by: Zipporah Leach, Vocational Specialist iCan Dream Center

We are incredibly grateful to Advocate South Suburban Hospital for welcoming our students with care, professionalism, and genuine inclusion. Their partnership provides more than volunteer opportunities, it creates space for growth, confidence, and dignity.

On the first day of his internship, one of our students arrived eager, carefully navigating the hallways with his walker. On this day, he displayed a quiet mix of excitement and uncertainty. He had faced multiple rejections in the past, not because of his work ethic, but because of assumptions made about his mobility. At Advocate South Suburban Hospital, he was met in the front lobby with something different: patience, warmth, and a team that took the time to learn how he works best.

This partnership has not only provided our students with valuable exposure to healthcare careers, but it has also affirmed something powerful: inclusion is not an extra step, it is the work. Advocate South Suburban Hospital exemplifies what it means to create pathways for all learners, including those who may move through the world a little differently.

Rather than focusing on limitations, Advocate South Suburban Hospital focused on possibilities. Through thoughtful support and encouragement, this student is gaining real-world employability skills and, most importantly, a sense of belonging.

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to meeting people where they are and walking alongside them as they grow. We are honored to work with an organization that understands that inclusion is not an add-on, it’s a calling.