Embracing Abilities. Expanding Possibilities.

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HARRY’S BUTTONS AND THREADS
(HB Threads)

Harry’s Buttons and Threads (HB Threads) is a non-profit that provides employment opportunities, job training, and life skills development for individuals with disabilities while providing the highest quality customized apparel, buttons, and magnets to customers. 

Our Story

Harry’s Buttons and Threads (HB Threads) began with one family’s love for their autistic son and a single button-making machine in the garage of their home. In 1998, Harry Engnell, Jr., who is on the autism spectrum, graduated from high school with a desire to work. His parents—Harry Sr. and Marilyn Engnell—were discouraged by the lack of employment opportunities for their son and other adults with disabilities. In fact, 8 in 10 individuals with a disability are not in the workforce.

Harry, Jr., thrived with the rhythm of repetitive tasks and, with that in mind, an idea was born: a button maker for Harry to create custom buttons that he could proudly sell. Harry loved it, and a business was born (originally called Harry’s Buttons)—one that has since made a positive impact on hundreds and helped foster a more inclusive economy. The Engnells eventually donated HB Threads to Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford to ensure expansion, sustainability, and the growth of employment opportunities for more individuals with disabilities.

The organization has since grown into a social enterprise with 14 neurodivergent associates who develop buttons, magnets, totes, apparel and more for our valued customers. We are proud to provide meaningful employment and competitive compensation above the minimum wage to adults whose “disabilities” are actually remarkable gifts, equipping them with unparalleled attention to detail and quality. Since its inception, HB Threads has employed 150+ individuals with disabilities and served thousands of clients, including the Chicago White Sox, banks, unions, and more. We are proud to provide meaningful employment and competitive compensation above the minimum wage to adults whose “disabilities” are actually superpowers, equipping them with unparalleled attention to detail and quality. 

MEET OUR TEAM

HB Threads provides individuals with disabilities an opportunity to thrive in a supportive workplace that understands and celebrates their unique strengths. Most of our committed HB Threads associates have an autism spectrum disorder and that can be a superpower, equipping many with an unparalleled attention to detail. Our team is small and mighty!


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Terry Bracey

Terry Bracey


Supervising Lead Production Associate

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David Cahill

David Cahill


HB Threads Associate

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Rachel Gibson

Rachel Gibson


HB Threads Associate

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Jason Harris

Jason Harris


HB Threads Associate

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Tyrel Jones

Tyrel Jones


HB Threads Associate

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Korrey Kooistra

Korrey Kooistra

Director of HB Threads
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Jordan McNeal

Jordan McNeal


HB Threads Associate

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Jesse Ortiz

Jesse Ortiz


HB Threads Intern

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Elliot Ransom

Elliot Ransom


Vice President of Education and Innovation
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Carter Sanders

Carter Sanders


HB Threads Associate

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Jamie Smith

Jamie Smith


HB Threads Associate

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Ruby Tellez

Ruby Tellez


HB Threads Intern

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Cody Wass

Cody Wass

Assistant Director of Career Pathways and Growth
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Matthew Zochowski

Matthew Zochowski


HB Threads Associate

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Benefits of Shopping With Us

Custom Design Services

We work with you to design your custom-branded products and provide sample products for approval, so you know what you’re getting before ordering. We also provide customized embroidery and heat-press on high-quality brands, including Nike and Port Authority.

It’s simple to order your branded apparel online or, if you prefer, you can always talk to a human. We offer free shipping on orders of $100 or more and flat rate shipping ($6.99) on all other orders. In-stock orders are fulfilled within two weeks and we provide hassle-free returns within 30 days of purchase.

We offer discounts on bulk orders and, as a customer, your employees will also receive a 10% discount on non-branded HB Threads merchandise.

We can host an annual, on-site pop-up store at your office where your employees, partners, and supporters can see, feel, and purchase your branded apparel.

