Happy Holidays!

The residents enjoyed a Holiday Movie Night with their friends. From outside the room much laughter and singing was heard while episodes such as “I Love Lucy” and “The Brady Bunch” entertained. At times people were conducting from their seats and encouraging others to sing along with a carol or two. Overall the residents enjoyed movie night and the time to just have fun with their friends and watch a few Holiday episodes of some old classics

"They just gave me a t-shirt!"

When Mary Anne showed up at the December 10th CTA hearing, "there were over 100 people there" to protest the cutting of CTA Bus #11 (Lincoln Ave.)  The bus line was not saved, but Mary Anne continues to testify against service cuts and fare increases as they affect people with and without disabilities.
She stopped by to wish us Happy Holidays before she takes her annual trip to Florida in January.  No need to offer her a ride to or from O'Hare--she'll take the Blue Line!

It's snowing at Avenues!

It may not be snowing in Chicago yet, but by learning a new painting technique the artists who participate in the Avenues Art Program were able to bring the snow to them!   

Special thanks to Alyssa and everyone at Brickton Art Studio for a great winter session!

Activism in Action

       If you see Mary Anne in the community, she looks like a woman on a mission; determined, focused.  Whether she's on her way to or from work, her volunteer commitment, running errands, going to festivals in the city, visiting book stores in the suburbs, or... protesting?  I've always known that Mary Anne paid close attention to public transit issues, but I had no idea how committed she was until she came to my office wearing this shirt.  So, I started asking more questions. 

       In April of 2012, Mary Anne joined a group of protesters carrying picket signs and chanting, "We are the 99%!" at the CTA headquarters in downtown Chicago. 
      "It was exhilarating!  I enjoy doing anything involving public transit."  They were protesting fare hikes and service cuts, an issue that Mary Anne has testified about at many CTA and Metra hearings over the past 20 years.
       "I first got involved in 1988 after seeing a CTA public hearing notice at the JVS clerical program that I was attending at the time."  The RTA's Persons with Disabilities Ride Free Transit program has enabled Mary Anne to ride CTA, Pace, and Metra at no cost, so I asked her why she cares about rate hikes?  "I'm concerned about the wider view; those that don't have a ride-free card." 
        Our public transit system is crucial to Mary Anne's independence and she does what she can to get that message to the powers that be.  As someone that makes a point to let you know how independent she is, even when you first meet her, she credits Avenues with "allowing me the opportunity and freedom to do things like this."  Stay tuned for periodic updates from Mary Anne in future blog posts.

What are you thankful for?



Avenues Art Program...check out what's new!

Brickton Art Studio

The Avenues Art Program is going on celebrating 5 years! The artists that participate have worked on projects such as drawing, painting, clay bowls, sculptures, beading, etc. and have done so both at the Avenues' Cafe and at Brickton Art Studio.

 

"Pop Art" at the silent auction

For the past 2 years several of the artists had their paintings displayed and up for bid at the "Spotlight on Wine" silent auction.  This year one painting alone sold for over $200 (there was quite the bidding war that took place)!  An added bonus...all proceeds go back to the art program!

  

The class also decided to share more of their work in a different way selling coasters they produced using prints of work they have done over the years. The coasters practically flew off the shelves and many people have been interested in placing orders!  Keep checking back here and on our Facebook page for updates on how you can order your very own set designed by some of the best artists around!

 



Election Day

Yesterday Americans were out exercising there right to choose our country's leaders. This is the foundation of democracy and a cherished right all Americans share. Like most people in our country, Avenues' clients want to participate in the election to make sure their voices are heard.

Yesterday five of our clients that chose to vote were kind enough to allow us to film them. Stephanie, David, Brian, Ed, and Debbie were all excited to cast their votes for the candidates that would best represent the issues they care about. At their home they gather to watch the news before dinner each evening and they discuss politics in the same ways we do with our friends and family. They all made a conscientious decision based on their personal beliefs and were very proud to participate.

We hope you enjoy the video! Please share this post on Facebook or through email if you'd like to give your friends or family some perspective on the people we serve. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback please comment below. Thanks!

And you thought YOU loved vampires!!

 

Laurel as the Vampire Woman with Werewolf



Step into Laurel's apartment and you'll have no trouble figuring out what her favorite holiday is.  From tombstones to werewolves,  coffins to skulls, Laurel's love of all things horror is evident and abundant! 

Even as a kid, she and her siblings would decorate their house inside and out, scaring Trick-or-Treaters with their haunted front porch.  As for haunted houses, "They never scared me, but my little sister would hold on to me the whole way through!"



A jumbo rat guards the grave of "Vlad the Impaler".

Her collection of horror movies is something to behold.  She owns multiple Dracula movies as well as other series' involving werewolves, mummies, goblins, and other assorted ghoulish subjects.  "My favorite Dracula is Christopher Lee."  She also loves Fright Night and Dark Shadows.  "I haven't seen the Johnny Depp version, but I hear it's funny."



Laurel challenges you to find this creation in the seasonal aisle!



Laurel has an eye for craftiness.  Her decorations and her costumes are all homemade.  "It helps to work at Michael's."  She has some of her less scary crafts for sale at the Avenues Thrift Shoppe.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Welcome to our blog!

Avenues' clients celebrating at the Annual Dinner

Welcome to Avenues to Independence's Blog! We are a non-profit that serves adults with developmental disabilities in the Chicago area. We provide residential, vocational, job placement and home-based services to adults with physical, intellectual, and other developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome, autism, epilepsy and cerebral palsy. It is our goal to provide work and living opportunities enabling those with disabilities to be as independent as possible.

We decided to start a blog to share our mission and our client's lives. Many of our clients face challenges every day and their positive attitudes and perseverance are inspirational. We hope to give you a look into their world to help improve your understanding of our clients lives and show their involvement in the community.

Our blog posts will be announced on our Facebook page so please click the link and see what’s new. You can look forward to posts written by our clients, videos from parties and events, clients sharing their knowledge and interests, and a lot more!

If you enjoy reading a post, please share it with your friends. We’d also love to hear your feedback in the comments section below each post. Thanks for visiting our blog and please come back often!