For the Press

Envision at a Glance

  • Envision supports 1,500 children, adults and senior citizens with developmental disabilities throughout metropolitan Chicago.
  • Envision’s core program areas include: Early Intervention, Family Support Services, Day and Employment Services, Community Living and Older Adults Services.
  • Envision provides a broad array of responsive programs distinctively designed to empower individuals of all ages and abilities with opportunities to learn, grow, thrive and interact fully within the communities in which they reside. Our services are designed specifically to meet the individualized and specific needs for every person and family in our programs.”
  • Envision has supported people with developmental disabilities and their families since 1964. Throughout that time we have launched and enhanced a wide array of quality programming for families and individuals with special needs
  • Envision is committed to affording men and women with developmental disabilities with innovative work opportunities that yield the decisive self-esteem that originates from being a working part of the communities in which they live.
  • Envision is a fiscally sound, programmatically strong agency with a robust heritage of unparalleled success in helping children and adults realize self-identified goals and objectives.

Facts

  • Nationally and locally, adults with disabilities face a 75% unemployment rate. Envision creates innovative work opportunities and job training for more than 800 men and women with developmental disabilities.
  • Envision supports one of Chicago most vulnerable populations: in addition to having a primary diagnosis of mental retardation, 92% of our clientele reside in low-income households, and approximately 50% have mild to severe physical disabilities as well. 84% of our constituency represents minority ethnicities.
  • Envision is among the highest rated agencies in the country by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Over a time span of 30 years, Envision has earned the highest possible accreditation from CARF in every survey conducted. The 2009 survey was the best yet. Envision was rigorously reviewed by surveyors on a total of 1140 standards. Envision received over 20 commendations for strengths and two uncommon “exemplary commendations,” and only 8 recommendations. No recommendations were in any way associated with the safety or well being of the persons we support.

Contact Info

Kristin V. MacRAE, President and CEO
kmacrae@envisionchicago.org
312.346.6230

Kristin V. MacRAE, President and CEO of Envision, has over 25 years of experience in nonprofit management including the health care industry and social services. Ms. MacRAE was named President/CEO of Envision in 2000.

Additionally, Ms. MacRAE received a gubernatorial appointment to the Illinois Disability Services Advisory Committee. She is a Member of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Inc (IARF). Additionally, she is a former Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Institute on Public Policy for Persons with Disabilities.

Evening and Weekend Contact Info

Ted Whitmer, Envision
tedwhitmer@ymail.com
312.206.9113