4/26/20 - A Message to Providers from Secretary Hou: Community Bright Spots

Sunday, April 26, 2020


Dear Partners,


Below are two organizations going above and beyond - they are the featured IDHS Community Bright Spots today.


Envision Unlimited, Chicago, IL


Envision Unlimited provides services for community living, community day services, mental health, and specialized foster care.


When the quarantine began, a thoughtful Envision Unlimited Board member worried about how Envision members might happily fill their hours at home, so she provided Netflix subscriptions for all 46 Envision CILAs. She and her family were enjoying movies together and she was so kind to extend that service to Envision residents as well.


This lead to getting more smart TVs and generally upgrading CILA technology so that now there are fun movies and live-streamed day programming videos from familiar Envision Unlimited staff. They are even celebrating with virtual birthday parties happening throughout the Envision Unlimited residential network!


New Moms, Oak Park and Chicago, IL


New Moms provides housing, social services, and workforce development programs throughout the Chicagoland area.


New Moms has been distributing necessities to families in the community. They have had a generous response from donors, including items like diapers, baby wipes, formula, food, and cleaning supplies. The New Moms team put together care packages for over 50 families and continues to make deliveries every week to make sure young moms and their children have the support they need during this difficult time.


Keep an eye out for more Community Bright Spots and continue to send submissions to DHS.Stakeholder@illinois.gov.


Sincerely,

Grace B. Hou


Secretary, IDHS