Center for Enriched Living

Center for Enriched Living (CEL) is a non-residential, life enrichment center open 7 days per week for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  We serve teens through seniors with a wide range of abilities.  We serve members that live with their families, live independently, and many that live at various agencies throughout Lake and Cook counties.  At CEL, we believe that every person should have access to and be encouraged to participate in continual learning, skill building and socialization.

Given the situation all of us are facing today, the lack of social outlets for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities is determinantal to their well-being on every level.  The loss of these social outlets that many of our members enjoy and rely upon have been taken away abruptly; unfortunately, many of them are uncertain as why their quality of life is diminishing.  While many of us understand the need for social distancing at this time, we thankfully have other outlets that are not available to many of the members that rely on CEL for socialization. 

CEL will be adapting selected activities, classes, and programs – for youth through adult – to CEL’s Virtual Programming beginning 3/30/20 and will continue as long as necessary.  Through this platform, CEL will be doing the following: virtual art, fitness and dance classes, virtual socialization, virtual employment instruction and virtual internships. 

We want to continue to engage with our members even though our building is closed.  To do so, we are returning to the lost art of letter writing.  Volunteers can send a letter, picture, card to a member and let them know they are thinking of them during this time. 

 For more information, please call 847-948-7001 or visit www.CenterForEnrichedLiving.org.