Arrowleaf Client FAQs

Arrowleaf exists to support you and your neighbors as you weather the storms that everyone faces throughout their lives. 

Think of our programs and services as the foundation for your well being. Just as buildings are better able to withstand bad weather with a strong foundation, you’ll be better equipped to overcome life’s challenges when you have access to the foundational resources and opportunities you need to thrive.

Arrowleaf works to build and maintain well-being for individuals of all ages across Southern Illinois, regardless of their life situation.

Everyone needs support to reach their potential, and the types of support we need changes throughout our lives. That’s why Arrowleaf works with Southern Illinoisans in a diverse array of areas, throughout all stages of life. For example, in childhood, we support students’ academic and emotional development; in adulthood, we help build employable skills for those living with intellectual or developmental disabilities; and in later life, we provide support for the activities of daily life so older adults can maintain their independence.

With more than 25 programs, we are able to support you through almost any challenge that can come up throughout your life.

We recognize that the challenges that exist in our communities, and the resources needed to build well-being, are always evolving. That’s why we aim to constantly expand and innovate our services and approach in response to your feedback. When we cannot help with a specific challenge ourselves, we can connect you with others in our region who can. If you have a need you’re not sure we can help with, just ask.

Everyone faces challenges throughout their lives. Arrowleaf is the organization you can rely on to provide the support you need to get through difficult times so you can reach your full potential.

Though Arrowleaf offers a wide variety of opportunities and resources to Southern Illinoisans of all ages and backgrounds, it is not possible for any one organization to address every challenge faced by people throughout our region. We value community collaboration because partnerships with other local organizations allow us to connect people with resources and reliable referrals for services we do not offer ourselves, broaden our reach in the community, and make a deeper impact. Together with our partners, we can do more to improve the quality of life for all Southern Illinoisans and strengthen our region.

Arrowleaf helps individuals thrive by providing access to resources and opportunities that build well-being and make it easier to overcome life’s challenges. When people thrive, they contribute more fully to our communities, and build economic prosperity that benefits everyone in our region.

Between employment at our organization, the goods and services we purchase locally, and the programs and services we provide to our communities, Arrowleaf’s economic impact is over $25 million per year.

At Arrowleaf, we know that effective human services organizations do far more than provide direct services to address urgent needs. That is why we also:

• advocate on a local and state level for the conditions that allow people across Southern Illinois to thrive;
• educate stakeholders about the needs and resources that exist within our communities;
• and work to address the societal conditions—such as poverty and inequality—that can deepen the need for direct services.

By focusing on the intersection between direct services, advocacy and education, we’re able to do more to build well-being and strengthen our region.

With more than 25 programs and services for people of all ages that we’ve developed in direct response to feedback from people in our communities, we can help you with almost any challenge you are going through. If for some reason we cannot offer the sort of support you’re looking for, we can connect you with others in our region who can

We understand how important it is to be able to access the support you need, when you need it. We will do whatever we can to make sure you don’t have to wait to access services, especially when you have an urgent need. That includes connecting you with one of our partners throughout the region if we can’t help you ourselves.

Historically, long waiting lists have been due to a workforce shortage and growing needs for our services in our region. We’re working to address this every day by focusing on employee recruitment and retention and our service delivery process, and we welcome your feedback.

It may be helpful for us to help you clarify your expectations about what your relationship with Arrowleaf is likely to look like. While we recognize that everyone faces challenges throughout their lives, it is not our goal to work with most individuals continually or indefinitely throughout their lives.

Instead, we aim to support you at the specific points when you need help weathering life’s storms. That means there will likely be times throughout your life when you’re receiving direct support or services from Arrowleaf and times when you’re managing on your own. As such, the Arrowleaf staff you work with may change as your life changes and your needs evolve. This is due to the nature of our service delivery model rather than turnover.

As an organization that provides essential services to people in our region, we will never turn anyone away based on their ability to pay.