The Coleman Foundation Announces Third Quarter 2018 Developmental Disability Services Grants
In the third quarter of 2018, the Coleman Foundation approved grants totaling $682,500 to non-profit organizations to advance its Developmental Disability Services Impact Plan. Among those receiving grants in this program area are:
Anixter Center, IL
$125,000 – Discovering CHOICE Program
The award is to replicate and implement the Discovering CHOICE Program, providing individualized neighborhood-based supports and services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to increase their self-determination and quality of life.
$150,000 – Wheeling Independence Center Project
This award is towards support of the capital project for renovation of the Wheeling Independence Center in Wheeling, Illinois. The Center provides enriching employment, social, educational, and recreational day opportunities for approximately 130 clients with developmental disabilities with a main goal of helping participants be a part of the community.
Center for Independence through Conductive Education, IL
$307,500 – Teaching Together Chicago Program Expansion
This two-year award is to support expansion of the Teaching Together Chicago (TTC) program. TTC is a collaboration between developmental disabilities agencies, people with developmental disabilities and private schools. TTC facilitates and coordinates efforts along with partners to gain internships opportunities leading to employment for people with developmental disabilities. During the next two years, TTC will scale the number of schools, developmental disabilities agencies and internship placements achieved during the development stage.
GiGi’s Playhouse, IL
$100,000 – Gigi’s Studio
This award is to support the Career Development Program, which aims to train adults with Down syndrome with job skills to gain employment and empower them with greater independence. The Hugs + Mugs program will be developed and rolled out to other Gigi playhouses. In 2013, Gigi’s started with one Achievement Center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Today Gigi’s has a network of 37 playhouses in the United States and one in Mexico.
