Message from Rich – A Note From our CEO

Dear Friends & Donors of Little City, 

Advocacy remains at the heart of everything we do. Over the past several months, our team has traveled to Springfield and Washington, D.C., advocating for the critical needs of the children and adults we serve. We are working tirelessly to protect Medicaid, secure essential transition services for youth moving into adult living arrangements, and push for fair wages for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). Through strong partnerships with our state and federal associations, we continue to make sure the voices of those we serve are heard loud and clear. 

Amid these efforts, we also celebrate the incredible achievements of our Little City Bulls basketball team, who recently brought home the gold at the Special Olympics state tournament! With spring in full bloom, our Special Olympics programs are ramping up, and we can’t wait to see more of our athletes shine! 

In other news, as I shared in our most recent appeal, we have the opportunity to expand our Autism Spectrum Engagement program into a larger space at our Countryside Center. I ask you to learn more about this impactful project and consider supporting this initiative here: www.LittleCity.org/ASE 

Earlier this month, we opened a new community behavioral health center in Chicago dedicated to serving youth with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and mental health needs, and expanding access to vital mental health services for Medicaid-eligible children and families in the community. This incredible resource is made possible through a significant grant from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. 

Looking ahead, we’re preparing for some exciting upcoming events. On April 22, we will celebrate Earth Day with a special event on campus, and in May, we will kick off our much-anticipated annual plant sale. We also recently launched Life in Motion, a private-pay recreational resource for individuals—whether or not they are on the state waiting list—offering meaningful daily activities to enhance their quality of life. 

And be sure to check the back page for our upcoming signature events: our Annual Gala on May 3 and the Little City Invitational Golf Classic on June 16! 

Despite the challenges we may face this year, our resolve remains stronger than ever. We will always put the people we serve and their families first, advocating every day to ensure they have the resources, opportunities, and support they deserve. Thank you for standing with us, for your advocacy, and for helping us fulfill our mission. 

Sincerely,  

Rich Bobby  

Chief Executive Officer