REACH Adult Day Program
Our REACH Day Program provides year-round, community-based opportunities and activities for continued learning and growth for adults who have finished high school or are at least 18 years old.
Program Overview
Emphasizing community, our REACH members spend approximately 70% of their time connecting with dozens of community partners, gaining a wide variety of experiences focused on volunteering, recreation, education, and social activities.
From Monday through Friday, REACH members can choose from a variety of activities based on their personal interests. CEL members participate in planning monthly activities geared towards enhancing their mind, body, and sense of self.
REACH Success Stories
Michelle feels safe and nurtured at CEL. She’s learned new skills, made friends, and her confidence for trying new things has changed a lot. It’s amazing.
I make my own choices at CEL. My voice is heard and respected.
CEL staff persisted in finding accommodating ways that Dan would feel connected and included.
People at CEL care about our sons and they know that. The structure, friendships, and inclusion are big parts of their lives.
I feel satisfied when I volunteer in the community because I know I have done a good thing.
I like working on goals with staff. They appreciate that I want to get better and stronger, and they help me
Areas of Focus
Recreation
Education & Culture
Art & Music
Community & Contributions
Health & Wellness
Relationships
Schedule Options
- REACH operates throughout the year from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with options to attend between 1-5 days a week, based on availability. An extended day program is available for members who wish to start at 9:00 AM.
- We offer six and twelve-month enrollment periods.
- Financial Aid is available.
For more information or to join our waitlist, please fill out a Member Interest Form.
REACH FOR SUCCESS
Meet the REACH Team!
Nicole Davidson
What is your favorite thing about CEL?
My favorite thing about CEL is interacting with members and getting to learn something new about them each day. I love to see our members excel in classes and enjoy themselves.
What is a fun fact about YOU?
A fun fact about me is that I was a preemie baby! I was born in December, but was due in March.
Email Nicole
847.315.9938
Maggie Liston
What is your favorite thing about CEL?
One of my favorite things about CEL is the welcoming atmosphere and the sense of community you experience as you walk through the door!
What is a fun fact about YOU?
I love being a part of community theatre productions – whether it’s acting, stage managing, or assistant directing! It makes me feel like I am a part of something bigger than myself.
Email Maggie
847.474.1899
Cole Thompson
What is your favorite thing (or memory) about CEL?
My favorite thing about CEL is that I am given the opportunity each day to enrich the lives of our members while having fun and experiencing different activities in the community.
What is a fun fact about YOU?
One fun fact about me is that I was born and raised in Idaho.
Lisa Amposta
What is your favorite thing about CEL?
What I love about CEL is the TEAM!!! It is such a pleasure working with a team who love and serve like I do. The team has a huge heart for the members, and I am so honored to be an instructor. The REACH program is a beautiful well laid out program facilitating activities for members with any kind of disability.
What is a fun fact about YOU?
A fun fact about me is in the year of 2018 my daughter and I graduated with our bachelor’s degrees. It is a memory I will treasure forever. For a few years we were both doing college life. I would visit her for Parent Weekend, and she would visit me as well. We have made many stories and someday we will share them with her future children.
Email Lisa
847.948.7001
Cassidy Bird-Sutfin
What is your favorite thing about CEL?
CEL always makes you feel at home. At The Center you can truly see that everyone loves to be here. My favorite thing about CEL is watching all the members enjoy their time learning and growing each day.
What is a fun fact about YOU?
I absolutely love to travel whether it’s by a car, plane or even boat – I’ll be there!! My favorite places I’ve been so far are Panama, cruise to Bahamas and New York City.
Email Cassidy
847.948.7001
Destiny Hodge
What is your favorite thing about CEL?
The vibe is always right, and we create space for everyone to be themselves.
What is a fun fact about YOU?
I play softball, and cats rule everything around me
Email Destiny
847.948.7001
Juanita Jenkins
What is your favorite thing about CEL?
My favorite thing about CEL is that we are always on the go! Everyone is so willing to help and open to new options and ideas.
What is a fun fact about YOU?
I enjoy baking, and my son’s sports consume my life.
Email Juanita
847.948.7001
Heidi Rosselli
What is your favorite thing about CEL?
I’m truly happy to be a part of the CEL team. The staff and members are very welcoming. It’s such a great environment. I enjoy interacting with staff and members each day. It’s always so exciting to see what projects we will be working on indoors and really like the outdoor adventures we go on as well.
What is a fun fact about YOU?
My first day of employment at CEL and my birthday fell on the same day. What an exciting day that was. I love spending time with my family. I enjoy going on long walks. Summer and Fall is my favorite time of the year. I like to spend as much time as possible outside during those months since the weather is so nice. Like trying out new recipes too.
Email Heidi
847.948.7001
Tom Shaw
What is your favorite thing about CEL?
