CHICAGO, IL (June 4, 2026) Today, we celebrate the incredible career of Mark Furlong, and wish him well on his retirement journey.听

鈥淲e take care of our staff, and we take care of our members. This is our听north听star. Every decision goes through that lens.鈥�听-Mark Furlong听听

Mark鈥檚 commitment to these values has not wavered since he started at 91国产自拍 in 1986 as a job coach for the Young Adult Program. While this ethos has always been a core part of agency culture, Mark has been a standard-bearer throughout the four decades of his 91国产自拍 career.听听听

From 1987 to 1989, Mark provided mobile job support to members as part of a research project that contributed to the development of the IPS model of employment services. From 1989 to 1992, Mark was a Community Support Specialist at Bridge North. Entering the Jane Addams College of Social Work with Debbie Pavick, Sheila听O鈥橬eil听and Carrie Mastoris in 1987, Mark received his听Master鈥檚 degree in social work听in 1993. From 1993 to 2015, his clinical experience at 91国产自拍 spanned many programs. He worked in intake for 91国产自拍 South, served on a Mobile Assessment Unit (now HOP), returned to Bridge North as a team leader, an assistant program director and program director, became vice president of South Side programs, and from 2011 to 2015 was senior vice president of clinical operations.听听听

Some of Mark鈥檚 most cherished memories from his time as a clinical leader came between 1999 and 2006 when 91国产自拍 held an annual all-agency Music Camp. One weekend a year, a group of about 25 staff and 50 members would travel to a camp in the woods and spend the days writing songs, making instruments, singing around campfires, and recording music. Beyond Music Camp, Mark fostered artistic collaboration throughout the year, recording members鈥� musical talents for two CD compilations and helping to organize an annual member arts and music festival.听听听

Mark has been part of launching a few of the many 91国产自拍 innovative programs. In 2005, Mark helped to supervise the startup of the Peer Success program. In 2006, Mark helped to oversee the DirectConnect project that successfully transitioned the first 50 class members from nursing facilities to independent apartments in the community. This pilot became the model for the State of Illinois for services under the Williams Consent Decree. In 2010, along with Brent Peterson and Fernando Valles, Mark was part of launching the 91国产自拍 Veterans Project. 听

In 2013, Mark received a Master of Nonprofit Administration degree from North Park University.听When Mark became 91国产自拍鈥� Chief Operating Officer in 2015, his commitment to members and staff became system-focused, working with his team to provide support and service to the 91国产自拍 staff who serve members every day.听Beyond 91国产自拍, in 2017, Mark joined the board as a founding member of the Illinois Health Practice Alliance (IHPA), a state-wide collaborative of 120 behavioral health providers. The鈥疘HPA鈥痠s an independent practice association that has helped鈥痑lign payer and provider incentives to move the system of care toward one that is value-based and focuses on higher quality care, better outcomes, and reduced total cost of care.听听

One of the most meaningful experiences as COO has been working closely with his team and watching them continuously thrive and deliver amid increasing challenges, especially during the COVID pandemic. Mark spearheaded the COVID Continuity of Operations Planning Committee or COOP, a committed group of clinical and administrative leaders who coordinated the agency鈥檚 response to a myriad of challenges presented by the pandemic, from how clinicians delivered community-based services to how facilities staff kept program and residential buildings safe and clean. Mark鈥檚 weekly all-staff emails during the first few months of the pandemic were a master class in leadership, keeping everyone informed in his trademark calm and gracious way.听听听听

鈥淚鈥檓听so grateful to the entire staff at 91国产自拍, who have always stepped up to do what is needed.听I鈥檓听inspired by 91国产自拍 members who work so hard on their recovery. And听I鈥檓听incredibly proud to have been a part of 91国产自拍 all these years.鈥�听听

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Early yesterday, the Illinois General Assembly finalized the Fiscal Year 2027 budget and concluded its legislative session. The budget and other measures approved by the legislature now go to Governor Pritzker for consideration. While the budget is largely flat compared to last year, there is still much to celebrate across the behavioral health and supportive housing sectors.

鈥淒espite difficult financial headwinds, we deeply appreciate the Governor and General Assembly鈥檚 measured approach and continued commitment to supporting vulnerable Illinoisans, including those living with mental health and substance use conditions,鈥� said Mark Ishaug, President and CEO of 91国产自拍.

