Center for Enriched Living wins $100,000 Bears grant
The Center for Enriched Living learned Sept. 26 it will receive a $100,000 grant from the Chicago Bears after getting the most votes in the team's Community All-Pro online contest.
Center for Enriched Living, which will be honored at the Bears' Dec. 22 home game, is one of 10 organizations to receive a grant. The Community All-Pro donations total $1 million in honor of the team's 100th season.
Nine of the organizations were preselected. Center for Enriched Living, which is based in Riverwoods and provides life-changing opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, was one of three charities to vie for the 10th spot during a week of online fan voting.
"We are overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who voted for us and spread the word. And, of course, to the Chicago Bears for their incredible generosity," says Harriet Levy, CEO of the Center for Enriched Living.
"The funds will be used to help people with developmental disabilities get jobs in the community. There is a great need in this area, as adults with developmental disabilities face an 85 percent unemployment rate."
Center for Enriched Living will use the Bears grant to enhance its Employment Program, which teaches job readiness and hard and soft skills like writing a resume and doing an interview. The funds also will help the Center for Enriched Living expand its partnerships with potential employers and match more people with meaningful work.
"Many people with developmental disabilities want to work and have so many talents and skills to contribute to the workforce, yet there are too few opportunities. They just need some help to achieve this goal," Levy says.
"With this grant, Center for Enriched Living will work to open doors to small and large businesses throughout the Chicago area and provide many adults with developmental disabilities the tools, resources, opportunities and support they need to get and keep a job."
Center for Enriched Living, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, provides programs that focus on social, recreational, employment and educational opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, giving them the chance to be fully included in the community, achieve personal fulfillment and enjoy a good quality of life.
The organization serves hundreds of people from at least 50 Chicago-area communities each year. To learn more, visit www.CenterforEnrichedLiving.org.
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