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Join Us at Going Home Coalition’s Next Meeting!
July 8th at 4:00 PM CT
Image: Our Presenter, Abby Gunther
"I want to work!
How do I work and not lose my benefits?"
This is one of the most frequently asked questions I hear from self-advocates and those who support them. This presentation will provide an introduction to the Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA) Program.
WIPA is funded by the Social Security Administration and provides free, individualized counseling to people who receive a Social Security disability benefit and are working or interested in working. Participants will learn how employment and income impact their Social Security and other benefits, as well as other benefits such as Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, and more.
Most importantly, participants will learn how to get connected to the WIPA Program and a Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC), who can provide them free, individualized counseling so that theydon’t need to navigate the benefits system alone.
Abby Gunther, our presenter, is a Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC) at the Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP) and a Partners in Policymaking Graduate.
Only registrants will receive notes and a recording of the meeting, so be sure to register!
Join Us on Monday, June 30th for the Protective Medical Equipment Freedom Act Virtual Teach-In!
The Arc of Illinois, Going Home Coalition, and Access Living are member organizations of the Right to Mask Coalition, a group committed to ensuring protection the right to use masks and other medical equipment in Illinois. During this teach-in, we will discuss the history of masking, hear stories from those who use masks and other forms of protective medical equipment, share the legislation, and next steps for enshrining the right to mask! Learn more about our work at www.pmefa.org.
L to R: Carole Rosen; Samantha Alloway; Gerry Beagles
L to R: Todd Wiltse;Chrissy Swanson; Anne Kearns
On May 30th, Carole Rosen, Samantha Alloway, Executive Director of The Arc of Illinois, Gerry Beagles, Executive Director at Garden Center Services, and Dan Vosnos of the National Down Syndrome Society, celebrated the groundbreaking of Garden Center Apartments, a permanent supportive housing development which will bring vital affordable, accessible, housing to Worth, Illinois.This development was championed with IHDA funding, Brush Hill Development, and WJW architects. Looking forward to hearing more soon!
Back Row L to R: Steve Hustedt, Gia Super, Abby Gunther, Maria Rodriguez, Sharon Costabile, Rita Varela Middle Row L to R: Livvy Pelayo, Ashley McLeod, Amanda Hedberg, Titina Sands, Carole Rosen, Amber Williams Front Row L to R: Allan Bergman, Jan Bergman, Elizabeth Campos, Bridget Brown.Not Shown: Greg Walkington, Michelle DeGaetano, Maram Sweis
The outstanding PIP leads, staff, tech support, and notetaker!
Back row L to R: Amber Williams, River Sands, Steve Hustedt, Jennifer Sands, Melissa Estes, Jan Bergman, Allan Bergman, Elizabeth Campos, Kimberly Johnson
Front row: Megan Norlin
ICDD Director Kim Mercer-Schleider, Carole Rosen, and High Impact Consulting’s Allan Bergman.
Saturday, June 21st, celebrated the Class 6 graduation from Partners in Policymaking of two of TheArc of Illinois staff, Carole Rosen and Greg Walkington.
Thank you, Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) and High Impact Consulting, for empowering people statewide! ICDD has funded notable projects such as Going Home Coalition, Partners in Policymaking, and The Illinois Self Advocacy Alliance all of which have empowered advocates to make incredible strides forward! Thank you to ICDD Staff, Kim Mercer-Schleider, Executive Director, Mariel Hamer, Asst. Director & Gary Arnold, Program Specialist for making this investment in Illinois individuals!
Partners in Policymaking is an innovative, competency-based leadership training program for adults with disabilities, siblings, professionals, and parents of young and adult children with developmental disabilities.
The purpose of this program is two-fold: to teach best practices and to teach the competencies needed to influence public policy. Over the past 4 years, this project has "graduated" 117 Illinois citizens who will be equipped to be community leaders serving on policymaking committees, commissions, and boards at local, state, and national levels.
