— Get Involved —

Family & Friends Group

Connect and Strengthen Community

A welcoming space to connect, share, and support our mission.

Helping Hand (HH) invites families, friends, and supporters to join the HH Family & Friends Group — a welcoming space designed to strengthen connections across the HH community.

This group brings people together to share ideas, connect, build relationships, and support our mission of transforming lives through genuine care and education.

A woman with glasses sits at a table, holding beads, while a person in a knit hat and dark hoodie stands close, looking at the beads. Colorful artwork hangs on the wall in the background.

Mark Your Calendar

Our Next Meeting

Speaker Highlight

Julie Evans

Parent Advocate — Accessible Housing & Inclusive Employment

Julie is a passionate parent advocate for accessible housing and inclusive employment. She advocates in Glen Ellyn and throughout DuPage County. She is deeply committed to advancing local efforts that expand housing options and create inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Through community collaboration and grassroots advocacy, Julie works to elevate awareness, influence policy, and build partnerships that promote independence and belonging. Her work is driven by a belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to live and work in environments that are supportive, inclusive, and empowering.

 

Jul

11

2026

Community Connections Space
9649 W 55th St, Countryside, IL
9 AM – 11:30 AM

Mark Your Saturdays!

Upcoming Meeting Dates

Lexi Frazier

Occupational Therapist, Helping Hand

9/12/2026  •  9 AM – 11:30 AM

Gary Arnold

Program Specialist, Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities

11/14/2026  •  9 AM – 11:30 AM

January 9, 2027
9 AM – 11:30 AM

March 13, 2027
9 AM – 11:30 AM

May 8, 2027
9 AM – 11:30 AM

July 10, 2027
9 AM – 11:30 AM

September 11, 2027
9 AM – 11:30 AM

November 13, 2027
9 AM – 11:30 AM

A Look Back

Past Speakers

2025

Samantha Alloway

Executive Director, The ARC of Illinois

May 6, 2025
Timothy A. Hickey
Partner, Bishop & LaForte, Ltd.
July 9, 2025
Mary Kolovitz
Retired Caseworker and Advocate
September 10, 2025
Bill Dwyer
President & CEO, Helping Hand
November 12, 2025

2026

Laurie Jerue
Advocate & Community Leader

January 17, 2026

Lynn Dowiarz
Retired Special Education Teacher & Community Volunteer
March 14, 2026
Michael Joesten
VP of Strategy & Organizational Effectiveness, Helping Hand
March 14, 2026
Mary Pat Ambrosino
Executive Director, Community Supported Care Partners
May 9, 2026

Questions?

We’d love to hear from you and help you get connected. You can reach our Director of Advancement, Emily Mantucco at emily.mantucca@helpinghand-il.org, or by clicking the button below.