About Avenues to Independence
Empowering adults with disabilities to live the lives they choose
A trusted partner for Chicago-area families
Founded in 1953, Avenues serves more than 250 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities annually through personalized residential, vocational, and community-based programs.
With locations in Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Wheeling, and Chicago, Avenues supports individuals with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other developmental disabilities, and is committed to long-term support, community integration, and disability advocacy.
Our mission
Avenues to Independence empowers adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live the lives they choose through personalized support, advocacy and community engagement.
Our vision
We envision a future where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are integral contributors to their communities and live with dignity and independence.
Our values
Homes that feel like home
Our clients live in homes we would be happy to live in.
Community & belonging
Our clients are members of the communities in which they reside.
Choice leads the way
Individual choice is essential to living a meaningful life.
People-focused
In all our decisions we ask, “how does this benefit the individuals we serve?”
Our history
Avenues to Independence was founded in 1953 by a group of Park Ridge, IL, parents who created a community-based learning program so their children with developmental disabilities could learn close to home. It all started with William and Jean Knaack. William was a former Park Ridge postman who, while delivering mail across the community, noticed children with disabilities at home during the school day. He knew something had to be done. With the help of other parents, friends, and neighbors, William and Jean’s daughter Valerie and nine other children started attending classes at a local church.
As public education became more inclusive in the 1970s, Avenues shifted its focus to supporting adults, and expanded into residential services, day programs, employment opportunities, and community outreach.
In 2003, we opened the Center for Independence in Wheeling and moved our headquarters to the Jane and Albert Wohlers Center in Park Ridge, strengthening our role as a trusted disability nonprofit for families across the Chicago area.
Today, Avenues serves more than 250 adults each year, staying true to our founders’ belief that every person deserves dignity, choice, and a meaningful place in their community.
Advocacy
Advocacy is a vital part of protecting and enhancing the lives of the individuals we serve. We keep a close eye on the policy landscape in Springfield, Illinois, and Washington, D.C., partnering with peer agencies and organizations such as The Arc of Illinois, to ensure our voices are heard and our services remain strong.
How can you help? Watch for updates from Avenues and follow ANCOR, Arc of Illinois, and They Deserve More to stay informed and learn about opportunities to speak up and take action.
Accreditation
We strive for and achieve the highest standards of human services, evidenced by above-average levels of industry ratings and compliance.