My favorite thing about CEL is the fact that CEL offers a diverse amount of different types of support. I think that some organizations are more focused on offering only one kind of service, and I like that CEL does so many different things to help support so many different people.
What is a fun fact about YOU?
I like National Parks and really enjoy the beautiful outdoors areas we have in the United States. I especially like Joshua Tree National Park and Yellowstone National Park.
Email Tom
847.948.7001
Tangineka Smith
What is your favorite thing about CEL?
I love how everybody interacts with the members and we all feel equal.
What is a fun fact about YOU?
I’m a Nerd I love Anime, Kdramas and taking apart electronics to see how it works.
Email Tangineka
847.948.7001
Liz Stejskal
What is your favorite thing about CEL?
I truly enjoy being a part of CEL. I enjoy working with all the employees and members. I love watching our members learn, socialize and grow and being a part of that makes me feel good about what I do.
What is a fun fact about YOU?
I enjoy being with my husband and three kids.
When I’m not busy working or running around with my own family I enjoy going out with friends. I also have a great love for music. During my free time you can catch me going to a concert or listening to music while going on a long run!
Email Lizzie
847.948.7001
When someone with an intellectual or developmental disability reaches age 22, the support they receive through the school system disappears. CEL is bridging that gap by providing programs and services that start at age 13, and two adult day programs (REACH and Catalyst) for when high school has finished.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The first thing you’ll need to do is complete a Member Interest Form , then we reach out to schedule an orientation to get to know you, discuss availability, and estimate wait list times.
After you’ve completed your new member orientation and a space is available, we will arrange a meeting with a REACH Program Supervisor to discuss the trial and assessment process to determine if REACH is a good fit.
Prospective members receive one complimentary trial day where they can participate in REACH program activities. Upon completion, the prospective member will begin an assessment period (either 2-3 days/week for 2 weeks or 1 day/week for 1 month).
During this time, the Program Team will utilize an assessment tool called the I-CAN to determine the prospective member’s level of support and define their ratio in the REACH program. Once the assessment period concludes, the Program Team will meet with the family to review the assessment results and discuss the next steps.
Once a member officially joins the REACH program, a REACH for Success (R4S) plan will be developed. The R4S plan contains highlights from the year, experiences they had, and future dreams. We also discuss what they want to achieve in the coming year and review/revise the plan on an annual basis.
Members arrive at 10 am and meet in the lounge to review their schedule for the day; a posted daily schedule is available, as well as the option for personalized member schedules. Members go to their activity for the day, which includes attending a class at CEL or heading out into the community for a half-day or full-day excursion. Members are required to bring their lunch each day, unless notified otherwise through email, and either eat at CEL or out in the community. The program offers an array of activity options to choose from and monthly activity calendars are filled out by members with support from our instructors to best ensure an opportunity for members to choose and further develop their own interests. Members are picked up at 3 pm and a supervisor is always available to chat about a member’s day.
We strive to accommodate the needs of our members and will do our best to meet requests. Please let us know if you have food allergies or are on a restrictive diet. REACH does a once-a-month birthday celebration. During this time, members with restrictions or allergies are welcome to bring their own snacks or allergy-safe items to consume. For cooking classes, we accommodate the recipe for dietary restrictions. In some cases, it may be difficult to ensure special menu choices and we will request that you supply the member with a lunch or snack that meets their needs.
If you are running late to drop off in the morning or pick up in the afternoon, please contact one of the REACH Program Supervisors. You can call, text, or email. The contact information will be shared with you when you register for the program. If you are later than 15 minutes when picking up the member, you will be charged $25 for the first 15 minutes and then an additional $25 for each 15-minute increment that you are late. This will go into effect after the 3rd time in a month that there is a late pickup past 15 minutes, for the member.
The cost of the REACH program is based on the number of days attended and the member-to-staff ratio. REACH is a tuition-based model with scheduled program closures factored into the rates. For full details on our fees, please view the REACH Day Program Fees here.
REACH is designed to provide a variety of activities and experiences including arts, fitness, and recreational excursions. REACH members are generally out in the community about 70% of the time they are in the program. They go to museums, volunteer, dine at restaurants, etc.
While Catalyst members will spend time in the community, the focus will be on introducing the members to the available resources that one might use, such as the bank, library, or grocery store. The main focus of Catalyst is to work on enhancing a member’s independence in life skills-money management, housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, problem solving, community resources, etc. This will prepare members to meet their goals and live more independently at CEL, in the community, and at home. The main focus of REACH is to build friendships, engage in new experiences, learn to make informed choices, and have fun!
You belong at CEL!
Programs are centered on YOU! Choose from a wide range of social, recreational, and educational enrichment programs available seven days a week. Check out our program guide and learn how to get started today!
Enrich lives today!
Your donation will transform and enrich the lives of our members with intellectual and developmental disabilities.