News

Six Orchard Village clients participated in the State Special Olympics at Illinois State University in Bloomington/Normal in June after winning gold medals at the local Track and Field event in May. Alex got gold in the softball throw and Ira in the 800m run! Our clients train with their coaches for months and compete against their peers in regional and state competitions in their chosen sporting events. Our clients traveled 3 hours to Normal, Illinois, and stayed in dormitories at Illinois State University. Sleeping and eating in the dorms is exciting and gives athletes a unique ...

InnOVations celebrated its one year anniversary July 5, 2018. InnOVations is Orchard Village’s vocationally-focused skills building day program. Through both formal and informal training, participants obtain marketable vocational skills that match their goals, interests, and aptitudes, while increasing their employability for competitive jobs in the labor market. Clients have the opportunity to sample different work experiences and environments and are provided with varied opportunities to participate in work-site activities at over 10 different community based work ...

This fall, Orchard Village partnered with the Niles West DECA students of Niles Township High School District 219. DECA (Distributed Education Clubs of America) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. Niles West DECA has been sponsoring and participating in fun activities and events with our clients including game nights, holiday events and more. On Wednesday, December 13, the DECA students hosted their final community service event: a ...

Orchard Village celebrated the opening of its new Activity Center on June 26th, with over 100 guests in attendance. Two dozen clients helped to break in the new 5200 sq. ft. multi-use building located at 7672 Marmora Ave., in Skokie, shooting hoops, playing games, and painting flower pots, prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Donald Bielinski, Orchard Village Board Chair, Larry Suffredin, Cook County Commissioner and Allison Stark, Orchard Village President & CEO led the festivities and welcomed guests. The Activity Center will be home to Abilities in Motion, a new ...

Orchard Village is proud to have been selected as one of only a handful of organizations across Illinois to receive, through a competitive grant process, significant State funding to support individuals (specifically, those currently attending a day program or sheltered workshop) in their efforts to obtain community-based employment. The grant, known as the “Employment First Balancing Incentive Program” (EFBIP), was awarded by the Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities in October. EFBIP supports Orchard Village’s efforts to identify, ...