Recreation and Inclusion Resources
The Center for Enriched Living
The Center for Enriched Living (CEL) provides a wide range of services to enrich the lives of teens, adults and seniors with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). CEL programs include social, recreational and employment programs, events, adult day programs, and mental health and wellness support to people with IDD, their families and caregivers.
CEL is independently funded and partners with the community for donations, regular volunteers, advocacy and collaborations that support people with IDD.
For questions, please contact (847) 948-7001 or info@CenterForEnrichedLiving.org.
The Chicago Lighthouse is a social service organization serving the blind, visually impaired, disabled and veteran communities. It provides vision rehabilitation services, education, employment opportunities and assistive technology for people of all ages throughout Chicagoland. It also provides housing opportunities for income-eligible households for individuals with disabilities. National and statewide resources include help with college, brailler repair, employment, recreation, service animals and more.
The organization’s Lader Family Scholarship Program is open to Illinois residents who are blind or visually impaired, as well as Chicago Lighthouse employees who are blind, visually impaired, have another disability or are veterans. You can learn more about the Lader Family Scholarship and other scholarship opportunities on the Chicago Lighthouse website.
The KASE Project aims to raise awareness and support for autism through community outreach in the Springfield area. Its programs include:
- PECS (Picture Exchange Communication) at the Park – an initiative to install picture communication boards at local parks and playgrounds.
- PALS (Parent Autism Life Support) – a caregiver support initiative for parents, siblings and caregivers of children and adults with autism in Sangamon County. PALS currently hosts a support group for moms.
- FLASH (Friends Learning and Sharing Hope) – an effort to bring adaptive sports to the Chatham community and beyond.
- SIBS – A Sibshops program for siblings of children with health, mental health and developmental needs.
For questions, please contact the KASE Project at info@thekaseproject.org.
The Kids Equipment Network (TKEN) is a non-profit organization that connects children with disabilities to new and gently used durable, adaptive equipment at no cost. Illinois families with children from birth to 21 can fill out an application to request equipment. TKEN then seeks equipment matching the child’s needs. The family is invited to a fitting clinic when the equipment becomes available.
Volunteers provide free monthly clinics for custom-fitting equipment in Chicago and the suburbs. Families can request items including:
- Strollers
- Wheelchairs
- Bath and toilet systems
- Crutches
- Canes and more
For questions, please contact TKEN at (630) 766-0505, Ext. 6 or info@tken.org.
The Kinda Guide is designed to be a weekly survival guide for parents and families that will include expert tips on remote learning, parenting advice, virtual camp activities, simple meal and snack ideas and at-home family adventures.
The Painted Turtle Overnight Camp for Children with Serious Medical Conditions
The Painted Turtle is a year-round, overnight camp in California for children ages 7 to 17 with a variety of serious medical conditions, their siblings and family members. Condition-specific camp sessions and family weekends (for children ages 6 to 17) aim to encourage children to try new things and develop lasting friendships. Campers and their families attend free of charge.
The camp has a full-time medical staff, a health center and a physician onsite at all times. The Painted Turtle provides camper eligibility guidelines and medical criteria to help determine the best session for your child and family.
The Penguin Project provides a supportive environment for children with a wide range of disabilities to explore the performing arts. The program encourages children and young adults ages 10 to 24 to discover their creative talents, build self-confidence and make new friends by rehearsing and performing a modified version of a well-known Broadway musical. The young artists work side-by-side with age-level “peer mentors” through four months of rehearsals and the final performance.
The project has several chapters in Illinois. Visit The Penguin Project website for more details.
The Salvation Army St. Clair County
The Salvation Army St. Clair County provides a variety of programs and services to help individuals and families remove barriers, build job skills, find childcare and remain in their homes. It offers:
- After-school programs where youth and teens have a safe place to complete homework, learn new skills and relax with friends
- Pathway to Hope program that helps families identify barriers and address them by connecting with community support organizations and more
- Homelessness prevention services
- Emergency help with rent/mortgage, utility bills and other needs to keep families in their homes
For questions, please contact the Salvation Army St. Clair County in Belleville, Ill., at (618) 235-7378.
The Southwest Collective Resources for Families in Chicago
The Southwest Collective is an open forum for southwest side residents to voice their concerns, learn about resources and connect with opportunities and fun specific to the southwest side of Chicago. Resources include “Freebies for Families” events, small business support, providing food to people in high-need areas, weekly free art classes at De Colores Ice Cream & Coffee Shop in Archer Heights, little free libraries and more.
These resources are specific to the southwest side of Chicago.
Thumbuddy Special is a non-profit organization founded by a group of special education teachers and therapists to raise funds to provide adaptive equipment for children with special needs.
Thumbuddy Special supplies equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, bath chairs, adapted bikes, ramps and computers. In addition, the nonprofit offers scholarships to children to attend local special recreation camps in the summer.
For questions, please call Thumbuddy Special at (630) 212-3419.