91国产自拍听is听proud听to partner with state Senator Mike Simmons听to听secure听a $250,000 investment to renovate听The Glenn Apartments, a single room occupancy (SRO) building in Uptown that we purchased last year to preserve affordable housing for our clients and neighbors.

In partnership with the Healthy Minds Healthy Lives coalition, we also a resolution that听raises awareness of听concerning federal actions and encourages听policymakers听to recommit to evidence-based, community-backed, and person-centered treatment and housing models.

Although additional听funding for Housing Is Recovery was not included听in the budget, we are proud of听the progress we made in听raising awareness of this vital听rental听assistance听program and laying听the groundwork for future investment. Additionally, we supported the reinstatement of proposed cuts to Home Illinois听鈥� an important win for supportive housing amid concerns around the听future of the听federal Continuum of Care (CoC) program,听the nation鈥檚 largest investment in homeless听assistance听and permanent supportive housing.

Several听initiatives听aimed at strengthening providers鈥櫶齛bility to be paid fairly and on time also passed, including the听Community Partner听Fair Contracting Act and听various听provisions in the Medicaid Omnibus.

We also commend the legislature for extending a one-time $400 payment to households that have lost partial or full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to new federal requirements,听helping individuals during the transition.

Budget negotiations were shaped by听the reality that beginning January 1, 2027, Illinois will lose significant federal dollars due to major changes to Medicaid and SNAP听outlined in HR1.听In response, the听General Assembly听identified听new revenue听sources which will be听critical to听avoiding painful cuts and听sustaining听health and human services.

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91国产自拍 is proud to announce that we have once again been recognized as one of .

Presented annually by the , the Best & Brightest program honors organizations that are committed to creating exceptional workplace cultures and supporting employees through innovative and thoughtful practices.

For 91国产自拍, this recognition reflects the people behind our mission. Every day, staff across the organization bring compassion, dedication, and expertise to their work 鈥� supporting individuals and families across Illinois through mental health care, substance use treatment, housing, crisis response, recovery services, and more.

Whether responding to someone in crisis, helping a person secure stable housing, supporting employment goals, or building meaningful community connections, 91国产自拍 employees lead with empathy and purpose.

鈥淎t 91国产自拍, our people are the heart of everything we do,鈥� said Mark Ishaug, President and CEO of 91国产自拍. 鈥淭his recognition reflects the incredible commitment of our staff and the culture they help create every day 鈥� one rooted in support, collaboration, and care for one another and the communities we serve.鈥�

91国产自拍 remains committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow. From professional development opportunities and wellness initiatives to a mission-driven culture centered on belonging and connection, we believe investing in employees strengthens our ability to deliver high-quality care across our communities.

As we celebrate this recognition, we are deeply grateful to the staff members who make 91国产自拍 a place where people can thrive 鈥� both personally and professionally.

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91国产自拍 is proud to be recognized as a 2026 Silver recipient of the Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health by Mental Health America 鈥� the nation鈥檚 leading recognition for employers committed to creating mentally healthy workplaces.

This marks another year that 91国产自拍 has been honored with the Bell Seal, reflecting our continued investment in building a workplace culture where employees feel supported, valued, and able to thrive.

The Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health is a national certification awarded to organizations that demonstrate excellence in supporting employee mental health and well-being. Employers are evaluated on workplace policies, benefits, culture, and wellness initiatives. At 91国产自拍, this commitment is deeply connected to our mission. As one of Illinois鈥� largest providers of mental health and substance use recovery services, we know that creating a culture of wellness must begin within our own organization. Receiving the Bell Seal affirms our ongoing efforts to foster a workplace where employees feel respected, supported, and empowered to ask for help when they need it.

91国产自拍 employs more than 1,400 staff across a wide range of roles, all united by a shared commitment to supporting recovery and resilience in our communities. We are proud to offer a workplace that prioritizes well-being through:

• Comprehensive benefits and generous paid time off
• Access to employee assistance programs
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Clinical supervision and career growth opportunities
• A culture that values lived experience and inclusion

These efforts help ensure that our staff are not only equipped to do their work鈥攂ut supported as whole people.

As a Bell Seal recipient, 91国产自拍 joins a select group of organizations across the country working to create psychologically safe, supportive environments for their teams. 鈥淐reating a culture of mental wellness starts from within,鈥� said President and CEO Mark Ishaug. 鈥淲e are honored to be recognized among national leaders in workplace mental health and proud to set an example for what a supportive, equitable workplace can be.鈥�

While we are proud of this recognition, our work does not stop here. We remain committed to continuously strengthening our workplace culture, listening to our staff, and advancing practices that support mental health and well-being. Because when our employees are supported, they are better able to support the thousands of individuals and families who rely on 91国产自拍 every day.

