Progress Center

Webinar on Safe Spaces featuring Progress Center
2026-05-15 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago)
What makes people feel safe, seen, and supported at work?Join us for Part 3 of CCDPH’s literacy webinar series on May 15 to learn how organizations are building environments where people feel like they truly belong. Hear from AgeOptions and Progress Center staff and consumer as they share real examples of what works and why it matters. Friday, May 15 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Virtual Open to allRegister: https://ow.ly/sNwE50YVi86

Membership an Outreach Meeting
2026-05-20 14:30 - 16:00 | 7521 Madison Street Forest Park, IL 60130, 7521 Madison Street Forest Park, IL 60130, Forest Park, IL, 60130, United States
Join PCIL’s monthly M&O Committee meeting at our Forest Park office or over Zoom.
Call or email Demetra for more information or the Zoom link at 705-209-1500 ext. 118 or dkaras@progresscil.org.

Non-Apparent / Hidden Disabilities Support Group
2026-05-22 15:00 - 16:00 | 7521 Madison Street Forest Park, IL 60130, 7521 Madison Street Forest Park, IL 60130, Forest Park, IL, 60130, United States
Non-Apparent / Hidden Disabilities Support Group
* Because of the Memorial Day holiday, this month the group will meet on Friday, May 22 at 3:00. *
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. * Because of the Memorial Day holiday, this month the group will meet on Friday, May 22 at 3:00. *

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.

Healthcare Advocacy Group
2026-05-26 13:00 - 14:00 | 7521 Madison Street Forest Park, IL 60130, 7521 Madison Street Forest Park, IL 60130, Forest Park, IL, 60130, United States
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.

June Shop-In
2026-06-04 12:30 - 14:00
Progress Center will have a Shop-In in June. The Shop-In will take place at Russell’s Barbeque in Elmwood Park on Thursday, June 4. The address is 1621 North Thatcher Avenue, Elmwood Park, Illinois 60707.
Shop-Ins are opportunities to show businesses the buying power and solidarity of the disability community, as well as to check out accessibility of the location.
We will meet at Russell’s at 12:30 for lunch. Lunch shop-ins usually last about an hour and a half, but please stay as little or long as you like. (Members at May’s M&O decided there will not be a Membership & Outreach meeting in June since it would be so close to our Annual Meeting.)
Call or email Demetra for more information at 705-209-1500 ext. 118 or dkaras@progresscil.org.

Progress Center Annual Meeting
2026-06-20 11:00 - 15:00 | Cicero Community Center, Cicero, IL
Progress Center for Independent Living 38th Annual Meeting
Join Progress Center staff, board members, and community members for the 2026 Annual Meeting. The meeting features news and updates, reports and presentations from partners and allies, and a vote on Progress Center Board candidates, along with a community meal, information tables, and entertainment.
Date: Saturday, June 20th
Location: Cicero Community Center
2250 South 49th Avenue, Cicero, IL 60804
Times:
11:00am to 1:00 pm
Check-in, Exhibitor Hall, and Lunch
1:00pm to 3:00pm
• Meeting and Board of Directors Election
• Speakers on the Power of Voting, ILPs (Individualized Learning Plans), and the DeafBlind community
• Special Recognitions
ASL interpreters, Spanish language translation, and Personal Assistants will be provided.
A free parking garage is adjacent to the Cicero Community Center.
(entrance to parking garage is on 50th St. between 22nd Place and 23rd St.)
Paratransit fares of $3.25 each way will be reimbursed.
RSVP to 708-209-1500 or email dkaras@progresscil.org by June 8th.

Progress Center for Independent Living 38ª Reunión Anual
Únase al personal de Progress Center, miembros de la junta directiva y miembros de la comunidad para la Reunión Anual 2026. La reunión incluirá noticias y actualizaciones, informes y presentaciones de socios y aliados, así como la votación de candidatos para la Junta Directiva de Progress Center, además de una comida comunitaria, mesas informativas y entretenimiento.
Fecha: Sábado 20 de junio Lugar: Centro Comunitario de Cicero 2250 South 49th Avenue, Cicero, IL 60804
Horarios: 11:00 a.m. a 1:00 p.m. Registro, área de expositores y almuerzo
1:00 p.m. a 3:00 p.m. Reunión y elección de la Junta Directiva Conferencistas sobre el poder del voto, los ILPs (Planes Individualizados de Aprendizaje) y la comunidad Sordo-Ciega Reconocimientos especiales
Se proporcionarán intérpretes de ASL (lengua de señas), traducción al español y asistentes personales.
Habrá estacionamiento gratuito en un garaje adyacente al Centro Comunitario de Cicero (la entrada al garaje está en la calle 50, entre la calle 22 Place y la calle 23).
Las tarifas de paratránsito de $3.25 por trayecto serán reembolsadas.
Confirme su asistencia (RSVP) al 708-209-1500 o por correo electrónico a dkaras@progresscil.org antes del 8 de junio.
