Trellus

Mental healthcare should be accessible to everyone. For Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, we recognize that culturally responsive care means understanding the unique lived experiences of our neighbors on Chicago’s North Side.

In communities like West Ridge, Rogers Park, Albany Park, and Uptown, systemic barriers such as language isolation, economic instability, and digital exclusion directly compound mental health struggles.

True wellness cannot be achieved without addressing these root causes.

Trellus's approach to behavioral health is deeply integrated with our community resources. We work year-round to reduce these barriers so that every person, regardless of their background, feels seen, heard, and supported through care that respects their culture and language.

You are not alone. Asking for help is a sign of strength.

Contact us at www.mytrellus.org/behavioral-health or call 708-325-8346.

Last week, Trellus Adult Education team member Victoria Butler presented to educators across Illinois through the Illinois Adult Education Professional Development Network.

Her session explored how an instructor's voice can support accessibility and student engagement through volume, pitch, and pace. Participants reflected on their own speaking styles and discussed how vocal delivery can affect learning and comprehension.

"Our voice is the main tool teachers use to communicate information, so it's worth making it as effective as possible to support student comprehension," Victoria shared.

Victoria teaches online English classes for immigrants and refugees and coordinates Trellus's Paraprofessional ICAPS program. She recently completed a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Master Cohort, further strengthening her work in creating accessible learning environments.

We're proud to see Victoria sharing her knowledge with educators across the state and helping improve learning experiences for adult students.