2022 Fall Update From Our CEO

Dear Friends of Orchard Village:

The leaves on the trees and the date on the calendar assure me that we are indeed in Fall and racing into Winter. Our summer and fall have been filled with client outings, special events, and new homes.

At the end of summer, much was happening at Orchard Village. First, we found relief in the changes in COVID protocols and have been getting together again in person. Many of our staff and most of our clients are now fully vaccinated and boosted. Staff and program participants still wear masks in all program areas, but residents are not required to wear them in their homes. Also, outdoors they don’t have to wear masks either. I am happy to say these changes have allowed us to gather and socialize again.

We held our 30th Annual Golf Classic on August 8, with 74 golfers helping raise more than $80,000 for Orchard Village programs. Thank you to Corey Noland and Jake Goldstein for co-chairing, and thanks to committee members: Steve Green, Christine Hadley, Mike Leong, Paul O’Connor, and Steve Witz for making this event a success.

After a year’s hiatus, the annual White Sox Developmental Disability Awareness Night happened this year on October 4. Thirty-eight Orchard Village clients, staff, and one intern joined more than 900 people from other Chicago-area agencies that support individuals with developmental disabilities for a special night at Guaranteed Rate Field to watch the Sox play the Twins. The Orchard Village group enjoyed tailgating before the event and had a great time at the game. Thank you to our Board members Steve Witz and Catherine Palin for helping to underwrite this great evening for our Orchard Village crew.

Recently, we also hosted a Halloween party for clients and their families. Thanks to all the Orchard Village staff members, especially the DSPs and residential staff who helped clients with their costumes and drove them to the event. About 100 program participants and their families had a spooktacular time. (Check out the pictures of all the costumes on our website).

On the home front, I’m happy to report that folks have moved into our two newest houses and are loving their new homes. Thank you to all the donors who have made gifts and pledges to the “Here We Grow Campaign.” Your support helped us to renovate these new homes and make them more accessible for our residents. We truly appreciate you and all you do for our residents.

We also started renovating the new Day Program and Behavioral Health Clinic building. We purchased the building across the street from our current Day Program building on Marmora Avenue. With this new building and its renovation, we will be able to serve even more InnOVations and DiscOVer program participants. We also will have a larger space dedicated to our new Behavioral Health Clinic. This renovation will allow us to offer individual and group counseling to many more people with developmental disabilities and mental illness diagnoses.

To learn more about the campaign, please contact me directly at 847-583-7730 or Susan_Kaufman@orchardvillage.org or contact Joseph Like, Vice President of Development, at 847-583-7734 or joseph_like@orchardvillage.org.

Be sure to save the date for our Winter Holiday Party on December 8 at the Skokie Holiday Inn from 5:30 – 8 PM. Guests will enjoy dinner, entertainment, games, and activities, and presents for the clients. Tickets are $40 for staff and family members; clients’ tickets are $10. Register online at www.orchardvillage.org/events. Also, mark your calendars for our Annual Blossom Gala on April 29 at the Loews Hotel in Rosemont. More information will be available soon.

As always, thank you for your interest and continued support of Orchard Village!

Susan Kaufman
President & CEO