Gateway To Learning

03/02/2026

Happy National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month!

Here at Gateway to Learning, this month is so much more than just bringing awareness to intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), it's about celebrating abilities that are often overlooked or deemed too "difficult" to include. At this organization, we see every day how everyone's abilities bring light and meaning to the community.

The IDD community has faced challenges as of late with restrictions in funding support and tonal shifts towards supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion. We challenge you not to just spread "awareness" this month, but to ask yourself: how can my community/place of employment/social circles bring more access to those with IDD and build inclusion?

We invite you to "rock your abilities" with us at RockABILITY on Thursday, April 16th for our annual fundraiser! Learn more about tickets and sponsorships at onecau.se/_f3s681.

02/24/2026

✨This week is your last week to grab reduced price tickets to RockABILITY! Then join us for an evening of dancing, music, and celebrating the GTL community! ⚡️

📍Find tickets here! https://onecau.se/_f3s681

02/12/2026

🎸 Have you grabbed your RockABILITY early bird tickets yet?

Don’t miss our annual fundraiser and celebration of Gateway to Learning on April 16th, an evening filled with music, a silent auction, fundraising, and of course, dancing!

✨ Rock out with us to a bright and inclusive future! ✨

Want to be an inclusion rockstar? 📣 Consider rocking a sponsorship! Find more information and purchase tickets through the link below.

https://onecau.se/_f3s681

02/04/2026

📣RockABILITY 2026 Early Bird Tickets are now available!📣

Don't miss out on this special opportunity to secure your spot at a discounted rate.

‼️Available for a limited time! Only until February 28th.

⚡Join us at Gateway to Learning's annual fundraiser, RockABILITY, and help us power inclusion for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

💡We're also excited to celebrate RockABILITY 2026's Inclusion Rockstar Honoree, ComEd and their Energy Force Ambassador Program. Through this program they have demonstrated how people with disabilities, including ambassadors from Gateway to Learning, illuminate and give back to their communities!

https://onecau.se/_f3s681

01/21/2026

⚠️❄ Gateway to Learning and Dorothy's Sweet Shoppe will be closed this Friday, January 23rd, due to the dangerously low temperatures forecasted. If you or someone you know is in need of a warming center, you can find the nearest one through this link:

https://data.cityofchicago.org/Health-Human-Services/Warming-Centers-Map/8xas-7ipx

12/16/2025

We had so much fun having the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Gateway to Learning for an amazing and intimate performance. Thank you so much for treating our ears to beautiful music!

12/11/2025

❄️ As the Chicago area prepares for extreme cold temperatures in the upcoming days, here is a list of all warming centers across the city if you or someone you know is seeking assistance. We hope you stay safe and warm!

Map of Warming Centers

12/10/2025

🎄✨ We had an incredible and merry holiday market this past weekend, and it’s all thanks to our wonderful community!

We’re so grateful to everyone who came out in support, purchased goods, and made this event truly special.

Keep the holiday magic going: there’s still time to double your impact! 🎁💫

Our generous match from the Coleman Foundation ends December 31st. Help us ring in the new year with a gift that impacts the lives of the individuals we serve. 🌟

Give today and make twice the difference! https://www.gatewaytolearning.org/donate

12/03/2025

🚨Don't forget! ☃

❄ The Holiday Market is this Saturday 9am - 2pm at Gateway to Learning. ❄ If you missed the preorder window, worry not because you can browse all your favorites at the market.

🎁 In addition to delicious sweets, we'll have other vendors for you to pick up some holiday presents and decor.

🎅 Also, Santa will be stopping by from 9am-12pm! Bring your camera and get a picture of the whole family with the man in the red suit.

We can't wait to spread some holiday cheer with you all!

12/02/2025

This , we’re celebrating the wins that happen every day at Gateway to Learning!

Each win looks different for every individual in our programs—but they all represent growth, confidence, and inclusion.

A win can mean:
✅ Building confidence
✅ Learning new life and job skills
✅ Gaining autonomy
✅ Amplifying inclusion

It’s exploring interests without limitations, failing with dignity knowing there’s a support system to lean on, and finding a voice to self-advocate in a time when that voice matters.

To truly celebrate these wins is to ensure they continue.

Your support makes it possible for us to provide high-quality programming that empowers adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to thrive. 🌟

💙 Consider a gift today and help us create more wins tomorrow! https://www.gatewaytolearning.org/donate

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at Gateway to Learning! 🦃 We have so much to be grateful for, including our supportive community and the inspiring individuals at GTL. We wish you and your loved ones a full&filling holiday! 🍁

11/20/2025

At Gateway to Learning, we celebrate “wins” every day, and wins look different for everyone.

Just this week, Carl and Luis shared their wins in programming:
✅ Gaining confidence in counting and budgeting money
📚 Practicing reading skills
🧺 Learning to use the washer and dryer, and bringing these skills home

These wins matter because they build life skills, confidence, and self-esteem for people like Carl and Luis. But we can’t do it alone. 💙 We need your help.

Donate today and your gift will be matched up to $10,000 thanks to The Coleman Foundation:
🔹 1:1 match for individual donations
🔹 2:1 match for corporate/business contributions
🔹 3:1 match for private foundations

✨ Help us create more moments of celebration and inclusion!
👉 https://www.gatewaytolearning.org/donate