Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) Foundation was one of 25 nonprofit organizations in DuPage County to receive a grant from the 2013 Spring Community Needs Grant Cycle of The DuPage Community Foundation based in Wheaton.
Awarded during a special distribution breakfast in June at Glen Oak Country Club in Glen Ellyn, DCF Grant Committee Member Betsy Brosnan presented WDSRA Foundation Trustee Jeff Hayden and WDSRA Executive Director Sandy Gbur with the $5,000 grant in support of the Rec & Roll day program, a community-based leisure program for adults with special needs.
The Rec & Roll is a therapeutic-based day program designed for individuals 18-55 years old with a developmental disability. Presented from 9AM to 2PM Monday through Friday at various locations, participants can choose how and when they attend so that it can accommodate the individual’s or family’s schedule.
Therapeutic recreation uses education and recreation services to help people with disabilities develop new skills, reinforce current skills, learn to make leisure a part of their life, and enhance their quality of life. Rec & Roll focuses on leisure independence, social interaction, community integration, educational development, and service. Incorporated as a regular part of the program, participants work on daily living skills, computer training, fitness, music and art therapy, and more.
Rec & Roll fills the void presented when individuals graduate from high school. Started in February 2005 with four participants, the program has grown to serve more than 100 participants at three different locations in Carol Stream-1, Glen Ellyn and Naperville. The fourth location planned for Carol Stream Fountain View is expected to open this fall.
It is important that community members see people with disabilities, integrated on a regular basis, interacting, giving back and making a difference. With that in mind, Rec & Roll has created numerous partnerships over the years including local businesses, transition homes, service groups, educational facilities, intergenerational homes, city and village groups, etc.
DuPage Community Foundation Grant Committee Member Betsy Brosnan (left) presents WDSRA Foundation Trustee Jeff Hayden and WDSRA Executive Director Sandy Gbur with a $5,000 grant in support of the Rec & Roll day program, a community-based leisure program for adults with special needs.
For more information about the DuPage Community Foundation, contact Michael R. Sitrick, director of development, at (630) 665-5556 or msitrick@dcfdn.org.
For information about giving opportunities to WDSRA, contact Lea Jackman, superintendent of communications and development, at (630) 681-0962 ext 580.
For information about many other programs and opportunities provided by Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, visit www.wdsra.com.
Photo courtesy DPCF via Western DuPage Special Recreation Association