When you partner with us, you support our community and individuals with disabilities by giving them an opportunity to thrive in an inclusive, supportive workplace.

BROWSE OUR STORE

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Tyrel Jones

Tyrel Jones has worked at HB Threads since 2012 and is a graduate of Easterseals Academy. His preferred HB Threads employment tasks are making buttons, pressing shirts, folding sweatshirts, and bagging products for shipping. He’s also a fan of working with the embroidery machine. Tyrel’s favorite thing about working at HB Threads is being around friends who make him laugh, getting paid, and making special buttons for one of his favorite teams, the Chicago White Sox. Outside of work, Tyrel most enjoys watching classic TV comedies in black and white. 

Elliot Ransom

Elliot Ransom is the Vice President of Education and Innovation for Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford. In this role, he supports the growth and success of Easterseals Academy, the Illinois Autism Partnership (IAP), and HB Threads. Before joining ECR, Ransom was Co-CEO of UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago where he managed and oversaw all aspects of the organization, including operational and unit performance, strategy, finances, human resources, key partnerships and funders, and work with the Board of Directors. Previously, Elliot worked as a sixth-grade teacher in Chicago. He’s also worked at the central office at Chicago Public Schools and as a leadership coach for school leadership teams. He has a BA in sociology and economics with a concentration in sociology of education and an MBA in leadership and change management.  

 

Michael Withgott

Michael Withgott has worked at HB Threads since 2022 and is a graduate of Carl Sandburg High School. His favorite thing about working at HB Threads is making his own money and spending time with his friends. The projects he most enjoys are heat pressing shirts, shredding, and making buttons. His favorite project of all time was making buttons for the Chicago White Sox. In his free time, Michael enjoys going to the movies, restaurants, the library, and live theater; playing video games; helping Dad at the golf course; and volunteering at church and the adult day program.  

Jamie Smith

Jamie Smith has worked at HB Threads since 2022 and is a graduate of Easterseals Academy. Prior to working at HB Threads, he spent 18 years as a maintenance janitorial assistant in the adult day program. At HB Threads, Jamie most enjoys organizing inventory and creating buttons. He says that the best thing about working at HB Threads is the incredible friends he’s made. Jamie is most looking forward to creating new items that HB Threads has never made before and working the embroidery machine. In his free time, he likes listening to music and playing video games. 

Matthew Zochowski

Matt Zochowski has worked at HB Threads since 2022 and is a graduate of Easterseals Academy. His favorite thing about working at HB Threads is making his own money. The job task he most enjoys is marking buttons to keep them centered before pressing. In his free time, Matt loves going out and about in the community with his father. 

Cody Wass

Cody Wass joined HB Threads in 2023 as the Director of Social Enterprise and Employment Opportunities. Prior to joining HB Threads, Cody worked for the Bridges from School to Work Program established by the Marriott Family Foundation where he partnered with local, state, and national companies to assist with hiring individuals with disabilities. Cody has a BFA from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and a master’s degree in hospitality and tourism management from Roosevelt University Heller College of Business. 

Ruby Tellez

Ruby Tellez is an intern at HB Threads from Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago. Ruby enjoys learning new skills and preparing for future employment as a team member at HB Threads. The products she most enjoyed helping to make were buttons for the Chicago White Sox. In her free time, Ruby enjoys listening to music and spending time with her family. 

Carter Sanders

Carter Sanders has worked at HB Threads since 2023, is a graduate of Easterseals Academy, and is a ComEd Energy Ambassador teaching members of the community how to save energy. Prior to working at HB Threads, Carter was an office assistant at Easterseals Academy. He most enjoys customer invoicing and making buttons at HB Threads, and his favorite activity to participate in is pop-up shops. Carter is also an accomplished Special Olympian who has won multiple gold medals and can be found taking part in the Polar Plunge for the Special Olympics every winter. In Carter’s free time, he enjoys watching wrestling and Hallmark movies, playing video games, and hanging out with his niece.

