Marklund, Little Angels service agencies complete merger
Starting Tuesday, clients of two organizations that help people with disabilities will be served by one organization.
The board of directors of Marklund signed off on a merger Thursday night with the Elgin-based Little Angels Center for Exceptional Care. The Little Angels board approved the merger Sept. 24.
The merger plans were announced in May.
Little Angels will be renamed the Marklund Wasmond Center. The Wasmond family founded Little Angels.
Combined, the agency will serve 174 residential clients, 55 students and 14 day clients.
The clients and students are adults and children with profound developmental disabilities.
Marklund is based in Bloomingdale and Geneva.
"After working toward this goal since February, I am very excited that our merger will finally become a reality," Gil Fonger, Marklund's president and chief executive officer, said in a news release. "I am confident that the joining of these two solid organizations is going to be very positive and make us stronger together than we could be apart."
"Little Angels has always been a labor of love for the entire Wasmond Family," said Shelley Lewis, longtime executive director of Little Angels, whose parents founded that organization. "Of utmost importance to us is that we carry on my mother's legacy of providing care and support to children and young adults with profound disabilities and complex medical needs in a place that feels like home. My family and our dedicated staff have entrusted this legacy to Marklund, who shares a very similar history and passion for caring. Joining the Marklund family feels very much like home to us and we are excited about what the future holds."
Marklund was established in 1954 by Claire and Stan Haverkampf, and named after their foster son, who was born with Down syndrome and heart problems. It offers residential, therapeutic and educational programs. The Marklund Philip Center in Bloomingdale is home to 21 people with complex medical needs, a developmental therapy program, and the Marklund Day School. Marklund at Mill Creek Campus near Geneva features six 16-bed residential homes, a Miracle League ball field, and the Marklund Hyde Center. The Hyde Center has training classrooms, therapy areas, a heated therapy pool and the administrative offices.
Pat and Bob Wasmond founded Little Angels in 1958. It's campus includes the Pat Wasmond Home and the Cathy Freeman Center for Developmental Training. It cares for people with developmental disabilities who have complex medical needs, including respiratory and therapeutic services.