Envision Unlimited Blog

We’re extending our deepest gratitude to our changemaker and compassion champion, Dorothy O’Malley, who is retiring from our Board of Directors after 40 years of service. For decades, Dorothy has supported Envision Unlimited’s growth and expansion of programs.  

Reflecting on the amazing work throughout our organization, we’re spotlighting Courtney Atkinson, Assistant Director of Clinical Services.

Going above and beyond often describes Envision Unlimited employees, and Catherine Woods and Raul Barrera are dedicated team members who embody this phrase. 

What happens when temperatures begin to rise and flowers start to bloom? Envision Unlimited members take full advantage of the great outdoors! They recently spent a couple of unforgettable weekends at Big Marsh Park – pitching tents, hiking, singing campfire songs and roasting hot dogs, potatoes and s’mores. Members are also enjoying our Adaptive Cycling program by pedaling down The 606 Trail and Big Marsh Park every week. They even took a recent spin around the nation’s second oldest velodrome in Northbrook as part of our Summer of Cycling series!

Envision Unlimited is proud to be a trusted resource for nearly 2 million Illinois residents navigating mental health challenges. May marked Mental Health Awareness Month, and we celebrated with a graduation ceremony for individuals who completed our Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) program. This comprehensive, empowering initiative is designed to train and guide individuals with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use recovery towards professional certification and successful careers as peer supports. 

Envision Unlimited is deeply concerned by the Department of Justice legal opinion that reinterprets disability civil rights protections within the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act. The opinion threatens community living rights by weakening enforcement of Section 504 and the landmark integration mandate established through the Olmstead decision.

It’s National Bike Month and one local organization is empowering people with disabilities to get out in the community. Envision Unlimited offers an innovative adaptive cycling program for those looking for new experiences. David and William join us with more.

South Side artist Marvin Young is honoring the memories of his childhood with drawings of vibrant cityscapes filled with people and vehicles in motion. Watch the WGN segment.

Envision Unlimited is thrilled to welcome Theresa Dear as Chief Human Resources Officer. Theresa brings extensive Human Resources experience that will further support our efforts to ensure a best-in-class culture and a workplace of choice. Most recently, she served as Chief People Officer at Vivent Health, where she transformed HR into a high-performing, technology-driven, people-focused department across seven states and 18 locations.

It’s been said that hard work and dedication can make anything possible. At Envision Unlimited, our employees are proof of that, as they go above and beyond every day to help our members with disabilities and mental health challenges lead their best lives. We recently celebrated them at our annual Employee of the Year Awards banquet.