Above / Large windows welcome natural light throughout the new home for Little Friends where a spacious playground is the centerpiece, featuring many outdoor activities that will provide accessibility and enjoyment for all students. The one-level facility, located at 27555 Diehl Road in Warrenville, houses Little Friends’ Center for Autism, Krejci Academy, Mansion High School, Respite Family Services, as well as Residential and Administrative offices, building on the success of the multi-faceted human services agency founded in Naperville in 1965.
It has been almost a month to the day that we began the final stages of our move to a new facility. The process of packing up and moving from a location we’d occupied since 1975 was daunting to say the least. Saying goodbye to some of our older furniture and pieces that had served us well over the years had its challenges.
It would be fair to say that several truckloads of items were brought over and later returned knowing we were moving ahead with newer items. I don’t think the process of moving a business is too different from moving a residence except you have more to move as a business! The emotional angst that comes with departing things considered tried and true was tough.
Yet, here we now are with a new facility for so many and space to grow as need dictates. The school classrooms to start in January were solely occupied by teachers and staff as we continued to work remotely. By mid-month we were on a 50/50 hybrid schedule of onsite and remote learning, and the last week of January we have opened all of our classrooms with plans to operate in full onsite mode. First impressions would appear that the kids love their new space.
The classrooms that used to operate with “gently used” items are now filled with new furniture and updated technology that give us state-of-the-art capabilities. This new environment is exciting for our children and even more exciting for our teachers and staff as they utilize the new tools and technologies at their disposal.
While the school’s new normal provides a growth path for years to come, we also have opened a new and upgraded Center for Autism to help children and families with evaluations, therapies, and social groups. The new facility with these updated spaces is another exciting opportunity and resource for families in the days to come. Little Friends has made a significant investment and commitment to the communities we serve.
The commitment is not a new normal, but where we are at and how we do it is! We look forward to sharing this with families in the time to come!
