Support Groups
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. Some groups may not be meeting
in person as of 2023, so call the contact
number listed to confirm its meeting status.
Contact the Brain Injury Association of
Illinois to inquire about support groups
that may be meeting in your area. Contact
the office at 800.699.6443 or
info@biail.org
NOTE: It is important to call the Group
Contact before making plans to attend a
meeting so that you can confirm the meeting
is scheduled to occur.
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
Contact: Dawn Henry 217.383.6423
Call for meeting information
2nd Saturday of the month, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Chicago – Making Headway
Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital
1401 S. California Blvd, Chicago IL 60608
Contact: Ginny Lazzara, 708.945.8360
Call for meeting information
Chicago – Acquired Brain Injury Conversation
Group
(for those with Cognitive Communication
Challenges)
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
355 E. Erie St, Chicago IL 60611
Contact: Rachel Hitch 312.238.6163 or
Victoria Galarnyk 312.238.3106
Call for meeting information and participant
eligibility information
Downers Grove
Rehab Without Walls NeuroSolutions
1040 Robey Ave
Downers Grove, IL
Call for meeting information
Contact: 630.969.9188
Edwardsville
– SIUE Metro East BI Support Group
SIUE Campus – Founders Hall 1208
Edwardsville, IL
Contact:
618-650-3677
Call for meeting date/time and information
Joliet
Easter Seals
212 Barney Drive
Joliet, IL 60435
Contact: 815-725-2194
Call for meeting information
LaSalle
Peru - Epilepsy Support Group (for those with
brain injury and/or seizures)
Peru YMCA
Contact: Erika Fleck 815.414.8655
Call for meeting information
Morris - Epilepsy Support Group (for those with
brain injury and/or seizures)
Morris Hospital
Contact: Erika Fleck 815.414.8655
Call for meeting information
Mundelein
Lake County CIL
377 N Seymour Ave, Mundelein IL
Contact: 847.949.4440
Call for meeting information
Oak Lawn
Christ Hospital
4450 W. 95th Street
Oak Lawn, IL
Contact: 708.684.1801
First Thursday of the month, virtual meeting 4:00-5:00 PM
Call for zoom link information
Park Ridge
Lutheran General Hospital
Sasser Conference Room (10th floor near the
cafeteria dining room)
Contact info: Dr. Mitchell VanSumeren
847.723.5540
3rd Saturday/month 10-11:30am
Quincy
Brain Trauma Awareness Organization
Networking meeting – monthly at Quincy
Public Library, call 217.242.3235 for
meeting info
Coffee for Caregivers – monthly, call
217.653.0244 for meeting information and
location.
Group Contacts: Margie Williams
217.242.3235; Vieve Veith 217.653.0244
Rockford
– Headlines
VanMatre Encompass Rehabilitation Institute
950 S. Mulford Rockford, IL 61108
Contact: 815.978.1352
3rd Tuesday/month 7:00 PM
Wheaton – Connections Teens & Adults Support
Group
Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital
26 W 171 Roosevelt Road
Wheaton, IL
Conference Center – MJ Outpatient Bldg
(entrance 2)
Contact: Rima Polikaitis 630.909.6360
Christina Hanson 630.909.8033
First Thursday/month, 6:30 - 8pm
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
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