Envision's Buddy Biking Program is a popular exercise option for volunteers and members. |
|
How Exercise Supports Our Mental Wellness |
|
When we think of exercise, physical fitness generally comes to mind. But exercise also benefits your mental fitness. It can help us cope with depression, anxiety, stress, and ADHD. Another bonus:
Exercise can even improve the quality of our sleep. That's because exercise releases powerful chemicals called endorphins that stimulate changes in the brain and produce calmness and a sense of well-being.
Have a tendency to worry a lot? Try this, the next time you take a walk or even jog: Pay close attention to your feet hitting the ground, the rhythm of your breath, or notice how the wind feels on your skin. Focusing on how your body feels while you are exercising, can distract you from any worries that are constantly floating through your head.
Are your muscles frequently tense—especially in your face, neck, and shoulders? Do you experience back or neck pain or painful headaches? Any tightness in your chest? Do you have a pounding pulse or muscle cramps? Perhaps you're not sleeping well or you have insomnia or heartburn. All of these can be signs of stress. And worrying about these physical symptoms can create more stress. Try exercising.
Free online exercise classes are available on our YouTube Channel, including Yoga for All and Exercise for All. Join the classes live or watch at your leisure. To have the weekly schedule delivered to your inbox, click here.
|
|
Westtown Games' Athletes Win Big
|
|
The cancellation of this year's in-person Special Olympics made a dream come true for one Envision member, Special Olympian Marcus. For several years, he has lobbied for an Olympic-style athletic competition at Westtown Center.
When he got the green light, Marcus and his fellow Westtown members planned an opening ceremony and four events. They chose the food, the event locations, and even the swag. Their opening ceremony on April 30 featured a torch run with the Illinois State Police on The 606. Marcus also led attendees in singing the national anthem.
|
|
The all-abilities athletic event on May 3-4 included a 50-meter run, standing long jump, 200-meter walk, and a dance-off. The Games took place in several areas near the Center, including The 606, Simons Park, and Humboldt Park.
"This has been an empowering, skill-building practice for everyone as they’ve learned to think through all the steps in planning an event of this size and troubleshooting with their peers as a group," said Westtown Center Program Director Hannah Lowe, proudly. An important part of their plan was to develop a credo that served as a guide for all competitors (see below).
The event began with the classic running of the torch, led by Illinois State Police Sergeant Delila Garcia, volunteer Tim Smith, Westtown member Charles, and Envision Unlimited President and CEO Mark McHugh. Sgt. Garcia thrilled athletes by giving each a state police patch.
Unlimited Voices journalists covered the event, and we don't want to steal the members' thunder. For more details, click the link below to read their stories in this week's issue of their newsletter.
|
|
Members Create Credo of Champions |
|
Tim Smith Awarded Volunteer of the Year Honor |
|
Our Volunteer of the Year Award normally is presented at a fancy dinner in a country club—the kind of venue that would be a natural fit for a high-powered executive like Tim Smith, chief corporate counsel for CME Group. However, this year, due to the pandemic, the event was held outdoors—and coincidentally, at Westtown. Tim has volunteered for several years there as a Biking Buddy, and he ended his 3,000-mile virtual bike tour across the country last year there to raise money for people with disabilities.
"Tim deeply cares about improving the quality of life for those with disabilities, and it shows. He has high-quality interactions with our members and makes them feel special. He even involves his family and his fraternity in Envision activities," reflected Mark McHugh. "Tim's support and volunteerism bring so much value to our members and our organization. We are deeply grateful for all he's done for us."
|
|
Tim leads the torch run with President and CEO Mark McHugh, member Charles, and Illinois State Police Sergeant Delila Garcia. |
|
Jubilant Westtown Games athletes surround Tim after Mark McHugh presented him with Envision's 2020 Volunteer of the Year award. |
|
Envision's First Duet Cycle Hits the Trail |
|
Adventures Unlimited Coordinator David Pufundt pilots Geneva on her first Duet Cycle ride.
Westtown member Geneva is the first to ride on Envision's new three-speed, duet bicycle that enables those who normally use wheelchairs to enjoy the freedom of a bike ride. Geneva, who was a bit afraid to try it, soon changed her mind.
"I liked the bike ride!" she declared after cruising The 606. Geneva is now eager to get back on the trail.
"Members have shown a lot of excitement around the duet bike," said Adventures Unlimited Coordinator David Pufundt. "The fact that we assembled it together and will ride it together is a significant aspect of this new bike."
Geneva's outing also offered Envision Media Club members William and Charles an opportunity to polish their video production skills. Using GoPro cameras, they learned how to record moving objects. They look forward to editing that footage and recording more rides on the trail.