Partners in Policymaking is led by High Impact Consulting & Training led by Allan Bergman, President, Association Executive, and nationally recognized best practice thought leader along with Jan Bergman affectionately known as the 'Den Mother'. We never went hungry!
Ryan Croke,First Assistant Deputy Governor of Health and Human Services for the Illinois Department of Human Services, delivered a heartfelt, inspiring, impactful commencement speech to the 2024-2025 Class 6 graduates.
High Impact Staff was outstanding and supportive of everyone! Thank you, faculty advisors: Jennifer Thibodeaux Sands, Arc of Illinois Board President Kimberly L. Johnson, Elizabeth Campos, Melissa Jacobs Estes. Note taker, Amber Williams and Tech Support, Steve Hustedt.
L to R Ashley McLoed, Sharon Costabile, Bridget Brown
Special thanks to PIP graduates Bridget Brown, Ashley McLoed, and to Greg Walkington for mentioning in your PIP reflection the scope and impact of the work that both Going Home Coalition and REV UP Illinois do to empower others!It is greatly appreciated!
Bridget is a long-term member of Going Home Coalition and is an awesome advocate.
Click here for her May vlog for Family Matters as she talks about her experience in PIP.
Ashley did her insightful PIP Project on Voting and did a great job doing a REV UP Illinois video last year with her housemates Ruthie Pligge and Rachel Costabile. Click here to watch the video.
State Operated Developmental Centers Community Transition Resource Events
L to R: Alicia Robinson, Melissa Reynolds, Kelly Schultz, Carole Rosen
On May 22nd, REV UP Illinois Shapiro Developmental Center held a Transition Resource Event. Residents had the opportunity to speak with providers about community living options, learn more about their voting rights, connect with The Arc of Illinois’ programs, and find out how to contact Greg Walkington, Director of the Family Transition Project, for assistance and resources to help transition out of state-operated developmental centers.
On May 30th, REV UP Illinois attended the Transition Resource Event at Fox Developmental Center in Dwight. The weather was perfect for engaging with Fox residents outdoors about possible opportunities to move to community settings and other supports and services.
Accessible Juneteenth
“I vote because it’s the right thing to do to protect our ‘Democracy’."
Image: Victoria Boateng on the Djembe!
L to R: Tamar Heller, UIC Department Head and Caitlin Crabb UIC Research Assistant Professor
Image: Sebastian Aragon
The Accessible Juneteenth event on June 18th held its annual celebration at the UIC Student Center.
It was a total vibe — poetry, rap, dancing, food, and festivities! Sebastian Aragon, Legislative Assistant at The Arc of Illinois, did a great job engaging with attendees about voting and encouraging involvement in the Going Home Coalition and REV UP Illinois’ upcoming activities.
Abilities Expo
L to R: Vincent Smith; Jae Jin Pak, Rocio Perez, Arc of Illinois Lifespan Director
Image: The hippest service dog I’ve ever seen!
L to R: Curtis Harris;Adam Wiser; Shelly Berry
L to R: Curtis Harris, Mike Ervin, Adam Wiser
L to R: Director of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Director Rahnee Patrick, Carole Rosen
“Collaboration is key” is something I often say as we empower others through advocacy! Kudos to an amazing team who handled the Abilities Expo with professionalism and enthusiasm! The team was firing on all cylinders — engaging Expo participants on voter education and registration questions, as well as sharing information about the outstanding programs of The Arc of Illinois.
A big shoutout and thank you to Lifespan Director Rocio Perez, The Arc Board Member Vincent Smith, Jae Jin Pak, Curtis Harris, and Adam Wiser — outstanding job!
If you are a self-advocate group or provide services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, contact us for ideas on how to host a voter education and registration event. We have the resources and stipends to help bring your vision to life!
Please contact us and share your ideas on how REV UP Illinois will continue its important mission to register, educate, and empower the disability vote! Please emailcarole@thearcofil.org orsebastian@thearcofil.orgif you have events planned or would like to present at a REV UP Illinois meeting!
