January 2026

Employer Spotlight:

Lee Joins the Crew at

Trader Joe's

If you’ve ever walked into Trader Joe’s in Northbrook and felt instantly welcomed, there’s a good chance Lee was part of that experience. As Lee shares, “I love being able to help people find their favorite snack or meal.”

A longtime member of the TotalLink to Community family, Lee reached an exciting milestone in July 2025 when he began working as a Crew Member at Trader Joe’s. A natural people person, he thrives in the store’s friendly, team-focused environment - stocking shelves, bagging groceries, and working confidently and independently.



Lee’s enthusiasm hasn’t gone unnoticed. Manager David Sweeney shared, “From day one, I knew Lee would be a great asset… Lee comes into work every day excited and ready to grow.” Outside of work, Lee shines on stage with Special Gifts Theatre and stays engaged in TotalLink programs, bringing those same communication and performance skills into the workplace. His story shows what’s possible when passion, support, and opportunity come together; everyone wins.

New Year - New Programs - New Partnerships!

This month, TotalLink kicked off a new Social and Learning Program session! Guided by feedback from families, these programs are designed to spark friendships, strengthen community partnerships, and support lifelong learning. Here’s what’s new this session:

Share with Care: Online Safety Essentials 

Share with Care is an online, practical, empowering program that helps adults build confidence and independence as they navigate the digital world. Participants learn how to stay safe online, make informed choices, and use technology in ways that support their well-being and personal goals.

Dating 101: Real Talk, Real Answers

Dating 101 is a safe, supportive space to learn about our bodies, identities, and relationships. Using the Elevate Us curriculum, we explore topics such as sexual health, anatomy, healthy communication, gender identity, consent, self-advocacy, and building healthy relationships of all kinds—friendships, workplace relationships, and romantic connections.

Library Life:

This is a weekly small group experience at the Northbrook Public Library - a place full of discovery, creativity, and connection! Together, we’ll explore all the library has to offer, from the Collaboratory makerspace to discovering new media that is available and finding quiet spaces to read, journal, or enjoy a hobby.

Party at the Y:

Party at the Y is a Saturday night celebration held at the North Suburban YMCA, for adults who want to have fun, connect with friends, and try new activities in a welcoming community space. Each month brings something new, but the heart of the program stays the same—community, good energy, and a great night out.

New to TotalLink programs or would like to make a change to your schedule? Email our Program Manager Jade at jandrews@totallink.org

We can’t wait to dive into a session of fun!

Making an Impact Together: Thank You, Flex Volunteers!

We were thrilled to host a recent Make Day where TotalLink volunteers and Flex employees came together for a day of creativity and connection. Working side by side, the group created handmade Alcohol Ink Coasters for our Total Goodness product line while sharing laughs, ideas, and plenty of teamwork. A special thank you to I Just Am Studios for providing the “making space” that helped set the tone for creativity and collaboration.

Thanks to Flex’s enthusiasm and support, everyone was able to make new friends, tap into their creativity, and share the joy of volunteering together. We are grateful to the Flex volunteers for their time and energy during the afternoon and for helping make this Make Day such a success.

Interested in purchasing a set of the handmade coasters? Visit our Total Goodness shop at totallink.org/shop. 

Flex and TotalLink volunteers brought creativity and connections to the Make Day.

Meet Ray: TotalLink's Artist of the Month

Join Us For These Upcoming Events!

New to TotalLink Programs or Employment?

Check out our Getting Started with Services page.

Ways To Give to TotalLink

As you plan your charitable giving for the year, thank you for considering TotalLink. Your support helps adults with disabilities work, connect, and belong in the community.

You can support TotalLink by:

• Giving online through our secure donation page
• Recommending a gift through your Donor Advised Fund
• Making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)* from your IRA
• Including TotalLink in your estate or planned giving

*QCDs allow individuals age 70½ or older to give directly from an IRA in a tax-efficient way.

Questions or want to talk through your options?

Contact Alisa at amartorano@totallink.org

 or 224-412-4718