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Helping the Helpers: Avenues to Independence serves adults with disabilities

Avenues to Independence, a Park Ridge-based nonprofit, serves adults with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities living in and around Northwest Chicago and suburban Cook County.

Avenues provides opportunities for people with disabilities to live in the community, earn a paycheck, and increase their independence.

It operates The Center for Independence in Wheeling, which offers flexible day programming, including workforce training and employment, computer instruction, art programming, fitness classes and entrepreneurial opportunities. It also operates the Avenues Thrift Shoppe, a resale shop and employment training program at 7710 W. Touhy Ave. in Chicago.

Avenues was started by a group of parents and concerned friends in 1953 in the basement of a church in Park Ridge.

The Daily Herald spoke to Colleen Murillo, public relations manager for Avenues, to learn more about how it has been impacted by the pandemic.

Bill has been an Avenues resident and Jewel employee for 27 years. Courtesy of Avenues to Independence

Q: Who does your agency serve, and how do you serve them?

A: Avenues provides services to adults with developmental disabilities.

We provide the support and direction necessary in order for them to be successful and independent at our Center for Independence day program, in community employment, volunteer work and within their homes.

Q: From where do the majority of your donations come?

A: Fifty percent of Avenues funding comes from the state of Illinois. The rest of the costs of Avenues programs are funded by foundation grants, individual donations and special events.

Q: About how many people per year does your agency help?

A: We have approximately 200 people enrolled in our residential and day programs.

Q: How has the COVID-19 crisis affected your organization and its ability to help those in need?

Lenore is an Avenues resident and employee at the Avenues Thrift Shoppe. Courtesy of Avenues to Independence

A: Like it has been for everyone, these past six months have been challenging to Avenues program participants and the staff.

In late March, several of our residents and staff members contracted COVID. All of the individuals involved did recover, and that has a lot to do with the fact that one of our Residential Managers, Linda Smith, who has been a part of Avenues for 27 years, quarantined herself with the residents who were affected and cared for them for more than two weeks.

That story was chronicled on WTTW's Chicago Tonight. Here is the link to that show: avenuestoindependence.org/pics_flicks/.

Our program participants have had to stop attending the Center for Independence, going to their jobs and going on outings in the community. Staff members miss the day program participants, but the 55 residents living in Avenues supported homes are safe and well.

Because of COVID, we unfortunately had to cancel our Annual Awards Dinner in June. This event was a way to celebrate our program participants and give them a night of fun, dinner and dancing.

There have been additional costs for PPE, staffing etc. that are a necessity during this time to keep everyone safe and well.

Q: How can readers help?

Avenues to Independence resident Theresa enjoys learning how to use technology in her home in Park Ridge. Courtesy of Avenues to Independence

A: Readers can help by visiting our website to learn more about the work that Avenues does on behalf of people with disabilities. Please consider providing your name for our mailing list or join us on Facebook. Making a donation at this critical time, attending one of our virtual events, supporting our programs by shopping at the Avenues Thrift Shoppe, 7710 W. Touhy, all will make a difference. When we are safe to resume all of our programs, there will be opportunities to volunteer and share your time and expertise.

Q: If someone is in need of your organization's help, what should they do?

A: Contact our Community Liaison at admissions@avenuestoindependence.org or (847) 541-5250, ext. 2108.

Q: How can readers reach someone at your organization if they have questions?

A: Readers can find a wealth of information on our website at avenuestoindependence.org, or they can call our administrative offices at (847) 292-0870.

About this series

"Helping the Helpers" is a series of short stories on how you can support suburban social service agencies impacted by the pandemic. Know of a nonprofit or agency we should feature? Email sklovstad@dailyherald.com.

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