Team Agency Spotlight: UCP Seguin

IL IMAGINES CHICAGO

TEAM AGENCY SPOTLIGHT

Agency/Program name:

UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago

3100 S. Central Ave.

Cicero, Illinois 60804

(708) 863-3803

www.ucpseguin.org

MISSION:

We believe that all people, regardless of ability, deserve to achieve their potential, advance their independence and act as full members of the community. So we stop at nothing to provide life skills training, assistive technology, meaningful employment and a place to call home for people with disabilities, as well as specialized foster care for children.

Our goal: life without limits for people with disabilities.

RANGE OF SERVICES:

UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago provides a wide array of innovative services for adults and children. For adults with intellectual disabilities we offer a variety of community living arrangements, case management, employment services, life skills training, respite, home-based support services, and recreational services. We place and support many individuals in community jobs throughout the Greater Chicago area, including in our own social enterprises Seguin Auto Center and Seguin Garden and Gifts.

We also give a home to children and adolescents, with nurturing foster care from birth to 21, including specialized care for children with behavior or medical challenges. In addition, our specialized assistive technology and accessibility services allow us to serve more people, advancing independence and promoting inclusive opportunities for thousands of children and adults with disabilities. Infinitec, with its partners, provides invaluable information about assistive technology, as well as training, equipment and access to specialists and resources. 

DISABILITY ACCESSIBLE:

All of our locations are fully accessible.

Team Member Spotlight: Meet our new Co-Chair, Jessica Silber

IL IMAGINES CHICAGO 

TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Team member name: Jessica Silber
Position:  Director of Home Based & Intake Services
Agency/Program: UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago
Member since: 2014


Member Bio: 
Jessica received her dual bachelor’s degree in Criminal/Social Justice and Psychology from Lewis University.  Jessica has 10 years of experience working with children and adults diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Through her work she has done direct care, group home management, program coordination, case management, respite and admissions. In addition, Jessica is guardian for a young woman with a disability who lives with her . . . and is like family to her.  


Quote:
 “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou  


Why I joined IL Imagines. 
 I used to volunteer with an organization when I was in high school that advocated for the prevention of sexual assault and domestic violence among young adults. I loved volunteering with them. A few years ago I worked with an individual who was assaulted and realized the agency I worked at had no procedures in place and that some had difficulty assisting her. I then went to a presentation by one of the Illinois Imagines Members and really wanted to get involved after that.


Fun Fact:  
My initials are the first three letters of my name. 

Welcome our newest member and admin assistant, Melissa Harrington

Team Member Profile

Team member name:

Melissa Harrington

Position:  

Administrative Assistant for Illinois Imagines Mini-Grant

Agency/Program:

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago/Sexual Violence Support Services

Member since: 2016

Member Bio:

Melissa received her undergraduate degree in Social Work at Northeastern Illinois University and hopes to be attending graduate school in 2017 to obtain her MSW. Melissa has been a volunteer sexual assault crisis counselor with the Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline since 2014 and is passionate about advocating for survivors of sexual assault.

Quote: “No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted” -Aesop

Why I joined IL Imagines.  

I am passionate about working with and advocating for survivors of sexual assault, so working with Illinois Imagines was a perfect opportunity for me to continue that work in a meaningful way.

Fun Fact:  
Even though I am terrible at it, I really enjoy playing tennis! It’s a great way to alleviate stress while getting exercise!

Educating Providers on Supporting Healthy Sexuality for People with ID/DD.

Presenting on Supporting Healthy Sexuality in People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities

From left to right:  Krescene Beck, Cathy Saunders, Linda Sandman

llinois Imagines Chicago team members Linda Sandman and Cathy Saunders joined with state team member Krescene Beck on June 29th to provide a full day of training to about 90 disability service providers in Springfield, Illinois. The topic was "Supporting Healthy Sexuality in People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities". 

The Illinois Crisis Prevention Network (ICPN) sponsored the training and is excited to have this opportunity to work with Illinois Imagines.
by: Linda Sandman

IL Imagines Chicago's #SAAM2016 Awareness vi ART and PICTURES.

In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month #SAAM2016, we organized activities that opened opportunities for people to create messages of support through art and pictures.

Learn more about us on our socials.
Facebook
Twitteer
Instagam

Using Our VOICES for ART
The IL Imagines Chicago organized a creative arts event hosted by our partner Access Living.   13 attendees including, self advocates, survivors, disability and rape crisis staff and allies, all shared their creative energies to make a beautiful collective art piece covered with empowering words, images and messages of support for survivors of sexual violence on their healing journey.

