NSSRA Foundation announces 'A Place to Belong' Capital Campaign

NSSRA (Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association) Foundation has announced a $2.2 million capital campaign to fund the renovation of participant spaces in NSSRA's newly purchased facility in Highland Park. The new building will give participants their own space to play and grow.

The campaign was made public to NSSRA participant families by the "A Place to Belong" Capital Campaign committee on Feb. 28, during a preconstruction tour, just a few weeks before COVID-19 brought everything to a halt.

Despite pausing the campaign over the last few months and holding the public announcement, A Place to Belong has great momentum, having already raised nearly $1.9 million through private donations. As we look to the future, the need for dedicated programming space has only intensified with COVID-19, and we are hopeful that we can complete fundraising efforts and move forward with renovations as quickly as possible.

NSSRA purchased the building, formerly Lakeside Congregation for Reform Judaism, in August 2019, ending a six-year search for a new facility. Set back on Lake-Cook Road near the Edens Expressway, the 5.5-acre campus and 30,000 square foot facility was put on the market by Lakeside in preparation for their merger with Congregation Solel. For NSSRA, Lakeside's location is ideal, in the heart of the Northern suburbs and central to NSSRA's 13 partner agencies.

Roughly half of $3.65 million in funds needed to purchase Lakeside came from a capital reserve account created in 2013, when NSSRA's board of directors, representing 13 partner agencies, identified the need for a new facility. The remaining finances needed were provided thanks to a significant contribution of $600,000 from the NSSRA Foundation, and a generous $1.15 million gift from the Slotnick Family of Northbrook, in memory of Mitchell L. Slotnick.

Jay Slotnick, son of Valerie and Mitchell, has been participating in NSSRA programs for more than 40 years. Mitchell was a founding member of the NSSRA Foundation in 1997, and served on the board until his passing in May 2018. Barry Slotnick, Jay's brother, also serves on NSSRA Foundation's board.

"The Slotnicks stepped up to make sure we could purchase our new home outright, and that we were able to do it with cash," said NSSRA Executive Director Craig Culp. "That we could secure ownership of our new facility without any financing ensures a home, a place to belong, for NSSRA participants for years to come."

NSSRA Foundation's $2.2 million capital campaign goal is an effort to support the renovation of participant spaces, which include a courtyard, participant lounge, five multipurpose rooms, fully accessible washrooms, library and a teaching kitchen. New programs being considered are cooking, art, gardening, fitness, expanded adult day program and more.

"With the acquisition of the new building, NSSRA's participant space will increase from zero to 16,000 square feet," said Culp. "The expansion and variety of dedicated space in NSSRA's new building will transform program offerings for decades to come."

With this new facility, NSSRA will be able to reduce waitlists, offer new program opportunities for residents with disabilities in their 13 partner communities, and serve more participants.

Speaking to families in attendance at the Family Reception in February, Campaign Co-chairs Wendy and Michael Rosen expressed their gratitude for the strong donor endorsement of the campaign so far but added that success will require the support of the entire community to achieve the $2.2 million goal.

"While $2.2M is an ambitious goal, it becomes attainable when you consider the generosity and confidence shown by our early donors," said Wendy Rosen. "We are thrilled to share details of the campaign with the public and its impact for our participants and 13 partner communities."

The success of "A Place to Belong" campaign will position NSSRA to serve more participants in the Northern suburbs of Chicago, enable NSSRA to reduce waitlists and increase program opportunities and give participants of all ages and abilities a fully accessible, permanent home. The campaign is expected to be completed at the conclusion of 2020.

Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association provides and facilitates year-round recreation programs and services for children, teens and adults with disabilities who live in the partner communities. NSSRA is an extension of ten park districts, two cities and one village in the Northern suburbs of Chicago. This partnership includes the park districts of Deerfield, Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, Lake Bluff, Kenilworth, Northbrook, Northfield, Wilmette and Winnetka; the cities of Highwood and Lake Forest; and the village of Riverwoods.

For information about NSSRA and the programs and services it provides, visit www.nssra.org.

Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association Foundation was established in 1997 to support the mission of NSSRA by raising and granting supplemental funding. NSSRA Foundation raises funds throughout the year with all proceeds benefiting the Association.

For information about NSSRA Foundation, visit www.nssrafoundation.org.