Little City celebrates 50th with new initiatives

The Little City Foundation welcomed the community last week to its annual "State of the City" town hall meeting. Details of its strategic plan to expand its most desired, most promising and most successful services and programs were shared with the audience.

In addition, Little City partners Omron Electronic Components and Northwest Community Hospital joined to share their vision for the first Little City dental clinic, which will specialize in care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

"A Golden Anniversary can certainly serve as a testament to the true value an organization brings to both its clients and to the community," said Executive Director Shawn Jeffers.

"We have been creating hope, changing lives, and challenging the limits of hundreds of individuals with disabilities, and we could not do so without visionaries and integral community partners such as Omron, Northwest Community Hospital, Sheriff Tom Dart and state Rep. Susie Bassi."

Travel to the only available dental clinic specializing in oral medical care for individuals with disabilities requires more than an hour of transport and months of advance notice. Recognizing the need to attend to the sensitivities and dental needs of individuals with disabilities, Omron and Northwest Community Hospital have partnered with Little City to provide a more compassionate solution.

Nigel Blakeway, Omron's chief operating officer and managing director, gave Little City a check for $75,000 to help get the dental clinic started.

Little City honored Omron with its "City Partnership" award for its exemplary collaboration and Sheriff Tom Dart with its "Spirit of Inukshuk" award for the friendship, cooperation and promotion of safety the Sheriff's Department has given Little City in recent years.

Little City also presented historical memorabilia from its 25-year-old time capsule unearthed on its 50th birthday, Oct. 1.

Staff and residents shared displays illustrating their various horticultural activities, pieces of notable artwork, handcrafted gift items such as woven handbags and unique jewelry designs, Special Olympics achievements, advocacy efforts, and numerous business services such as document destruction and corporate greeting cards.

To donate to Little City, visit littlecity.org/support.

For details on joining the Little City Golden Anniversary celebration and/or supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, visit the Web site or contact Lisa Reyes at (847) 221-7825 or lreyes@littlecity.org.