Our Story
Options & Advocacy for McHenry County (O&A) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit agency based in Crystal Lake, Illinois and serving all of McHenry County.
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Options & Advocacy has been part of the McHenry County community since 1994. We have provided thousands of infants, children, adults, and families a wide range of services and supports. We offer Early Intervention service coordination through the Child & Family Connection (CFC) program. The Helping Us Grow (HUG) program provides in-home support to pregnant women and young children. The Autism Resource Center (ARC) supports people on the autism spectrum and their families through family education, educational advocacy, and a variety of group opportunities.
Our Mission
Empowering individuals and their families through advocacy and education while creating a more inclusive community!
Our Commitments
Options & Advocacy respects that diversity in all facets of identity creates a strong community.
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Options & Advocacy honors how the intersectionality of identities fundamentally shape a person’s experience within our community.
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Options & Advocacy recognizes that people have been systemically discriminated against in society on the basis of their identities, leading to inequitable outcomes and opportunities.
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Options & Advocacy believes that acknowledging implicit biases and challenging societal norms is what will lead us towards creating safe, welcoming environments.
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Options & Advocacy understands that building spaces where people can bring their voices and authentic selves leads to a true sense of belonging.
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Options & Advocacy views this dedication to DEI as critical to achieving our mission of empowering individuals and their families through advocacy and education while creating a more inclusive community.
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Options & Advocacy acknowledges that building an inclusive, accessible, and equitable community requires an ongoing commitment to cultural humility as society learns, grows, and changes.
Options & Advocacy commits to this continual process.
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At Options & Advocacy a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace is one where all employees, volunteers, and recipients of our services, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feels valued and respected. Options & Advocacy is committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provides equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and worksites. Options & Advocacy respects and values diverse life experiences and heritages and believes that all voices are valued and should be heard.