Envision Unlimited

Today is International Self-Care Day, and we encourage everyone to take care of themselves today and every day. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends the following self-care tips, so make time for one of these today.

🔸 Eat healthy meals and stay hydrated.

🔸 Stay connected to friends and family and reach out when you need support.

🔸 Practice relaxing activities, like reading and spending time with nature.

July is Disability Pride Month, a time to recognize the history, achievements, experiences and struggles in the disability community. To celebrate, our members participated in Chicago’s 21st annual Disability Pride Parade over the weekend.

This year’s theme was “disability pride will not be denied,” and our members made a colorful statement with their tie-dye shirts, leis and grass skirts.

One member from our Nashville Center even said, “I want to be part of this every year.”

We’re just two days away from our next Summer of Cycling event: the Journey of Hope Friendship Visit Ride Along! Will you be riding with us?

Join us and our cyclist friends from Pi Kappa Phi’s The Ability Experience as we pedal along the scenic 606 trail. This event marks the Ability Experience’s Chicago “friendship visit,” which is part of the group's annual cross-country ride that raises awareness about people with disabilities and the benefits of cycling.

Riders of ALL ages, abilities, skill levels are welcome. Then, join the party at our Westtown Center afterward!

There’s still time to register. https://www.envisionunlimited.org/events/journey-hope-friendship-visit-ride-along-2024

Are you looking for a hands-on fall internship at an organization that helps people with disabilities live their best lives? We want YOU to work with us!

We offer internships through our mental health, art therapy and community day programs for students pursuing graduate and undergraduate degrees as well as certificate programs. Individuals will receive experience at one of our seven community day centers or our Ravenswood Center, the hub of our mental health services.

“I spent my first-year internship helping on the developmental disability side of the organization with the s*x education program,” said clinical social work intern Katie Feyh. “It was such a positive experience that I chose to stay with Envision Unlimited this year to work in outpatient therapy on the Mental Health side.”

Applicants should demonstrate an interest in working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in community day programs and/or clients with mental health conditions. Learn more here: https://www.envisionunlimited.org/internships-envision-unlimited

Children with disabilities are up to 3.5 times more likely to have experienced abuse or neglect than their non-disabled peers. And those in the child welfare system often endure traumatic situations.

Since 1996, the Envision Unlimited foster care program has helped children with disabilities find their “forever home” and provided them with skills and tools that are necessary for an independent and successful life.

“The Envision Unlimited foster care program is a phone call away,” one foster parent said. “Any time I need a listening ear, I know who I can count on.”

Read more: https://www.envisionunlimited.org/helping-children-disabilities-find-forever-home

Our members have been hard at work this summer, tending to the bountiful garden at our Frick Center. Thanks to efforts from our Star Farm Chicago consultant, an array of fresh fruit and vegetables – from radishes, Swiss chard and arugula to lemon balm, mulberries and mushrooms – have been added to our members’ regular diets.

Our members have also shown an increased interest in planting, weeding, mulching and composting. We can’t wait to see what they’ll harvest next!

Our member Andre is in the news AGAIN! Last night, he sat down with WCPT 820 - Chicago's Progressive Talk host Patti Vasquez to discuss his book, “Colorful Memoirs: A Journey Through Andre’s Life,” his new job and love for cycling alongside Envision Unlimited staff member Treena Glover.

We’re so proud of him and all that he has accomplished over the past several months! Check out their interview below. Fast forward to 00:50:06 to hear their segment!

https://soundcloud.com/wcpt820/driving-it-home-with-patti-vasquez-july-15-2024?utm_source=heartlandsignal.com&utm_campaign=wtshare&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=https%253A%252F%252Fsoundcloud.com%252Fwcpt820%252Fdriving-it-home-with-patti-vasquez-july-15-2024

The Patti Vasquez Show

Three cheers for our Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professionals (QIDPs)! Our QIDPs serve as advocates, caregivers and mentors for our members, and they consistently go above and beyond to ensure that members receive support that’s tailored to their unique needs.

Thank you for all you do! Your work is always appreciated.

