August PA training dates are out. Call or email us to sign up or for more information on becoming a paid Personal Assistant in people’s homes.
Thank you to all for celebrating disability pride and the anniversary of the ADA with Progress Center at the Disability Pride Parade again this year and talking with us at the festivities afterwards.
Independent Living Advocate : Community Reintegration
The Community Reintegration Advocate plays a pivotal role in assisting disabled residents of institutions in their pursuit of a more integrated and independent living environment. Operating within the framework of existing State Consent Decrees, which mandate the transition of individuals with disabilities out of institutional settings, the Advocate ensures compliance with legal requirements. For consumers who are members of a Class within a Consent Decree, the Advocate collaborates closely with the designated transition agency to address challenges and advocate for the consumer’s needs.
In cases where the consumer is not part of a Consent Decree Class, the Community Reintegration Advocate assumes a comprehensive role in coordinating essential services for a successful transition. This includes scheduling service assessments, securing necessary support services post-transition, arranging suitable housing, ensuring the availability of required services and furnishings on the day of transition, and facilitating appropriate independent living skills training.
Essential Functions:
– Offer personalized transition support to disabled residents of long-term care facilities, including housing assistance, independent living skills training, service coordination, securing home services, personal assistants, and other community care services.
– Collaborate with long-term care facilities to recruit and work with consumers.
– Advocate for residents who belong to a designated Olmstead Consent Decree Class but are not receiving necessary assistance under the Colbert, Williams, and Ligas Consent Decrees.
– Partner with agencies that provide transition services under State of Illinois Olmstead Consent Decrees.
– Document program activities in the Progress Center Consumer and Community Database.
– Generate monthly and quarterly reports as required by Progress Center and funders.
Qualifications:
– Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field.
– Proven problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
– Familiarity with the Illinois system of long-term and community care.
– Personal experience with disability, either directly or through family or friends.
– Excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as strong organizational skills.
– Ability to travel independently within suburban Cook County.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $33,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Progress Center PA Advocates lead several trainings every month. Call us to sign up.
On Saturday, June 21st, we gathered at Ophelia’s to celebrate Progress Center’s 37th Anniversary, our annual meeting, and the election of new board members.
It was a powerful event full of energy, unity, and commitment to disability rights.
Thank you to everyone who attended, joined, or supported us. You make our work possible!
Special thanks to our guest speakers, allies, and the amazing Progress Center team.
For me, Horacio Esparza, it’s an honor to be part of this organization since 1999, and to serve as Executive Director since 2008.
We will keep building a more accessible, fair, and inclusive community!
Thank you for being part of this journey!
¡Celebramos 37 años de servicio! / Celebrating 37 Years of Service!
Este sábado 21 de junio, nos reunimos en Ophelia’s para celebrar el 37º aniversario de Progress Center, nuestra junta anual y la elección de nuevos miembros de la mesa directiva.
Fue un evento lleno de energía, unidad y compromiso con los derechos de las personas con discapacidad.
Gracias a cada persona que asistió, se afilió o apoyó este gran día. ¡Ustedes hacen posible nuestro trabajo!
Reconocimiento especial a nuestros oradores invitados, aliados, y al increíble equipo de Progress Center.
Para mí, Horacio Esparza, es un honor ser parte de esta organización desde 1999, y Director Ejecutivo desde 2008.
¡Seguimos construyendo una comunidad más accesible, justa e inclusiva!
¡Gracias por ser parte de este camino!
Progress Center’s Annual Meeting is tomorrow, Saturday, June 21 from 1:00pm to 3:00 pm. For those who haven’t reserved an in-person spot, you can now join over Zoom. Here is the Zoom link and information. We hope you can attend!
Topic: PCIL Annual Meeting
Time: Jun 21, 2025 01:00 PM Central Time
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84803747180?pwd=9f0blJPi0pcseSE9J2AxN64vzaQ9qe.1
Meeting ID: 848 0374 7180
Passcode: 916278
Se acerca la Reunión Anual del Progress Center. Confirme su asistencia hoy mismo.
Support people with disabilities by becoming a Personal Assistant.
• Free two-hour training
• Flexible schedule
• $18.25 an hour
To reserve your spot, call 708-209-1500 or email:
-kreis@progresscil.org (English)
-pquinonez@progresscil.org (English/Spanish)