Dear Friends,

There has never been a better time to be part of the Envision Unlimited family. Every day, I get a front row seat, watching our members exceed expectations in so many aspects of life.

In just the past few weeks, members at our Rose Center had their artwork on display at Expo Chicago, a showcase for some of the top contemporary and modern art galleries. Our member Andre published his memoir, illustrating a journey of joy, struggle and resilience. And many more members attended our Bright Futures Ball, where they took photos, engaged with our guests and danced the night away. Some even said it was the best time of their lives.

Each of these milestones is possible thanks to our incredibly dedicated staff, board members, volunteers and, of course, our members’ zest for life. But sadly, others are not as fortunate. Thousands of people with disabilities are still waiting to access services like ours, so they can also lead lives filled with choice, independence and inclusion. I have met many of these individuals, and it’s heartbreaking to see their desperation to escape a life of marginalization.

That’s why we must continue to go above and beyond to provide more opportunities for our current and potential new members. I invite you to learn more about our impact and share the stories in this newsletter far and wide, so we can inspire other people with disabilities to feel unlimited.

Sincerely,

Mark McHugh

President and CEO

Envision Unlimited

A Little Determination Goes a Long Way

When Envision Unlimited member Ernest was just 14 years old, he was struck by a car. The impact sent him flying 15 feet through the air and left him with a traumatic brain injury and a broken knee. The road to recovery was long. But even though the accident nearly killed him, Ernest believes it saved his life, as it got him off of the streets and ultimately set his life on a better path.

Fast forward to about 2021. Due to the accident, he needed a knee replacement and walked with a walker. However, his doctor wouldn’t authorize surgery until he lost 20 pounds. With determination, discipline and support from family, Ernest dropped the necessary weight and received the procedure. Today, he no longer needs a walker.

“When he wants something, he’ll do it,” said Mary Zornoza, Ernest’s host family mother. “He worked very, very hard to be where he is right now.”

For the past few years, Ernest has lived with Zornoza and her wife through the Envision Unlimited host family program. Similar to the foster care model, the program pairs eligible adult members with intellectual and developmental disabilities with host families, giving them the opportunity to live in a private home and enjoy choice, independence, inclusion and community involvement. We currently have 22 licensed host families participating in our program.

Zornoza says Ernest is already like part of her family. They love going out to eat and playing board games together. He also accompanies them on trips to the laundromat and grocery store. And when Zornoza’s adult children come to visit, they enjoy Ernest’s company.

For others looking to become host families, Zornoza stresses that empathy and patience are important qualities to possess. Once you’re matched with the right member, she says the experience is truly rewarding. “I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world,” she said.

To learn more about the program or how to become a host family, click here or contact host family coordinator Latonia Everett at 773-569-5159 or leverett@envisionunlimited.org.

Photo: Ernest smiling with fellow Envision Unlimited member Lucy.

Coloring Life with Memories

We all face challenges at various times in our lives. And by sharing our story, we often encourage others to overcome their obstacles. That was the motivation behind our member Andre’s new book: “Colorful Memoirs: A Journey Through Andre’s Life.” Co-published with Envision Unlimited residential house manager Treena Glover, this adult coloring book provides readers with creative snapshots of significant moments in Andre’s life, from playing childhood games with his sister to his graduation from Schurz High School in Chicago.

“Andre has a deep yearning desire for people to see him beyond his mental health challenges,” Glover said. “Through his experiences, he inspires those around him, demonstrating the power of perseverance and the human spirit.” 

To further illustrate his perseverance, Andre volunteered to be a team leader for our 2024 Summer of Cycling events, pledging to raise $1,250 for a new tandem bicycle. All proceeds from his book will go toward the new bike, so more people with disabilities can experience the life-changing benefits of cycling.

We’re very proud of Andre and all of his achievements.

Our Perspectives on the Importance of DEI

At Envision Unlimited, we understand that we all have unique strengths, needs, beliefs and lived experiences that make us who we are. We value those differences, as they tell our individual stories and help us learn from each other.

