Park Ridge-based Avenues to Independence, serving people with disabilities, names new president

Oct. 15--Park Ridge-based Avenues to Independence has named a new top administrator of the organization ahead of the retirement of President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Okazaki, who served in the position for 37 years.

Jason M. Clark, who previously held the position of chief program officer of adult services with Little City Foundation, a Palatine-based agency serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has been hired as the new president and CEO of Avenues following a national search, the organization announced. Clark's first day was Oct. 5.

Avenues to Independence provides housing, job opportunities and social and learning experiences to adults with intellectual and development disabilities. Group homes run by the organization are located in Park Ridge and Des Plaines.

Prior to his role with Little City Foundation, Clark served as director of employment and day services at Sertoma Center, which also provides services for individuals with disabilities, Avenues said in a news release. He has also worked as director of developmental disability services at the Pioneer Center for Human Services in McHenry and as a direct service professional for children at the Larkin Center in Elgin.

"I am extremely excited and honored to be joining a team whose mission is so person-centered and focused," Clark said in a statement. "Bob Okazaki and the Avenues team have created a very strong culture that I am grateful to be a part of going forward."

Okazaki, who has been with Avenues to Independence for 43 years, is set to retire on Oct. 31.

jjohnson@chicagotribune.com

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