployed Veterans

TLS Veterans
Peer support and referral services for Veterans

U.S.VETS
Helping Veterans and their families make successful transition to community life

Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County
Housing and emergency services and assistance

Veterans Guide
Useful information for Veterans, including a 2024 VA Disability Calculator

Welcome.US
Assistance for our Afghan allies

HEALTH & WELL-BEING

Camp Lejeune Claims Center
Assistance for victims of water contamination at Camp Lejeune

Chicago Veterans
Empowering Veterans through life’s transitions

Clunker Junker
Veterans guide to driving and transportation

COVID-19 Military Support Initiative
Advocacies, information and support for the defense community during the pandemic

Guitars for Vets
Music therapy for PTSD

Headstrong
No-cost counseling for Veterans

Help Heal Veterans
Therapeutic craft kits for hospitalized and homebound Veterans

Illinois Chess Vets
Helping Veterans through chess

Make the Connection
Helping Veterans better address the issues that confront them

Mankind Project Chicago
Empowering men to improve their lives and the world around them

Mattress Clarity
What Veterans should know about sleep

Mesothelioma Veterans Center
Assisting Veterans with mesothelioma

Mission Daybreak
Suicide prevention initiative

Objective Zero
Suicide-prevention initiative

Project Red Team
Mental Health education and outreach

Psych/Armor
PEducation and training to improve the health and lives of military-connected individuals.

Road Home Program at Rush University Medical Center
Mental health care and wellness services

Semper Fi & America’s Fund
Assistance for critically wounded, ill, and injured service members, Veterans and military families

Support Over Stigma
Helping military, Veterans, and first responders overcome their mental health and service-related challenges.

Team Red, White & Blue
Strengthening the mind-body connection

The Veterans Healing Farm
Healing through farming

Veterans Smile
Free dental care for Veterans in need

Vets 4 Warriors
Veterans-helping-Veterans help line

The Way Back Inn and Grateful House
Outpatient, residential and other services for addiction and dependency

Wounded Warrior Project
Assisting Veterans with PTSD, physical or mental injuries and illnesses

HOUSING

Chicago Veterans’ Home
New Veterans home on Chicago’s Far Northwest Side

Fisher House
Lodging for families of hospitalized Veterans

Hines Fisher House
Lodging for families of hospitalized Veterans

Illinois Veterans Homes
Long-term residential care

Independence for Veterans
“Tiny homes” for Veterans at no cost

Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans
Housing, supportive services and community outreach

New Horizons
Transitional living, employment assistance, housing assistance and counseling

Purple Heart Homes
Financial and construction assistance for service-connected disabled and aging Veterans

Tunnel to Towers Foundation
Mortgage-free homes to Veterans who have suffered catastrophic injuries during their service.

Veterans Build
Volunteer opportunities and assistance with home ownership, home improvement and repairs, and employment.

LEGAL AID

Army Review Boards Agency
Courts of appeal for Veterans whose discharges were less than honorable

Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network (IL-AFLAN)
Free legal aid for Illinois armed forces

Veterans’ Legal Aid Society
Free legal aid for qualified Illinois Veterans and their families

MEDAL OF HONOR

Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Honoring the sacrifices of all Medal of Honor recipients

Father Capodanno Guild
Celebrating the life of Medal of Honor Recipient Fr. Vincent Capodanno

MUSEUMS, MEMORIAL, HISTORY, ETC.

American Battlefield Trust

The American Civil War Museum

American Legion Memorials Database

American Veterans Center

Chicagoland Combined Veterans Museum, Library and Honor Roll

First Division Museum at Cantigny Park

Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation

Great Lakes Naval Museum Foundation

Grissom Air Museum

HistoryHub

Korean War Educator

Korean War Legacy Project

Illinois State Military Museum

Illinois Veterans History Project

National Museum of Civil Defense

National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum

Naval Air Station Museum

National Archives

National Museum of World War II

National Veterans Art Museum

Naval History and Heritage Command

National Museum of American Jewish Military History

National Museum of the American Sailor

Northern Illinois University Archives

Pritzker Military Museum & Library

Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum

SALUTES

Bugles Across America
Providing live taps for deceased veterans

Honor Flight Chicago
Honoring Veterans with trips to Washington, D.C.

True Patriots Care
Flag tributes and honor walls for members of the military and first responders

Wreaths Across America
Annual wreath-laying project at cemeteries across the country

SPIRITUAL

Warriors to Lourdes
Pilgrimages to Lourdes conducted by the Knights of Columbus

Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA
Catholic ministries and services for members of the U.S. Armed Forces

VETERANS GROUPS

American Legion

American Veterans (AMVETS)

Blinded Veterans Association

Catholic War Veterans

Chicagoland Veterans Command Post

Combined Veterans of Berwyn

Disabled American Veterans

Italian American War Veterans

Korean War Veterans Association

Paralyzed Veterans of America

Military Order of the Purple Heart

Sheridan’s Chapter First Cavalry Division

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

Vietnam Veterans of America

WOMEN

100 Pretty Purses for Female Veterans
Providing dignity, love and respect to all female service members, both past and present.  A

Top Flight Defense Inc.
Serving the needs of women Veterans from all branches of the military. T

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