Clearbrook marks Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Clients of Arlington Heights-based nonprofit Clearbrook noshed on pizza and shared conversation Friday at a party marking Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

Aurelio’s Pizza served pizzas and risotto balls Friday afternoon at the organization’s 1815 Employment Day Program in Arlington Heights, where participants engage in arts, games and jobs with local businesses. The pizza party was part of Aurelio’s donation of nearly 3,000 pounds of food that also will be served in Clearbrook’s clinical care and residential facilities throughout the Northwest suburbs.

“Individuals with intellectual disabilities may occasionally be excluded from festivities, leading them to feel isolated from the community,” Clearbrook CEO Jessica Smart said. “At Clearbrook, we prioritize community integration as a central piece of our mission to empower individuals with disabilities to lead enriched lives and embrace their full potential.”

Clearbrook, the state’s largest provider of home-based services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, serves more than 8,000 clients at some 80 locations.