Anixter Center Mission

Overview

The mission of Anixter Center is to enhance the ability of individuals living with or at risk of disabilities to live, learn, work, and play in the community. Having merged with three nonprofits (CALOR, Chicago Hearing Society, and the National Lekotek Center), Anixter Center is now the 13^th largest nonprofit in Chicago.

Each year, at dozens of locations across greater Chicago, Anixter Center provides an array of effective, innovative services to more than 5,000 children and adults. These services include education, employment, life skills, communication, recreation, health care, counseling, and support.

Most of the people who receive services have a significant disability – physical, intellectual, developmental, sensory, psychiatric, or HIV/AIDS-related – and many have more than one disability. Most, about 90 percent, also have low incomes. In addition to providing services, Anixter Center advocates for the rights of people with disabilities to be full and equal members of society. The agency was founded in 1919.

Mission

To enhance the ability of individuals living with or at risk of disabilities to live, learn, work, and play in the community.

Values

Person Centered: We affirm the worth, capacity and contributions of all people and treat everyone with dignity and respect. We promote self advocacy and advocate for full human rights and participation in the community. We offer education and support to make informed choices. We value working together using our diverse talents and experiences to support individuals in leading a self-directed and full life.

Commitment to Employees: We value our employees and provide a supportive, culturally sensitive work environment with opportunities for professional development and growth.

Open And Honest Communication: We foster an accessible environment in which respectful communication and the exchange of ideas can occur.

Informed Action: We strive to exceed expectations by basing our practice on the best available research and operational experience. With a vision toward being the best, we actively seek ways to improve and innovate through ongoing customer and employee feedback and by promoting a continuous learning environment.

Collaboration: We achieve our mission and inspire communities through teamwork with people living with or at risk of disabilities, families, donors, volunteers, community members, our employees, and other professional partners.

Excellence: We maintain a disciplined, results-oriented organization and operate within the highest ethical standards in all of our working relationships and business practices.