Center For Enriched Living (CEL)
CEL provides valuable programs and services for teens , adults, and seniors with IDD, making inclusion a lived experience.
Our mission is to enrich the lives of individuals with IDD by maximizing their opportunities for personal success, fun, friendship, employment, and community involvement.
CEL equips students and educators with tools to understand, embrace, and advocate for disability inclusion (through the recent integration of The Nora Project into CEL’s offerings).
CEL offers a variety of programs and services to meet individual interests, including Adult Day Programs for post-transition, Social and Recreation programs to meet new people and experience new opportunities (offered 7-days a week), Employment services to help individuals find meaningful and gainful employment in their home community, a Family Resource Center to offer mental health and wellness support, and curricula for young people with and without disabilities to build empathy, connection, and a sense of belonging – values at the heart of CEL.
CEL supports a diverse group of individuals of all abilities, ages, backgrounds and interests. We foster a person-centered philosophy in the programs we offer, supports we provide and community involvement we seek. Additionally, while CEL takes great pride in our 20,000 square foot, universally designed facility, many of our programs are spent in the community: locally in addition to across Chicagoland and Wisconsin areas. CEL is independently funded and partners with the community for donations, regular volunteers, advocacy, and collaborations that support people with IDD.
Services
REACH Adult Day Program provides year-round, weekday, community-based opportunities and activities for continued learning and growth for adults who have finished high school or are at least 18 years old.
Catalyst Adult Day Program provides year-round weekday instruction, focused on increasing confidence, life skills competency, development of previously learned and new skills, and supporting independence goals. Available for adults who have finished high school or are at least 18 years old.
Social and Recreation programs, events, and excursions encourage individuals to embrace a dynamic community where they can pursue new interests, develop skills, meet new friends, and, most importantly, have fun! Programs are offered 7 days a week with a large variety of options.
Employment Opportunities Program supports individuals seeking paid employment opportunities. From resume writing, interviewing, and skill building to job coaching and continued on-the-job support, members are empowered to secure and keep gainful employment in their community that matches their personal skills and interests.
Robert Vihon Family Resource Center offers mental health and wellness support for the local community.
The Nora Project promotes disability inclusion by empowering educators and engaging students and communities through a suite of programs that dive deeply into the concepts of empathy and inclusion, explicitly addressing disability and difference as a part of human diversity.