NWSRA Hosts Snoezelen Room Ribbon Cutting
On Wednesday, Dec. 6, Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) celebrated a breakthrough in therapy for individuals in the Northwest suburbs. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to recognize the implementation of the state of the art Snoezelen Room at the Rolling Meadows Community Center. Through the collaborative efforts of grantors, donors, volunteers and staff, the room will provide rare opportunities for stimulation, interaction and therapy for individuals in the Northwest suburbs. The Snoezelen sensory room is now the first of its kind implemented into a recreational facility in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago.
NWSRA Executive Director Tracey Crawford stated "I am just thrilled that we now have the opportunity to make such profound change in the lives of so many, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of our supporters, volunteers, board members and staff members for making this possible."
NWSRA has formed the Snoezelen Sensory Team, which will create individualized short and long term measurable goals for each individual receiving therapy within the room. The equipment within the room will allow for the team of Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS) trained by Flaghouse on the use of the Sensory Room to provide sensory therapy focusing on leisure awareness, education, physical, affective, cognitive, emotional, linguistic, social and developmental improvements while keeping all sessions "person centered".
NWSRA Superintendent of Recreation Andrea Griffin stated "Through the use of the Snoezelen Room, we look forward to partnering with neighboring private therapy groups, our member park district senior centers, local nonprofits that serve veterans and their families and local support groups for children and families facing life crisis situations.
Throughout the year, the fundraising arm of NWSRA, Special Leisure Services Foundation (SLSF) partnered with several businesses and granting organizations. Grants received from Zurich NA, Elk Grove Township, Astellas USA Foundation, Schneider Electric, Rotary Noon Club of Arlington Heights and the Foundation of the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove raised the necessary funds to purchase the necessary equipment for the room. In addition, individual donations provided funding toward equipment and installation. NWSRA Board Chair and Palatine Park District Executive Director Mike Clark stated "The need for this type of room in the northwest suburbs is evident, and the outstanding support of SLSF made it possible."
The use of the Snoezelen Room will allow NWSRA staff to implement innovative programs that promote Therapeutic Recreation experiences, meeting the growing demands for individualized programming with sensory integration and behavioral needs of participants and families. Due to the collaborative work with member park districts, legislators, fellow nonprofits, organizations, businesses and community members, this room will help to break down the illusions of fear, the walls of anxiety and the floods of panic for many individuals in the Northwest suburbs.
About NWSRA:
NWSRA is a nonprofit organization that has enriched the lives of children and adults with disabilities throughout 17 northwest suburbs in Chicago by providing outstanding recreational opportunities in a safe, supportive and social setting for over 40 years. NWSRA holds the distinction of Distinguished Accredited Agency from the Illinois Park and Recreation Association, and won the National Recreation and Park Association Excellence in Inclusion Award in 2013 for national leadership in diversity and inclusion initiatives. If you are interested to learn more about NWSRA's programs and success stories, please visit our website: www.nwsra.org, or contact Brian Selders at (847) 392-2848.