Chicago Community Resources & Support

Strengthening Our City, One Person at a Time

New Acropolis is committed to serving the "whole human being." Whether you are looking for mental health support, essential services, or educational opportunities, we have curated this list of trusted Chicago organizations to assist you on your journey.

Support for Chicagoans – Find Help & Give Help

New Acropolis Chicago is committed to serving not just the mind but also the community. If you or someone you know needs assistance, explore the resources below.

🏥 Mental Health & Crisis Support

Mental Health & Crisis Support If you or someone you know is in distress, free and confidential support is available.

📞 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 | Visit Website (Available 24/7)
📞 NAMI Chicago Helpline: 833-626-4244 | NAMI Chicago Resources (Mental health advocacy and support)
📞 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233) | The Hotline
📞 Substance Abuse (SAMHSA): 800-662-HELP (4357) | Find Treatment
📞 Chicago Dept. of Public Health: 312-747-9884 | CDPH Mental Health Services

🥗 Food Assistance & Shelters

🥗 Food Assistance & Shelter No one should have to walk alone. These organizations provide essential care.

Greater Chicago Food Depository: The hub for food distribution across Cook County. Find a Food Pantry Near You
The Night Ministry: Providing housing, health care, and human connection to members of our community struggling with poverty or homelessness. Get Assistance
Chicago Housing Authority (CHA): Resources for temporary housing and stability programs. CHA Resident Services
Nourishing Hope (formerly Lakeview Pantry): Providing food and social services for mental health and wellness. Get Food & Services

📚 Free Educational & Job Resources

📚 Free Educational & Job Resources Philosophy is about lifelong learning. We support these institutions that make knowledge accessible to all.

Chicago Public Library: Access free online courses, adult learning programs, and community events at branches citywide. Explore CPL Learning
City Colleges of Chicago: Affordable education, ESL classes, and GED preparation. Adult Education Programs
Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership: Job training, career coaching, and placement services for job seekers. Job Seeker Services

🤝 Volunteering & Giving Back

🤝 Want to Help Others? Service is the best way to strengthen our community. If you are in a position to give, join us.

Volunteer with New Acropolis: Join our ecological cleanups and community drives. View Our Projects
Chicago Cares: A hub for finding diverse volunteer opportunities across the city. Find Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Match Chicago: Find local non-profits that need your specific skills. Search Chicago Opportunities

Academic Philosophy Programs

For those seeking formal degrees and academic research.

University of Chicago – Dept. of Philosophy: World-renowned for its rigorous approach to the history of philosophy and continental thought. Visit Department
Loyola University Chicago: A strong tradition in Jesuit and Catholic philosophy, focusing on ethics and social justice. Visit Department
City Colleges of Chicago: Affordable philosophy courses available across the city for those wanting an introduction to logic and critical thinking. View Course Catalog

Discussion Groups & Communities

For open dialogue and casual inquiry.

The Chicago Philosophy Meetup: One of the largest active communities for diverse philosophical discussions in the city. View Meetup Group
Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago: A community dedicated to ethical living and humanism, often hosting Sunday programs and discussions. Visit Website
The Symposium: A community-based group focused on exploring deep questions through dialogue.

Cultural Institutions

Philosophy is not just written in books; it is preserved in art, architecture, and the history of civilizations. Visit these Chicago institutions to see the "Living Philosophy" curriculum come to life.

National Hellenic Museum

Connect with the roots of Western Philosophy. Located in Greektown, this museum preserves the legacy of Greek culture. It is a perfect place to reflect on the world of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, and to explore how their questions about justice and ethics still shape our lives today. Visit Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Philosophy in visual form. One of the world's oldest and largest art museums. Walk through the galleries to explore "Aesthetic Theory"—the philosophical study of beauty and taste. From the order of classical sculpture to the chaos of modernism, see how human thought has evolved through the ages. Visit Museum

Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (ISAC)

Formerly the Oriental Institute | The Wisdom of Egypt & The Near East. For students of our "Living Philosophy" course, this is a must-visit. Located at the University of Chicago, ISAC houses an incredible collection from Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Stand before the artifacts of these great civilizations to deepen your understanding of Ma’at (Justice) and the timeless search for order. Visit Institute

Chicago History Museum

Ethics and Memory in the Modern City. Philosophy helps us understand our place in history. This museum explores the stories of Chicago’s past—its triumphs, struggles, and resilience. It is a powerful space to reflect on social ethics, civic responsibility, and how the past shapes our collective future. Visit Museum

The Newberry Library

A Sanctuary for the Humanities. An independent research library dedicated to the collective understanding of our world. With free exhibitions and a massive collection of rare books and manuscripts, it is a quiet haven for anyone seeking to engage with history, literature, and the history of ideas. Visit Library

Field Museum of Natural History

Human Origins and World Cultures. Explore the "Cyrus Tang Hall of China" or the "Ancient Americas" exhibits to see how different cultures have answered the great human questions. It provides a biological and anthropological context to the question: What does it mean to be human? Visit Museum

"The school with the studies have provided me with an environment to get to know myself better. From there we open ourselves for multiple ways of change."

-Javier Rueda

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