“Every happy home has a foundation of love and a framework of support.” – Wes Fesler, American athlete and collegiate coach
For decades, Envision Unlimited has provided award-winning community living options and support to individuals with disabilities, so they can live their best lives as valued members of their communities. Many of our members have been part of the Envision Unlimited family for decades and have become accustomed to making their own choices and experiencing independence and inclusion. We want them to continue leading lives that are full of possibilities, even as they get older.
To make that possible, Envision Unlimited built a state-of-the-art, ADA-accessible DreamHome in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood, enabling seniors with disabilities to age in place as their needs get more complex.
For many years, we dreamed of having a fully-accessible, ADA-compliant group home for our older members. Learn more about how prominent Chicago-area architects, consultants, construction companies and the local bricklayers’ union joined hands in a historic pro bono effort to make our dream come true.
Making History Together
Never before had such a broad alliance of architectural, engineering and union talent come together to donate materials, labor and services to build a fully-accessible, ADA-compliant group home for seniors with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The dream began when a “for sale” sign was spotted on a large corner lot near an Envision Unlimited Day Center on Chicago’s southwest side. Years passed and the land remained unsold, until Envision Unlimited contacted owner Andreas J. Mueller of Naples, Florida, with an offer to donate the land.
Mueller agreed.
Construction of the Envision Unlimited DreamHome nears completion in November 2024. Photo credit: Zernul Shackelford Jr.
Building the Foundation
News of Mueller’s land donation spread quickly, reaching technical architect Susan D. Turner. She volunteered to draft the schematic design to take it to the next stage. After telling JLK Architects about the project, the principals agreed to become the architect of record, pro bono. With that pivotal hurdle cleared, Turner began to recruit other consultants who were willing to help build a fully-accessible group home for Envision Unlimited seniors. Their response was unprecedented and inspirational.
Constructing a Legacy
When the International Masonry Institute (IMI) and Bricks Incorporated joined our stellar roster of construction industry donors, it also presented an exciting opportunity for masonry trainees. Through this pro bono project, the IMI – a partnership between International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) members and the contractors who employ them – were able to augment their already robust training program in a powerful way.
Timeline
September 2021 – April 2022
- Pre-Construction
- Site Plan Approval
- Phase 1 Survey
- Geotechnical Boring
- Design and Permitting
April 11, 2022
Sod Turning Ceremony
October 31, 2023
Construction Begins
December 12, 2023
Excavation Completed
September 2024
FF&E Installation
October 2024
A/V Installation
January 2025
Celebration of Completion Fire Marshal Approval
February 2025
IDHS Accreditation and Licensure Member Move-In
Cash Donations
$1,000-$1,999
- Patricia Arnold
- June Cleary
- Executive Construction Foundation
- Betty J. Jackson
- Karen and Bob Strizak Giving Fund
- Connie Knapp
- Don Kraska
- Chip Krueger
- Carl M. LaMell
- Marc Realty
- Lori Marin
- Dorothy O'Malley
- Betty O'Toole
- Sarah Rassey
- Paul W Rink
- Randall Rollo
- Colleen Rosa
- Paul Selden
- Jean Xoubi
$2,000-$4,999
- Adreani Foundation
- Terrence Bannon
- Donna Ennis
- John Favia
- Justin Harris
- Ashvin Lad
- Herbert List
- Madeline Murray
- Dennis O'Malley
- Carolyn Redd
$5,000-$14,999
- Beverly Bank & Trust
- Stuart and Bette D. Bilton
- Darque Syde of D'Lyte Production Inc.
- Daniel P. Durbin
- Bill Elliott
- Falcon X
- Jackson, Mark
- JP Morgan Chase & Co.
- Marty Kenahan
- Daniel Kennedy
- Niamh Kristufek
- Mark D. McHugh
- Brittany Scott Nanry
- Powering Chicago
$15,000-$24,999
- Brown Legacy Group Capital Advisors, LLC.
- Chicago Mercantile Exchange
- Julie Dreixler
- Edward and Wanda Jordan Family Foundation
- John F Lemker
- The Giving Block
$25,000+
- Jon S. Bilton
- Bobbie & Stanton Cook Family Foundation
- Ed Uihlein Family Foundation
- Larry Kipperman
- Mary Kay Krupka
- Mary Lewandowski
- Robert and Teresa Lewandowski Charitable Fund
In-Kind Donors
| ABC Coating Co of Illinois, Inc. | Rebar |
| Amber Mechanical Contractors, Inc. | Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Ducts and Labor |
| Andreas and Nitzia Mueller | Real Estate |
| Atrium Landscape | Landscaping Labor |
| BEHR Paint Company | Paint |
| Bourbon Tile & Marble, Inc. | Countertops |
| Bricks Incorporated | Brick |
| Calor Design Group, Ltd. | Mechanical and Plumbing |
| Chicago Cut Concrete Cutting, Inc | Concrete Cutting |
| Chicago Lightworks | Lights |
| Chicago Roof Deck and Garden | Guardrail |
| The Conneely Family | Finish Carpentry |
| Crossville | Ceramic Tile Throughout |
| Cumming Group | Cost Estimating |
| D. Construction | Concrete Foundations |
| Eckenhoff Saunders Architects | Interior Design |
| Environmental Design International Inc. | Environmental |
| Facet Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Feldco Home Renewal | Supplied and Installed Windows, Exterior Doors, and Garage Door |
| Galloy & Van Etten | Limestone Sills |
| GCP Applied Technologies | Wall Peel and Stick Underlayment |
| Haven Home Staging and Redesign, Inc. | Furniture |
| Henry Bros. Co. | Preconstruction Services |
| Hitchcock Design Group | Landscaping |
| Hohmann & Barnard, Inc. | Masonry Accessories |
| Inpro Architectural Products | Finishes |
| International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134 | Electrical Labor |
| International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers | Bricklaying Labor |
| Johnson Lasky Kindelin Architects, Inc. | Architect of Record |
| Joseph A. Schudt & Associates | Civil Design and Site Survey |
| McGill Asphalt | Asphalt |
| Moen Incorporated | Toilet and Kitchen Accessories |
| Moran Electrical Contracting | Electrical Labor |
| Oliveri Landscaping | Landscaping |
| Ozinga Bros., Inc. | Concrete |
| Peerless Fence Group | Fence |
| PROSOCO | Masonry Cleaning |
| Sauder / Annandale Cabinets | Cabinets |
| Sawing and Shearing Services | Lintels |
| Schluter Systems L.P. | Tile Accessories |
| Sheet Metal Workers’ Local Union 73 | Sheet Metal Labor |
| SIKA | Sealant |
| SLOAN | Toilets and Sinks |
| Stewart Roofing | Roofing |
| Susan D. Turner, FAIA | Architectural Services |
| Temperature Equipment Corporation | Mechanical Equipment |
| The Lighthouse Companies | Site Boring Logs |
| The QUIKRETE Companies | Mortar |
| The Spargo Group | Hardware |
| The Structural Group | Structural Services |
| USG Corporation | Finishes |
| VISOR Consulting, LLC | Project Management Services |
| Vulcan Materials Company | Graded Granular Fill |
| Walnut Custom Components | Trusses |