KEEN Chicago

KEEN Chicago provides free recreational opportunities to children and young adults with disabilities.

06/04/2026

What a fantastic day on the trails with our friends at Out Our Front Door!

Eight KEEN athletes enjoyed an adaptive bike ride of 6–8 miles last weekend, soaking up the sunshine, building confidence, staying active, and making memories along the way. The highlight? A well-deserved ice cream stop to cool off and celebrate a great ride! We are so grateful to our partners at Out Our Front Door for creating inclusive opportunities that allow athletes of all abilities to experience the joy, freedom, and adventure of cycling.

Thank you to the volunteers, families, and supporters who helped make this special day possible. Registration is OPEN NOW for our Adaptive Overnight Bike Camping Trip!

July 17–18
Camp Sullivan
Join us for an unforgettable overnight experience filled with recreation, friendship, and fun.

ID: 4 images are shown from the May 30, 2026 adaptive bike ride with Out Our Front Door. In 3 of the photos, a KEEN Chicago Athlete is shown in the front of a adaptive Pino bike, and, an Out Our Front Door rides in the back. In the fourth photo an athlete/volunteer pair are shown alongside a KEEN Chicago team member, other participants are seen in the background. Everyone is smiling.

06/01/2026

This Pride Month, KEEN Chicago proudly celebrates and supports LGBTQ+ athletes, families, volunteers, and community members. Research from both the NIH and The Trevor Project highlights that autistic and disabled individuals are significantly more likely to identify as LGBTQ+, reminding us how important inclusive, affirming, and welcoming spaces truly are.

The Trevor Project also found that LGBTQ+ youth with disabilities experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and discrimination than their peers, reinforcing the need for communities grounded in acceptance, safety, and belonging.

Today and every day, we celebrate the many intersectional identities within our KEEN community and honor every person who shows up authentically as themselves. We are especially grateful for the volunteers who identify within the LGBTQ+ community and help create programs where all youth can feel seen, respected, and valued. 🌈

05/28/2026

Save the date for KEENFest 2026! 🎉

Join us on October 8, 2026 at The Arbory in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood for an unforgettable evening supporting inclusive recreation and sports opportunities for youth with disabilities across Chicagoland. 💜💚

More information coming soon, including ticket sales, auction details, and event highlights.

Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Reach out to learn how your company or organization can partner with KEEN Chicago to make an impact! Email [email protected] to secure your sponsorship today!

ID: A colorful “Save the Date” graphic for KEENFest 2026 featuring string lights, bold blue and purple design elements, and a photo of guests playing a dice game at a past event. The graphic includes the event date, October 8, 2026, and location, The Arbory, along with the KEEN Chicago logo.

05/26/2026

We had so much fun during our Spring 2026 season! 💜💚 From swimming and sports to special events and new friendships, our athletes and volunteers made this season unforgettable. We can’t wait to see everyone back for our summer programs! ☀️🏀🏊

ID: A collage featuring participants and volunteers from KEEN Chicago’s Spring 2026 season enjoying adaptive recreation activities including swimming, group events, sports, and trampoline play. The design includes bright photos of smiling athletes engaged in inclusive programming against a blue background with “KEEN Chicago Spring 2026!” text.

05/21/2026

🇺🇸 KEEN Chicago programs will not meet this weekend in observance of Memorial Day.

05/19/2026

Sports has the power to change lives. Last week, KEEN Chicago's Executive Director, Laura Fillenwarth, joined advocates from across Illinois to speak up for the power of youth sports and recreation. Every child deserves a place to play, grow, build confidence, and belong.

At KEEN Chicago, youth with disabilities have the opportunity to try new recreational activities, discover the sports they love, and build lifelong habits that support emotional and physical wellbeing. Beyond play, our programs help youth develop important life skills including problem solving, turn taking, rule following, self-regulation, building friendships, and more.

For many of the athletes we serve, KEEN is one of the few places where they have the opportunity to fully participate in sports and recreation. Through inclusive, supportive, and safe spaces, we are helping reduce isolation, strengthen community connection, and create environments where youth can thrive.

We are grateful for the opportunity to share our impact alongside peers who are also making a difference in the Sports-Based Youth Development space. The best is yet to come. 💙

Image Description: Advocates and nonprofit leaders pose on the grand staircase inside the Illinois State Capitol holding signs that read messages such as “Every Kid Deserves a Place to Play” and “Fund Youth Sports = Fund Youth Futures.”

05/16/2026

☀️ Camp KEEN summer registration closes soon!
📧 Check your email for summer program registration information and sign up links.
📆 Be sure to register before May 17th!

05/13/2026

☀️ Camp KEEN registration is now OPEN!

KEEN families, be sure to check your email for summer program registration information and sign up links. We can’t wait for another summer full of adventure, friendship, and fun! 💙💚💜

Be sure to register before May 17th to save your spot in your favorite summer sessions!

Address

Chicago, IL
60609

Telephone

+13128762535

Website

http://www.keenchicago.org/

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