Center for Enriched Living celebrates Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March, stressing importance of inclusion for all

The Center for Enriched Living (CEL), which has been providing life-changing opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) for the past 50 years, is celebrating and honoring Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month throughout March. In addition to planning special events, CEL is raising awareness of the importance of giving ALL people, regardless of their abilities, the chance to be fully included in the community - as a neighbor, consumer, co-worker, employee and friend - so they can achieve personal fulfillment and enjoy a good quality of life.

"We believe every person with an IDD should be treated as an equal, valued and contributing member of the community," says Harriet Levy, CEO of the Center for Enriched Living. "But unfortunately, we still have a long way to go. People with IDDs do not have enough opportunities for socialization, and that's a barrier to the things that make our lives full, such as employment, housing and friendship."

That's where CEL comes in, providing social events, day programs and employment opportunities for more than 400 people a year, from teens to seniors, from 50 Chicago-area communities. CEL programs include art, technology and fitness classes; summer camp; dances and even vacations. CEL also runs the REACH Adult Day Program to help members continue learning and growing after they exit the school system, and the organization partners with local businesses to provide job opportunities and help reduce the 85 percent unemployment rate among adults with IDDs.

CEL operates out of its 20,000-square-foot Riverwoods facility, as well as a Hoffman Estates location launched in 2017. The organization is looking to expand and has started meeting with parents in Naperville, which has one of the highest populations of people with IDDs in Illinois, to determine the types of services that are most needed.

Levy stresses that organizations like CEL are not the only solution. Everyone must help ensure that people with IDDs have a voice and access to services and activities. She says Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, which was created by President Ronald Reagan in 1987, is about celebrating progress that has been made, but also about spreading awareness of the many barriers that still exist, and working for change.

The situation in Illinois is especially challenging, according to Levy. The state ranks 47th in the nation for community-based funding support for adults with IDDs. In addition, Illinois has more state-operated institutions than any other state, except for Texas. Most experts believe institutions are more expensive and less beneficial than Community Integrated Living Arrangements. Many have advocated for closing state institutions, while better funding community-based settings, which currently have so little funding that it's difficult to retain qualified staff. And thousands are on wait lists, with many not being served at all. CEL is privately funded so it does not rely on state funding. But Levy says the challenges families face should be of concern to all. "We must fix the funding and structural issues that have been problematic here for decades."

To celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, CEL will host special events, including a March 19th Paint Party, where people from the community will join CEL's Tuesday night artists, as well as a March 21st Employment Information Session to highlight the value and benefits of hiring people with IDDs. In addition, CEL kicks off a special monthlong fundraising campaign on March 1, with the goal of raising $30,000. Board member Vaughn Moore and his wife Jennifer have offered a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $100,000. Find information about the events and a link to donate at: https://www.centerforenrichedliving.org/ddam19/.

In addition to special events and a fundraising campaign, CEL is sharing some inclusion success stories throughout Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, including Josh B., a member of the new CEL Northwest REACH Adult Day Program in Hoffman Estates. When young adults with IDDs transition out of school at 22, many families liken it to falling off a cliff because there are so few options for them. For Josh, now 23, the transition was practically seamless, thanks to the REACH Program, which has given him opportunities to explore the community, be with friends and try new things.

Arthur H., who is 64 years old, has had a similar positive experience. He previously only left home to visit the library or grocery store. Finding a job in his local community would enable him to have a sense of belonging. When he noticed a "Now Hiring" sign at his local Panera, he liked the idea of working there but was shy and unsure about how to apply. Working with CEL's Employment Opportunities Program, Arthur put together a resume and built up the confidence to go to the interview. He got the job. Arthur has now been working part time at Panera for two-and-a-half years, helping maintain the dining area for customers. Interacting with the local community and knowing that customers appreciate his work is very rewarding, and he has received high praise from his manager.

The Center for Enriched Living's long history began in 1968, when Lynne Albanese, a social worker at the Deborah Boys Club in Albany Park, was approached by mothers looking for opportunities for their children with developmental disabilities. The children had no opportunities for enrichment. Albanese accepted them at the club, and soon after, other parents were looking for similar activities. So Albanese and the Young Men's Jewish Council, which ran the Deborah Boys Club, created a Sunday afternoon social enrichment program for children with developmental disabilities. And the Center for Enriched Living was born. In 1984, CEL became an independent 501(c)3 agency. CEL opened its state-of-the-art facility in Riverwoods in 2000 and renovated the building with Universal Design in 2016, making it a more welcoming space for all. In 2017, CEL launched its second location in Hoffman Estates.

CEL provides programs seven days a week, and helps people explore career options with community business partners. The organization is privately funded. For more information, visit www.centerforenrichedliving.org.