'Mitchell's vision has come to life': New NSSRA facility dedicated in memory of Northbrook philanthropist
The Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association has dedicated its new facility in memory of Northbrook philanthropist Dr. Mitchell Slotnick.
The grand opening of the Mitchell L. Slotnick Center, 1221 County Line Road, Highland Park, was held late last month.
Dr. Slotnick and his wife, Valerie, were introduced to NSSRA when one of their children, Jay, began participating in its programs more than 40 years ago, according to a news release on the dedication. Dr. Slotnick helped form the NSSRA Foundation in 1997. Jay remains an active NSSRA participant.
The foundation has since raised more than $6 million for the organization, which offers year-round recreation programs and services for children, teens and adults with disabilities in Northbrook, Glenview, Northfield, Deerfield, Glencoe, Highland Park, Lake Bluff, Kenilworth, Wilmette and Winnetka.
Dr. Slotnick remained active with the NSSRA until his passing in 2018, and his eldest son, Barry, has served on the Foundation board since 2013. The Slotnick family's donation of $1.15 million helped fund the purchase and renovation of the association's new center.
"Mitch's passion and commitment to NSSRA and its mission was at his core, and drove every decision he made, every action he took," family friend and Foundation board member Liza McElroy stated in the news release.
The Mitchell L. Slotnick Center is a 30,000 square-foot facility on a 5.6-acre campus in Highland Park. Along with a library, teaching kitchen, fully accessible washrooms, a courtyard and a participant lounge, it offers about 16,000 square feet of dedicated programming space. This reduces waitlists for NSSRA programs and provides a home for its year-round adult day programs.
Ending a six-year search for a new facility, in 2019 NSSRA purchased the building that formerly housed the Lakeside Congregation for Reform Judaism. The NSSRA board approved the renovation of the building in November 2020 and broke ground a month later.
"Our family is deeply honored by this recognition," Valerie Slotnick said in the news release of the Oct. 23 dedication.
"Mitchell's vision for a new NSSRA home has come to life perfectly in this beautiful, state-of-the-art facility."