News

The sun shined and faces smiled as golfers arrived at the beautiful Westmoreland Country Club for Orchard Village’s 31st Annual Golf Classic on August 8th. The day started with a putting clinic held by our Day Program Coordinator Dan Leonard with assistance from Denise P., who has been learning golf as part of the therapeutic recreation program. Soon after, golfers enjoyed a bloody Mary bar and delicious buffet lunch followed by a noon shotgun start. Out on the course, Ross Smith was the winner of our jackpot birdie prize.  J.P. Bitting won the Golden Ticket prize of a fabulous vacation ...

Our InnOVations and DiscOVer day programs recently joined the Skokie Park District’s Adopt-a-Park program. Once a week, program participants visit Oakton Park to pick up litter and ensure that all playground equipment is in good condition. While cleaning the area, they also inspect the park for any damage or areas that need improvement. On October 14th, 2022, Orchard Village received a plaque from Skokie Park District Superintendent Corrie Guynn commemorating our dedication to keeping Oakton Park beautiful. We hope to adopt one to two more parks next year when they become available.

Imagine never having experienced the joy of riding a bike. You'd never have felt the power and freedom of zipping along under the strength of your legs. Never felt the wind rushing past you and seeing the landscape flying by... Some of the participants in our adult day programs recently rode a bike for the first time, thanks to grants from the Evanston Bicycle Club and the Oliver-Hoffmann Foundation. With funding from the Evanston Bicycle Club we purchased a new recumbent bike, and with a grant from the Oliver-Hoffmann Foundation we bought three adaptive bikes. The recumbent bike sits lower to ...

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 ...

Orchard Village brings people together, and that couldn’t be more true for Anne and Steve. Residents of Orchard Village’s Intermittent Program, they met in an apartment building where they lived right next door to each other. The attraction was mutual, and the community supported their romance. After dating for a while, they married at a church in Skokie surrounded by family and friends. After the ceremony, they celebrated at White Eagle in Niles. They have been married for 23 years as of September. Today, Anne and Steve enjoy spending time together, especially going to community ...

As part of Orchard Village’s “Here We Grow” campaign, we are happy to announce that we’ve purchased two larger, more accessible homes to meet the changing housing needs of our residents. These homes will replace three of our smaller, less accessible, older homes. In May, residents moved into our first new home in Skokie. In August, we held an open house at our second new home, in Park Ridge, and hosted residents, family members, staff, board members, and our neighbors. The neighbors, even the previous owner of the home, stopped by to check out our new renovations. Eight residents ...

In May nearly 200 guests gathered at the Loews Hotel in Chicago for the 35th Annual Blossom Gala. The evening began with cocktails and a silent auction. Guests then entered the flower-filled ballroom for a champagne toast, led by Steven Witz, chair of the 50th Anniversary Committee, to celebrate Orchard Village’s 50th birthday. Gala Chairman, Doug Miller, then welcomed guests and introduced his daughter who receives services through Orchard Village. The evening included highlights of people who have devoted so much time and energy to Orchard Village including Donna and Leonard ...

Do you know who is listed as the beneficiary of your retirement accounts? It’s a good idea to regularly review the beneficiaries of your retirement plans, life insurance policies, trusts, and even bank accounts. The individuals or organizations listed as your beneficiary on your accounts will be the recipient of the balance of these accounts when you die, despite what your will might say. For example, if a will lists a current spouse as the recipient of a retirement plan but the beneficiary form on file lists a previous spouse, the former spouse will be the sole beneficiary of the balance of ...

The Lost Party at the Skokie Public Library In early March, Orchard Village's OVation Players and Still Point Theatre Collective performed The Lost Party at the Skokie Public Library Auditorium. It was a clever, dramatic, fun, and creative theatrical performance that capped a 16-week program held at Orchard Village's Activity Center. The program emphasized movement, expression, self-awareness, empowerment, and social engagement. Still Point's programming had a powerful effect on the performers.  Weekly workshops were collaborative, cumulative, and integrated family ...

Orchard Village Supported Living Coordinator Eva Kelly recently received the NAQ Spotlight Award, an honor given to outstanding professionals in the developmental disabilities field. Kasey Ornelas, Senior Director of Programs, nominated Eva for the many roles she has had during her 30+ years as an Orchard Village employee. Eva started as a Program Manager in the former Janitorial Training Program through the vocational department. She has also been a respite coordinator, helping families recharge by providing in-home respite care using trained caretakers, as well as a Special ...