HB Threads

This month, we were proud to celebrate the impactful work showcased at the UIC Department of Occupational Therapy’s Creating Tomorrow’s Practice Poster Symposium! 👏

This year, Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford hosted two Occupational Therapy (OT) capstone students whose projects supported meaningful improvements across our programs.

One student partnered with Easterseals Academy Chicago to develop early literacy tools and resources for classroom teams, while another collaborated with HB Threads to create individualized workplace support tools that promote employee success and independence.

A special thank you to mentors Vivian Villegas, OTD, OTR/L; Emily Manchick, MOT, OTR/L; and HB Threads Director Korrey Kooistra, MPH, as well as our partners at the UIC Department of Occupational Therapy for helping bring these innovative projects to life!

We were honored to welcome representatives from the Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities for a visit yesterday.

During their time with us, they toured a few of our Chicago-based programs—including HB Threads, the Easterseals Academy, and the Illinois Autism Partnership—gaining a deeper understanding of how we support individuals with disabilities through education, training, employment, and community-based services.

They also spent time with our HB Threads associates—making buttons and heat-pressing tumblers together—highlighting the hands-on, inclusive work experiences that help build skills and create opportunity.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to connect, share our mission, and continue building relationships that advance accessibility, inclusion, and support for the communities we serve.

Thank you Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) for spending time with our teams!

Autism Speaks Chicagoland's Empower Walk & 5K Run is this Saturday, May 2nd and HB Threads is excited to be part of this year’s Resource Fair! We’re looking forward to connecting with families, advocates, and community members during this meaningful event.

If you’re attending, be sure to stop by the HB Threads table to learn more about our mission and how we create meaningful employment opportunities for adults with disabilities through custom apparel, promotional products, and purpose-driven work.

We can’t wait to see everyone there!

Learn more about the event:
https://act.autismspeaks.org/site/TR/Walk/Chicagoland?pg=entry&fr_id=8656

Your swing can make an impact. ⛳

For more than 40 years, supporters have come together at Easterseals Serving Chicagoland & Greater Rockford’s Golf Classic to turn a day on the course into lasting change.

Last year, golfers helped:

• Reduce autism assessment wait times
• Provide free evaluations for families in need
• Expand resources and support for caregivers
• Create inclusive experiences for students with disabilities
• Grow employment opportunities through HB Threads

Be part of this year’s impact and join us for our annual Golf Classic on June 4th at The Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, and help drive the next round of impact.

Register today: https://e.givesmart.com/events/MuY/