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Yesterday, we celebrated our fourth annual Shine Your Light Day, a special day that celebrates the many ways The Lighthouse sparks human potential. Our team marked the occasion by reflecting on how The Lighthouse and their work here sparks their potential. Their beautiful answers remind us why working at The Lighthouse is so meaningful.
Our 2025 Impact Report is now live. As we celebrate 120 years of service, we’re proud to continue lighting up human potential by expanding access, opportunity, and inclusion across Chicagoland. This year’s report showcases the people, partnerships, and community commitments that power our mission every day. Explore how we’re creating pathways to independence and building brighter futures for the individuals and families we serve.
Congratulations to our President and CEO, Dr. Janet Szlyk, for being named one of Crain's Chicago Business’s 2026 Leaders in Healthcare! The group of 75 local leaders includes hospital and clinic executives, researchers, innovators and others who are shaping healthcare policy and delivery. Per Crains, these honorees “illustrate how Chicago-area institutions are adapting, partnering and investing to improve outcomes for patients and communities,” and we are proud to be among them.
Woot Woot for Wellness! Our Wellness Committee last week held its second-annual "Wellness Week," with fun activities like Hydration Bingo, Virtual Stretch and Pilates sessions, and the Wellness Wheel. Thank you to our committee for setting it up and to everyone who participated.
Last month, we honored Joe Adelman, our Senior Director of Building and Grounds, as he retired after 16 years of dedicated service to The Chicago Lighthouse. Joe’s impact was everywhere, from ensuring the lights were on and sidewalks cleared to overseeing major projects like restroom renovations and the creation of our commemorative “Lions Hallway.” During the pandemic, he kept our community safe with regular deep cleanings and distancing measures, and he navigated accessibility challenges during two years of Foglia Residences construction. Joe’s commitment helped make our workplace safe, functional, and welcoming. His retirement is well-deserved, and while we’ll miss him, we’re grateful for everything he’s done. (And yes, Joe, we’ll remember the popcorn rule!)
We hosted our first Lighthouse Financial Planning Day last week, presented in partnership with Savant Wealth Management! This educational event helped Lighthouse staff, clients, and community members explore practical strategies for planning their financial futures and supporting loved ones with disabilities. We are thankful to the entire Savant team for making this day possible, and to everyone who joined us to learn, share, and strengthen our community.
We’re proud to celebrate #WorldSightDay and #NationalDisabilityEmploymentAwarenessMonth with a spotlight on Shaneka Wade-Lee, Chicago Lighthouse Industries’ 2025 Employee of the Year! After losing most of her vision, Shaneka discovered new purpose and confidence through The Chicago Lighthouse. Today, she’s thriving as part of a supportive team in Chicago Lighthouse Industries, where 80% of her teammates are visually impaired. “We’re like one family, and we help each other so much during the day.” Her story is a powerful example of how inclusive employment can change lives, for both employees and the workplace as a whole.
We were proud to celebrate the dedication and contributions of our exceptional team at our Lighthousepalooza employee appreciation event last week. The evening featured a variety of festivities, including food truck fare, live music, dancing, and a special appearance by our mascot, Ray L Beacon, all of which reflected the vibrant community we’ve built together. At The Chicago Lighthouse, our employees are the driving force behind our mission. Their commitment and hard work make everything we do possible. We extend our sincere gratitude to our Human Resources team for organizing such a thoughtful and enjoyable event.
We are so honored to share that The Foglia Residences won the Chicago Neighborhood Development Award in the “For Profit Real Estate Development” category. Presented by LISC Chicago, the CNDAs celebrate the people and projects that “fuel neighborhood transformation and build the foundation for a more inclusive and resilient city.” Check out the CNDA’s video about The Foglia Residences.
Congratulations to Greg Polman (and his faithful Dog Guide, Turner) on their retirement! Greg has been with The Lighthouse for 42 years, managing numerous programs, including leading employment services and adult living skills programs, as well as serving as our Senior Vice President of Public Policy. He has also been a tireless advocate for people with disabilities throughout the city, working to secure accommodations such as curb cuts in sidewalks, Braille signage at CTA bus stops, and improving accessibility at Chicago airports. We honored Greg with a celebration on our patio earlier this week, where he received the 2025 Mary McCann Award from the Illinois Council of the Blind in recognition of his lifetime of advocacy. For a modern and accessible twist on the traditional retirement gift, we presented Greg with an Apple Watch, and Turner got his very own custom timepiece that says it’s always treat time now! There were many heartfelt speeches and well-wishes, but one tribute summed it up best: “You served this community in more than many ways. Your legend and impact lives on.”
