Envision Unlimited Blog

Tim Smith's support for Envision members and his involvement in our Buddy Biking program is well documented. He was named our 2020 Donor of the Year and 2021 Volunteer of the Year. He even created our "InMotion for Envision" alternative when the pandemic canceled our Bike the Drive fundraiser.

Meet Lauren Smith, the newest member of Envision's executive management team. Lauren joined us at the beginning of the year in the newly created role of Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). We are very excited to have her on board.

This Giving Tuesday, we are taking the next big step to raise funds for those in our care who have developmental and intellectual disabilities and mental illnesses. We are excited to announce that we are now accepting cryptocurrency donations.

On September 18, more than two dozen members of Envision's Mental Health professional staff and clients gathered in Jackson Park to walk along the lakefront with National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)-Chicago. The event raises funds to provide free mental health support, education, and advocacy program for those who cannot afford services.

Want more power? The 2021 InMotion event is bringing it! This year, InMotion is a "30 for 30" Challenge. What's that?

July is Disability Pride Month—an opportunity for us to purposefully come together to amplify each other, to honor and accept everyone’s uniqueness in the naturally diverse human quilt. Why July? It was 31 years ago in July that President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act. There is even a Disability Pride flag.

Envision shares the values of independence and inclusion represented by Juneteenth--a day that is broadly misunderstood. To salute our newest federal holiday, we produced a video to clear up the confusion. Enjoy!

So much is happening at Envision Unlimited that could help or inspire you.

Our Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Tim Smith, chief corporate counsel for CME Group. Due to the pandemic, the event was held outdoors—coincidentally, at our Westtown Center, where Tim has volunteered for several years as a Biking Buddy. He also ended his 3,000-mile virtual bike tour across the country last year there to raise money for people with disabilities.

The Envision Unlimited staff has gone to extraordinary lengths during the pandemic, to assure that our members have the physical and emotional support they need. But CEO Mark McHugh wondered how these caregivers are faring--and what should all of us do to make sure we are physically and mentally strong when we emerge from this period. He sat down with Michele McDonough, Envision's Director of Mental Health Services, to ask for some tips we can use to take care of ourselves.