The Center for Enriched Living is proud to launch the Robert Vihon Family Resource Center to provide a lifetime of specialized disability services to people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), their families and caregivers.
Robert Vihon Family Services will be named in memory of one of CEL’s dearest friends and co-founders. Known to his friends as “Vee,” Rob dedicated his life to helping people in need. Beloved by all those who knew him, Rob went out of his way to make everyone around him feel special. He was truly one-of-a-kind, a remarkable leader, and a wonderful friend.
Along with his wife Mary, Rob’s nearly four-decade commitment to our members helped turn CEL into a pillar throughout the Chicagoland area. In 1984, Rob was among the small group of founders who established CEL as an independent organization. Several years later, he helped secure the land in Riverwoods on which CEL currently stands. An active board member from Day 1, Rob remained a champion and leader for CEL every year until his passing in Spring 2020.
Robert Vihon Family Services will have a dramatic impact on the future of CEL, on our members and families, and on the IDD community. It will allow us to reach new communities and grow the pipeline of members for our existing programs. It will transform CEL into a regional destination for disability services and resources, and it will improve the lives of people with development disabilities for years to come.
“Navigating these systems is overwhelming and complicated. As educated as I am about these services, there are times I just want to throw in the towel. There’s just an exhaustion. It doesn’t have to be that way.” (CEL Parent)
Housed at CEL’s Universal Design building in Riverwoods, Robert Vihon Family Services will focus on three key areas:
- Family Services: Specialized staff will work with families (one-on-one and in groups) to help them manage life transitions, navigate state-run programs and insurance systems, and prepare guardianship plans.
- Teen & Adult Services: Specialized staff will work directly with individuals with IDD to build meaningful, independent lives, navigate life’s ups-and-downs, make friends, or deal with the death of a loved one.
- Interventions & Treatment: More intensive interventions, tailored to the needs of each member, may include: one-on-one counseling, occupational therapy, or individualized behavior plans.
To help launch this bold new vision, CEL has secured a generous challenge from an anonymous donor: All gifts to CEL for Robert Vihon Family Services will be matched, $1 for each $5 donated (up to $250,000).
If you would like to make a gift to support this new initiative, you can use the donation form below or mail a check to: Center for Enriched Living, 280 Saunders Rd., Riverwoods, IL 60015 (please be sure to write “Vee Center” in the notes).
Gifts of $5,000 or more can paid over 3 years. If you wish to make a multi-year commitment or make a gift of stock, please complete a pledge form and return it to Adam McCormack, Director of Development, at Adam@CenterForEnrichedLiving.org.
If you have any questions, please contact Harriet Levy, CEO, at 847-315-9914, or Adam McCormack, at 847-315-9919.
