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The story starts with an empty coffin and an idea. Luke has been here before and knows this is no scary story. In fact, Luke has always had a special way of making life out of death. Even from the moment he was born, Luke wasn’t breathing. So he was rushed to a Munich hospital with his parents – who met and fell in love through their mutual survival of concentration camps – and he was revived. Luke, born out of the ashes of war, had snatched life out of death. That empty coffin doesn’t stay empty for long in Luke’s world. He makes it a beautiful piece of art and often a tribute to one of his favorite composers whether it is Beethoven or Mendelssohn. At 72 years old and after a lifetime of critical acclaim for his art from places such as the Art Institute and Northwestern University, Luke is still making something out of nothing and changing the morose into magnificence. “He still has flashes of brilliance,” said Little City Center for the Arts Director Frank Tumino as he held up a...

To hear it from Lois, age is just a number. “I love it here,” she said of Cedar Home, where she currently lives. “I still like to go out and be with friends.” At 73 years old, Lois is still young at heart and eager to be out and about as much as she can. But the reality is age can make a difference – both for the person and the home in which he or she lives. Just four years ago, Lois was still independent enough to live in a Supported Living Arrangement (SLA), which is nearly complete independence as residents live in their own apartment, can cook their own food and maintain their own personal care and living space. But physical and health complications began to happen more regularly for Lois, prompting her move to the Cedar Home, which is a Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) where staff is on site 24/7 to assist the residents who share the home. Crystal Valley, manager of the Cedar Home, said Lois now uses a walker and has a higher risk of falling – the most recent...

David F. is a 67-year old Little City resident with developmental disabilities who is quickly aging out of his current home. David has lived at Little City’s Cherry Home for seven years. And while David – who is now legally blind – has needs that have changed, the home has remained virtually the same. Within the next four years, 65 percent of Little City’s adult residential population will be over 50 years old. And as the residents age, their needs and level of care increases. Whether it is walkers, handrails or modifications in bathrooms, Little City currently does not have the proper equipment or space to meet the rapidly growing needs of the residents in our community homes. With no handrails or any tools to assist the visually impaired, David must feel his way around his own home – reaching out for walls or furniture to not only prevent himself from falling but to also know if he is walking into his own room, a bathroom or a housemate’s room. Even the light switches, which are...

This story written by Little City Coach Maggie Brennan Two new friends bound by one hug from someone with Down syndrome. Special Olympics State Games were approaching and 18 athletes from Little City were participating in their final practices, packing their suitcases, grabbing their pillows and blankets and making their way to the Recreation Center on an early Friday morning. For most, this was the weekend they had been looking forward to pretty much all year. The moment they received their gold medals at their qualifying events they started counting down the days until we left for Bloomington. For Simone, this was her story. For others, this wasn’t their story. For some, this weekend led to anxiety over a new schedule for the weekend, the fear of not knowing where we were going and not having gone in the past. And for some people, this anxiety gets expressed physically. For Stavi, this was her story. Day One: Stavi was anxious about taking the bus ride to a place she did not...

The 2019 Little City Special Olympics team is proof that big things can come in small packages. Whether it is the big-time strength of Jimmy S. – who swept his powerlifting competition to take home four gold medals, the big heart of Simone who helped a first-time Summer Games athlete feel safe instead of nervous or the impressive haul of 37 medals despite a team of only 18 athletes, Little City did big things at the 2019 Illinois Special Olympics Summer Games. In all, the team won 18 gold, 11 silver and eight bronze medals. The competition, held on the weekend of June 7 in Bloomington, had more than 4,000 athletes from around the state gather to compete in swimming, track and field, gymnastics, soccer, powerlifting and bocce. Head coach Tim Lahart said it was a memorable year for the group, in part because of the unique accomplishments. Little City had one of its youngest competitors ever in Wyatt E. and oldest competitors ever in Jerry R., win gold medals while first timers Cindy...

CHICAGO – Little City celebrated its 60th anniversary in style Saturday at The Drake Hotel, raising well over $500,000 for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The elegant event attended by 320 people honored the pioneers of Little City and the incredible growth of the nonprofit into one of the nation’s premier service providers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Today, Little City serves more than 1,100 people through services that include residential, recreational, employment, educational and foster care and adoption. “Standing here tonight among some of the very first people who had the vision and passion to grow Little City in to what is today is truly humbling,” said Little City Executive Director Shawn Jeffers. “What sets Little City apart is its people. We have had very special people support us for 60 years now and, as this night showed, we know that will continue for the next 60 and beyond.” Among the most influential...