Jesse Ortiz

Jesse Ortiz is an intern at HB Threads from Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago. Jesse enjoys interacting with the other associates, learning how the embroidery machine works, and building his resume for future jobs. The products he has most enjoyed helping to make are embroidered vests and jackets for Huntington Bank. In his free time, Jesse enjoys watching football, playing basketball, and hanging out with his school friends. 

Jordan McNeal

Jordan McNeal has worked at HB Threads since 2010 and is a graduate of Easterseals Academy. His preferred HB Threads employment tasks are folding and organizing inventory. Jordan’s favorite thing about working at HB Threads is seeing his co-workers and friends. He also likes learning new skills, including hooping on the embroidery machine. Jordan’s favorite project was making buttons for the Chicago White Sox. In his spare time, Jordan enjoys listening to music, hanging out with friends, and playing video games. 

Korrey Kooistra

Korrey Kooistra is the Director of HB Threads. Prior to this she served as Interim Director and also held the role of Director of Process Optimization and Transformation. Before joining ECR, Kooistra was Executive Director of the Ascension Housing and Health Alliance, an organization that provides housing and support services to people who are unhoused, living with HIV, have a substance use disorder, or are diagnosed with mental illness. Her career has focused on working in the social justice and public health fields with a commitment to improving access and services to marginalized communities. Korrey has a BA in psychology and women’s studies and an MPH in community health sciences with a concentration in maternal and child health.

Jason Harris

Jason Harris has worked at HB Threads since 2021 and is a graduate of Easterseals Academy. Prior to working at HB Threads, he spent 17 years as an art room assistant with the adult day program. On the job, he most enjoys putting together clothing racks and designing graphics for buttons. His favorite projects have been creating buttons for the Easterseals National Summit and T-shirts for a dragon boat race for BMO Bank. Jason says the best thing about working at HB Threads is that it allows him to be more independent and earn his own money. In his spare time, Jason likes to draw, play video games, read comics, and watch animated television shows.

Reid Grzybowski

Reid Grzybowski has worked at HB Threads since 2018 and is a graduate of Easterseals Academy. Reid feels a lot of pride in having a job and is happiest when working the heat press. In his free time, Reid enjoys playing bingo and Nintendo, as well as hanging out with his father. 

Rachel Gibson

Rachel Gibson has worked at HB Threads since 2024. Prior to working at HB Threads, she was a program aide at the Gilchrist Marchman Child Development Center. At HB Threads, Rachel most enjoys cleaning, organizing, and creating buttons. She says her favorite thing that HB Threads makes is “everything!” Rachel appreciates the new skills and friendships she’s developed through her employment at HB Threads. In her free time, she most likes to ride her bike and listen to country music.  

Nicole Campione

Nicole Campione has worked at HB Threads since 2001 and is a graduate of Easterseals Academy. Nicole most enjoys being with her friends and other staff members at HB Threads and her preferred work task is making buttons. Nicole’s personal interests include knowledge about US states and maps, as well as online puzzle games.

 

Terry Bracey

Supervising Lead Production Associate

Terry Bracy has worked at HB Threads since 2018 and loves helping train other associates to create custom apparel and buttons. He also enjoys organizing supplies and orders, cutting graphics, heat pressing shirts, and operating the embroidery machine. Terry’s favorite thing about working at HB Threads is making and saving money. He says, “HB Threads keep me busy and out of trouble, and I get to make a lot of great friends. I also get to work around fashion, which I love.”

 

David Cahill

David Cahill has worked at HB Threads since 2004 and is a graduate of Easterseals Academy. David enjoys all aspects of his duties at HB Threads and likes making buttons the most. David is also a proud participant in the Special Olympics in Bocceball, Snowshoeing, and Track & Field. His favorite sports teams are: Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bears, Chicago Blackhawks, and Windy City ThunderBolts. In his spare time, David enjoys word search puzzles, 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles, and attending baseball games.