Join Progress Center to open and celebrate “Waterfall Park” in Blue Island, newly remodeled and ACCESSIBLE. Attend the Ribbon Cutting and Press Conference as we join the City of Blue Island, the Blue Island Disability Committee, and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.
WHERE: Sidestream Elevated Pool Aeration (SEPA) Station #3, 2250 Fulton St. in Blue Island, Ill. 60406
WHEN: Friday, May 8, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.
Healthcare Advocacy Group
Time: 1:00 pm on the Fourth Tuesday of every month
Place: Progress Center Main Office in Forest Park and Zoom
Contact Clark Craig at 708-209-1500 ext. 114 or ccraig@progresscil.org for more information and the Zoom link.
Non-Apparent / Hidden Disabilities Support Group
The group is for people with hidden, invisible, or nonapparent disabilities, even dynamic disabilities (fluctuating, episodic, sometimes called “not always” disabilities). These are physical, mental, or neurological conditions not obvious from a person’s appearance. Examples include chronic pain, diabetes, learning differences like dyslexia, autism, mental health conditions like depression, and neurological conditions like migraine, vertigo, and multiple chemical sensitivity.
People with hidden disabilities are often overlooked, trivialized, marginalized, isolated, and discriminated against, even at times by people with apparent, sometimes referred to as “real”, disabilities. Disability status is more often denied and support is delayed. Accommodations may be considered unnecessary and withheld. People are often faced with a “you look fine” attitude of skepticism and accusations of faking.
Come share compassion with peers.
Meets every 4th Monday of the month at 4:00pm.
First group meets on April 27.
The support groups will meet in-person at Progress Center in Forest Park and over Zoom (hybrid).
For more information, directions to our office or the Zoom link, call Demetra at Progress Center at 708-209-1500 ext. 118 or email dkaras@progresscil.org.
Become a Deputy Voter Registrar
Progress Center is hosting a Deputy Voter Registrar training.
Deputy Voter Registrars are volunteers who help register new voters, update voter information, and promote voter participation in their communities.
You must be registered to vote in Illinois to complete the training.
Date: Tuesday, April 21st
Time: 11:00 am – noon
Place: Progress Center main office
7521 Madison Street
Forest Park, IL 60130
For more information and to sign up, call or email 708-209-1500 ext. 118 or dkaras@progresscil.org.
Join Progress Center for our monthly M&O Committee meeting at our Forest Park office or over Zoom.
Call or email Demetra for more information at 705-209-1500 ext. 118 or dkaras@progresscil.org.
Family Caregivers Support Group
The group is for caregivers of people with disabilities or others needing and receiving care from close relatives as a child, spouse, or parent. The intention is to foster an environment where people can be with others experiencing a similar situation to discuss topics and offer each other encouragement. Family caregivers are often in need of others who understand their position and support decisions made for their family, especially when faced with pressure to choose a nursing home.
Join others with similar family situations.
Meets every 2nd Monday of the month at 4:00pm.
First group meets on April 13.
The support group will meet in-person at Progress Center in Forest Park and over Zoom (hybrid).
For more information, directions to our office or the Zoom link, call Demetra at Progress Center at 708-209-1500 ext. 118 or email dkaras@progresscil.org.
Latonya Reeves Freedom Act Working Group
Time: 2:00 pm on the second Thursday of every month
Place: Progress Center Main Office in Forest Park and Zoom
Contact Community Organizer Jonathan Barton at 708-209-1500 ext.122 or jbarton@progresscil.org for more information and the Zoom link.
Transportation Advocacy Group
Time: 10:00 am on the Second Wednesday of every month
Place: Progress Center Blue Island office and Zoom
Contact Manuel Gonzalez at 708-209-1500 ext. 201 or mgonzalez@progresscil.org for more information and the Zoom link.
Right before our March Membership & Outreach meeting, Progress Center will have a Shop-In. The Shop-In will take place at Old School Tavern at 201 Des Plaines Ave, Forest Park, IL 60130.
Shop-Ins are opportunities to show businesses the buying power and solidarity of the disability community, as well as check out accessibility of the location.
We will meet at Progress Center at 12:00 noon, and we will walk and roll to the restaurant, which is two blocks, approximately a quarter of a mile from Progress Center. Anyone who prefers to go directly to the restaurant can meet the group at 12:30 for lunch. We will leave around 2:00 pm to be at Progress Center for our hybrid M&O meeting at 2:30 to 4pm.
Call or email Demetra for more information at 705-209-1500 ext. 118 or dkaras@progresscil.org.
Healthcare Advocacy Group
Time: 1:00 pm on the Fourth Tuesday of every month
Place: Progress Center Main Office in Forest Park and Zoom
Contact Clark Craig at 708-209-1500 ext. 114 or ccraig@progresscil.org for more information and the Zoom link.