Association for Individual Development

🟣 October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to recognize that #Every1KnowsSome1 impacted by domestic violence. It’s crucial for us all to understand that everyone has a role to play in preventing violence and supporting survivors. Together, we can create a culture of respect and understanding, where survivors feel safe to share their stories and seek help. Let’s break the silence, raise awareness, and advocate for change in our communities. Educate yourself, listen, and stand up against domestic violence. Together, we can make a difference! 💜 #DVAM #SupportSurvivors #EndDomesticViolence

🎃✨ Jack had an amazing day at Sonny Acres Farm! 🌾💛 He visited the pumpkin patch and picked an armful of the most perfect pumpkins! 🎉📸 Afterwards, he posed for a fun photo-op and soaked up all the Halloween vibes. We wonder if he will be making JACK-O-lanterns later? 🍂👻 #PumpkinPatch #FallFun #SonnyAcresFarm

🌟 It's National Make A Difference Day! This October 26th, it's time to take community service to new heights! 🌟 Whether it's big or small, there are countless ways to make an impact. Here are some ideas: 🤝 Volunteer in your community or with a meaningful organization. 👩🏫 Be a mentor and help someone gain new skills. 💖 Make a donation to a charity that resonates with you. 💬 Offer a kind word to someone who needs support. 🎨 Share your skills and hobbies to bring joy to others. Let’s come together and make a difference! Share your efforts with #MakeADifferenceDay. 💪✨

🍽️Hot Lunch Time!😋 A few weeks ago, a delicious meal was being cooked up in our kitchen! On the menu was Thai style chicken salad, pineapple-mango smoothies, sticky mango rice crisps, and coconut lime rice. Sous Chef Carrie did an awesome job; it was delicious! 🍍🥭🥥🍚 Thanks to AID Culinary Specialist Anna Barnes for helping Carrie perfect her food prep skills! 🍽️👨🍳 #Foodie #LunchGoals #AID #CulinarySkills

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! 👷♂️This week's spotlight is Amanda!👷♂️ Growing up, Amanda wanted to be an oceanographer, as she was enamored by all ocean life, but especially whales. When asked what led her to seek employment, Amanda explained: "I took care of my grandparents for several years, but after the passing of my grandmother, I was left without a purpose in life. That lack of purpose led to me wanting a job. I wanted to feel like I was making a difference." Now that she has her job that gives her that feeling of purpose, she says: "I love that I get to spend my day with children! The thought that my presence in their lives will have an impact on their futures, brings me so much joy. Without Marcie, and AID, I don’t think I would have the job I have now. Marcie’s support and guidance gave me the confidence to apply for the jobs I really wanted, even though I was worried about my lack of experience. I now have a job I love and I am so grateful to Marcie and AID! My advice is to never give up. It isn’t easy finding the right job for anyone, add in the differences that a disability brings and it can feel impossible. It’s important to trust the process and the program. Your employment specialist is there to help you every step of the way, trust them to guide you." Very well said! We hope Amanda's story can inspire people from all walks of life. 🎆 #NationalDisabilityEmploymentAwarenessMonth #DisabilityEmployment #DiversityAtWork

Happy Event Organizer's Day to our very own: Sylvia, Angela, and Kayleigh! They work behind the scenes year-round to make sure all of the AID events run as smoothly as possible. From procuring donations, to collecting decorations, and even working with last-minute changes, our events team does it all to do their very best. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to our Event Organizers, other staff, and the volunteers to help AID make our events great! 🎇 #EventOrganizersDay #BehindTheScenes #ThankYou

