Emergency Relief Fund Application

The Education Justice Project will distribute direct emergency relief funds, up to $500 each, to approved applicants who are released from the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) in need of financial support during difficult times. Our mission is to provide an expedited emergency funding process that will address the needs of people on their post-release reentry journey from IDOC. We aim to remove reentry obstacles for individuals coming home by establishing a restorative approach to providing direct monetary assistance.

Requirements:

Must have been released from IDOC
Take the Emergency EJP Relief Fund 10-question survey upon receiving funds
Provide photo and/or written comment about how the funds provided support
Individuals who are not almuni of EJP are requested to apply within 6 months of release from IDOC custody

FAQs

What sorts of things qualify as emergency needs? What sorts of things can I apply for funding for?
Medication, hospitalization, medical treatment, rent/mortgage, utilities (gas, light, phone), car repairs, groceries and the like.

Do I have to pay back the money?
No. However, our goal is to keep this fund available for future individuals in need. This fund would appreciate donations of any size from you if you are a beneficiary of this funding support.

Who is eligible to apply?
ALL people released from IDOC custody are eligible for the emergency funding. Preference to first time applicants.

How will recipients be determined?
Applications will be evaluated by a committee comprised of EJP alumni based on four factors:

1. Extent to which the applicant needs relief (Applications will be rated according to a four-point rubric).
2. Whether the applicant has received previous emergency relief funds.
3. The amount of money an applicant requests.
4. Fund availability

How do I apply?
An application will be sent upon referral or inquiry to the person in need through email. The completed application form will automatically be sent to EJP Emergency Fund Administrators for review and approval. The funds, if approved will then be sent to the applicant via courier check or electronically.

Is there a deadline to apply?
There is no deadline for EJP alumni applicants. For individuals who are not EJP alumni, the deadline is 6 months after release from IDOC custody. For all, awarding of relief funds depends on fund availability.

How frequently will relief funds be given out?
Funds will be given out based on a “needs rubric” until they are depleted. It is highly encouraged that applicants who are beneficiaries of funding donate to the fund if/when possible to keep this available for other people in need who apply in the future.

Any additional inquiries can be made by emailing, calling or texting

Orlando “Chilly” Mayorga: o.mayorga2017@gmail.com/ 1-708-710-5962

Eric Nava: ericknll2013@gmail.com

Your Name (as it appears on your Illinois State ID):*

Email*

example@example.com

Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Are you an EJP Alumnus? (have you ever taken any classes with EJP)*

YesNo

If answered "Yes" for above, during what years were you involved with EJP at Danville?*

Are you currently employed?*

YesNo

If answered "Yes" for above, what kind of employment do you hold?*

How many months has it been since your release?*

What kind of accommodation do you currently have?*

What is the amount you are currently applying for?*

Please note that the maximum amount is $500

Why you are requesting emergency funds? Select all that apply.*

Please provide a brief rationale (no more than 250 words) of why you are applying for funds.*

How quickly do you need the funds?*

Immediately2-3 WeeksA month or more

Please explain the urgency.*

If approved, do you intend to donate to the EJP Emergency Relief Fund in the future?*

YesNoPrefer not to say

Age: What is your age?

Gender: How do you identify your gender?

MaleFemaleNon binaryPrefer not to say

Race: How do you identify your race and ethnicity? Please select all that apply.

Disability: For the purposes of this survey, we define a disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more activities. Do you have a disability? Please select all that apply.

I have a visible disabilityI have a non-visible disabilityI don't have a disabilityPrefer to self-describe

Please describe

I understand that I am not obligated to pay back the relief funds I received, but I understand the importance of donating to the EJP Emergency Relief Fund so that others may benefit from this opportunity as I did. (Please write your name below to indicate that you have read this statement.)

Education Justice Project Emergency Relief Fund Application

Please complete the form below to apply for emergency funds.

Voluntary Self-Identification of Demographics