Madison County Urban League

The Madison County Urban League assists African Americans and disadvantaged persons in Madison County, Illinois, to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights, through interracial cooperation, advocacy and education. It serves the Alton area from its East Broadway headquarters and has a second office in Granite City.

People who need help start with an outreach specialist, who coordinates an assessment and refers the client to the services that fit, from emergency grants for rent to job placement to credit counseling. The Employment Services program runs free job and career centers with employment action plans, workshops, entry-level and English-as-a-second-language classes, certificate programs, resume help, mock interviews, free computer use and job fairs across the county.

Housing Counseling has been HUD certified since 1982 and helps families buy or keep a home, including mortgage delinquency counseling for homeowners facing foreclosure. Home Stability offers emergency aid for rent, prescriptions and utility bills, along with help through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Youth Empowerment provides tutoring, nutrition awareness, transportation to school and a GED program with free individualized tutoring and help with testing costs.

The MCUL Guild, a national auxiliary of the Urban League since 1942, raises funds and does community outreach, and volunteers or new members can call the headquarters at (618) 463-1906. Gifts can be made through the website.