CEL - Center for Enriched Living

CEL - Center for Enriched Living Every person is valued and belongs, and disability is embraced as part of the human experience.

We are a privately funded non-profit agency serving the social needs of people of all ages with developmental and intellectual disabilities – such as Down syndrome, autism, and Fragile X syndrome. The Center is the place that brings friends and peers together – to benefit from lifelong learning and enrichment, to enjoy social activities, and to be an active part of the community. The Center has been serving the Chicagoland-area for more than 50 years.

CELebrating Liz! 🧡Join us in celebrating Liz as she hits an incredible 10-year milestone at CEL! CEL staff recently gath...
08/30/2026

CELebrating Liz! 🧡

Join us in celebrating Liz as she hits an incredible 10-year milestone at CEL! CEL staff recently gathered to celebrate and recognize a decade of Liz being an important part of our team.

As our Office Assistant, Liz is often one of the first people you’ll see when you walk through the doors of CEL. Whether she’s greeting members, welcoming visitors, or helping keep things running behind the scenes, her warm smile and friendly personality help make CEL a welcoming place for everyone.

To make the milestone even more special, Liz was gifted a wonderful piece of artwork created by CEL members to celebrate her 10 years at CEL. It was a thoughtful way to recognize the positive impact she has made and the connections she has built over the years.

We’re so grateful for all Liz brings to CEL each day and for the past 10 years she has spent supporting our team and community. Congratulations, Liz! We’re so glad to celebrate this milestone with you! 🧡

Interested in becoming part of Team CEL? We’re hiring! Visit ExperienceCEL.org/careers to explore current opportunities.

REACH members are always on the move!Getting out into the community gives members opportunities to build independence, d...
08/29/2026

REACH members are always on the move!

Getting out into the community gives members opportunities to build independence, develop skills, connect with others, and have fun while experiencing all that their community has to offer.

Members spend much of their time exploring the community, building friendships, trying new experiences, and making choices about how they want to spend their day.

From parks and playgrounds to restaurants, museums, and exciting local attractions, there’s always something new to explore!

REACH members are making connections, trying new things, and experiencing life’s possibilities!

Interested in learning more about REACH? Visit ExperienceCEL.org/REACH.

CEL is lucky to have staff members who choose to spend their own time in CEL programs, even after their workday ends. Me...
08/28/2026

CEL is lucky to have staff members who choose to spend their own time in CEL programs, even after their workday ends. Meet Becky A., CEL's Operations Supervisor, who also volunteers across a variety of social recreation and fundraising events.

Becky has been volunteering with CEL since September 2025, saying, "I love the members and wanted to get more involved in the activities they do."

She describes her time at CEL as "extremely rewarding" and shares why it matters to her: "CEL gives so many opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to have fun and do things out of their comfort zone that they may not go do on their own."

One of Becky's favorite parts of volunteering is getting to know the members: "I love all their different personalities. They are so much fun."

Her favorite memories come from watching members step outside their comfort zone. She shared, "I like it when a member does something they don't normally do or tries something new. Recently at the Splash Party, a member tried an art project who usually doesn't, and that was a win for me. I also love when they enjoy the crafts I put together on Friday nights, like the snails, book flowers, tape decorating, bucket hats, tie-dye, flag pins, and Shrinky D***s." Becky supplies the materials for these crafts herself, bringing her own creativity to Friday Art nights.

Her advice for anyone considering volunteering? "Just give it a try. You would be surprised how much you will enjoy it."

Interested in becoming a volunteer like Becky? Visit ExperienceCEL.org/volunteer to learn more.

CELebrating Our CEL Staff! 🧡 While we’re on our program break this week, we’re taking time to CELebrate the incredible s...
08/26/2026

CELebrating Our CEL Staff! 🧡

While we’re on our program break this week, we’re taking time to CELebrate the incredible staff who make everything we do possible. Our team enjoyed a Staff Appreciation event featuring delicious grilled cheese from Chef’s Night tasting partner Toasty Cheese Mobile Eatery, music, and time to connect with coworkers. We’re grateful for the dedication, compassion, and hard work our staff bring to supporting our members and families each day.

They’re grate, they’re gouda, and they’re a big part of what makes CEL special! We loved taking a little time to celebrate the people who help make it all happen.

We’re also hiring at CEL! Learn more about our current openings at ExperienceCEL.org/careers.

