OAK PARK, IL, November 1, 2018 – Oak-Leyden Developmental Services has been generously awarded grants from the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation and the Russell and Josephine Kott Memorial Charitable Trust. The grants will further the mission of Oak-Leyden to help children and adults with developmental disabilities meet life’s challenges and reach their highest potential.
Both grant awards were presented to Oak-Leyden at the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation’s “Thanksgiving in October” event, held at the Nineteenth Century Club on October 18, 2018. $8,000 in funds for independent community-integrated living arrangements was granted from the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation. $30,000 in funds to support the development of two senior spaces for older adults with developmental disabilities was received from the Russell and Josephine Kott Memorial Charitable Trust.
“Oak-Leyden’s ability to offer more community-integrated housing options for developmentally disabled adults will be greatly enhanced,” says Bertha G. Magaña, Executive Director of Oak-Leyden Developmental Services, “Additionally, for our residents who are aging rapidly due to their disabilities, to be able to spend their days enjoying an appropriate setting and programming will greatly enhance their quality of life as they age in place.”
The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation is dedicated to engaging people and mobilizing resources to strengthen community. The Russell & Josephine Kott Memorial Charitable Trust honors the lives of Russell and Josephine Kott. Their bequest created a resource that provides funding each year to support a range of charitable organizations that improve the lives of individuals, with an emphasis on gerontology.
Oak-Leyden Developmental Services provides life-changing support to more than 500 children and adults with developmental disabilities each year. The organization delivers high quality programming for people with developmental disabilities living in western Cook County in three areas: Children’s Services, Residential Services and Lifelong Learning. To learn more, visit www.oak-leyden.org.
For more information on how you can support Oak-Leyden Developmental Services, contact Lori Malinski, Director of Development at 708-524-1050 ext. 102.