Avenues to Independence

Avenues to Independence empowers adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live the lives they choose with dignity and independence. Since 1953, we’ve worked to put aside old ideas about what individuals with disabilities can achieve. Founded by a group of Chicago-area parents who envisioned a brighter future for their children, Avenues has grown into a nonprofit that serves more than 200 adults each year through customized residential, vocational, and community living programs. From our program sites in Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Wheeling, and Chicago, Avenues provides critical services for individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other developmental disabilities. Whether it’s supported employment, art classes, life-skills training, or a place to call home, our programs meet people where they are and support their goals for the future. What sets Avenues apart is our belief in long-term support and deep community involvement. Many of our cients have been with us for decades, and we’re proud of the close-knit relationships we’ve built with clients, families, staff, and volunteers. We’re also a leading voice in disability advocacy, working to protect and advance the rights of individuals with disabilities in Illinois and beyond. With the help of generous donors, volunteers, and community partners, we’re building a more inclusive world, and helping our clients chart their own path forward.