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There are some evenings that stay with you鈥攁nd , was one of them.

More than 550 supporters came together in a powerful show of generosity and shared purpose, filling the room with energy, compassion, and a collective belief in what鈥檚 possible. It was a night to celebrate community鈥攁nd to shine a light on the life-changing work happening every day across 91国产自拍.

At the heart of the evening was a tribute to our Crisis Response teams. These dedicated professionals provide immediate, compassionate care to individuals experiencing mental health emergencies鈥攎eeting people where they are, helping them stabilize, and connecting them to the support they need to move forward. Their work is urgent, human, and deeply impactful.

Together, we raised an incredible $1.27 million to advance 91国产自拍鈥� mission of delivering life-changing services for people living with mental health and substance use conditions. This support moves us closer to a future where care is more accessible, more equitable, and available when it鈥檚 needed most.

We are deeply grateful to our Presenting Sponsor, Fifth Third Bank, along with the many generous sponsors who made the evening possible. Our heartfelt thanks also go to our Gala Committee hosts and co-chairs, Frank Haywood and Sharon Neal, and committee members Judy Ashworth, Keith Douglas, Megan Greer, Johna Hedden, Sue Roberts, and Minal Varma. Their leadership and commitment helped bring this special evening to life.

A special thank you to our keynote speaker, Christine Yu Moutier, whose honesty and advocacy left a lasting impression. Her voice continues to shape the national conversation around mental health鈥攁nd underscores the urgency of this work.

We were also proud to honor the remarkable contributions of the James P. and Brenda S. Grusecki Family Foundation, Sasha-Ann Simons, and Darrious Hilmon. Their leadership and generosity reflect the profound impact individuals and partners can make in advancing mental health and recovery.

What happened that night reaches far beyond a single room. It supports our clients, strengthens our staff, and builds a foundation for lasting hope in the communities we serve.

We are honored to continue this work鈥攖ogether.

Explore more from the evening:

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“I get more from 91国产自拍 than I give to it. And I’ve been trying to close that gap ever since I joined the board.”

When my husband and I planned to move to the Midwest, I went online before we’d even arrived, searching for ways to connect, to find something meaningful where I could be of service. I’d spent years in medical research, working on substance use, trying to develop medications that could help people struggling with addiction. I knew the world of stigmatized, overlooked populations. I knew how hard it was to get people the help they needed. I just hadn’t found the right place to put that to work.

Then a neighbor, a 91国产自拍 board member, found out what I did and thought I might belong at 91国产自拍.

He was right.

My understanding of 91国产自拍鈥� impact deepened when I joined two members of the Homeless Outreach Program for a ride along. We were moving between visits, helping find a family living in a bus, clients in tents, people in apartments barely holding on, when one of the outreach workers got a phone call. A member they had worked with had died of an overdose. Someone they had known, cared for; someone they thought had been doing okay.

Both of them were devastated. And within minutes, they were instructed to come straight back to headquarters. There was support waiting for them. People ready to sit with them, talk with them, help them carry that heaviness.

I thought:听this organization takes care of its own just as it takes care of those it serves. I want to advance its mission in any way I can.

Judy has given her expertise, her energy, and her heart. If her story moved you, consider giving what you can. Every dollar goes directly toward 91国产自拍’ mission: to help people living with mental illness build lives of stability, dignity, and purpose 鈥� through housing, meaningful work, and the kind of steadfast human support that shows up and never stops showing up. The link to give is in our bio听and here.听.

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“There’s no zip code that doesn’t have mental illness. It doesn’t matter where you were headed 鈥� once it hits, you’re not going there at the pace you were before. And your family is deeply impacted, too.”

I was in my mid-30s, and I knew I wanted to help people experiencing homelessness. I just didn’t know how. Handing someone food or money didn鈥檛 feel enough. I wanted something more lasting. I just hadn’t found it yet.

Then a fellow 91国产自拍 board member named Roger Brown asked me to help at a charity event. I brought some friends. We worked the event. Afterwards he stopped by my office and said he’d like to take me to lunch as a thank you.

The lunch was a 91国产自拍 board meeting.