For us, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are more than just guidelines. They’re a commitment to fostering an inclusive community, in which we work together to provide care with empathy, every time and everywhere for people with intellectual, developmental and psychiatric disabilities.

Check out the latest installment in our DEI video series below and learn more about our perspectives on DEI here.

Supporting Wellness Through Community Relationships

When people with mental illness don’t have access to community resources, going to a hospital for a mental health crisis could lead to long-term institutionalization. The Envision Unlimited Front Door Diversion Program helps prevent this higher-level care by quickly connecting hospitalized members to community-based services and housing. This ensures that our members can continue their recovery in a more peaceful, community environment while reducing the need for institutionalization.

Our staff works with each program participant to develop an action plan that outlines strategies for preventing future psychiatric crises and maintaining optimal wellness. One of those staff members is outreach and engagement specialist Khadija Scott, who has played a key role in cultivating strong relationships with hospital social workers. As a result, our program is able to serve more people in need. In addition to the recognition she is getting as an important community connector, she was also recently featured in an Illinois mental health program newsletter, highlighting stellar staff and program members.

The Front Door Diversion program receives referrals from hospitals, Department of Mental Health (DMH) approved community-based settings and other consumer referral sources assigned by DMH. To learn more about the program, contact Catherine Harris, assistant director of our Community Transition Program, at charris@envisionunlimited.org. 

Helping Our Members Soar

Our Bright Futures Ball was an extraordinary evening filled with inspiring stories of how our members and their caregivers live fulfilling, self-determined lives, thanks to the evolving care that Envision Unlimited provides. With roughly 330 longtime supporters and new friends in the room, we raised more than $420,000 to support our programs, so even more members and caregivers can feel limitless.

See our favorite moments here.

This year, we recognized our fierce advocate and generous donor Tom Canale with the Envision Unlimited Humanitarian Award. For more than a decade, Canale was one of our Board members, understanding the important work needed to support people with intellectual, developmental and psychiatric disabilities across the Chicago area and Central Illinois. He also served as chair of our inaugural Bright Futures Ball and spearheaded the first annual Small Victories fundraiser.

“Many of life’s greatest experiences start with one word: YES!” he said during his acceptance speech. “Giving feels good, no matter if it’s time, money, ideas or all of the above.”  

In the past year, Envision Unlimited reached many milestones. We transitioned nearly 200 members with disabilities from state institutions to safe homes in a community of their choice, marking the largest transition for any organization offering these services in Illinois. We also provided more than 15,000 hours of respite services for families in 21 counties across Illinois, reducing caregiver burnout. And we provided an average of 450 community integration opportunities each week for our members.

But as our President and CEO Mark McHugh said, there is still plenty of work to be done for people in need. Contributions help us strengthen our foundation, so we can continue making an impact on the lives of people with disabilities.

If you’d like to see more highlights from that memorable night, we invite you to check out our photo gallery and video. 

Meet Our Wonderful Volunteer: Alan Yuen

A snow-filled ski trip. Lunch at a restaurant adorned with white tablecloths. Fireworks in celebration of the Lunar New Year. These are just some of the memorable experiences our members have enjoyed, thanks to our dedicated volunteer Alan Yuen. He has been a good friend to Envision Unlimited for many years, but he has recently become more involved in our various programs.

A former art director, Yuen developed an original art program at our Westtown Center over the past few months, inspiring our members to interact with each other. In the summer, you can find him pairing up with members and riding tandem bicycles through our Buddy Biking program, which empowers greater mobility, independence and community engagement for people with disabilities. And as the owner of Friendship Chinese Restaurant in Logan Square, he often treats our members to authentic Chinese meals and sometimes cooks with them.

It’s efforts like these that earned Yuen the Volunteer of the Year award from disability advocacy organization The Arc of Illinois. “His care for the members shines through his selfless work,” said Hannah Lowe, Westtown Center program director, and Susan Gardner, vice president of day and employment services, when nominating him for the award.

