Dear Friends,

October marked National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an important time to educate others about the significant skills and benefits that people with disabilities and mental health challenges bring to the workplace. 

Here are the sobering facts. People with disabilities and mental health challenges are twice as likely to experience unemployment than other workers. In Illinois specifically, recent research has shown that less than 15% are employed in the state. Why? Unfortunately, stigma often prevents them from being seen as capable employees. 

Despite these statistics, Envision Unlimited has spent more than 50 years providing job training and competitive, integrated employment opportunities for our members. Our support and job placement services are tailored to each member’s preferences. As a result, many of them are thriving at reputable companies across the area, and many others are employed through our facilities and events. 

There’s much more work ahead to improve these percentages. But for now, we’re celebrating the success stories and recognizing our dedicated staff who are helping our members secure employment and grow in their roles. 

I invite you to learn more in this newsletter and share some of the stories that inspire you. Let’s work together to break the stigma and help more individuals live their best lives.    

Sincerely,

Mark McHugh

President and CEO

Envision Unlimited

Members Flourishing in Community Jobs

To celebrate Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re highlighting Envision Unlimited members who are thriving in the workplace. One of them is Robert at our Nashville Center, who landed his dream job with the Chicago Cubs this summer and handled janitorial work a few days per week. He even took the bus independently to Wrigley Field. 

“I couldn’t wait to tell my job coach and staff at Nashville what they said,” Robert wrote in Vol. 109 of Unlimited Voices. “I really like the job. We joke and play a lot. I have a lot of new friends too.” 

And earlier this year, fellow member Cynthia retired after working with dining service company Chartwells for 11 years. As a dining room attendant, she was committed to maintaining a clean space for local college students, and she enjoyed the close relationships she formed over the years. 

The Chartwells family honored Cynthia with a retirement party for her hard work and dedication. We’re very proud of Robert, Cynthia and the rest of Envision Unlimited’s loyal workers. 

Celebrating New Beginnings in the Henry Home

Congratulations to Envision Unlimited member Phil who just celebrated his 59th birthday at the Henry Home, our state-of-the-art, ADA-accessible home in the Ashburn neighborhood. Phil has been receiving Envision Unlimited services for 30 years and moved into his new residence over the summer.

He currently lives with three other roommates – Sharon, Gabby and Diana – fellow seniors with disabilities who want to age in place as their needs get more complex. A diehard Chicago sports fan, Phil has decorated his room with White Sox and Blackhawks banners. 

“I like my staff. They help me,” he said of our dedicated Direct Support Professionals who remind him to keep his room clean, wash his clothes and other daily tasks. 

When he’s not participating in community day programs, he can be found watching every Bears game or playing UNO with his roommates and staff. 



We look forward to watching Phil thrive and celebrate many more birthdays in his new home! 

Meet Our Job Placement Experts

Rod Moyer photo credit: Envision Unlimited Media Club

Securing a job can be a profound moment for individuals with disabilities and mental health challenges. And through our job placement services, our staff is there to support them every step of the way. 

Alicia Bailey is one of our Independent Placement Services Employment Specialists who assists our mental health members in finding employment. She conducts mock interviews with them, helps them build resumes and regularly meets with employers in her clients’ communities to inquire about available opportunities. 

“You’re the first face employers see,” Alicia said. “You’re creating a relationship with them, so they can trust you and give someone the opportunity to work in their establishment.” 

Our employment programs are designed to support member choice, independence and inclusion, giving members the chance to develop collaboration skills and a sense of self-confidence. Alicia acknowledged that stigma around mental health has proven to be a barrier with certain companies. But she believes persistence is key and has learned to navigate each challenge. 

“I put a lot of investment in my clients because I want them to succeed,” she said. 

For our members with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Rod Moyer provides similar support. Since starting his role as Job Placement Program Director last year, the number of members who achieved 90 days of community employment has nearly tripled. 

“These are regular jobs, where members are competing against everyone else,” Rod said. “We do not offer supported employment or specialty employment situations. It is a privilege to walk them through this experience, many for the first time ever in their lives.” 

Like Alicia, Rod often goes above and beyond to ensure members feel comfortable in their new roles. When member Rory was offered his first job by the Chicago White Sox, Rod also temporarily joined the team to personally train Rory. 

“That is what we do – look to remove barriers that can prevent our members from attaining or maintaining community employment,” he said. “Advocating to help others is part of my core.” 

Get Certified in Mental Health First Aid Training

We're proud to announce that Envision Unlimited is now offering mental health first aid courses to YOU – our loyal community of followers. Mental health first aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance use challenges.

These trainings are open to anyone interested in participating. In each session, participants will learn: 

• Risk factors 

• Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis and substance use 

• A 5-step action plan needed to help someone developing mental health or substance use challenges 

• Available evidence-based professionals, peer support and self-help resources 

We are currently offering in-person, virtual and blended options. Register for the class of your choice by emailing the appropriate trainer. 

Honoring Our Dedicated Direct Support Professionals

In September, we celebrated Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) Week, a time to highlight all of the dedicated direct support workers who help people with disabilities and mental health challenges live their best lives. 

We employ more than 500 DSPs across our programs, and they assist our members with a variety of daily tasks, such as cooking, planning excursions in the community, taking public transportation and much more. Our members took every opportunity to show their appreciation for our incredible DSPs. They designed banners, treated them to lunch and presented them with small gifts of thanks. 



We applaud them for helping us fulfill our mission of choice, independence and inclusion. 

Healing Through Art

Art can be a powerful tool for people with disabilities and mental health challenges, from processing and expressing emotions to reducing stress and building self-esteem. 

Last month, members at our Morgan Park Center once again had their artwork on display at the annual Beverly Art Walk, a neighborhood-wide celebration of art, music and creative culture that featured more than 100 artists in 40 venues. They gave weaving demos and sold some of their colorful pieces, marking a significant milestone for artists with disabilities.

Members of our Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) class also recently attended a harm reduction fair in Uptown that provided participants with new skills and knowledge to support harm reduction in our community. While there, they participated in an art and wellness activity that focused on coping and meditative strategies. They practiced slow, deep breathing while painting on pieces of canvas, and the results were unique and beautiful. The time they shared outside of the classroom also helped to develop community connection.

Our CRSS program trains and guides individuals with lived experience of mental illness and/or substance use recovery towards professional certification, so they can lead successful careers as peer mentors. Learn more about our program here. 

Envision Unlimited is a full spectrum of care organization serving people with disabilities and mental health conditions from infants to senior citizens, 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.