Avenues to Independence
Avenues to Independence is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1953 that provides residential, vocational, day-program, and individualized support services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in suburban Chicago.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1953
- HeadquartersPark Ridge, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Avenues to Independence does
Avenues to Independence is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1953 that delivers residential, vocational, day-program, and individualized support services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the Chicago metropolitan area. Its service portfolio comprises Flexible Day Programs (including Contract Packaging as a revenue-generating work activity), Working for Independence (employment placement, training, and supported employment), Community Living (residential programs), Home Based Services, the Center for Independence facility in Wheeling, a Computer Training program, and the Thrift Shoppe, which functions simultaneously as a community retail operation and an on-the-job training site for participants. The organization is CARF-accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, an internationally recognized quality credential in human services, and it is governed independently by a Board of Directors with no parent company or subsidiaries.\n\nRevenue is generated through four streams: government-funded program services (state developmental disability contracts and Medicaid reimbursements), charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations, retail sales from the Thrift Shoppe, and proceeds from multiple annual fundraising events — Walking for Avenues, the Annual Love Affair gala, the Gorman & Avenues Golf Classic, the Sasser Society Dinner, and the Annual Dinner and Dance. The organization operates two physical locations: the Jane and Albert Wohlers Center in Park Ridge (administrative headquarters) and the Center for Independence in Wheeling (admissions, day programs, and core program operations).\n\nDistribution is community-led rather than sales-led: prospective participants and families reach the organization through referrals, the website (avenuestoindependence.org), social media channels (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn), earned media coverage on WGN Radio, WTTW Chicago Tonight, and Chicago Blackhawks TV, and through direct admissions inquiries at the Wheeling location. Headcount is reported at 101–250 employees, and there is no public API, software product, app, or technology platform associated with the organization — service delivery is in-person at facilities and in participants' homes.
Avenues to Independence firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Avenues to Independence
- Legal name
- Avenues to Independence
- Website
- https://avenuestoindependence.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1953
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Avenues to Independence is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1953 that provides residential, vocational, day-program, and individualized support services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in suburban Chicago.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Avenues to Independence industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Support Services
- NAICS
- Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Educational Services (611), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)
Keywords
Where Avenues to Independence is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Park Ridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Avenues to Independence business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to support programs for adults with developmental disabilities.
- Fundraising Events: Annual fundraising events including Walking for Avenues, Love Affair gala, Gorman Golf Classic, Sasser Society Dinner, and Annual Dinner and Dance generate revenue through event attendance, sponsorships, and donations.
- Thrift Shoppe Sales: Revenue from the Thrift Shoppe retail operations selling donated goods to the community.
- Program Services: Day programs, residential services, and employment support services funded through government contracts and program fees.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Avenues to Independence product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Avenues to Independence is a nonprofit social service organization that delivers day programs, residential/community living support, employment training and placement, home-based services, and computer training to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Chicago metropolitan area. The organization also operates a community thrift store (Thrift Shoppe) that doubles as a retail job-training site, and is funded through government contracts, program fees, donations, and fundraising events.
Product overview
Avenues to Independence is a nonprofit service organization, not a technology product company. It offers a portfolio of programs and services designed to empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live independent lives. The core offerings include Working for Independence (employment services), Community Living (residential programs), Flexible Day Programs (including Contract Packaging and Computer Training), the Center for Independence (day services facility), Home Based Services, and the Thrift Shoppe (retail training). These programs work together to provide comprehensive support across employment, residential, daily living, and social domains.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Center for Independence: A facility providing day services, employment readiness instruction, computers, art, cooking, exercise, healthy lifestyles programs, and social opportunities for program participants.
Products and services
- Working for Independence
Quantifiable outcome
- 150 participants can be served at the Center for Independence
Companies that use Avenues to Independence
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Avenues to Independence technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Avenues to Independence partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- PepsiCo Enable GroupminorCorporate community partner hosting annual group picnics for Avenues clients, demonstrating employer commitment to disability inclusion in the workforce.
