Hello I have been very sick for many many years with numerous disabilities including immune deficiency. With that being said I have never had case management through AFC of Chicago and I've been denied housing assistance for 23 years now denied every single time without delay just instant denial across the board can anyone at this facility help me try to figure things out I cannot afford to live in the family home anymore and I'm being beaten on a regular basis I will share one photo that the state is aware of that prisker's office is aware of several Congress people in Chicago are aware when I sent this picture to AFC of Chicago they blocked me so did the board of directors they know I had been living without a toilet for 3 years and never offered to try to find assistance again nothing in 24 years. In actuality Howard Brown of Chicago watched me waste away and did nothing about it I started going to that facility which is owned by the AIDS Foundation of Chicago prior to covid-19 I was 210 lbs today I'm 142. PS I did do hospice care for almost 20 years and I never would have let one of my clients go through anything like this. I hope I could change my rating in the future but I have not had any experience dealing with your facility I thought I should make that known.
I have been a board member for Access Living for almost a year. I have learned a great deal and still have much more to learn, but what I have witnessed thus far is a fully engaged, thoroughly motivated non-profit organization led by an inspirational leader. This is especially noteworthy given the budget stalemate in Illinois, which has resulted in cutbacks of services as well as complete closures of centers for independent living in the state. Despite the financial challenges, Access Living continues to support the independence of people with disabilities.
A recent online article from the Chicago Tribune highlights the appointment of Garland Armstrong, a returning ambassador for ComEd's Energy Force, the country's first energy-efficiency education program designed for and taught by people with disabilities. Energy Force Ambassadors will be attending many events throughout the year to educate Chicagoans about tips to stay energy efficient. Garland will be representing Access Living in its efforts to equip individuals with disabilities with the tools to overcome societal barriers to inclusion by imparting independent living skills, teaching economic self-sufficiency, and enabling people with disabilities to transition to autonomous community living. Garland has been a consumer with Access Living for more than five years. While going to Access Living to receive services, Garland has been very beneficial in helping other people with disabilities gain greater confidence and self-esteem by serving as a positive role model.
Access Living has walked beside us during one of our family's darkest times. My daughter became disabled while attending an inaccessible public school. Their advocacy and knowledge of the system were invaluable. They protected her from being relocated to another school (with less than a month left in the school year).
There is no better advocacy group for the disabled in Chicago and we consider ourselves incredibly lucky to have them on our side.