"Any member can ride this bike. However, we do give priority to those with a physical disability that prevents them from riding another type of bicycle. All of our bicycles are meant to share movement with any member that is interested in writing them," David explained.
Envision is anticipating delivery of three more Duet Cycles by the end of summer. Two will go to the South Side biking location, Big Marsh Park.
|
|
CILA Gardens Help Protect Our Food Chain |
|
Fun fact: Gardening is a form of exercise that can reduce stress and improve our mental health. And there are even more benefits, according to Psychology Today.
If you want to enhance those benefits, try planting a butterfly garden. Butterflies and other pollinators help plants reproduce, which helps strengthen ecosystems, maintain life-sustaining biological diversity, and assures we have the food we need.
Whipple resident Wilbur likes to play music for the plants. "Music helps the flowers grow," he says. Roommate Clarence likes to water the garden.
|
|
An Atrium Landscape crew delivers soil and plants that will attract butterflies to the Whipple CILA (L), and Division Director of CLS, Donna Ennis, excitedly anticipates the garden with residents Clarence and Wilbur. (R) |
|
As part of its philanthropic mission, Atrium Landscape is planting butterfly gardens at 40 Envision CILAs. Members will receive the mental and physical benefits of nurturing these gardens. That's a tremendous benefit for the food chain that sustains the rest of us because the butterflies pollinate other plants. Ecology at work!
"Atrium Landscape is honored and thrilled to partner with Envision Unlimited. Our goal is to create outdoor living spaces that all the residents can enjoy. With their participation in the design and installing of the plants, we work together to make a tranquil and beautiful garden," project manager Gerry Worden told us. "It's not until we are done that we realize how much laughter and fun we shared on this project! We forget the simple things in life that can bring us so much joy."
|
|
Congratulations to Board Member Becky Carroll |
|
The Anti-Defamation League Midwest will honor Envision Unlimited board member
Becky Carroll and fourat its 27th Annual Women of Achievement Awards Dinner on June 17. In addition to the Envision board, Becky is the President and CEO of communications agency C Strategies and serves on the boards of NARAL Pro-Choice America, Equality Illinois, CAPAG, and One Illinois. She also is an Ambassador Board member of MedGlobal.
That's a lot of achievement! Congratulations, Becky! We're proud to know you.
|
|
|
|
|
Enjoy the Latest Issue of UNLIMITED VOICES
|
How do you keep up with our busy Envision members? First, make sure you have a copy of their latest newsletter. The free online publication is always accessible on the home page of our website and within our monthly newsletters, like right here!
Unlimited Voices is the dream child of Envision members. The bi-weekly newsletter is proof-positive that we are fulfilling our mission to promote inclusion and give voice to individuals with disabilities.
|
|
Ashley Freedman is a mental health specialist in Envision's Mental Health and Wellness Center. She credits her mother for the inspiration to major in psychology because she wanted to make a difference in the lives of those who struggle with mental illness.
Since earning a graduate degree in forensic psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Ashley has worked with psychosocial rehabilitation clients and outpatient clients with severe mental illness.
What attracted her to Envision Unlimited was its non-profit status and the population that it serves.
"I love working with the psychosocial rehab population and outpatient clients," she said. "Envision Unlimited offered a variety of populations for me to serve and a chance to make a difference in a non-profit setting."
Ashley conducts individual therapy sessions and offers some case management support. In addition, she helps clients work toward their goals, from managing anxiety, depression, and other symptoms through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, active listening, and building a strong rapport with each client.
Her supervisor, Alicia Kane, says Ashley's transition into Envision was impressive. Two weeks after she arrived last year, everyone went on lock-down. Ashley had to learn a new role in a new company while being 100% virtual. "Ashley is quick to take up any assignment or project asked of her," said Alicia. "She has helped the agency grow our telehealth department and is currently seeing the largest number of telehealth clients for therapy."
"As cliche as it sounds, I love making a difference," Ashley said. "I love seeing progress with my clients. I like how my clients teach me just as much as I teach them. I love the strong therapeutic relationship and rapport that come with my job role."
Ashley wears the spotlight well.
|
|
Members Stir Up Some Food for the Soul |
|
|
|
Rose Center members recently partnered with Feed6, a nonprofit organization that packages food for the needy, by decorating the food boxes to look more like a gift from a caring friend.
|
|
|
|
Inside each box were other treats: A handmade candle, a hand-dyed mask, and a “Be Kind to Yourself” sticker featuring a mandala created by Rose Center member Chris C.
"'Be Kind to Yourself’ is a mantra we've had during Covid,” explained Rose Center Program Director Whitney Flanigan. "We thought it would be a good self-care reminder during Mental Health Awareness Month."
Chris' mandalas are frequently used in art therapy at Rose Center because they are so meditative.
|
|
Discover Our Story of Resilience
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
