The Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) began with one humble bowling program and one summer camp in 1976.
Back then, we knew the mission was to change the lives of people with special needs. Over the course of the next four-plus decades, we grew to offer dozens of programs each season and serve hundreds of children, teens and adults right here in DuPage County. Throughout that phenomenal growth, we stayed true to our mission.
We credit our success with the ability to listen, learn and adapt. It is, after all, the nature of our business.
That continued as we approached the development of our 2026 Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan will guide us over the next three years. We will continue to remain grounded in our Mission, Vision and Core Values. Specific goals will be built around the themes of culture, partnerships, service excellence, talent management and sustainability. These are the themes that ensure we are forward-driven.
As part of our development process, we engaged stakeholders on a listening tour. We invited families, partners, part-time staff, volunteers, donors and sponsors to share their thoughts about the future. We heard one theme loud and clear. It was that our Mission and Vision did not go far enough. The overwhelming direction was to make it more impactful and inclusive. We whole-heartedly agreed.
We are proud to announce that the new Mission and Vision leading us into future years is…
- MISSION – We enrich lives, connect communities and create fun through inclusive recreational opportunities.
- VISION – A world of opportunities, belonging and individuals reaching their full potential.
We want to thank everyone for their feedback and look forward to creating a better future for all.
To learn more about WDSRA, visit www.wdsra.com.
