Blue Cap

Blue Cap Blue Cap's vision is 70% of people served will have meaningful, paid work, volunteer positions, or desired social role in the community by July of 2024.

Blue Cap’s mission is to support, encourage and educate people with intellectual disabilities to enjoy quality life experiences and be valued members of their community.

Good news to share!🌟💙🛤️🚂We were again grateful to welcome The OmniTRAX and Chicago Rail Link Team to Blue Cap this holid...
12/23/2025

Good news to share!🌟💙🛤️🚂

We were again grateful to welcome The OmniTRAX and Chicago Rail Link Team to Blue Cap this holiday season.

They stopped by with a gift-wrapped $10,000 donation, continuing a years-long tradition of generous support. This contribution strengthens the programs and services the people we serve rely on each and every day.

Individuals we serve were able to unwrap their gift together and share their thanks in person.

Thank you, OmniTRAX and Chicago Rail Link, for always thinking of our community and for your continued friendship with Blue Cap. 🌟🩵

This week, the individuals we support took part in Holiday Spirit Week, wrapping it up today by decorating graham cracke...
12/20/2025

This week, the individuals we support took part in Holiday Spirit Week, wrapping it up today by decorating graham cracker houses and cookies they made themselves. 💙🍪🏠

Yesterday kicked off our first annual Winter Games, sponsored by the Blue Cap Family & Friends Association. Participants designed their own Holiday shirts leading up to game day—some with lights, some with bells, and all of them amazing.

The Winter Games featured four Minute to Win It–style challenges:
• Reindeer Shuffle: fastest to move cotton balls to another plate using reindeer hands
• Bows and More Bows: get as many bows as possible into a bowl while blindfolded, using only a spatula
• Reindeer Toss: toss rings to see who can get the most onto the reindeer hat
• Ornament Stack: stack cups into a tower while balancing an ornament on the top cup

Catering from Bartollini’s was provided as part of the sponsorship.

A big thank you to the Recreation Therapy Team and to all of our staff and volunteers who helped serve lunch and dessert and supported activities throughout the week.

Thank you to the Blue Cap Family & Friends Association for sponsoring the Winter Games and providing catering, helping make Holiday Spirit Week possible.

Leave a comment and let the individuals we support know what a wonderful job they did decorating. 💙

We are so grateful to the F & A M Masonic Riders for continuing their holiday tradition of generosity by donating warm h...
12/18/2025

We are so grateful to the F & A M Masonic Riders for continuing their holiday tradition of generosity by donating warm hats, gloves and socks to Blue Cap this week.

Your thoughtfulness year after year means so much to our community, and we are truly thankful for your friendship and appreciate your ongoing support. 🧤🧦❄️☃️

12/16/2025

⚡ Energy Tip Tuesday | December 16, 2025 ⚡

Instead of turning up the heat, D’Shawn suggests wearing warmer clothing indoors to stay comfortable while using less energy.

He also recommends installing a smart thermostat, which can automatically adjust your home’s temperature, learn your daily routine, and lower the heat when you’re away or asleep—helping reduce wasted energy.

D’Shawn shares these tips as a ComEd Energy Force Ambassador through Blue Cap’s Employment Program.

We invite our followers to share this post, as D’Shawn looks to grow his reach in 2026!

Honoring outstanding volunteer service at the Blue Cap Food Pantry.🩵💙🩵💙🩵💙🩵Individuals we support were recently recognize...
12/12/2025

Honoring outstanding volunteer service at the Blue Cap Food Pantry.🩵💙🩵💙🩵💙🩵

Individuals we support were recently recognized with Certificates of Achievement for their volunteer service at the Blue Cap Food Pantry, honoring the compassion, dedication, and commitment they bring to supporting neighbors in need.

Through their consistent service, they demonstrate what it means to be engaged citizens—showing responsibility, generosity, and a genuine commitment to their neighborhood.

The Blue Cap Food Pantry is led by Yvette Shead, Food Pantry Coordinator, whose leadership helps make this program possible week after week.

Blue Cap Volunteers Honored:
Back row (left to right): William, John, Michelle, Rodney
Front row (left to right): Haileigh, Tameka, Kieran, Annie, Darran

The Blue Cap Food Pantry operates in partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

📍 2155 Broadway Street, Blue Island, IL 60406
🗓️Tuesdays | 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
📞 708-389-6578
🌐 www.blue-cap.org

💬 Join us in the comments to congratulate and thank these volunteers for their dedication and service. 👏👏👏👏

According to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, more than one-third of households in the Chicagoland area cannot afford the basic cost of living, and about 1 in 4 children in Cook County experience food insecurity.

Interested in helping your neighborhood and volunteering at the Blue Cap Food Pantry?

Please call 708-389-6578 or email Yvette Shead at Yvette.Shead@blue-cap.org.

12/12/2025

Thank you Union Avenue!

