Clearbrook 'clear choice' for Arlington Heights disability employment award

An Arlington Heights-based nonprofit was "the clear choice" for this year's village award recognizing a business committed to the employment of people with disabilities, according to Mayor Tom Hayes.

Clearbrook, which supports more than 8,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, received the 13th annual Disability Employment Awareness Award this month from the village's Commission for Citizens with Disabilities. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Hayes said the organization earned the achievement through its mission of providing vocational and employment opportunities for people with disabilities in Arlington Heights and the Northwest suburbs.

For instance, Clearbrook has placed a number of clients into jobs at Mariano's on Northwest Highway since it was the first of the chain's stores to open in 2010.

And the pandemic has given clients "the opportunity to shine," with more than 50 people being placed into local jobs this past year - the most ever, according to Ilene Rosenberg, Clearbrook's director of employment services.

"It really has shown that our clients are productive and contributing members of the workforce," Rosenberg said.

"Now we have employers that call us all the time. We have more jobs than we can handle, and our clients have succeeded and done well. We're so appreciative for all the support that we have received."

The nonprofit, headquartered on Central Road in Arlington Heights, not only helps individuals find jobs in the community and provides job coaching, but also provides day programming emphasizing independence in daily living, early intervention and home-based services to children displaying developmental delays, and residential and clinical programs.