BRAVING Boundary Inventory, by Brené Brown. A framework that breaks down the components of trust in interpersonal relationships into seven elements. Very helpful for evaluating if relationships are strong and healthy.
13 Steps for Managing Flashbacks, by Pete Walker, from the book Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving. Steps to take in the moment while experience a trauma flashback.
Mindful Breathing Script, by Carol Vivyan. A short mindful breathing exercise to reset and calm down.
DBT Skill: ACCEPTS, from Therapist Aid. Outlines distress tolerance skills for coping with uncomfortable emotions.
Cognitive Distortions, from Therapist Aid. A list of irrational thoughts that can influence emotions, helpful to identify.
Healthy Multiplicity, by LB Lee and The Zyfron System. A fantastic resource compilation for dissociative systems.
Finding the Right Provider: A Guide to Choosing the Right Therapist or Healthcare Professional, from New Growth Collective.
Early Maladaptive Schemas, from Schema Therapy Institute. A list of common unhelpful behavior patterns developed from trauma. Great to identify any you notice yourself enacting and bring that to therapy.
CDC Vaccines - December 2024, archived from the US Center for Disease Control. The last reliable vaccine recommendation list from the federal government.
Reproductive Health Access Project - Abortion Resources, full of science-backed resources regarding abortions and other pregnancy-related topics.
"Charity Care". Not-for-profit hospitals are required to offer a program for providing free or discounted healthcare, often labeled "charity care" or grouped under financial assistance, for low-income patients. This means you can get some-to-all out of pocket medical costs forgiven, and it's worth applying! See links for programs from Rush, Northwestern, Loyola Medicine, Endeavor Health, UChicago Medicine, Advocate Health.
Guidance on Gender-Related Protections in Illinois, from the Illinois Department of Human Rights. Details Illinois' state level legal protections.
Illinois Pride Connect. An LGBTQ resource hub for Illinois. They also have a free, confidential legal hotline at 855-805-9200 available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. GMT Monday through Thursday, offering services in both English and Spanish.
Name Change Laws by State, from USLegal.com.
Name Change Mobilization, from Transformative Justice Law Project of Illinois (TJLP). They hold regular in-person events in Chicago to help folks with the name change process.
Center on Halsted. A public LGBTQ center with tons of resources and programming with several Chicago locations.
Brave Space Alliance. A Black trans-led LGBTQ+ center on Chicago's South Side. Provides services, programs, and an affirming space.
De-escalation Quick Guide, from Burrito Brigade. Step-by-step instructions and guidelines how to de-escalate difficult situations.
Heater Bloc's Guide to Building a Tent-Safe Copper Coil Alcohol Heater, from HeaterBloc. Instructions for making cheap, tent-safe alcohol heater. Distribute them to your unhoused neighbors!
Are You An Anarchist? The Answer May Surprise You!, by David Graeber. Covers the broad principles of anarchism and highlights the care for humans at the core of it.
Dont to Just Nothing: 20 Things You Can Do to Counter Fascism — Yes, You! Yes, Now. A zine with 20 very actionable ways to get involved in community and supporting people in our fascistic times.
Resume Template, A great template to model your resume after.
Job Boards:
Chicago Gov Jobs Board - Links to job boards for the City, County, State, and large private employers. One of my top-used job boards.
Government Jobs general board - Compiles government jobs, searchable by location and job title.
University of Illinois Chicago
The IllinoisCOM at The Chicago Schools
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Away Staffing - manufacturing jobs
Barton Staffing - focused on Greater Chicago and the Western suburbs
First Women's Bank- No job board, contact email provided.
Selfreliance Federal Credit Union
Partnership Financial Credit Union
Self-Help Federal Credit Union
Corporate America Family Credit Union
Chicago Postal Employee Credit Union
Signature Bank - No job board, contact form provided.
State Bank of Texas - They have a Chicago branch. *Shrug*
Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust
Banc of California - Chicago branch
Hospitality Online - Hotel job board
Marriott - includes The LaSalle Chicago, JW Marriott, The Midland Hotel, Renaissance Chicago, The Blackstone
Davidson Hospitality Group - includes Hotel Zachary
Spearhead Hospitality - Some jobs listed on Hospitality Online. Says to email resume to HR@SpearheadHospitality.com and additional listings on their LinkedIn.
HHM Hotels - includes InterContinental Hotel
Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO). The primary law outlining your rights as a renter in Chicago.
Metropolitan Tenants Organization. A Chicago-based tenant's rights advocacy group that can help you fight a terrible landlord.
Chicago Furniture Bank. Great nonprofit that helps people in furniture poverty (with a place to live but no resources for furniture). They also do free pickups of donated furniture in Chicagoland! Also also a great org to volunteer for if you have the spare time.
OSHA Job Safety and Health - It's the Law, from OSHA. Lists workers' rights to a safe workplace and employer responsibilities.
OSHA - File a Complaint. Is your workplace unsafe? You have the right to file a complaint and have it be investigated.
Tech Safety for Neuroqueers, by Red Maple. An extensive guide I wrote covering alternatives to Big Tech aimed at minimizing corporate surveillance, protecting your data, and increasing your control of your online presence. Last updated 1/11/2026.
W3 Schools. Learn to code, including making your own website like this one!
IsThereAnyDeal. Video game price-tracking website that lets you set up sale alerts and find the best prices across many storefronts.
FreeFileSync. My favorite backup tool. It lets you synchronize files efficiently by comparing the differences and copying the minimum amount.
Czkawka Duplicate File Finder. A great little tool for finding and deleting duplicate files (including pictures!).
Nerdwallet. A website dedicated to reviewing financial instruments. I have found it useful for everything related to credit cards, bank accounts, insurance, and loans. They also have in-depth explainers of financial concepts.
Budget Templates, from Microsoft.