This past Saturday, the Romin' Chariots Car Club held their annual Hotrod Holiday Hoedown Food/Toy Drive at Eagles Bowli...
12/10/2025

This past Saturday, the Romin' Chariots Car Club held their annual Hotrod Holiday Hoedown Food/Toy Drive at Eagles Bowling Lanes, 2427 Grove St., a tradition they have carried on for many years on behalf of Blue Cap.

A simple “match my donation” moment grew into more than $1,800 raised to support our work. Guests also donated food, toiletries, dignity items, paper products, and gifts for children in need, all of which will directly benefit our Food Pantry and local families.

We were also grateful to welcome Union Avenue, who made the trip all the way from Bloomington to perform and support Blue Cap at this year’s Hoedown.

Thank you to the Romin’ Chariots, Union Avenue, Eagles Bowling Lanes, and every neighbor who contributed. Your continued commitment to Blue Cap means more than we can say.

YOU. ARE. AMAZING. HUMANS.

Thank you. Thank you so much!

✨Celebrating the Remarkable Career of Pat Thies✨Today, Blue Cap proudly celebrates the retirement of our former Executiv...
12/05/2025

✨Celebrating the Remarkable Career of Pat Thies✨

Today, Blue Cap proudly celebrates the retirement of our former Executive Director, Pat Thies, whose dedication has shaped our agency for more than four decades.

Pat first joined Blue Cap in April 1984 as a Residential Coordinator, helping open our very first residential home. Over the next 21 years, she served in key roles—including Director of Residential, Quality Assurance Coordinator, and Director of Day Services—always staying closely connected to the people we support.

After returning to Blue Cap in August 2016, Pat stepped into the role of Executive Director and continued to lead with compassion, steadiness, and a deep belief in the potential of every person who walks through our doors. She officially retired on December 5, 2025, leaving behind a legacy defined by service, integrity, and heart.

This week, we were honored to celebrate Pat in two meaningful ways:
🍰 A Retirement Luncheon with the individuals she has supported throughout her career—something that meant the world to her—along with her family and friends.
🥂 An evening gathering Natural Law Cocktail Club, where staff and friends came together to share memories, gratitude, and cheers to her new adventures.

As we honor Pat’s extraordinary contributions, we also warmly welcome Jill Hart as Blue Cap’s new Executive Director. Jill has worked closely with Pat for years and shares her deep commitment to the people and mission of Blue Cap. We look forward to this next chapter under her leadership.

Pat, thank you for everything—
for leading by example,
for believing in the people we serve,
and for helping build the foundation Blue Cap continues to stand on today.

We are so grateful for your 40+ years of impact.
Enjoy your well-earned retirement. 💙

We invite you to share your memories, kind words, and thanks for Pat below. 👏👏👏👏👏👏

12/01/2025

Giving Tuesday is tomorrow—and we have incredible news to share…

Thanks to the generosity of another anonymous donor, our Giving Tuesday matching pool has just increased by $4,000!

Our total match is $14,000!

That means every dollar given today and tomorrow will doubly support the people we proudly serve at Blue Cap.

Click below to help us hit our match total:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=64NKWLZ5FFRKA

Your generosity helps create opportunities, connection, and meaningful experiences for more than 150 individuals who rely on Blue Cap throughout the year.

We appreciate every friend of Blue Cap who has already made their donation!

Thank you for believing in our mission and in the community we serve together.



https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=64NKWLZ5FFRKA

Thank you to Rock Island Public House for hosting a Food and Paper Drive for Blue Cap Food Pantry. Through all the gener...
11/30/2025

Thank you to Rock Island Public House for hosting a Food and Paper Drive for Blue Cap Food Pantry. Through all the generous donations received, we will be able to help so many people who are in need this holiday season.

For the third year in a row, our friends at Manning’s Island Bar & Grill…📍 12336 S. Ashland Ave., Calumet Park, ILgenero...
11/26/2025

For the third year in a row, our friends at Manning’s Island Bar & Grill…

📍 12336 S. Ashland Ave., Calumet Park, IL

generously catered a Thanksgiving lunch for our staff and Life Enrichment Program participants.

Their incredible kindness reminds us that giving is an action verb — a choice to show up and support your community.

As Giving Tuesday approaches, we’re grateful for neighbors like Manning’s who lead with generosity and help make Blue Cap a place where everyone is valued and included. 💙

Thank you for thinking of Blue Cap this holiday season.

We wish a Wonderful Thanksgiving week to all our supporters!

Thank you for Considering Donating to Blue Cap:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=64NKWLZ5FFRKA

Address

2155 Broadway Street
Blue Island, IL
60406

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

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Blue Cap is a nonprofit agency located in Blue Island, Illinois. Blue Cap is built on the value that the people we support deserve the highest degree of excellence in services and programs. Blue Cap has supported individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families for over 50 years