Brain Injury Association of Illinois

Support Groups


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Support Groups

The Brain Injury Association of Illinois welcomes everyone to attend any support group. Please call the office for additional information regarding support group activities

Why Attend a Support Group Meeting?

The purpose of a support group is sharing with and supporting another for the mutual benefit of the total group. Some elements of a support group are:

Active, involved listening to others
Providing an atmosphere where positive and negative views can be expressed without being judged or labeled
An atmosphere that promotes a sense of caring
An opportunity to identify needs and to problem solve with others
Providing an atmosphere to explore inner feelings
An awareness of common needs and strengths
Receiving and giving opportunities for others to be understood
A place to find courage and to take risks
Education and information is shared among the group

Group Listings:

Champaign/Urbana

Carle Hospital - Mills Cancer Center, 2nd Floor
611 West Park
Urbana, IL
*Please park in the South Parking Garage
Contact: Dawn Henry 217.383.6423
2nd Saturday of the month, 10:30am - 12:30pm

Chicago – Heads Up

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly Rehab Inst of Chicago)
355 E Erie St., Chicago, IL 60611
headsupgroupemail@gmail.com
3rd Friday/month 1:30-3 PM (check at front desk for room number)

Chicago – Making Headway

Schwab Rehab Hospital
Facilitators: Ginny Lazzara and Diana Nawrocki
Contact: Ginny Lazzara
708.945.8360
Meets monthly, Saturdays 10am - 12noon
Call for meeting dates

Chicago - Brain Aneurysm Support Group

U of I Medical Center
1801 W. Taylor St., Ste 4E (NeuroScience Ctr)
Contact: Kate Walsh
312.355.0510
Last Tuesday of the month, 6pm

Crystal Lake - Head Winds

333 Commerce Drive, Suite 300
Crystal Lake, IL
Contact: Mary Lou Philbin
815.893.0378
2^nd Monday/month 7-8:30pm - Support group
3^rd Monday/month 6pm – Caregiver group

Downers Grove

Rehab Without Walls NeuroSolutions
1040 Robey Ave
Downers Grove, IL
Call for meeting information
Phone: 630.969.9188

Elk Grove Village – Second Chance for Survivors

Alexian Brothers Rehabilitation Hospital
935 Biesner Road
Elk Grove Village, IL
Contact: Tara Shilts, Coordinator Chaplain
847.952.7446
Call for meeting date/time and information

Herrin - Brain Injury and Stroke Support Group

Herrin Hospital
Room 1C
Contact: Casey Nelson, LSW
618.942.2171, ext. 35312
First Thursday of the month, 2-3:30pm

Joliet

Easter Seals
212 Barney Drive
Joliet, IL 60435
Contact: Kathy A. Miller
815.931.9693
Every Wednesday, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

LaSalle Peru - Epilepsy Support Group (for those with brain injury and/or seizures)

Peru YMCA
300 Walnut Street, Peru IL 61354
Contact: Erika Fleck
815.414.8655
2nd Thursday/Month 6-7pm

Morris - Epilepsy Support Group (for those with brain injury and/or seizures)

Morris Hospital – FBS Classroom
150 W. High Street, Morris IL 60450
Contact: Erika Fleck
815.414.8655
1st Monday/Month 6-7pm

Mundelein

Lake County CIL
847-949-4440
4th Tuesday/month 7:00 PM

Northshore - Skokie

Brennan & Burns
4711 Golf Road, Suite 100
Skokie, IL 60076
Contact: Heera Chandani
Meets monthly, 6:30 - 8pm
Call 847.679.8635 for meeting dates

Oak Lawn

Christ Hospital
4450 W. 95th Street
Oak Lawn, IL
Outpatient Pavilion – Room 7142
Contact: 708.684.1801
First Thursday of the month, 5:30pm - 7pm

Park Ridge

Lutheran General Hospital
West End Conference Room
Contact: Mary F. Schmidt, PhD
847.723.7021
3rd Saturday/month 10-11:30am

Peoria

Brain Injury Group
UAW Hall - East Peoria
Contact: Chris Hess
309.565.0115
2nd Thursday/month 7:00 PM

Prophetstown – BI-Ways

Winning Wheels
Phone: 815.537.5168 ext. 20
3rd Saturday/every other month
Call for meeting dates and times

Quincy

Brain Trauma Awareness Organization
Networking meeting – 10am/2^nd Wednesday of the month, Quincy Public Library
Coffee for Caregivers – 3^rd Tuesday, Panera

Call for meeting dates and times
Contact: Margie Williams 217.242.3235 or drmargiegwilliams@gmail.com
or Karen Campbell 217.223.5296

Rockford – Headlines

VanMatre HealthSouth Rehab
815.978.1352
3rd Tuesday/month 7:00 PM

Springfield – MMC Brain Injury Support Group

Stroke and Brain Injury Support Group
Memorial Medical Center
Contact: Liz Reef, BI Program Coordinator
217.788.3300
3^rd Tuesday/month, 4:30-6pm
Call for location details, topics and to be added to mailing list.

Springfield – MMC Rehab Support Group

Stroke, Brain Injury & SCI Support Group
Memorial Medical Center
Contact: Liz Reef, BI Program Coordinator
217.788.3300
1st Monday/month, 4:00-6:00 PM
Call for location details, topics and to be added to mailing list.

Streator - Illinois

St. Elizabeth Hospital
1100 E. Norris Drive
Ottawa, IL 61350
Contact: Lori Welch
815.992.5271
First Monday/Month, 6pm

Swansea - BISSIL

LINC, Inc
1 Emerald Terrace, Ste 200
Swansea, IL 62225
Contact: Barbara Norris 618.616.1700
Lynn Hatfield 618.235.9988
3rd Friday / Month 10-11:30am

Wheaton – Young Adults Support Group

Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital
26 W 171 Roosevelt Road
Wheaton, IL
Outpatient Pavilion – Conference Room
Contacts: Rima Polikaitis 630.909.6360, Elizabeth Witt 630-909-6165
First Thursday/month, 6pm -7:30pm

Wheaton – HI Hopes

Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital
26 W 171 Roosevelt Road
Wheaton, IL
Contact: Christina Hanson
630.909.8033
2nd Tuesday/month 6:30-8 PM

For Information regarding support groups in the surrounding states, please call:

Brain Injury Association of Indiana (317) 356-7722
Iowa (800) 444-6443
Kentucky (800) 444-6443
Brain Injury Association of Missouri (314) 426-4024
Wisconsin (800) 444-6443
Brain Injury Association of Michigan (810) 229-5880
Minnesota (800) 444-6443

Brain Injury Association of Illinois
P.O. Box 70
Palos Heights, IL 60463
Phones: 312-726-5699 or 800-699-6443 Fax:312-630-4011