PEORIA ( 25News Now ) -A Central Illinois nonprofit says rising winter stress, unstable housing, and worsening mental health concerns have pushed the organization to expand community support through the holidays.

The Central Illinois Resource Center (CIRC) will now operate its peer-to-peer support line 24 hours a day, seven days a week through December 31.

The decision comes after what the organization describes as a significant increase in calls and texts in recent weeks.

While CIRC does not publish specific call numbers, volunteers report more residents expressing anxiety, fear about freezing temperatures, and difficulty accessing basic needs. CIRC says the spike was substantial enough to enact emergency authority under Article 17 of its bylaws, which allows executive action whe

See Full Page