HELPING HAND CENTER
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Mission Statement
Transforming all lives of all connected through genuine care and education.
About This Cause
Helping Hand (HH) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families in the Chicagoland area. We offer a wide range of person-centered programs and services that include a best practices HH School, progressive employment programs that promote inclusive workplaces, pediatric therapies, high school transition services, community living homes (CILAs,) and specialized programs with high staff-to-client ratios for seniors with disabilities. In the early 1950’s, parents of children with disabilities struggled to find social and educational options that addressed their children’s unique needs. In response, a group of parents established the Helping Hand Autism School in 1955. Their dedication and perseverance around supporting and celebrating the accomplishments of children and adults with I/DD built the foundation for our current programming. In FY21, we adopted a new mission statement: to transform the lives of all connected to Helping Hand through genuine care and education. We believe this new mission statement speaks to our vision of reaching everyone who interacts with HH in a way that transforms them personally and helps our community better connect with people who have I/DD. HH pursues this mission through the following person-centered programs and services: School for Children with Autism – We serve students in grades K-12 from 30 school districts (many within the city of Chicago). This best practices model provides children ages 5-22 with special education services that meet their educational, communication, and behavioral health needs. Employment & Vocational Training – Our services for adults and transition-age high school students promote inclusive workplaces and prepare individuals for sustainable and competitive careers in the community. Our Empower Program operates as a vocational day service to educate and assist adults (ages 23+) in developing independent living and employment skills through volunteer opportunities, community involvement activities, and independent living curriculum. Also, HH leads two collaborative Project SEARCH programs (one for high school students ages 18-23 and one for adults ages 24) with the goal of securing competitive employment upon completion of the program. Additionally, HH is leading a newly-formed collaboration among two local colleges, local trade associations, and nonprofits to create vocational training courses for people with I/DD ages 18+. This partnership will adapt the Nuts Bolts & Thingamajigs training model for people with disabilities. Supported Employment and Competitive Employment Placement: HH successfully offers traditional supported employment with job coaches and competitive employment placement for people who are ready to work in the community. Occupational/Speech Therapies – Infants, children, and adolescents with disabilities receive these therapies through our Outpatient Clinic. Therapy goals focus on building skills that assist them in functioning better within the community. Residential Services – HH operates12 community living homes (CILAs) for 76 adults with disabilities. Individuals receive 24/7 independent living assistance. Community Day Services – Adults with I/DD participate in educational and recreational classes in a community center style setting, and are now able to access these services through virtual, online learning. The wellness model incorporated into our programming considers the physical, emotional, economic, personal, intellectual, community and social wellness of our clients. Aging Program – This specialized program offers a high staff-to-client ratio for seniors with disabilities using the GRACE curriculum. The Aging Program focuses client activities along seven domains: Communication, Memory Skills and Reminiscence, Orientation, Wellness and Health Promotion, Recreation and Leisure, Activities of Daily Living and Spirituality. Adult Clinical Services – Our team of counselors, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, behavior analysts/therapists, and behavior support staff assists clients (many of whom have a dual diagnosis of a disability and mental illness) in developing coping skills, learning positive behaviors, reducing maladaptive behaviors, and participating more fully in community life.