News

Dear Friends of Orchard Village, I’m excited to share some Fall 2024 highlights from the vibrant community here at Orchard Village. This autumn season has been filled with celebrations, basketball, community-building activities, and plenty of joy and delight, all thanks to your continued support and commitment to our mission. Happy ghosts and goblins appeared in our Activity Center during Orchard Village’s annual Halloween Party on October 24. The creativity of program participants and staff was simply amazing. Party-goers donned fantastic costumes, transforming into ...

Caleb and Isaac are the newest success stories in Orchard Village’s InnOVations program, a vocational training and job placement that teaches independence and workplace readiness. Through partnerships with the community and the guidance of vocational team member Megan Green, these two young secured new jobs—Caleb at DD’s Discounts and Isaac at Five Below. Isaac joined Five Below in April and has quickly adapted to his role, stocking items from candy to water bottles. When he wore his Five Below uniform for the first time, he smiled with pride at this new step toward independence. ...

The holiday season is a time for giving and Orchard Village invites you to join us in making the season brighter for the individuals we support. Our annual Holiday Gift Drive is underway, and we are collecting gifts to bring joy to the lives of Orchard Village program participants. This year’s wish list includes both practical and fun items that will help our programs support their participants. Some of the gifts on the list include: Headphones and clock radios for music and entertainment Compact discs to enjoy their favorite tunes Clothing items such as t-shirts, sneakers, sweatpants, ...

This Giving Tuesday, make a meaningful gift and impact in the lives of individuals with disabilities. Giving Tuesday isn't just a day to donate—it’s a chance for you to ensure our participants blossom. Every gift seeds programs like residential support, job training, recreational therapy, and social engagement, ensuring that each person we serve has the resources needed to grow and thrive. Your contribution goes directly to empowering our community members to reach their full potential. Through your support, participants build skills, connect with their peers, and find joy in ...

Orchard Village always seeks creative ways to support the people it serves, and this year, the powerful role of music therapy takes center stage. Sharon Lord, Training Coordinator,  whose passion for music has been lifelong leads this new program. She learned piano at just seven, picked up guitar a year later, and eventually learned the flute, viola, and several other instruments. Her talent and dedication led her to DePaul University, where she studied music therapy. After a 25-year career as a music therapist, Sharon began working at Orchard Village as a Qualified Intellectual ...

In September, Orchard Village partnered with the Knights of Columbus Skokie #3243 and Nile #4338 for the annual Tootsie Roll Tag Days. Staff, OV participants, and volunteers collected funds for programs. Volunteers collected donations and handed out Tootsie Rolls and bookmarks at Jewel-Osco in Niles, Fresh Farms in Niles, and Jimmy John's in Skokie. Additionally, the Burke Scholars at Notre Dame College Prep School collected on behalf of Orchard Village. The Burke Scholars Program at Notre Dame College Prep provides an inclusive Catholic high school education for young men with mild ...

Excitement filled the Orchard Village Activity Center on October 29th as our Special Olympics team, the Blossoms, hit the court to challenge Orchard Village (OV) staff in a high-energy basketball showdown. Cheers erupted as players showcased skill, teamwork, and love for the game. Guided by coach and Therapeutic Recreation Manager Carly Bell, the Blossoms launched an impressive game strategy. Coached by Carl La Mell, dedicated board member, the staff team, which included Josh Kinser, Femi Matimoju, Robert Murphy, Treadious Brown, Connie Ball, and Temi Atetayo, brought their best, ...

Since 2012, Therese Rakushin has been a vibrant part of Orchard Village, dedicating her time to making every event special. She’s staffed the Blossom Gala, cheered on models at fashion shows, organized holiday gift-giving, and brought festive spirit to Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, and seasonal parties. She has even stepped in as a hairstylist at our residential homes, adding a personal touch to her volunteering. But where Therese truly lights up is during bingo games, watching clients beam with excitement as they call out “Bingo!” Therese’s journey with Orchard Village ...

What do you get when you mix a sun-soaked day, a stunning golf course, and golfers with a heart of gold? Orchard Village’s 32nd Annual Golf Outing at beautiful Westmoreland Country Club! This year’s event wasn’t just about hitting the perfect drive; it was about driving change and making a real difference in the lives of the people with developmental disabilities whom we support. Clear skies and a gentle breeze set the perfect stage for a day of friendly competition and unforgettable moments. As golfers navigated the fairways, they knew that each swing was more than just a shot at a ...

A warm and welcoming atmosphere filled the air on July 11 as Orchard Village celebrated the opening of its newly established client residence in Skokie. The lovely three-bedroom, three-bathroom home is the 10th community-integrated group home in Orchard Village’s residential services program. Orchard Village provides supervised and independent housing for nearly 70 individuals living in Skokie, Morton Grove, Park Ridge, and Glenview. Guests were offered tours of the house and future residents were especially enthusiastic, as they explored what would soon become a new home. ...