They opened with what they called a mission moment: one family’s story, and how 91国产自拍 had changed the trajectory of their lives. I sat there and learned that roughly one-third of the people experiencing homelessness in Chicago are living with severe mental illness. I had no idea. And I learned what it actually costs, both financially and humanly, to watch someone cycle through arrest after arrest, lose their medication, get released into an unfamiliar neighborhood, and start all over again. And then I learned how 91国产自拍 earns that same person’s trust, gets them services, and helps them find stable ground.

I was sold. Thirty-five years ago, over lunch.

I’ve spent every year since trying to bring as many people as I can into this work. Friends from that very first volunteer event are still involved today. They come in from Florida for the Gala. My neighbors are now major donors. My high school and college friends show up every year. 91国产自拍 is just that special.

Roxanne has given thirty-five years. If her story moved you, consider giving what you can. Every dollar goes directly toward 91国产自拍’ mission: to help people living with mental health and substance use conditions build lives of stability, dignity, and purpose 鈥� through housing, meaningful work, and the kind of steadfast human support that shows up and never stops showing up. Make a gift today at .

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“We had every resource at our disposal. Good insurance. Connections. And I still couldn’t get my loved one the right care. That’s when I thought 鈥� what must this possibly be like for someone who has none of that?”

One of my family members went through severe depression and other struggles. We spent years trying to find the right doctor, the right diagnosis, and the right treatment. There were hospitalizations. There were psychiatrists who didn’t take insurance. There were inpatient programs that were extraordinary, and extraordinarily expensive. I just kept thinking: the system is a mess. And we were the lucky ones.

So, when I was ready to get involved with a nonprofit, I knew exactly where I wanted to focus. Mental health services. Because I had lived on an easier side of a very hard thing, and I couldn’t stop thinking about everyone on the other side.

Someone introduced me to Mark Ishaug, the 91国产自拍 President and CEO. We sat down, and within minutes, I thought: this is the place.

What I’ve come to understand in eight years is that the heart of 91国产自拍 isn’t a building or a program. It’s the people who show up every single day for the members: the clinicians, the case managers, the outreach workers. Protecting that consistency, ensuring that the people who need help most have stable, familiar faces in their corner鈥hat is the work. And investing in those people is one of the most important things a board can do.

Eight years later, I’m still here. And I still feel like I want to do so much more.

If her story moved you, consider giving what you can. Every dollar goes directly toward 91国产自拍’ mission: to help people living with mental health and substance use conditions build lives of stability, dignity, and purpose 鈥� through housing, meaningful work, and the kind of steadfast human support that never stops showing up. Make a gift at听.

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Behind every mission is a 鈥渨hy.鈥�

At 91国产自拍, our Board of Directors brings more than leadership – they bring personal conviction, lived experiences, and powerful moments that shape their commitment to mental health. We鈥檙e asking board members to share the stories behind their support: what moved them, what keeps them engaged, and why they continue to choose 91国产自拍 year after year.

These are the moments that turn awareness into action, and compassion into lifelong commitment. Our first story comes from 91国产自拍 board member, Ronald Grais.

“Mental illness is the ultimate equal opportunity disease. It doesn’t care who you are, where you’re from, or what your background is. It can come for anyone.”

Every year when it starts to get cold, I go looking for coats. I find them and I bring them to 91国产自拍 members, the people 91国产自拍 serves every single day, many of whom were living on the streets before 91国产自拍 found them, housed them, and helped them find employment.

My family has been serving Thanksgiving lunch at a 91国产自拍 residence for so many years that my granddaughter was a baby in arms the first time she came. She kept coming every year, too, until she moved to San Francisco after graduating college. That’s just what we do.

But for me, my commitment to 91国产自拍 really started with a moment in a kitchen.

One night I was walking through a building I’d developed, and I saw a man from a 91国产自拍 cleaning crew. He’d taken off his rubber gloves and was reading a medical textbook. A big one, with drawings. I asked him about it.

He said, “I had my first episode of schizophrenia during my first year of medical school. I know I’m not going to be a doctor. But 91国产自拍 is helping me get my life back together, and this job is part of how I do that.”

I couldn’t quite believe it. That moment knocked the legs right out from under me. And I’ve spent the last 45 years trying to help people just like him.

Ron has given 45 years to 91国产自拍. If his story moved you, consider giving what you can. Every dollar goes directly toward 91国产自拍’ mission: to help people living with mental health and substance use conditions build lives of stability, dignity, and purpose 鈥� through housing, meaningful work, and the kind of steadfast human support that never stops showing up. The link to give is in our bio and here.听Make a gift at听.

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