THE CENTER for Enriched Living is a non-residential, social enrichment and skill-development center dedicated to serving people with developmental disabilities or special needs, primarily mild to moderate mental retardation. A private, not-for-profit organization, THE CENTER is the Chicago area’s premier educational, recreational and social facility for this very deserving population.


Located in north suburban Riverwoods, THE CENTER serves people with developmental disabilities or special needs from Chicago and 56 surrounding communities in Lake and Cook counties. As an organization, we have no geographic boundaries. We are open seven days a week, and offer more than 30 different programs for youth, adults and senior citizens. Most of our members have some degree of mental retardation, however, many program participants have secondary disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Prader-Willi, Down Syndrome, visual and hearing impairments and/or emotional and behavioral disorders.

At THE CENTER, we believe that people with developmental disabilities or special needs deserve more opportunities for education, skill building, friendships and fun. All our programs have a dual focus: they are designed so that participants can acquire new skills and so that they can have the chance to socialize with peers.

For individuals who are affected by mental retardation, other developmental disabilities, or special needs, THE CENTER represents a nurturing, welcoming second home of sorts. It is a place where they can feel they truly belong, and where new opportunities, new challenges and new friendships await them.