ABOUT

Thresholds provides services and resources for persons with serious mental illnesses and substance use disorders in Illinois. We work with many populations, including youth and young adults, veterans, young mothers, deaf, and individuals experiencing homelessness, among others.

We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to live an independent, healthy life.

» Thresholds provides healthcare, housing, and hope for thousands of persons with mental illnesses and substance use disorders in Illinois each year

Founded in 1959, Thresholds provides healthcare, housing, and hope for thousands of persons with mental illnesses and substance use disorders in Illinois each year. Through care, employment, advocacy, and housing, Thresholds assists and inspires people with mental illnesses to reclaim their lives.

Last year, Thresholds served more than 12,500 adults and youth, with 75% of services delivered out in the community, representing more than 500,000 hours of care.

Our Approach

Thresholds is one of the oldest and largest providers of recovery services for persons with mental illnesses and substance use disorders in Illinois. We offer 30 innovative programs at more than 75 locations throughout Chicago, the adjacent suburbs, and four surrounding counties. Services include assertive outreach, case management, housing, employment, education, psychiatry, primary care, substance use treatment, and research.

Thresholds’ staff meets people where they are – out in the community. Offering services in a community-based setting makes them more accessible and effective and lessens the social exclusion that is often present in the lives of persons living with mental illnesses and substance use conditions. This allows our staff and clients to work on skills, clinical interventions, and recovery that allows them to live independent lives in their own neighborhoods

Our clients are all unique – coming from vastly different backgrounds and arriving with different needs, talents, and hopes. Each client works with our staff to set their own specific short-term goals and objectives, based on their needs, desires, and level of self-sufficiency.

Recovery from mental illnesses and substance use is possible. Recovery is a process of finding and living a satisfying and meaningful life, as one defines it for oneself. We assist our clients as they work to reclaim a positive sense of self, and discover their own potential, gifts, and skills.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

IDEAS at Thresholds: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access to advance Social Justice

We respect, honor, and value diversity and we are invested in creating an inclusive culture that is compassionate, committed, and caring.  

Who We Serve

We believe that the relationship between staff and clients is one of mutual respect, decision-making, and direction.

Most individuals that we serve have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness. Diagnoses include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and severe post-traumatic stress disorder. This also includes individuals who are experiencing substance use conditions – either coexisting with their mental illness or on its own.

At the time of initial service, 90% of our clients are unemployed and living well below the National Poverty Level, and approximately half have co-occurring substance use conditions, and most have at least one advanced physical health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.

Thresholds believes in a respectful, collaborative approach, where staff and clients work together to design an individualized course of treatment. Our prevailing goal is to help our clients experience lives of greater autonomy and happiness.

Everyone should have the opportunity to live a life of value, self-respect, compassion, and dignity. All of our members arrive with untapped potential, full of gifts and skills to develop.

FY23 Outcomes 

Total Clients Served: 8,360

                                                                                 

97% of all clients showed confidence in their recovery             93% of all clients were satisfied with services and were willing to recommend Thresholds to others.

54% of clients enrolled in IPS supported employment services found jobs.

85% of clients were linked to a primary care provider

84% of clients were linked to a psychiatrist

              1250                  Housing Units Managed          182                  Clinical Teams           1200+        Dedicated Staff Over 90% of Thresholds’ Team Leaders and one-third of Clinical Staff is master’s level. 

 

Programs For Specific Populations                                                             

68 clients transitioned out of institutional care into independent living in the community.     

76 clients with serious mental illness who are deaf or hard-of-hearing were served by our Deaf Program. 

77  chronically homeless or system-involved young adults received support through our Young Adult and REACH Programs.

150 of young people at risk for serious mental health challenges received support through our MindStrong Program.

150 former veterans struggling with mental illness, trauma, substance use, homelessness, or unemployment received assistance through our Veterans Project.

 

Client Demographics

                               


Leadership Staff   

Mark Ishaug, M.A.
Chief Executive Officer

Dee Atkins
Chief of Community Engagement and Equity

Mike Faley
General Counsel

Peggy Flaherty, L.C.S.W.
Senior Vice President, Clinical Operations

Mark Furlong, L.C.S.W.
Chief Operating Officer

Debra Howard-Frye, M.A.
Senior Vice President, Clinical Operations

Chris Noone
Chief Talent Officer

Heather O’Donnell, J.D.
Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy

Debbie Pavick, L.C.S.W.
Chief Clinical Officer

Brent Peterson
Chief Development Officer

Emily Moen
Chief Communications Officer

Al Shoreibah, C.P.A., M.B.A.
Chief Financial Officer

Ademola (Dayo) Popoola
Chief Information Officer

Steve Weinstein, M.D.
Medical Director

J.Wesley Cook, D.O.
Chief Medical Officer


Board of Directors

Cynthia Jones – President
Dr. Inger Burnett-Zeigler – Vice President
James Kolar – Treasurer
Debbie Davis – Assistant Treasurer
Minal Varma – Secretary
Dr. Garth Walker – Assistant Secretary

Benjamin J. Albrecht
Judy Ashworth
Pamela Buffett**
Bill Burfeind
Diana Carreno Garcia
Joanne Dahm
Marianne Doan*
Keith Douglas
Joseph Feldman
Crystal Glover, PhD
Satyender Goel, PhD
Ronald B. Grais, JD*
Megan Greer
Robert Haan
Mary Jo Herseth*
Claudine Hollack
Vicki Horwich
Charlie Hymen
Stephen Isaacs
Dan Klaff*
Leo Lanzillo
Roxanne M. Martino*
Keith McClintock
Suzet M. McKinney DrPH, MPH*
Joseph Moos
Sandeep Nain
Sharon Neal
Kevin Osten-Garner
Ina N. Owens, LCSW
Gino Pinto
Luvia Quinones
Tammy Randa
Christine M. Rhode
Sue Roberts
Dr. Beth Rom-Rymer
Ofelia Sanchez
Chris Segal
Robert Spencer
Masami Takahashi
Sarah Ware
Jasmine Watkins
Kirk Williams

Life Directors

Jana Barbe*
Mary Hill
Richard J. Loewenthal, Jr.
Adrianne Mautner
Linda Sahagian

*Past Presidents
**Honorary Director


Thresholds Junior Board

The Thresholds Junior Board (TJB) is a community of people who are passionate about mental health. TJB members contribute a diversity of experience and expertise and are committed to Thresholds’ mission of providing healthcare, housing, and hope to persons with mental illnesses and substance use disorders each year. Through fundraising and volunteerism, the TJB works to grow Thresholds and its life-saving services. For more information, please contact Eric Sikkema or Arriana Arroyo.

TJB members are required to:

  • Make a personal contribution of $100 or more
  • Volunteer or attend at least one TJB event
  • Attend 75% of TJB monthly meetings

Annual Report