🎃👻 Halloween Thrills and Chills! 👻🎃 Check out this spooky recap from the AID All Hallows Eve Auction! We had a fang-tastic costume contest, a hauntingly good silent and live auction, games that gave everyone a fright, and so much fun it was scary! 🕸️🖤 👻 Did you attend? Let us know what your favorite part was! 🧙♀️🎃 🕷️🕸️ Watch the full video and see who nailed their costume this year! THANK YOU to the overwhelming generosity of sponsors, auction guests, volunteers, AID Board of Directors and supporters for making the 2024 AID Benefit Auction a success! Phantom Benefactor: Dunham Foundation Graveyard Guardians: Ben Steinberg’s Family, Trust Company of IL Haunted Hosts: Core Solutions, The Flaherty Family, The Klotz Family, Weldstar & Depke Gases & Welding Supplies, Walt and Janet Dwyer, Wintrust Commercial Banking, North Arrow Partners, St. Charles Bank & Trust Ghoulish Givers: Gould Family, Marsh McLennan Agency - Midwest, Genoa Healthcare, NuMark Credit Union, Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen Spooky Supporters: Kathy and Bruce Simpson, Waubonsee Community College, David Austin, Enterprise Fleet Management, WJW Architects, Rick and Bonnie Poulton, KODOCARE Pharmacy Pumpkin Patrons: John and Suzanne Potter, Steve and Betty Rauschenberger, Luna Consulting & Coaching, Tom and Lynn O’Shea, Cordogan Clark & Associates Auction proceeds help AID provide community-based programs and services to over 5,300 children and adults with developmental, behavioral and crisis needs. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://lnkd.in/gS7da9SD License code: BQLCLK2DTH56SAPM

🌟🏈Recently, IHC hosted their Annual Day of Caring for the Elgin Community Day Services at AID! This year's theme was Football, so everyone came decked out in their best team gear and rallied up for the picnic. There was music, dancing, temporary tattoos, a photo booth, delicious food, and good friends to be enjoyed all afternoon. Staff and clients look forward to this event every year, and time after time we are blown away by IHC's commitment and support. HUGE thank you to IHC and those who came to help make this day one to remember!🏈🌟 #PicnicFun #TeamSpirit #CommunityEngagement #IHC Music from #Uppbeat: https://lnkd.in/eGxWwjf9 License code: TAZS0LTIJ1UCZTUD

Our AID Aurora Community Day Services team recently participated in an empowering DVA Leadership & Development Training team training retreat where we focused on building leadership, enhancing team collaboration, improving satisfaction, and sharpening our focus and listening skills. A great experience for growth and connection! At the end of the day, the Aurora team put together these slides with pictures of their experience to share what they had created together. 🎇

🎃👻 Halloween Thrills and Chills! 👻🎃 Check out this spooky recap from the AID All Hallows Eve Auction! We had a fang-tastic costume contest, a hauntingly good silent and live auction, games that gave everyone a fright, and so much fun it was scary! 🕸️🖤 👻 Did you attend? Let us know what your favorite part was! 🧙♀️🎃 🕷️🕸️ Watch the full video and see who nailed their costume this year! THANK YOU to the overwhelming generosity of sponsors, auction guests, volunteers, AID Board of Directors and supporters for making the 2024 AID Benefit Auction a success! Phantom Benefactor: Dunham Foundation Graveyard Guardians: Ben Steinberg’s Family, Trust Company of IL Haunted Hosts: Core Solutions, The Flaherty Family, The Klotz Family, Weldstar & Depke Gases & Welding Supplies, Walt and Janet Dwyer, Wintrust Commercial Banking, North Arrow Partners, St. Charles Bank & Trust Ghoulish Givers: Gould Family, Marsh McLennan Agency - Midwest, Genoa Healthcare, NuMark Credit Union, Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen Spooky Supporters: Kathy and Bruce Simpson, Waubonsee Community College, David Austin, Enterprise Fleet Management, WJW Architects, Rick and Bonnie Poulton, KODOCARE Pharmacy Pumpkin Patrons: John and Suzanne Potter, Steve and Betty Rauschenberger, Luna Consulting & Coaching, Tom and Lynn O’Shea, Cordogan Clark & Associates Auction proceeds help AID provide community-based programs and services to over 5,300 children and adults with developmental, behavioral and crisis needs. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://lnkd.in/gS7da9SD License code: BQLCLK2DTH56SAPM