Support Groups

Chicago, IL-Evanston

Important note for all Chicago residents!!! GRASP currently has three networks serving the Chicago area; Chicago-Evanston, Chicago-South Suburbs, and the Downtown Chicago Women's group. GRASP also maintains good relations with non-GRASP groups. Because Chicago is spread out over such a large area, transportation may be a factor in determining which group is right for you. If you need to resubscribe to a different group, please go back to our main page and do so through the "subscribe" button as you did to get to this group. Other non-GRASP options are

1. A group that meets in the northwest suburbs run by Brian Tozzo

2. A group that meets in the inner-city through Chicago Adults with AS and Friends

GRASP Chicago-Evanston is a peer-run support group for adults with Asperger Syndrome, Autism, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified, Nonverbal Learning Disabilities and other similar Learning Disabilities. Meetings are on the Third Sunday of each month.  Meetings are from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  GRASP Chicago-Evanston will discuss topics relating to the challenges we face in work, relationships, and family life, and resources available to people on the Asperger-Autism Spectrum. 

Your coordinator: The coordinator (though not the facilitator) for this group is Brian Sanborn. Brian can be reached at brian.sanborn@gmail.com

Meeting Times:  Third Sunday each month, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
Meeting Location: Evanston Northwestern Hospital, Room 1711, 2650 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201.  From the main lobby, go up escalators to the First Floor.  Follow the signs to Frank Auditorium.  Room 1711 is adjacent to Frank Auditorium. 
- Or Find an Information Desk and ask for directions.

Meeting Dates 2010: Feb 21 – Mar 21 – Apr 18 – May 16 – Jun 20 – Jul 18 – Aug 15 – Sep 19 – Oct 17 – Nov 21 – Dec 19

Membership information is kept through the main GRASP office, so you must subscribe before you can attend.  The Chicago-Evanston group also kindly requests that you RSVP on the Chicago Adults with Aspergers and Friends Meetup Site, http://www.Meetup.com/AspergerChi.

Relatives, Professionals, and Other Friends of People on Autism Spectrum are welcome to contact the Coordinator for information about resources and other questions about the GRASP Chicago-Evanston Network.

Public Transportation Directions
Take the CTA Purple Line to Central Street, Evanston stop.  Walk two blocks east on Central Street to reach Evanston Hospital.

Parking
Parking is Free in the Evanston Hospital Parking Garage on Sundays.

Driving Directions
from Downtown Chicago: 
         Go North on Lake Shore Drive.  After Lake Shore Drive turns into Hollywood Boulevard, take a Right on North Ridge Avenue.  Take North Ridge Avenue into North Ridge Boulevard.  North Ridge Boulevard becomes Ridge Avenue.  Evanston Hospital is on the intersection of Ridge Avenue and Central Street.

from Chicago's Northwest Side:
         Go North on I-94 West.  Merge onto Dempster Street via Exit 37B.  Turn Left onto McCormick Boulevard.  Turn Right onto Green Bay Road.  Turn Left onto Noyes Street.  Turn Left onto Ridge Avenue.  Evanston Hospital is on the intersection of Ridge Avenue and Central Street.

from Western Suburbs: 
         Take I-294 North.  Take Dempster Street/ US-14 East Exit.  Merge onto Dempster Street.  Turn Left onto McCormick Boulevard.  Turn Right onto Green Bay Road.  Turn Left onto Noyes Street.  Turn Left onto Ridge Avenue.  Evanston Hospital is on the intersection of Ridge Avenue and Central Street.

from Northern Suburbs:
         Go South on I-94 East.  Take the Skokie Road / US-41 South - Exit 34A.  Turn Slight Right onto US-41 / Skokie Road.  Turn Left onto Glenview Road.  Glenview Road becomes Wilmette Avenue.  Turn Right onto Crawford Avenue.  Turn Left onto Central Street. Evanston Hospital is on the intersection of Ridge Avenue and Central Street.

from Northwest Suburbs: 
         Take I-90 East toward Chicago.  Merge onto I-294 North toward Milwaukee.  Take Dempster Street/ US-14 East Exit.  Merge onto Dempster Street.  Turn Left onto McCormick Boulevard.  Turn Right onto Green Bay Road.  Turn Left onto Noyes Street.  Turn Left onto Ridge Avenue.  Evanston Hospital is on the intersection of Ridge Avenue and Central Street.

Cost: All GRASP groups are absolutely FREE to attend. However, GRASP survives on funding from foundations, corporations, and generous individuals. If you wish to donate to GRASP, we would gratefully appreciate it (and we’re almost certain to need it). You can make a tax-deductible donation with a credit card via our DONATE page or mail your check made out to GRASP to: GRASP, 666 Broadway, Suite 830, New York, NY 10012

GRASP Support Network Removal Policy
(out of over 5000 people, we've luckily only had to use this 7 times.
But there'll be more— we are vulnerable by design as we do not demand that everyone bring often-expensive proof of diagnosis)