Power to the People
2027-02-04 13:00 - 14:30, 2027-02-18 13:00 - 14:30, 2027-03-04 13:00 - 14:30, 2027-03-18 13:00 - 14:30, 2027-04-01 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago)
The monthly meeting of ALL of Access Living’s community organizing groups. Come together with your allies in housing, home and community based services, immigration, and racial justice! Contact Amber Smock to request accommodations.

Amber Smock
Vice President of Advocacy
asmock@accessliving.org
ASL Users: (312) 957-4843 Hearing Callers: (312) 640-2191
Listed by Access Living. View details / register

The Bash - Supporting Participants & Families
2027-03-07 12:00 - 17:00 | The Abbington, 3S002 IL-53, Glen Ellyn, IL, 60137, United States
Celebrating 50 Years of Inclusion, Impact, and Inspiration!
You Did It — Our 50th Anniversary Bash SHATTERED RECORDS!
Because of YOU, our milestone celebration didn’t just shine… it SOARED!
We are thrilled to share the incredible, history‑making results from our 50th Anniversary Bash. Your generosity, passion, and belief in our mission made this the most successful event in our five decades!
Here’s what YOU made possible:
Close to 500 guests filling the room with energy and excitement
A record number of sponsors standing strong behind our mission & vision
The most successful Raise‑the‑Paddle in our history
Our endowment goal fully funded
A record 16 new members joining the Possibilities Society
And there’s more…
Thanks to your overwhelming Raise‑the‑Paddle gifts — paired with a generous $15,000 matching gift from the Harbaugh Family, AND a surprise $12,500 match from the Scott and Trish Karll Charitable Fund, AND a surprise $10,000 paddle raise from the Van Wyk Charitable Foundation — that portion alone skyrocketed to an incredible $106,250!
In all, a total of more than $250,000 was raised to advance our mission & vision!
Your support didn’t just break records—it strengthened our future. Every dollar fuels opportunity, independence, and empowerment for the participants and families we proudly serve.
We are humbled. We are grateful. And we are again inspired by this amazing community.
Thank you for making our 50th anniversary a celebration we will never forget!

Want to see the highlights?
The Bash Photo Gallery
Catch the brightest moments, biggest smiles, and best highlights from the night… visit The Bash photo gallery at https://my.guestpix.com/guest/access/135353/FAA237E9.
Opening the Evening with Fireworks!
We kicked off the evening by featuring our incredible participants and a few fireworks! Opening Video
Reaching Higher!
We celebrate our incredible participants—each one pushing boundaries, lifting one another up, and reaching higher than ever before. Here’s to the courage to grow, the strength to try, and the joy of achieving more than we imagined. Let’s keep reaching—higher, stronger, together! Raise-the-Paddle Video

We have an exciting evening planned just for you, including
Open bar, dinner, Premier auction, LIVE auction, Raise-the-Paddle for the Mission & Vision
NEW this year! Vacation Station (purchase a vacation of your choice) and Cheers to 50 Years! Punch Wall (punch for a prize)
Plus… Spirit Pull, Sip & Serve Ou…
Listed by WDSRA. View details / register

Charlie Long/WDSRA Golf Classic
2027-06-07 - 2027-06-08 | Arrowhead Golf Course, 26W151 Butterfield Rd, Wheaton, IL, 60189, United States
The 2027 Charlie Long/WDSRA Golf Classic will be held Monday, June 7, 2027
Information posted is from the 2026 Outing. Watch for 2027 details and registration in 4/1/27.

Teeing Up An Incredible Day!
What a day to remember—on and off the course!
With great weather, a beautifully kept course at Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton, and more than 200 golfers ready to play, the 2026 Charlie Long/WDSRA Golf Classic delivered an unforgettable experience from start to finish.
Monday, June 1st was a true celebration of community, connection, and inclusion, and we’re so grateful to everyone who made it possible:
Our Golfers – Your enthusiasm, camaraderie, and support brought the course to life. Thank you for making the day so special for our participants and families!
• Our Sponsors – Your generosity continues to create opportunities for inclusive programming and meaningful experiences for individuals with disabilities. Your impact goes far beyond the green!
• Our Volunteers – From the first arrival to the final putt, your dedication and energy made everything run seamlessly. We couldn’t have done it without you!
And finally… thanks to everyone’s generosity, more than $64,000 was raised to support participants and families! Thank you!
Photos will be posted on our Facebook page.
Funds raised go directly to support the quality community-based programming on which our families & participants rely and may be used to support programming needs, purchase sensory materials, scholarships, and more.

2026 Charlie Long Award Honoree: Mark Barnick
In front of a crowd of friends, supporters, and fellow golfers, Mark Barnick was named the 2026 recipient of the Charlie Long Award. The moment was made even more meaningful as Mark’s family and friends were there to surprise him and share in the celebration.
The Charlie Long Award honors individuals who embody Charlie’s belief in leaving the world better than they found it. Mark Barnick is a shining example of that mission in action.
Mark’s journey with WDSRA began with a simple desire to give back to his community. What followed has been more than a decade of transformational impact. From 2014 through 2025, Mark served on the WDSRA Foundation Board, helping to shape the organization’s growth and future.
His contributions have been both broad and deeply meaningful:
Championing signature events like the BASH
Recruiting donors, staff, and volunteers who strengthen our mission
Playing a key role in growing the Golf Classi…
Listed by WDSRA. View details / register
