September, 2023

You are invited to TotalLink's Business Breakfast on

Friday, October 13, 2023, from 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.

in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).

This event is for everyone (yes, you), including local community members, business professionals, TotalLink supporters, families, providers, and anyone thinking about inclusive practices.

The event will include:

A discussion from a panel of industry leaders - their road to inclusive employment practices and the benefits and challenges along the way.
Time to network
Breakfast
Opportunity to talk with TotalLink's Employment Team.

Please join us to celebrate NDEAM, learn, and network. The event is hosted by First Bank Chicago in Northbrook and sponsored by the Northbrook Rotary.

A Sweet New Job at Georgia Nut Company

"Brad completes his job and catches on to new tasks quickly, which is a good thing in this industry." - Brenda Escamilla, Department Lead and Brad's supervisor at Georgia Nut Company

Georgia Nut Company, a family-owned business that manufactures nuts, chocolates, and old-time confections, recently hired Brad, a TotalLink job seeker, as a pallet stacker and labeler. With a passion for precision and a dedication to quality, Brad is skilled at making sure that the boxes are properly stacked, labeled, and ready for shipment. He likes applying labels on the boxes and helping his co-workers.

"Georgia Nut Company has been really accommodating, open to Brad working for them, and accepting," shared Brad's mom, Eden. "It's important that Brad has a sense of accomplishment and purpose every day," she continued.

The Common Denominator - Love For Creating Art

Community members witness the talent and shared interests they have with TotalLink artists.

TotalLink is not a one-size-fits-all organization, and neither is our programming. Our Totally Artsy program reflects just that. In partnership with the Northbrook Park District, TotalLink artists participated in a 6-week public adult Acrylic Pour Painting class, offered and taught by the Northbrook Park District with fellow community artists in attendance. Five out of the ten artists were from TotalLink.

Joan, TotalLink's community coach, who joined the class to facilitate its success, shared, "It has been really nice to see the community and TotalLink participants meld together as a class. Jenna, a TotalLink artist in the class, said, "It was so much fun. I had a great experience in that class. I felt a bit nervous at first because there were more people that I didn't really know, but it was fun getting to know new people and learning about them and their art." Joan added, "My favorite part of it was seeing everyone work together. The comfort level and natural love for creating art are the common denominators and nothing else.”