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For all of us at Envision Unlimited, 2022 has been a year of breakouts. A strong comeback from challenges we overcame during the pandemic, expanding our housing programs, innovative growth of our mental health services, record success with our employment programs, supportive and resilient staff and new team members who have joined us, and the generous donors who continue to support our work have strengthened our foundation.

CHECK OUT A SNAPSHOT OF OUR ACHIEVEMENTS HERE.

It is gratifying to see how we have become grounded in a tradition of evolving care with empathy every time, everywhere. Each day, it means we are helping remove barriers and impacting the lives of people with intellectual, developmental, and psychiatric disabilities so they can grow toward independence, experience greater inclusion, and live their best lives possible. Your drive and determination have helped us to get where we are today, and we couldn't have done it without you. 

Throughout the year, we are witness to unlimited potential, generosity, and impact at Envision Unlimited. As the year wraps up, we encourage you to read more about how this is happening and continue to follow us for breakouts in the years to come.

Happy holidays!

Left: Lewandowski Family Center members practice their improv skills during a workshop led by The Second City.

Right: Rose Center members enjoyed a trip to the National Museum of Mexican Art.

Left: Whitney, a peer mentor in Mental Health Services, shares her own personal journey during an event introducing Envision Unlimited to new friends.

Right: Westtown Center member Derrick works on the design of this year’s holiday card for the agency. Shout out to Nikko and Vahid who also helped with the design.

Members, staff, board members and donors had a great day packing meals for hungry children and their families, seniors and veteran in the Chicago area through the Feed6 Hunger Heroes event at the Chicago Wolves stadium last month.

“There’s a whole world out there waiting for members to explore and discover their unique talents,” is the mantra of Envision Unlimited “Volunteer of the Year,” Mark Daniels.

From creating art together through cartooning to leading field trips to Chicago’s art museums and helping members find their groove on the golf course, Mark is passionate about advocating for adults with disabilities – and having a blast doing it!

Westtown members work on their cartoons as Mark Daniels looks on.

For his 81st birthday, Larry Kipperman was thrilled to celebrate with Westtown Center members. Larry is a long-time supporter and Envision Unlimited board member and advocate for people with disabilities. Before the party, he enjoyed working in the Kipperman Kitchen, named in honor of his mother. It was a great afternoon as Larry loves spending time with members and telling stories, such as growing up down the block from Wrigley Field and then later serving as the Cubs' attorney and representing them during the big baseball strike. That’s one of the reminiscences he shares in a video made by our Media Club. Watch here.

For Envision Unlimited to accomplish all that it does, it takes the generosity of many. Support comes in the form of event participation, volunteer hours, in-kind and financial donations. As the year closes, if you’d like to contribute, there are several ways you can consider such as:

• One-time donation.
• Monthly Patrons Program - if you’d prefer to give a little at a time.
• EnVisionaries Giving Society for donors giving $2500 or more during a calendar year with invitations to exclusive events and unique opportunities.
• Our Dream Home - a new accessible group home for seniors with intellectual and developmental disabilities with pro bono support from prominent architects, construction companies, and others plus contributions for materials and other construction services.

Our success in extending our mission has always been a team effort – a collective success resulting from the hard work and generosity of so many people, like you. Thank you! 

Our staff is the best. That includes everyone from our direct service providers who care for our members to our clinical therapists in Mental Health Services, and from our program directors at our Day Centers to our board-certified behavior analysts in Autism Services.

In November, we celebrated the dedication and hard work of the best of the best at the Employees of the Year Awards at the Beverly Country Club. Full-time staff members who have been with the agency for more than a year, show a strong work ethic, go above and beyond on the job were nominated by their supervisors.

Read more about Michael Winters' reaction to being recognized and view the video from the program.

There’s a mental health crisis in our country, and Envision Unlimited continues to step up with innovative approaches to help build better mental wellness for an often-overlooked population of people with disabilities.

The last year has been one of growth in our government contracts to reach even more people with mental health conditions, expanding programs and participating in many community health fairs to share information.

With new programs for those who have experienced trauma from exposure to home or community violence, integrated living with mental health support for women, and new centers opening, we are creating a greater impact for some of our most vulnerable neighbors.

If you or someone you know needs help managing anxiety or depression, call us at 773-506-3161 or 773-769-4313 ext. 431 during business hours.

The holidays are an especially challenging time when caring for people with disabilities of all ages. And for parents with a child with autism finding skilled childcare is often difficult. Thanks to Envision Unlimited Autism Services, a wonderful afternoon off this month was provided by our first free Parents Winter Break event. The day provided parents a chance to rest and recharge by taking time for friends and family, holiday shopping, or just plain me-time while their children were engaged in activities with highly trained clinical staff. 

Envision Unlimited also offers in-home respite care in 19 Illinois counties to give families temporary relief from their caregiving roles and reduce stress within the family and the program has been growing with many more families interested in support. Today, more than 50 trained respite staff go into homes to spend time with a family member with a disability. They provide caregivers a break to rest, relax and engage in necessary daily activities, which can help decrease feelings of isolation. According to Susan Stumpf, Central Illinois Respite Director, we often find new staff from grandparents and other family members who are experienced caregivers. Many have joined Envision as part-time respite workers now giving comfort and aid to other families. 

If you know anyone interested in becoming part of our respite team, contact [email protected] or check out information on jobs in the Chicago area and throughout Central Illinois here.  

Understanding autism is a big challenge. Thanks to the Community Health Focus Hour, a weekly radio show with the University of Chicago that airs on WVON 1690 AM, experts help the community learn more about health topics that may have an impact on their lives. “Is My Child Autistic?” was a recent focus and featured Envision Unlimited Clinical Manager for Children's Autism Services, Nikki Griffin Lipowski, MAT, BCBA, helping parents learn more about signs, symptoms, and resources in Chicagoland.

Be sure to check out the latest issue of the member newsletter Unlimited Voices. Read it here.

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