Association for Individual Development

❓Did you know?❓

AID has been through several different logo changes throughout our 65 years of service- including this year's special "sapphire" anniversary glow-up!

*NOTE: AID WAS ORIGINALLY INCORPORATED AS “AURORA ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED” (AAMR). IN 1972, AAMR WAS RENAMED TO THE MORE APPROPRIATE AND INCLUSIVE “ASSOCIATION FOR INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT” (AID).

💙Honor the Past. Invest in the Future.💎

For 65 years, AID has empowered people to live lives of dignity and purpose. Help us celebrate this milestone by supporting the programs and services that make independence, recovery, and community inclusion possible.

Introducing $65 for Sixty-Five: a special donation event celebrating our 65th anniversary! From now until July 30th, 2026, you can make your $65 donation at https://www.aidcares.org/?give=59EKZZDK

Thank you for helping AID continue to serve our community 💙

🧢Happy Father's Day!🏆

From dads to grandpas, step-fathers to father figures, and everything in between- thank you for all you do. The care, understanding, and helping hand you provide to those you care for does not go unnoticed. 💙

🩵June is PTSD Awareness Month🧠

Affecting roughly 5% of Americans, you're bound to be close to someone affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). From veterans to civilians, children to elders, and even people who seem like they have it all together, anyone in any walk of life can be one traumatic event away from being impacted. You could even be fine in the months following an incident, but symptoms can always appear years later as you carry- or bury- your trauma.

But one thing remains true- you NEVER have to shoulder the burden alone. Help is always one call, one text, or one conversation away. 🦋🩵

To learn how AID could help you process your trauma, please visit https://www.aidcares.org/outpatient-mental-health/

💙65 Years of Serving Our Community💙

Today, the Association for Individual Development (AID) celebrates 65 years of empowering individuals to live lives of dignity and purpose. Since 1961, AID has provided innovative programs and services for people with developmental, intellectual, physical, and mental health challenges, as well as those experiencing crisis and trauma.

In 2026, AID serves thousands of individuals across northern Illinois through person-centered supports that promote independence, recovery, and community inclusion. 💙

🔗🌟 To see how we're celebrating this milestone, visit https://conta.cc/3QpEyYo

❗IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM AID PRESIDENT & CEO LORE BAKER❗
"I am brokenhearted to announce that due to a technical glitch, the AID Living Room in Aurora has not received funding to continue it’s good work. We will be closing the Living Room on June 30, 2026. There has been amazing support provided to persons experiencing a mental health crisis at any time of the day or night in the Aurora area over the past two and a half years by the dedicated AID Living Room Staff!

This will be a huge loss to the crisis system in the second largest city in the state of Illinois and to the citizens of our community.

We aren’t done fighting for this vital community resource! Please contact the Governor’s Office (Springfield and Chicago), our local state legislators: Representatives Barbara Hernandez, Maura Hirschauer and Matt Hanson as well as Senators Karina Villa and Linda Holmes (phone numbers are below) and let them know that the 2nd largest city in Illinois can’t lose the AID Living Room from the crisis service system!"

🔗❗To take action and learn more, please visit https://conta.cc/4xDDocz

❓Did You Know?❓

On June 22nd, 2021, former Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin proclaimed June 19th- the founding day of AID- as Association for Individual Development Day in the City of Aurora.

With our anniversary tomorrow, keep an eye out for AID news, trivia, throwbacks, and more in the coming weeks! 👀

In observance of Juneteenth, all AID day programs, community mental health centers, administrative offices, and other locations will be closed on Friday, June 19th, 2026.

We envision communities where people can grow older with confidence, rooted in the homes they cherish and supported by neighborhoods that celebrate connection at every age.

At AgeGuide’s 5th Annual Aging Summit, we're bringing together experts, aging network professionals & community leaders to explore how we can make aging at home a reality for more people. As our aging population grows, so does the opportunity to rethink how we design and support neighborhoods that foster independence, inclusion, and belonging.

Together, we will explore innovative ideas, elevate local solutions, and spark bold action to create vibrant, inclusive, age friendly communities where everyone can live, belong, and thrive.

Save the date! Registration opens soon with early bird pricing!

Thank you for a successful AID Summer Stroll & Roll!

STROLL & ROLL SPONSORS: Cliff and Marilynn Klotz, Walt and Janet Dwyer, The Gould Family, Owen and Susan Lowrey, Pat and Judy Flaherty, William Flaherty Jr., Lauderdale Electric, Bruce and Kathy Simpson, Weldstar Gases & Welding Supplies (Sign Sponsor), David Smith and Suzanne Bessette-Smith, John and Sue Potter, Seth and Michelle Wormley (Prize Sponsor), Linda and Bruce Rohr, Rick and Bonnie Poulton, TriCity Family Services, Waubonsee Community College, Portillo's - Batavia, IL and KreativEdge

Event Volunteers: Destiny Astorga, Vanessa Astorga, Bonita Blyth, Eli Braun, Katie Draznin, Ingrid Edwards, Earl Evangelista, Martha Flores, Ulysses Flores, Wendy Gorog, Ash Hartung, LaToya Johnson, Tianna Jordan, Debra Schulz, Haleigh Schulz, and Joel Walters

Event Speakers: Lore Baker, Natalie Horath, Melissa Ledesma, and Bob and Mary Sejnoha

Event DJ: DJ R Dizzle

Special Thanks: “The Flavor Lab” Food Truck

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED OR SUPPORTED THE AID SUMMER STROLL & ROLL FINANCIALLY AND WITH THEIR TIME AND TALENT!

Summer Stroll & Roll proceeds help AID provide programs and services for 4,896 children and adults with developmental, behavioral and crisis needs across Kane, Kendall, DeKalb, DuPage, Will, McHenry and Suburban Cook Counties.