Unlimited Potential Record-Breaking Employment Opportunities

Create More Member Independence

From early childhood, Natasia has taken great joy helping her father fix his car. When she dreamed about what she wanted to be when she grew up, she always pictured enrolling in auto repair courses in college and becoming an auto mechanic. But when she started experiencing severe depression, it made it challenging to pursue her passion. She got derailed for a long time and it was apparent to her that she was different. Sadly, she says, she lowered her expectations and lost confidence in her mechanical prowess.

Empowering Members to Explore the World at their Doorstep

What a difference a year can make. During the last few years, long-time Envision Unlimited member Tamekia, a 44-year old non-verbal person with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a seizure disorder and autism, stuck close to home. She was reluctant to wear a mask, attend her day program and walking around the neighborhood was taboo.

what can happen when an individual feels safe and when an organization invests in the wellbeing of that individual and listens when someone says they need help.”

Enter the Envision Unlimited employment program. Thanks to the program, Natasia was able to persevere. Today, she works at an auto maintenance shop and is getting back on her feet and into society. For the first time in a long time, Natasia feels optimistic about her future.

“I was happy,” said Natasia. “I stuck with it. They always made sure I was doing what I’m supposed to do. After a while, I said, ‘Just stick with it and see where it leads.’ And it led to me getting a job at an auto maintenance shop and getting back into society, so it was a good thing.”

Natasia’s experience underscores the opportunity Envision Unlimited offers to adults who are disabled to experience employment and the chance to show themselves and others how they make valuable contributions.

Today, Natasia and 125 Envision Unlimited members actively participate in Envision Unlimited employment programs which include working on readiness skills, seeking opportunities, and ultimately working on the job. Once employed they work an average of 20 hours a week for organizations such as FedEx, Jewel, Jiffy Lube, Macy’s, Marshall’s, The University of Chicago, and many other employers. One member recently was promoted to a full-time post at Walmart.

During the last year, the employment program experienced its best year ever, exceeding its government contracts for independent and supported employment and creating a record number of job placements. Recently, the program was expanded to include students with disabilities in the Chicago Public Schools.

But thanks to the trusted relationship she has built over many years with Annette Davis, a social worker and her Envision Unlimited aide, and the Neighbors Program, Tamekia started venturing out into her West Side neighborhood, one small step at a time. On a recent trek to the local corner store, the clerk greeted Tamekia by name with a warm welcome, surprising her mother, Sylvia Perez. For the first time in four decades of her daughter’s life, she witnessed Tamekia connecting to and belonging to the local community.

“It was unreal,” said Perez who is the executive director of a social services agency. “It showed

Tamekia and Annette’s experience speaks volumes about what can happen through the innovative Neighbors Program by helping them explore the world at their doorsteps. Through a lens of human dignity and empathy, the program is rooted in the mindset that members will acquire a sense of agency and have meaningful experience through getting to know and explore their own neighborhoods, said Susan Gardner, Vice President, Day and Employment Services.

“The goal of the Neighbors Program is to help members become more independent in their neighborhood, so they can exercise that independence when we are not around,” said Gardner. “They can actively engage in their own communities.”

As the name suggests, neighborhood and the idea of community integration refers to welcoming and assimilating people into the larger community. For people with disabilities, this is an important opportunity to fully participate in life in their communities. Through Envision Unlimited many more members like Tamekia are out and about today exploring stores, libraries, and other places where they live.

Unlimited Impact

3,000

78 Members and caregivers served each year with empathy and compassion

95+% Annual satisfaction rate with our community living services

Unlimited Generosity Volunteer of the Year Mark Daniels

1,035

Hours of applied behavioral therapy

70

Children with specialized needs in Foster Care now living in safe homes with access to mentoring services

People with disabilities and mental health challenges that have transitioned from state institutions to homes in the last year avoiding homelessness

$30,000,000+

Cost savings to Illinois taxpayers created through our CILA homes

125 Members actively participating in our employment programs including working on readiness skills, seeking opportunities, working on the job

21 Illinois counties served with our In-Home Respite program

“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.

“It is so rewarding to witness my new friends discovering their artistic talents and experiences they never dreamed possible — all with a healthy dose of fun and laughter.”

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, Daniels is passionate about advocating for adults living with disabilities — and have a blast doing it!

For more than four years, Daniels has been a champion of and mentor for Envision Unlimited members sharing his passion for the arts. He is a strong advocate in his professional and personal life for breaking down stereotypes, mental health awareness and the importance of supporting and celebrating diversity.