Give your old athletic shoes a new purpose! 👟🧡Do you have worn-out sneakers collecting dust in your closet? Have your ki...
08/25/2026

Give your old athletic shoes a new purpose! 👟🧡

Do you have worn-out sneakers collecting dust in your closet? Have your kids outgrown last season's cleats? Instead of throwing them away, drop them off at CEL!

As part of his Bar Mitzvah, Dylan Weinberg is leading a Tikkun Olam service project in partnership with "Got Sneakers" to collect gently used and worn-out sneakers, rubber cleats, and golf shoes of any size or condition. The proceeds from his shoe drive will be donated to the CEL's The Nora Project to support building inclusive classrooms and communities!

Please bring your shoe donations to the box inside our foyer.

📍 Drop-Off Location:
Center for Enriched Living (CEL)
280 Saunders Road
Riverwoods, IL 60015

Thank you for helping make a difference, one pair of sneakers at a time!

Fidgets aren’t toys, they’re tools! Despite the appearance of playing with a toy, fidgets are doing important work. By k...
08/24/2026

Fidgets aren’t toys, they’re tools!

Despite the appearance of playing with a toy, fidgets are doing important work. By keeping our hands busy with repetitive motion, we channel excess energy and are able to focus.

It’s like Lachi sings in the song: “I stim on the beat yeah I move when I’m thinking!”

Fidgets provide the necessary tactile and sensory input that support self-regulation.

Listen to Lachi’s full album that celebrates disability and difference through bops that entire families can jam out to and download our free companion curriculum at ExperienceCEL.org/Lachi

Navy Pier is the place to be! 🎡CEL members took their fun to new heights exploring Navy Pier, taking in the Chicago skyl...
08/23/2026

Navy Pier is the place to be! 🎡

CEL members took their fun to new heights exploring Navy Pier, taking in the Chicago skyline, and making memories along the way.

They started off the day with a ride on the iconic ferris wheel and continued the fun with the carousel and swings! Afterward, members walked around the pier, grabbed some tasty snacks, and picked up souvenirs, including some adorable Navy Pier magnets for Rachel and Sasha.

Join the fun! Learn more about CEL's programs at ExperienceCEL.org/Programs

Want to enjoy a round of golf while making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities? Of COURSE you do! ⛳Joi...
08/22/2026

Want to enjoy a round of golf while making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities? Of COURSE you do! ⛳

Join AIT at Twin Orchard Country Club in Long Grove to support CEL on August 31! Lunch and Check In begin at 10:00 am.

The day includes lunch, snacks on the course, pizza and drinks after golf, as well as the opportunity to buy tickets to participate in contests on the course, win raffle prizes, and more!

Tickets are selling fast, get yours today at ExperienceCEL.org/Events/Golf/

CEL staff have many training requirements that equip them to handle a variety of emergency situations, always with the h...
08/21/2026

CEL staff have many training requirements that equip them to handle a variety of emergency situations, always with the hope that those situations don't arise.

But on July 23, what began as an ordinary Thursday quickly became a life-threatening emergency where all that training was used to save the life of beloved CEL member Dan. Thank you to Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District, Deerfield Bannockburn Fire Department, RED Center, Endeavor Health, and Riverwoods Police for your heroic efforts and quick action.

Dan is back at CEL less than a month later enjoying the REACH program, because a remarkable chain of people, preparation, expertise and collaboration came together when he needed it most. Photos are from a recognition event we held to honor everyone involved in saving his life, including CEL staff Emerson, Nicole, AJ, Dave, Karen, Melissa, Maggie, Veronica, Laura, Martina, Asia, Cole, Judy, Brittany, and Lisette.

Read about this collaborative save on our blog: https://www.experiencecel.org/survivalchain/

What started as a Party on the Patio quickly spiraled into an epic water balloon battle and no one was safe from getting...
08/21/2026

What started as a Party on the Patio quickly spiraled into an epic water balloon battle and no one was safe from getting splashed!

After every balloon was thrown, we dried off and enjoyed snacks, sang summer-themed karaoke songs, and decorated seashells.

While we may be wrapping up the summer fun, there are still spots available in our Fall Programs! Learn more at ExperienceCEL.org/Programs.

Address

280 Saunders Road
Riverwoods, IL
60015

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 9am - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 9pm
Friday 9am - 9pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm
Sunday 1:30pm - 9pm

Telephone

+18479487001

Website

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