Check out our latest creations! Members from our Frick, Westtown and Nashville Centers recently attended a basket weaving class at The Chicago Weaving School, and they’re so proud of the finished products!

Everyone left with basket weaving supplies, so they could practice their new craft. Soon, they’ll be making baskets for sale! Keep your eyes peeled!

When people living with mental health conditions share their stories, it can help others feel less alone and reduce shame.

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Learn about mental health myths in the BIPOC community, how you can help break the stigma and more below.

http://mhanational.org/july

Photo courtesy of Mental Health America.

Want to keep up with even more exciting Envision Unlimited news? Sign up for our email newsletter! It’s full of stories about our programs, staff and how our members are living their best lives.

Register and check out our latest issue below.

https://conta.cc/3XKgaCa

How did you spend Fourth of July week? Nearly 20 Envision Unlimited members who live in our group homes took an unforgettable trip to Norman B. Barr Camp in Williams Bay, Wisconsin for a quintessential summer experience! They spent the week swimming, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, making s’mores and so much more.

We extend our gratitude to the camp families and volunteers for helping our members live their truly best lives. Everyone had a blast!

Kudos to our members for helping the environment AND conquering their fears! Member Dejuane from our Rose Center recently volunteered to clean up the south branch of the Chicago River. He mustered up the courage to get in a kayak and remove trash and weeds in the water and nearby gardens.

He was reportedly terrified at first but wound up loving the experience. “I didn’t think I would ever do something like this,” Dejuane said with a big smile. “I had so much fun.”

We’re so proud of him!

Happy Fourth of July! We’d like to extend hearty congratulations to member Marcus from our Nashville Center for recently passing the Illinois Constitution test! He is one step closer to earning his GED, and our staff continues to support him in reaching his employment and education goals.

Way to go, Marcus! Please join us in giving him a hand. 👏

Bricks are being laid at the Envision Unlimited DreamHome, our ADA-compliant group home in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood for seniors with disabilities to age in place and continue living a life of choice, independence and inclusion!

We’re thrilled to be on track to have residents move in later this year. Many thanks to the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers ADC 1 of IL, Henry Bros. Co. and JLK Architects for their work so far!

When our 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.

Ernest now lives with Mary Zornoza and family 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.

Zornoza says Ernest is already like part of her family. Read their full story here: https://www.envisionunlimited.org/little-determination-goes-long-way-envision-unlimited-host-family

Photo: Ernest (second from left) with Mary Zornoza (center) and family.

We’re thrilled to share that we’re expanding our geographic and service reach to support more people in need in Central Illinois! Through a recent consolidation, supportive housing organization Bluestem Housing Partners joins the Envision Unlimited family.

With the acquisition of Bluestem’s residential units, we now welcome more than 200 residents in 121 housing units in Springfield, Normal, Tuscola and Atwood, Illinois.

"We believe supportive housing extends far beyond just a place to live, particularly for people with disabilities and mental health challenges," says Mark McHugh, Envision Unlimited President and CEO.

Read more here: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/envision-unlimited-increases-social-impact-for-people-with-disabilities-in-central-illinois-through-expansion-of-supportive-housing-302183461.html

We love seeing Envision Unlimited in the news, especially our innovative Adaptive Cycling program! Last year, our members and volunteers pedaled an impressive 5,000+ miles across Chicago area trails, paths, tracks and streets. This year, their goal is 7,500 miles!

Check out the latest story about our impact in the Daily Herald.

https://www.dailyherald.com/20240626/lifestyle/along-for-the-ride-how-adaptive-biking-enriches-the-lives-of-people-with-disabilities/

Photo credit: Envision Unlimited Media Club

We’re taking a moment to recognize our external affairs team! Through their efforts, we’re able to widely share the Envision Unlimited story, build more community partnerships and advocate for change for people with disabilities.

THANK YOU for all you do!

According to the National Center for PTSD, about 60% of men and 50% of women will experience at least one trauma in their lives.

Tomorrow is PTSD Screening Day, and anyone who has experienced trauma could develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you think you may have PTSD, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website and answer five questions about how you have been feeling.

