OUR HISTORY

1999 Humble Beginnings

The Douglas Center established its roots in March of 1999 in a modest 2,500 square foot storefront in Chicago. Securing this location was no small feat, as it required diligent efforts to address concerns from building owners regarding potential property damage from individuals with disabilities. Despite these initial challenges, The Douglas Center opened its doors with one participant and two staff members, setting the stage for its transformative mission.

2000 Expanding Our Reach

As demand for services grew, so did the need for more space. By the summer of 2000, with 25 participants, the organization embarked on a search for a larger facility. This quest led to the relocation to 3445 Howard Street in Skokie, Illinois, in November of 2000. Occupying this 12,000 square foot space, The Douglas Center continued to expand its reach and impact within the community.

2003 Doubling Our Impact

In 2003, responding to a surge in participant referrals, The Douglas Center underwent its next expansion, doubling its space to approximately 24,000 square feet. This expansion facilitated moving beyond our production work to the introduction of additional programming and services, including art and dance therapies, occupational and physical therapies, clinical and recreational services, community integration and small skills development groups and activities.

2005 Meeting Needs,
Creating Opportunities

In 2005, The Douglas Center’s commitment to flexibility and meeting the evolving needs of its participants was further demonstrated when it became a certified contractor for the Department of Defense. This milestone led to the establishment of a sewing department and the recognition of the importance of tailoring programs to meet the diverse needs of participants, including seniors, who sought more leisure-focused activities.

2007 “Young at Heart” Program

The Douglas Center, proud of our flexibility and willingness to meet the challenges and changing needs of our participants, created a program dedicated solely to our senior population with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

2011 Meeting Growing Needs

The Douglas Center serving over 125 individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities, responded to the growing demand for its services by expanding once again to 40,000 square feet of space for our Community Day Services (CDS) program. This expansion facilitated the opportunity to expand our myriad of services and choices ranging from work skills, employment training opportunities, life skills learning, to clinical services, recreational activities and extensive community integration. The Douglas Center had increased its staff to over sixty employees, contractors and volunteers.

2015 A Sensory Milestone

Our commitment to innovation and quality was further evidenced with our introduction of multi-sensory therapy and the development of a fully equipped sensory room.

2016 A Year of Achievement and Activity

We introduced our “High Fives” outdoor adaptive sports arena to promote daily physical activity, implemented a book club and achieved CARF accreditation that placed us in the top 3% internationally for quality services… quite an honor!

2017 Transforming Waste into Opportunity

In 2017 we implemented an electronic recycling program, providing further employment training opportunities for our participants.

2019 Elevating Health and Wellness

2019 marked a significant milestone with the launch of our Health and Wellness program for our participants, further emphasizing our commitment to their overall well-being

2020 Adapting and Thriving

2020: The challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic underscored The Douglas Center’s resilience and commitment to its mission. While adapting to remote operations mandated by the State Department of Human Services, the organization proudly ensured the retention of all employees and maintained its regular work schedule. Additionally, the initiation of the Social Work Internship program in the same year further demonstrated our organization’s dedication to nurturing future professionals in the field. Our internship program continues to thrive through partnerships with esteemed local universities such as, Loyola University, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC); Northeastern University, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), University of Illinois at Champaign; Northwestern University and Capella University.

2020 Reopening with Resilience

In September of 2020, The Douglas Center reopened its doors for our program participants. The vast majority of parents, guardians and residential providers who chose to keep their adult residents and children at home during the pandemic, returned back to our program. Soon our number of participants increase, but still not to pre-Covid levels.

2022/2023 Championing Inclusion: Community Engagement and Advocacy

As the world navigated through unprecedented times, The Douglas Center remained steadfast in its commitment to inclusion and advocacy. Engaging in community events, such as the Niles Township “Coming Together” event. The Douglas Center continued to amplify the voices and talents of individuals with disabilities while fostering a culture of acceptance and understanding, and promoting public education through presentations in the community, facilitating open houses for the public, providers, schools, and parents.

Our organization was a key partner in this event. Together with members of the community, leaders, our program participants and staff, a community quilt was created, symbolizing inclusion and diversity. During the year, this visual symbol of inclusion was displayed throughout the community educating the public about the importance of inclusion.

The Douglas Center was invited to participate in research studies through Midwestern University and the University of Illinois in Chicago. These research studies have helped in educating the public about skills, talents and needs of individuals with disabilities and also to help improve the services provided for individuals with disabilities.

2023 From Training to Employment

The Douglas Center launched our “Employment Training Units” program designed to equip participants with the essential skills required to pursue potential job opportunities in office, hospitality, and retail settings. These units provide hands-on employment and life skills training. These units were created through generous grants awarded to The Douglas Center.

2024 Celebrating 25 Years of Impact: A Milestone in Service

The Douglas Center celebrates an incredible 25 years of service to the community, supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As the number of participants attending The Douglas Center continues to grow, many other programs face waitlists and are unable to accept new participants. In contrast, The Douglas Center remains committed to being open to new participants and making necessary adjustments to accommodate their needs.