Government agencies or programs and nonprofit organizations serving Paris and Edgar County, updated 4/10/2013. We do our best to keep this list current, but information is subject to change.


Farmer’s Market, June-September, Saturday mornings on north side of Paris square

Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Support Group, Chrisman Christian Church, 4th Monday of the month, 6pm.
Chester P. Sutton Community Center for Seniors, 256 W. Court, 217-466-6921

Child & Family Connections #19, 1-800-758-2705, early intervention services for children with developmental delays or disabilities
Child Care Resource & Referral,  office at Eastern Illinois University, 1-800-545-7439

Compassionate Food Ministries  1101 Cherry Point Rd.  8:30-11:30am  1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Wednesdays of each month
Compassionate Clothing Closet, 211 N. Central, Tuesdays 1:00pm-3:00pm
Community Kitchen, Mondays 4:30-6:00pm; at Cafe France, 118 E. Court
Soup Kitchen, Paris Church of God, 602 E. Wood. Free meal, 11:00am-1:00pm, 2nd and 4th Saturdays
Community Nurse and Welfare Association, 217-465-5057

Crisis Pregnancy Center of Eastern Illinois 1001 Marshall Street   217-763-7800, 1-800-395-HELP (4357)

Cumberland Associates Senior Programs, 825 18th Street, Charleston, IL 61920. 217-348-3011, toll free for seniors 1-888-347-3011. Provides Comprehensive Care Coordination for age 60+.   Care Coordination Unit for the Illinois Department on Aging in Coles and Edgar Counties.

DCFS Paris office 217-465-5302
Illinois Department of Human Services, list of contact offices, Help Line 1-800-843-6154; Edgar County office, 11773 IL Hwy 1, 217-465-6491

East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging, information services for Edgar County at 256 W. Court, 217-465-8143 
East Central Illinois Mass Transit,  256 W. Court, 466-6921 for Edgar County residents (8am-4pm M-F)
Edgar County Homeless Organization (Echo House)   410 Connelly St  217-466-6054
Edgar County Housing Authority, 602 Highland Dr, 217-465-8458
Edgar County Legal Self-Help Center, Paris Public Library or access from any computer
Edgar County Health Dept, 502 Shaw Ave., 217-465-2212
Edgar County Low Vision Support Group meets quarterly at Paris Public Library, contact PACE
ERBA (Embarass River Basin Agency)  local office, 502 Shaw Ave.

Faith in Action, 104 E. Washington, 466-6388
Food Stamps / LINK card, WIC: Illinois Dept of Human Services; Edgar County office, 11773 IL Hwy 1, 217-465-6491

GED Classes (Spring 2013) HRC (behind hospital), 753 E. Court, Wednesdays 4:30-8:30pm or First United Methodist Church Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30am-11:30am. Call 1-800-210-5541 or 1-217-235-0361 for more information or to enroll. 

HOPE of East Central Illinois (Domestic violence)  1-888-345-3990 crisis hotline
Human Resources Center substance abuse, mental health, respite care services
Imagination Library - free monthly book by mail to Edgar County children under age 5. Register online or pick up application at Paris Public Library or Human Resources Center.

Illinois All Kids healthcare, 1-866-255-5437
Rx for Illinois prescription assistance for low income, uninsured Illinois residents
Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance, 415 18th Street, Suite 100, Charleston, IL  61920, 800-747-5523.

FCC Lifeline Across America programs, Lifeline provides qualified low-income consumers with a discount on monthly charges for their primary home phone line, even if it’s a cell phone. Link-Up program lowers the cost eligible consumers pay for setting up new home phone service. 1-888-CALLFCC. Contact local phone providers for information.

Meals on Wheels, Paris Community Hospital, 465-2606 ext. 254

PAL (Partners in Adult Literacy) tutoring - Paris Public Library, 463-3950, for area coordinator's contact information
Paris Lions Club, assistance with glasses
Paris Ministerial Fellowship, financial assistance applications at First Baptist Church, Tuesdays, 10am-Noon.

Peace Meals, Chester P. Sutton Center for Seniors    256 W. Court    217-465-8143
Senior Care, Paris Community Hospital, 217-465-2606 Ext. 170
Social Security, 800-772-1213  closest offices: Terre Haute 812-232-4909 and Danville 217-443-0193
Support groups: Alzheimers, cancer, caregiver, bereavement, more.  Paris Community Hospital

Unemployment services or call 800-244-5631 Offices in Danville and Champaign (Mattoon office closed)
Illinois Dept. of Veterans' Affairs, Edgar County Farm Service Agency, 11759 IL Hwy 1, 9:00-4:00 2nd & 4th Wednesdays. 217-465-5325, ext 2.

For additional information, try Community Online Resource Directory, listing physical, mental, financial, legal and information services in Coles, Clark, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Jasper, Moultrie and Shelby counties.

Local recycling options:
4H Club Recycling (paper, cardboard, magazines), 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 9am-noon. Call U of I Extension (217-465-8585) for more information.
CFL (compact fluorescent bulbs only) recycling drop-off at Enerstar and Paris Public Library.
Used oil recycling by appointment only, contact Enerstar, 217-463-4145.

Cooling centers 2012 (for excessive summer heat): Paris Public Library, Pleasant Meadows Christian Village (Chrisman), Human Resources Center,