Beginning August 1, 2022, each institution of higher education is required to designate a Housing and Opportunities that are Useful for Students’ Excellence (HOUSE) Liaison to assist students who may be facing housing insecurity or homelessness. Allison Shuppara-Ooton serves as Richland’s HOUSE Liaison. She can assist students who may be facing housing insecurity by connecting them with campus and community resources.
Contact Us
Allison Shuppara-Ooton, HOUSE Liaison
Phone: 217-875-7211, ext. 6304
Email: shuppara@richland.edu
Office: N120, Student Success Center
If you need immediate assistance, please call 211 to be connected to community resource information. If you are in immediate need of mental health services, please call 988. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.
Support Services
- Help with referring students to campus resources, including: The Market, Student Assistance Fund, Mental Health Counseling, and Academic Support Services.
- Referrals to area social service agencies depending on the student’s needs.
- Assistance with financial aid and scholarship options.
- Providing a confidential, safe, and supportive environment.
Campus Resources
https://www.richland.edu/current-students/wellnesservices/
Post-Secondary Education Services for Youth in Care
If you are a student exiting DCFS/youth in care, you might be eligible for educational funding. For more information, visit the Illinois DCFS website.
Potential Funds/Financial Assistance Programs
Dove Financial (DFA Program): 217-619-9108
Assistance Programs
- Decatur Housing Authority: 217-423-7711 | Manages public housing and Section 8 programs.
- Homeward Bound: 217-362-7700 | Assists those facing homelessness.
- The Salvation Army: 217-428-4672 | Homeless prevention with emergency assistance with rent or utilities.
- Northeast Community Fund: 217-429-5846 | May assist financial if funds are available.
- Empowerment Opportunity Center: 217-428-2193 | When available, can shelter low-income homeless families and provide meals for a limited amount of time.
Food Pantry Locations
- AMELCA: 217-423-7783 | At First Lutheran Church every Wednesday from 10 am – 12 pm
- Catholic Charities Pantry: 217-428-3458 | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9-11 am
- Dewitt County Food Pantry: 217-935-6619 | Thursdays from 10 am-2 pm
- Helping Hands: 217-875-0616 | 3rd Thursday from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm | 2nd and 4th Saturday from 10 am-12 pm
- Hopeful Heart Ministries: 217-423-4264 | Saturday after the first full week of each month from 10:30 am-12 pm | ID required
- Maroa Public Library: 217-794-5111 | Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 am-6 pm, Friday from 9 am-9 pm, Saturday from 9 am-1 pm | Limited to one bag weekly
- Mt. Zion United Methodist: 217-864-4813 | 3rd Thursday of each month from 5-6 pm and 3rd Saturday of each month from 9-11 am | Must be a district resident | ID required
- New Vision Food Pantry: 217-423-7333 | Mondays from 5-7 pm | one time per month/ID required
- Northeast Community Fund: 217-429-5846 | Tuesdays from 9-11 am
- Northwest Christian Church: 217-429-4278 | Tuesdays from 9-11 am
- Salvation Army Food Pantry: 217-429-8050 | Tuesday and Thursday from 5-7 pm and Saturday from 8-10 am
- Good Samaritan Inn: 217-429-1455 | Prepared lunch every day from 11:30 am-1 pm
Shelters/Resources
- Careage House/God’s Shelter of Love: 217-422-2790 | 234 S College St. Decatur, Il 62521 | Providing emergency shelter to women and children
- God’s Shelter of Love: 217-422-2790 | 929 N Union Decatur, Il 62522 | Women and Children
- DOVE, Inc.: Domestic Violence Hotline | 217-423-2238
- The Salvation Army: 217-428-4672 | 137 S Church St. Decatur, Il 62523 | Men’s shelter with temporary housing, support, job search, life-readiness, and self-sufficiency
- Homeless Veterans: 217-278-9897 | Prescreen required
- Water Street Mission: 217-424-2381 | 758 N Water St. Decatur, Il 62523 | Single men only
- Illinois 211: Call 211 to be connected with resources in your community