Get started here: www.ptsd.va.gov/screen

🚨 FRIENDS AND CYCLISTS: Due to today's weather conditions across the Chicago area, we are canceling our event along the Lakefront Trail for the safety of our members, attendees, volunteers and staff.

Please keep an eye out for our other cycling events in July, August and September. More details will be coming soon. Stay dry today and thank you for your understanding.

Meet member Dahla from our Rose Center. She enrolled in classes with Literacy Chicago last summer and has since devoted 100+ hours to improving her reading and writing skills. Her goal is to work with children, and she has volunteered in a local library and other settings to gain more experience.

On weekends, she also participates in walking and running activities with Peace Runners 773, a nonprofit that advocates for health and wellness in Chicago.

We’re so proud of her growth. Way to go, Dahla! Keep up the great work!

Summer is officially here, and more of our members are getting involved with community gardens and cooking healthy meals. Check out our Morgan Park Center members whipping up a batch of lo mein and Everest Center members planting tomatoes, peppers, green onions, asparagus, zucchini and squash!

Congratulations to our President and CEO Mark McHugh on this accomplishment! We're .

SIX STARS. SIX RACES. ONE DREAM. Mark McHugh, President and CEO of Envision Unlimited and valued client partner of KEES, not only champions choice, independence, and inclusion for people with disabilities but also conquers marathons as a Six Star Medalist! Join us in celebrating Mark as he recently achieved marathon running’s ultimate prize – the Six Star Medal. Congratulations, Mark, on this amazing accomplishment!

As of April 2024, only 12,772 individuals worldwide have earned this prestigious badge of honor by completing the six Marathon Majors: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City.

June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. And according to Mental Health America, Cook County ranked among the top 20 Illinois counties with the highest rates of PTSD in 2020 and 2021.

When a mental health crisis arises, residents often have few options for managing it. To respond to these concerns, Envision Unlimited has joined a growing local and national movement to provide access to more community mental health spaces for those in need, such as our new Envision Unlimited Living Room in Flossmoor, Illinois.

Set in a living room environment, this new mental health space is a free program that promotes healthy habits for mental wellness and crisis prevention. Learn more about why these programs are necessary and how we’re making a difference.

Envisionunlimitedlivingroom

https://www.envisionunlimited.org/envision-unlimited-joins-movement-provide-greater-community-mental-health-access

We’re less than a week away from our next Summer of Cycling event along Chicago’s Lakefront Trail. Will you be riding/walking/running with us?

You’ll get a chance to learn more about how our innovative Adaptive Cycling program is changing lives for people with disabilities and test out the range of bikes in our fleet of adaptive cycles. Or, bring your own bike! This event is open to people of ALL abilities, ages and skill levels.

Register here: https://www.envisionunlimited.org/events/cycling-chicagos-lakefront-trail

Active Transportation Alliance Bicycle Club of Lake County Fleet Feet Training x CES Dare2tri Downers Grove Bicycle Club - DGBC Elmhurst Bicycle Club Evanston Bicycle Club Fox Valley Bicycle & Ski Club GoodSpeed Cycles - Homewood Major Taylor Cycling Club Chicago Ride Illinois South Chicago Wheelmen

Many thanks to our wonderful volunteers from engineering and design firm Stantec for spending time and making friends with our Westtown Center members. This morning marked the annual Stantec in the Community Day, and everyone had a great time gardening and biking/walking along The 606 trail!

If you know of an organization looking for community engagement projects, employee service days or other ways to support organizations like ours, please contact our special events manager Jemeela Colston-Pettigrew at [email protected].

Juneteenth is upon us. If you’re looking for ways to celebrate the achievements of Black individuals of all abilities who have helped to shape our history, check out the Accessible Juneteenth celebration tomorrow, hosted by the Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition, UIC Disability Cultural Center and UIC Institute on Disability and Human Development.

The event commemorates Black people with disabilities who have helped to create a freer world for Black communities across the globe. More details can be found here: https://inside.ahs.uic.edu/inside-ahs/events/annual-accessible-juneteenth-celebration-2024/