On behalf of everyone at Envision Unlimited, we’d like to extend a hearty congratulations to Yuen. We’re fortunate to have a volunteer like you!

Gear Up for Summer of Cycling 2024

The weather is getting warmer, and that means it’s almost time to dust off our cycles and gear up for Summer of Cycling 2024. This year’s series of events will feature six exhilarating rides across paths, tracks and trails throughout the Chicago area. We’re already excited to see whether our members and volunteers can reach this year’s goal of 7,500 miles pedaled.

We’re kicking things off Thursday, May 9 along Chicago’s lakefront bike path. If you’d like to learn more, volunteer or ride with us, check out our full schedule and options to get involved. 

Partnering for Choice, Independence and Inclusion

We love collaborating with fellow organizations that are striving to make a difference in the community, and our longtime sponsor, Spavia, is one of them. Through Mother’s Day, these local day spas are donating 12% of all gift card sales to support Envision Unlimited programs, members and caregivers.

We’re grateful for their involvement in our Adaptive Cycling program and dedication to promoting choice, independence and inclusion among people with disabilities.

If you know someone who could use the gift of relaxation, get them a Spavia gift card and support Envision Unlimited today! 

Going Above and Beyond for the Environment

Scientist and engineer Bill Nye once said, “To leave the world better than you found it, sometimes you have to pick up other people’s trash.”

Our members love participating in activities that benefit the environment. Through collaborations with community partners, such as Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange and The Plant, members collect leftover yarn and fabric and turn them into their famous colorful crafts, which are often sold to the public. And twice a year, the Envision Unlimited Westtown Center hosts a material giveaway organized by Zero Landfill, an organization that gathers and redistributes reusable materials.

Members not only strive to keep scraps out of landfills, but they also work to beautify their surroundings. Thanks to relationships with the Chicago Park District and The Nature Conservancy, they water newly planted trees, remove invasive species and gather garbage at various parks and beaches across the city. They’re even poised to receive official status as environmental stewards from the Conservancy this spring.

Congratulations to our members on this significant distinction!

Rocking our Socks for World Down Syndrome Day

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 6,000 people are born with Down Syndrome every year, and the condition has become increasingly common. To raise awareness, World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on March 21, and we dyed plenty of pairs of socks in celebration.

How do socks relate to World Down Syndrome Day? Their shape resembles a chromosome, and people with Down Syndrome have three copies of chromosome 21.

We want people with Down Syndrome to be included in their communities and given the same rights as everyone else. Check out scenes from our sock dying festivities at our Morgan Park Center and Back of the Yards library. Limited edition member-dyed socks were also available at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Buddy Chicago shop for the entire month of March.

Envision Unlimited in the News

The impact of Envision Unlimited has captured local media attention again. Our President and CEO Mark McHugh was recently interviewed on Hubbard Helps, a public affairs program on WDRV 97.1 FM that features conversations with Chicago-area officials, experts and organizations working to make a difference in the community.

He talked about the history of Envision Unlimited and our various programs that help people with disabilities live their best lives. Take a listen to the interview below and share it with anyone who might like to learn about our essential services.

Evolving Care with Empathy, Every Time and Everywhere

Evolving care is at our core. That means we successfully meet and anticipate the needs of people with disabilities. Our dedicated staff and volunteers go above and beyond every day to make a difference in our members’ lives.

During the past decade, we grew our geographic footprint, increased opportunities in our employment program, expanded our community living options and much more. Our caregivers can also get much-needed relief through our family respite support across Illinois.

Learn more about how we continue to open new doors for care and provide empathy in everything we do.

Envision Unlimited is a full spectrum of care organization serving people with disabilities from infants to 80+ years old regardless of race, gender, religion, or ability to pay. Founded in Chicago in 1948, Envision Unlimited has a legacy of evolving care delivered with empathy, every time and everywhere. To learn more, please visit www.envisionunlimited.org.