Dear Friends,

At Envision Unlimited, we consistently strive to provide a life of choice, independence and inclusion for our members. It’s also equally important that we set a great example every day for everyone in our community – from staff and volunteers to our peer mentors who are helping our members along their journey.

In the past two months, I’m very happy to say that our organization has been a beacon for demonstrating excellence.

For the first time, we received national accreditation from The Council on Quality and Leadership, the leading member-focused accreditation body in the U.S. We have also been recognized by multiple major news outlets for our inclusion work, and we have engaged many new talented, compassionate community partners to help further our mission.

I cannot be prouder of the Envision Unlimited family and its unwavering focus on helping members experience maximum choice, independence and inclusion in their lives.

I invite you to learn more and share the inspiring stories in this newsletter far and wide – so we can continue making an impact for thousands of people with disabilities who need our evolving, empathetic care.

Sincerely,

Mark McHugh

President and CEO

Envision Unlimited

Growing Our Community Living Options

Home is where the heart is, and we ensure that all of our community living options feel like home to our members. Today, we offer more than 80 homes across the Chicago area for people with a range of intellectual, developmental and psychiatric needs, and we continue to expand our housing opportunities for current and potential members.

Starting next month, we’ll be opening our second group home with remote supports on the far South Side of Chicago, and we recently purchased another dwelling in the southwest suburbs to accommodate new Envision Unlimited members transitioning from state-operated developmental centers into the community. We’re also seeking a home in the Midlothian/Tinley Park/Oak Forest area for easy access to public transportation and employment opportunities.

And don’t forget about our DreamHome, an ADA-compliant group home in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood for seniors with disabilities. The home, which is slated to open this summer, will enable seniors currently living in one of our group homes to age in place as their needs get more complex.

In addition to our homes with 24-hour support, Envision Unlimited also offers host family community living arrangements and opportunities for individuals who don’t require intensive support.

To make a donation to the DreamHome, please contact Senior Vice President of Philanthropy, Freeda Warren, at fwarren@envisionunlimited.org.

For more information on our community living options, contact Community Living Services Intake Coordinator, Kharece Dean, at kdean@envisionunlimited.org. 

A Guiding Light for Transitioning to the Community

It’s been said that it takes just one person to motivate a community and make a difference. Our member James is doing exactly that.

James has been part of our community living program for more than 10 years and currently resides in one of our homes with remote supports, which feature video, audio and other technology to help our members be more independent. Prior to Envision Unlimited, James lived in a state-operated developmental center in the south suburbs. He now enjoys a life of choice and independence, taking public transportation throughout the Chicago area and regularly visiting his mother on the South Side.

James is also a transition mentor with The ARC of Illinois Family Transition Project – a program geared for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are living in state-operated centers and want to explore life in the community. Transition mentors share their firsthand experiences of community living with fellow members, professionals in the field, policymakers, the media and the general public.

“I like being a mentor,” James said, noting how he enjoys meeting and speaking with different people in diverse groups and settings.

We’re so proud of James and all that he has accomplished!

Envision Unlimited Earns National Recognition

We’re thrilled to share that we received Quality Assurances Accreditation from CQL, The Council on Quality and Leadership! Through thorough assessments conducted by outside experts, accreditation advances service excellence and provides human services organizations, like Envision Unlimited, with key information and steps for continuous improvement.

What makes CQL unique is it promotes excellence in person-centered services and supports that lead to increased quality of life. The evaluation involved a review of Envision Unlimited policies, systems and member experiences.

“This prestigious recognition is confirmation that the services and supports that we provide for people with intellectual, developmental and psychiatric disabilities are top quality,” said President and CEO Mark McHugh. “We are very proud of the work that we do every day with those who entrust their care to Envision Unlimited.”

In its report, CQL commended our organization for providing members the opportunity to live as independently as possible; taking steps toward adding community living options to assist those who have the desire to move; and more.

Meet Our New Chief Financial Officer

We extend a warm welcome to our new Chief Financial Officer, Dennis James! He brings more than two decades of financial leadership experience to his new role, in which he recommends and creates effective strategies to maximize our operations and fulfill the Envision Unlimited mission of providing choice, independence and inclusion to our members.

“Working for a nonprofit organization focused on people with special needs is deeply personal and profoundly meaningful to me,” said James, who has a child with a disability. He said his experience as a parent has given him a firsthand understanding of the unique challenges and aspirations that people with disabilities face.

A Westtown Makeover for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day marked one of the coldest days of the year so far, but that didn’t deter our dedicated members from gathering for a Day of Service group painting project to spruce up our Westtown Center.

Many thanks to our Board member Justin Harris and fellow volunteers from architecture, interior design and planning firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz, who joined our efforts for the second consecutive year.

Our work even caught the attention of local media outlets. Check out the coverage we received from NBC Chicago and the Chicago Sun-Times.



If you know of an organization looking for community engagement projects, employee service days or other ways to support organizations in the community, like Envision Unlimited, please contact Senior Vice President of Philanthropy, Freeda Warren, at fwarren@envisionunlimited.org.

Grab a Ticket for Our Bright Futures Ball!

The Envision Unlimited family cordially invites you to the 2024 Bright Futures Ball, where we will celebrate the legacy of evolving care that we have provided to people with disabilities and their caregivers in Chicagoland and Central Illinois.

Join us Saturday, April 13 at the Sheraton Chicago Riverwalk, as we honor changemaker and compassion champion Tom Canale with this year’s Humanitarian Award. NBC 5 Chicago’s Regina Waldroup will emcee the event.

If you’d like to show your support by purchasing a ticket or an event sponsorship, details are available here. Tickets are on sale until March 29!

Out and About in the Community

As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” And our members take full advantage of enriching opportunities that come their way. They visited cultural institutions for Black History Month, hosted Valentine’s Day parties and brought a taste of New Orleans to Envision Unlimited for Mardi Gras. Check out the Mardi Gras recap video and some of our other favorite highlights.

Weaving Our Way to Fame

From painting and weaving to biking and cooking, our members never cease to amaze us with their many talents. They’re naturals in front of the camera too. “Chicago Today,” a lifestyle show on NBC 5 Chicago, recently stopped by our Westtown Center to learn more about our partnership with The Weaving Mill, a small-scale industrial weaving studio.

Through this collaboration, our members have the opportunity to create beautiful hand-woven textiles, such as rugs and pillows, that are ultimately sold to the public.

We were so proud to watch members Nikko, Valerie and William showing off their amazing weaving skills. 

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.