Have Dreams

10/24/2025

Paraprofessionals! Come join our professional training just for you on November 5! For more and to register, please click here: https://havedreams.org/trainings-store/p/structured-teaching-paraprofessional-training

**ATTENTION PARAPROFESSIONALS!**

Please join us on Wednesday, November 5 for our next Structured Teaching Paraprofessional Training. This is an introductory-level training designed specifically for classroom and one-to-one Paraprofessionals. Included in your one-day trainings:

• Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Basics of Structured Teaching
• Practical applications and interventions
• Interactive lectures and instructions
• Video segments included

9am - 2:00pm
Location: Have Dream Evanston, 2020 Dempster St.

For more and to register, please visit: https://havedreams.org/trainings-store/p/structured-teaching-paraprofessional-training

10/23/2025

Have Dreams is still in need of clean shredding material! Please contact Deirdre at dking@havedreams.org if we can shred for you.

Have Dreams is looking for clean shredding materials! Paper shredding is a job that helps our Life SCILS adults increase stamina and independence, which is so important for being successful in a workplace. The shredding meets each individual where they are!

We will SHRED for free! Donated materials are kept in a locked location and all shredded materials are securely recycled. Questions? Contact Deirdre at dking@havedreams.org if you'd like to Have Dreams shred for you!

10/22/2025

More helpful information from The Arc of Illinois

⚠️𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬
Read Full Article: https://qr.link/Ta5gGH
Read the Shutdown Fact Sheet: https://qr.link/ktW1dz

A potential federal shutdown could disrupt vital programs millions rely on — including SNAP, WIC, school meals, Medicaid, Medicare, the ACA, IDEA/education funding, housing, and Social Security/SSI.

The Arc of the United States has created a Shutdown Fact Sheet that explains:
✅ What will continue
⚠️ What may be delayed
💡 What you can do if services are disrupted

We’re in this together — and we’ll keep standing strong for the people and families who depend on these essential supports.

10/21/2025

**ATTENTION PARAPROFESSIONALS!**

Please join us on Wednesday, November 5 for our next Structured Teaching Paraprofessional Training. This is an introductory-level training designed specifically for classroom and one-to-one Paraprofessionals. Included in your one-day trainings:

• Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Basics of Structured Teaching
• Practical applications and interventions
• Interactive lectures and instructions
• Video segments included

9am - 2:00pm
Location: Have Dream Evanston, 2020 Dempster St.

For more and to register, please visit: https://havedreams.org/trainings-store/p/structured-teaching-paraprofessional-training

10/20/2025

Are you thinking about running the Chicago Marathon in 2026? Did you know you will get a GUARANTEED ENTRY if you sign up to run for Team Have Dreams? The application for guaranteed or non-guaranteed entry to the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will open at 10 a.m. (U.S. Central Time) on Tuesday, October 21, but you can sign up to be a part of Team Have Dreams today!

To learn more and to register, please visit: https://havedreams.org/team-have-dreams

10/16/2025

Have Dreams is looking for clean shredding materials! Paper shredding is a job that helps our Life SCILS adults increase stamina and independence, which is so important for being successful in a workplace. The shredding meets each individual where they are!

We will SHRED for free! Donated materials are kept in a locked location and all shredded materials are securely recycled. Questions? Contact Deirdre at dking@havedreams.org if you'd like to Have Dreams shred for you!

10/15/2025

Halloween will be here before you know it! Parents and caregivers of children with ASD can learn how to practice and prepare for the upcoming holiday by visiting our "Holidays" page and downloading this two-sided flyer: https://havedreams.org/holidays

For more downloadable visual supports from Have Dreams, please click here: https://havedreams.org/home-visuals

10/14/2025

Congratulations to our incredible 2025 Team Have Dreams marathon runners! We are so thankful!

10/14/2025

𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍! 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝐍𝐨w:
𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬?
Take Action: https://qr.link/BGsjfL
Read Full Article: https://qr.link/DiZfKM
Read The Arc US Full Statement: https://qr.link/XpmUWV

Major changes at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) are raising serious concerns. Massive staff cuts have left the federal office that oversees IDEA — the law protecting students with disabilities — without the personnel needed to uphold those protections.
This directly affects more than 𝟑𝟑𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 who depend on IDEA for access to education, services, and inclusion.

As Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc of the United States, said “Behind every one of these jobs was a lifeline for children and families... These offices exist because, not so long ago, millions of children with disabilities were shut out of school.”

As we approach the 𝟓𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐀, The Arc of Illinois stands with The Arc of the United States to demand transparency, protect oversight, and ensure every child has the right to learn, grow, and belong.

10/09/2025

Once again, Team Have Dreams is participating in this Sunday's Bank of America Chicago Marathon! Our incredible team has crushed their $75,000 fundraising goal and are cruising to meet their new $85,000 stretch goal. If you'd like to read about our amazing runners and help them meet this new goal, please click here: https://givebutter.com/THD2025

If you'd like to help us cheer on Team Have Dreams, come to the Charity Block Party and hang with us at our Team Have Dreams tent! We will be located on the south side of Adams St (near Loomis St) right by Whitney Young High School. Look for the bright blue tent!

10/08/2025

Educators! Register for an upcoming training!

10/07/2025

Thank you to everyone that supported our second Chefs, Cocktails & Dreams event at the Park Ridge Country Club! Our amazing chefs, Courtney Storer, Michael Ponzio and Jimmy Bannos, Jr. not only created a delicious menu of fabulous food and drinks, but also spoke about the impact of Have Dreams on the community.

A very special thank you to our generous sponsors: JRM, The Devlin Family, JSK Recruiting, Inc., Kristina & Frank Johnsen, Love, Tito's, Setna IO, Agile Advisors, LLC, Patti & Andy Bonk, Mikey Hull & Family, Anywhere Fitness, Beautifully New, Betty & Gil Fergus, Marilyn & Dan Flood and LaconicFoods.

We also want to give a special shout out to Diana Colleran for capturing amazing photos, Accents By Jenny for the beautiful flowers and Teamsters Local 727 for their support.

We hope you had as much fun as we did! Thank you for your incredible support of Have Dreams!