December 17, 2018

Dear Friends of Progress Center,

In 2018, Progress Center celebrated 30 years of service in Suburban Cook County.  Since 1988, we have been providing people with disabilities with information, resources, and support that equip people with disabilities with the tools to be independent in their own homes and communities.  Like many years throughout our history, 2018 was a strong year for Progress Center.  In the past 12 months, Progress Center:

  • Launched a new transition program designed to give young people with disabilities skills and resources to succeed after high school
  • Produced weekly episodes of Radio Independiente, which airs on Univision Radio AM 1200 and four internet stations, reaching 2,000 listeners per week with information about inclusion, independence and empowerment
  • Referred 211 people with disabilities to qualified employees within our personal assistant pool
  • Hosted eight “SHOP-INS,” sending a message to local businesses about disability awareness and physical accessibility
  • Distributed 240 amplified phones to people in need of assistive technology
  • Provided Benefits Counseling Services to 183 people
  • Secured Legislative Sponsorship of the Disability Integration Act from five US Representatives
  • Hosted a Managed Care Town Hall Meeting, allowing people with disabilities to bring their healthcare concerns directly to managed care representatives

In addition to referring more than 200 people to qualified personal assistants, Progress Center also trained 133 people to enter our Personal Assistant Registry.  Personal Assistants perform day-to-day tasks such as dressing, bathing, cooking, feeding and cleaning. Progress Center permanently employs two personal assistants, allowing people with significant disabilities to work at Progress Center. Without personal assistants, thousands of people with disabilities would not have the support they need to work, and thousands of people would end up in nursing homes because they would not have the support they need to live at home.  Personal Assistants are a key link to independence.  In many ways, as a Center for Independent Living, Progress Center is also a key link to independence.  For people with disabilities throughout Suburban Cook County, we fill in the gaps separating people with disabilities from inclusion, equality, and independence.  As the year 2018 draws to a close, we invite you to make a year-end contribution to Progress Center. With your support, Progress Center will continue to be a key link to independence for people with disabilities in 2019, and for years to come.

To donate today, please visit this Web Page.  On behalf of Progress Center, we wish you a very joyous and safe Holiday Season. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like more information.

Sincerely,

Horacio Esparza (hesparza@progresscil.org)

Executive Director