Have Dreams

06/22/2026

Have Dreams is looking for working, high powered paper shredders! Paper shredding is a job that helps our Life SCILS adults increase stamina and independence. If you have a paper shredder that you'd like to donate to Have Dreams, please reach out to Deirdre at [email protected]!

If you don't have a high-powered shredder to donate, but wish to purchase one for our Life SCILS program, you can do so by finding shredders on our Amazon Wishlist by clicking here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2DCGRB5UI0IO6?ref_=wl_fv_le

06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth from all of us at Have Dreams!

06/18/2026

Intakes for our Fall session of the Have Dreams Academy are happenings now!
Have Dreams Academy (HDA) is a workforce training program for neurodivergent young adults. Through our autism-specific curriculum, combined with a hands-on internship, each participant will build the soft skills needed to prepare them for work in the competitive job market. Our team is focused on helping each participant develop, understand and implement crucial social skills during their internship. The goal for each intern is to gain confidence and develop transferable soft skills needed to be successful in any competitive work environment.

If you're interested in learning more, please reach out to Andrea at [email protected] or visit https://havedreams.org/have-dreams-academy

This program has been made possible, in part, through a grant from NEXT for AUTISM.

06/17/2026

Meet our Counseling Team! Have Dreams' diverse team of therapists is here to provide autism-affirming care to you or your loved one. We're proud that over one-third of Have Dreams' staff, including several of our therapists, identify as neurodivergent, bringing their lived experience to their work supporting clients. More than half of our team has a neurodivergent family member or partner. We bring this sensitivity and care to our work with clients, participants, and families. To learn more about our therapists, visit: https://havedreams.org/counseling-team

06/16/2026

Educators! There is still time to sign up for this training! Learn more here: https://havedreams.org/trainings/p/structured-teaching-classroom-set-up-csu

"This training was AMAZING. I will use everything learned here in my role. I am so appreciative of all the guidance I received this week. The trainers are AWESOME!"

Sign up and see for yourself why our Classroom Set-Up Training gets such rave reviews! Learn more here: https://havedreams.org/trainings/p/structured-teaching-classroom-set-up-csu

06/16/2026

On Saturday, Jeff Katz, Tom Usher and Erin Brown organized Serve it Forward, the first charity pickleball tournament benefiting Have Dreams. With additional help from the Park Ridge Pickleball Club and its board members, this event raised over $5,000 for Have Dreams' programs and services that support autistic kids, teens, adults and their families. A HUGE thank you to Jeff, Tom and Erin and everyone that played, cheered, volunteered, bought raffle tickets and donated to make this such a fun and impactful event! To learn more, please click here: https://www.prpickleball.org/have-dreams

06/12/2026

Thanks to The Real Park Ridge for highlighting tomorrow's Pickleball tournament at Woodland Park! Online registration is now closed, but you can still sign up by texting or calling Jeff at 847-571-5523. Hope to see a lot of you tomorrow!

06/12/2026

"This training was AMAZING. I will use everything learned here in my role. I am so appreciative of all the guidance I received this week. The trainers are AWESOME!"

Sign up and see for yourself why our Classroom Set-Up Training gets such rave reviews! Learn more here: https://havedreams.org/trainings/p/structured-teaching-classroom-set-up-csu

06/10/2026

Check out this great opportunity for inclusive play at Kohl Children's Museum! For more, please visit https://www.kohlchildrensmuseum.org/outreach-programs/eap/

06/09/2026

Navigating your child’s IEP or 504 Plan can feel overwhelming—you don’t have to do it alone.

Have Dreams is proud to offer Educational Advocacy & Services, designed to support families as they navigate special education, accommodations and school-based services. We work collaboratively with families and schools to ensure students receive meaningful, individualized support.

Services include classroom observation, IEP coaching, progress monitoring, behavior support, and more.

Learn more or get started by visiting havedreams.org/advocacy