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

CEL - Center for Enriched Living

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United States
Riverwoods, IL
CEL - Center for Enriched Living

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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.

10/13/2026

During National Disability Employment Awareness Month ( ), we’re celebrating our incredible Employment Partners who create inclusive workplaces where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can pursue meaningful, paid employment.

Today, we’re celebrating The Wild Roaster, Blitt & Gaines P.C., Pet Factory, Inc., Hotel Indigo by IHG, Walgreens, and GiGi's Playhouse Deerfield for opening doors and partnering with CEL members on their career journeys. Thank you for helping build a community where everyone’s talents are valued.

Want to learn how your business can partner with CEL? Visit ExperienceCEL.org/For-Employers/ to learn more!

10/11/2026

A little creativity can go a long way toward building connection!

Thank you Stevenson High School Key Club for your support of CEL! Club members collaborated with middle schoolers in their district to learn more about CEL and the services that we provide for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities - including some of their classmates.

Together, they created handmade slap bracelets and delivered them to CEL, where members got to choose their favorites from a large collection of bracelets made especially with them in mind.

We love seeing young people find a meaningful way to support their local community. 🧡

10/09/2026

CEL's REACH Adult Day Program members have so many different talents and interests, and they recently had the chance to share them at their Talent Show!

Hosted by CEL member Zack and staff member Judy, the show featured basketball trick shots, singing, dancing, drumming, throwback R&B jams, games, and much more! From performances inspired by a variety of artists like Elvis, KISS, Taylor Swift, and Tom Cochrane to a rendition of “Dilemma” by Nelly, there was plenty to enjoy. CEL staff also joined members for some of the performances, making it a fun afternoon of music, laughter, and cheering each other on.

The show wrapped up with a group performance of “Timber” by Pitbull and Ke$ha, bringing everyone together to join in and celebrate the afternoon.

We love seeing REACH members explore their interests, try new things, and share what they enjoy. Interested in learning more about REACH? Visit ExperienceCEL.org/REACH.

10/07/2026

During National Disability Employment Awareness Month ( ), we’re celebrating our incredible Employment Partners who create inclusive workplaces where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can pursue meaningful, paid employment.

Today, we’re celebrating Rally House, George's Deep Dish, Noodles & Company, Sunrise Senior Living, Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Elawa Farm, and Sysmex America for opening doors and partnering with CEL members on their career journeys. Thank you for helping build a community where everyone’s talents are valued.

Want to learn how your business can partner with CEL? Visit ExperienceCEL.org/For-Employers/ to learn more!

10/04/2026

Students from Stevenson High School who are part of the Lincolnshire Autism Awareness Project stopped by CEL with slime kits for CEL Catalyst members to enjoy!

Each kit included a thoughtful affirmation and a handwritten card with a personal message. Catalyst members spent the afternoon choosing their slime colors, adding custom textures and mix-ins, and creating slime that was uniquely their own.

Thank you to the students for sharing these creative kits and thoughtful messages with Catalyst members. We appreciate you helping make their afternoon fun and meaningful and next time we hope you can stick around to hang out!

Interested in donating an item or sponsoring an experience for CEL members? Email our Volunteer Coordinator, Cassidy Paradise, at [email protected] to learn more about ways you can get involved.

10/02/2026

Breaking news! We’re excited to share that Forbes featured Lachi's new album, "Magnificent," in an article, along with the companion curriculum we developed for grades PreK-5. 🎶

Our very own Manager of Education Products & Program Development, Jordyn Zimmerman, was featured in the article, sharing why this curriculum is such a meaningful part of the "Magnificent" project:

“The album is doing something CEL’s The Nora Project deeply believes in and practices, by not only teaching students about disability, but opening conversations up to everyone (including educators and families),” Zimmerman says. “What feels significant about this curriculum with Magnificent, is that music is a universal language, so students get to come to this learning through the songs, storytelling, emotions, and the perspectives of all the disabled collaborators.”

Rapper and former teacher Mega Ran also discusses the impact of pairing music with learning experiences like ours. In the article, he shares:

“I have been teaching for a long time, and at this point have been on stages even longer– and I’d say that education and live stage performance go hand in hand. A song can move you for three minutes. A curriculum makes you do something with that feeling.”

Thank you to author Keely Cat-Wells for capturing the power of this album and curriculum. Read the full article at https://www.forbes.com/sites/keelycatwells/2026/09/21/lachis-new-album-gives-disabled-kids-the-story-theyre-missing/

09/27/2026

🎸 REACH members got to rock out during a special, music-filled visit!

CEL staff member Cassidy invited her father, Mike, to share his love of music with CEL members. He’s been playing guitar since he was 17 and plays covers and original songs with his band, Corners of a Circle - COAC.

He loves spending time with members and says CEL is “such a welcoming place for everyone.” He especially enjoys “seeing the members try something new.”

During his visit, members got to try new ways to play music, as Robyn used an adaptive strummer to play the guitar, while Chris was excited to strum along. Jonathan also enjoyed trying his hand at playing the guitar! 🎶🧡

Do you have a special talent you’d like to share with CEL members? Email our Community Engagement Coordinator, Cassidy Paradise, at [email protected] to learn more!

09/25/2026

CEL members had a ball at Lakeside Recreation Center, spending the evening bowling, laughing, and cheering each other on! It was a striking night filled with friendship, fun, and plenty of good times. 🎳

Want to learn more about CEL programs? Visit ExperienceCEL.org/programs.

09/22/2026

Tuesday Night Artists kicked off the fall session with inspiration from the one and only Yayoi Kusama, the late disabled artist known for her playful patterns and immersive art installations.

Kusama is also known for her iconic use of polka dots and patterns that she painted on everything from canvases and sculptures to entire rooms and even people!

Growing up on a seedling farm in Japan, Kusama often found inspiration in the natural world around her, including plants and insects. After learning about her life and work, CEL members put their own spin on her iconic style, transforming pumpkins, butterflies, and more into polka dotted masterpieces!

By the end of the night, the room was filled with dots, creativity, and plenty of smiles. We can’t wait to see where the rest of the fall art sessions take us!

Learn more about Tuesday Night Art and CEL’s other programs 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

http://www.ExperienceCEL.org/

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