Our intention is to display this art piece whenever possible at various community events.  Follow us on our socials to hear when you can see the art in person.:)

Thank you to our organizing team;
Anacany Barrera; Metro YWCA and Team Co-Chair
Carrie Kaufmann; Access Living
Jae Jin Pak; Self Advocate and Team Co-Chair
Julie Parikh; Metro YWCA Intern
Lisa Cesal; Self Advocate/Author
Lubia Nuñez-Montelongo; Mujeras Latinas en Acion

Tara Wickey; Self Advocacy Alliance

A very SPECIAL THANK YOU to all the wonderful artists who made this possible.

 

#OURRIHTSRIGHTRNOW Photo Campaign

We launched the #ourrightsrightnow photo campaign to show support for survivors of sexual violence with disabilities by asking people to take pictures of themselves holding signs with a message of support.   See our "2016 our rights right now" blog post for full details.

We have a good start, but as #SAAM2016 winds down, we want to keep the momentum.  Please keep sending us your selfies with messages of hope, healing and support by using either template below.

Blank template to make your own message.

Here are some messages so far.  See more by following our instagram @ilimagineschicago

Sign Text: "our rights are non-negociable!!"

Sign text: "Our rights... I support #survivors with #disabilities #right to be seen, heard, believed and RESPECTED."

Sign text: "Our rights... SAFETY is a RIGHT."

Sign text: "Our rights... to CHOICE and OPTIONS."

Sign text: "Our rights... I support better access to police support."

Sign text: "Our rights... Should be Respected, Protected: Never Dejected! Disability is Credibility!"

Sign text: "Our rights... #Respect4allabilities"

Sign text: "Our rights... Survivors can #fight, Survivors can #love, Survivors can #heal"

Sign text: "Our rights... #Freedom from Abuse"

Sign text: "Our rights... to be BELIEVED   to be HEARD"

Sign text: "Our rights... 83% of disabled women are assaulted.  100% of us deserve to be heard, believed, and respected."

Sign text: "Our rights... to be heard--- to access services.  to be believed."

Team Member Spotlight: LInda Sandman

IL Imagines Team Member Spotlight

Linda Sandman

Team member name: 

Linda Sandman

Position:  

Director of Clinical Services, Clinical Assistant Professor

Agency/Program: 

UIC Developmental Disabilities Family Clinics

Member since: 2012

Member Bio:  

Linda Sandman is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Institute on Disability and Human Development (IDHD) at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Linda has over 25 years of clinical experience working with adults with disabilities, including mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD). She is the Director of Clinical Services for the Developmental Disabilities Family Clinics, which provides comprehensive diagnostic and clinical services for children through adults with ID/DD. In addition, Linda is a founding member of the Sexuality and Disability Consortium at IDHD and is an active member of Illinois Imagines Chicago, as well as the state-wide Planning Team and Public Policy committee for Illinois Imagines.

Quote:  

“Why go chasing distant fancies? The good is ever near! Learn to grasp your chances! Happiness is always here.” – Goethe

Why I joined IL Imagines. 

As a therapist at the UIC Family Clinics, I met many people with developmental disabilities who had experienced sexual violence and I began working to address this issue. I was so excited to find out about Illinois Imagines. I love the collaboration – bringing together people with disabilities, disability service providers, allies and rape crisis center professionals. It is making change happen!

Fun Fact:  

I love to make jewelry, especially earrings. It’s fun, wearable art!

#SAAM2016: OUR RIGHTS...RIGHT NOW Photo Campaign

Sexual Assault Awareness Month #SAAM2016

OUR RIGHTS...RIGHT NOW 

Photo Campaign

co-chair, Jae JIn Pak 
with his message of support.

In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month #saam2016, IL Imagines Chicago is launching #ourrightsrightnow photo campaign. 

We want to show support for survivors of sexual violence with disabilities through the power of pictures.

Our Goal:

We want to collect and post as many pictures of people holding a sign with a supportive message for survivors of sexual violence with disabilities.  Like the ones shown above and below.
Send questions to ilimagineschicago@gmail.com 

We invite Survivors, People with Disabilities, and Allies.

Fab Intern; Julie Parikh
with her message of support.

Co-Chair; Anacany Barrera
with her message of support.

Help us go viral!  
Join us! Add your message of support. It's easy.

• Download the sign you wish to use below.
• If you use the "sample" sign, take a picture of yourself holding it in front of you.
• If you use the "blank" sign, write or draw your message of support.
• Take a picture of yourself holding your sign in front of you so it is visible and readable.
• Post to instagram, facebook, twitter with the hashtags;
• #ilimagineschicago, #saam2016, #ourrightsrightnow
• Please tag us in your posts so we can find them.  
• Facebok-@ilimagineschicago
• Twitter-@ilimagineschgo
• Instagram-@ilimagineschicago
• Share and invite others to post.

THANK YOU! :)

sample sign

Blank sign for you to fill out.

We invite Survivors, People with Disabilities, and Allies.