- WGN RadiominorMedia partner featuring Avenues to Independence programming and interviews to raise community awareness about services for adults with developmental disabilities.
- WTTW Chicago TonightminorTelevision media partner featuring stories about Avenues to Independence programs and clients to build community awareness and support.
- Chicago BlackhawksminorNHL team featuring Avenues to Independence at community events and through television features to promote disability awareness and organizational visibility.
- Maine South High SchoolminorHost venue for the Walking for Avenues annual fundraising event, providing facility access for community fundraising walk.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Avenues to Independence competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Marklund: Illinois-based nonprofit providing residential, day, and employment services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Direct peer to Avenues in mission, program mix, and regional Illinois operating footprint, including CARF-accredited programs.
- UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago: Chicago-area affiliate of United Cerebral Palsy providing residential, vocational, and day-program services to adults with developmental and physical disabilities. Closely comparable to Avenues in geographic market, service portfolio, and CARF-accredited operations.
- Clearbrook: Illinois nonprofit providing residential, day-program, vocational, and family support services for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Direct peer to Avenues in service mix, Illinois geography, and CARF-accredited program model.
- ServiceSource: National nonprofit delivering employment, vocational, and community-living services for people with disabilities. Comparable to Avenues through its employment-first philosophy and contract-services model (e.g., AbilityOne packaging), though operating at national scale.
- St. Coletta's of Illinois: Illinois nonprofit serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential, educational, and vocational programs. Direct peer to Avenues in Illinois geography, service portfolio, and CARF-accredited program model.
- Helping Hand Center: Chicago-area nonprofit providing residential, day-program, and employment services for adults with developmental disabilities. Direct peer to Avenues given overlapping service lines and overlapping service territory in the Chicago suburbs.
Regional players
- Ada S. McKinley Community Services: Chicago-based nonprofit offering workforce development, disability services, and youth programs. Comparable to Avenues in employment-services focus and Chicago metro geography, though broader in mission beyond developmental disabilities.
- Jewish Service for the Developmentally Disabled (JSDD): New Jersey–based nonprofit providing residential, vocational, and social programs for adults with developmental disabilities. Comparable to Avenues in program mix (residential, employment, day), though operating in a different regional market.
Broad incumbents
- Easterseals: National nonprofit network providing disability services, vocational training, and residential supports. Comparable to Avenues as a mission-aligned, multi-service disability nonprofit, though Easterseals operates at significantly larger geographic and programmatic scale.
- The Arc of the United States: National advocacy and direct-service organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable to Avenues through its residential, employment, and day-program offerings, but with a national federation structure rather than a single-site operator model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Avenues to Independence social profiles
Digital presenceAvenues to Independence compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Avenues to Independence financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Avenues to Independence leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Avenues to Independence funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Avenues to Independence M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Avenues to Independence
What does Avenues to Independence do?
Avenues to Independence is a nonprofit social service organization that delivers day programs, residential/community living support, employment training and placement, home-based services, and computer training to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Chicago metropolitan area. The organization also operates a community thrift store (Thrift Shoppe) that doubles as a retail job-training site, and is funded through government contracts, program fees, donations, and fundraising events.
Is Avenues to Independence a public or private company?
Avenues to Independence is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Avenues to Independence founded?
Avenues to Independence was founded in 1953. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Avenues to Independence based?
Avenues to Independence is headquartered in Park Ridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does Avenues to Independence make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are fundraising Events, thrift Shoppe Sales and program Services.
Who are Avenues to Independence's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Marklund, UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago, Clearbrook, ServiceSource, St. Coletta's of Illinois and Helping Hand Center. Regional players are Ada S. McKinley Community Services and Jewish Service for the Developmentally Disabled (JSDD). Broad incumbents are Easterseals and The Arc of the United States.
Does Avenues to Independence have an API?
No public API is recorded for Avenues to Independence.
What industry is Avenues to Independence in?
Avenues to Independence's product category is Disability Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support. Its NAICS code is 62321 and its SIC code is 8300.