CEL - Center for Enriched Living

CEL - Center for Enriched Living Every person is valued and belongs, and disability is embraced as part of the human experience.

We are a privately funded non-profit agency serving the social needs of people of all ages with developmental and intellectual disabilities – such as Down syndrome, autism, and Fragile X syndrome. The Center is the place that brings friends and peers together – to benefit from lifelong learning and enrichment, to enjoy social activities, and to be an active part of the community. The Center has been serving the Chicagoland-area for more than 50 years.

Keeping our universally designed building clean and welcoming is a big undertaking, and we’re so grateful to have had th...
09/04/2026

Keeping our universally designed building clean and welcoming is a big undertaking, and we’re so grateful to have had the HR team from Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals here to lend a hand.

Lundbeck was connected to CEL through Matt, their Director of HR. Before COVID, Matt volunteered at CEL, so he was especially excited to return with his coworkers and get involved with a place he cares about. For many of his teammates, this was their first time at CEL, and they left feeling inspired to come back and volunteer again.

Thank you to the Lundbeck team for spending the day helping beautify our building and the vehicles that help CEL members get to and from their community excursions and events. Together, they cleaned five vehicles inside and out, organized and sanitized our kitchen, and wrapped up the day by sanitizing and vacuuming the sensory room.

These are spaces and resources CEL members use every day, and their hard work made a meaningful difference.

Brad D., VP of Human Resources at Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals, shared, "It was great to come together as a team and to volunteer at an organization making such a meaningful contribution to the community. It was great to see some of the members and see the community here and really get a sense of the experience the members have and the difference it makes in their lives and the feeling and passion they shared with us."

Whether you’re coming solo or bringing a group, there’s always room for you to make an impact at CEL. Learn more about volunteer opportunities at ExperienceCEL.org/get-involved/volunteer/.

CEL will be closed from September 4-7 to celebrate Labor Day, and there will be no programs. We hope you have a relaxing...
09/03/2026

CEL will be closed from September 4-7 to celebrate Labor Day, and there will be no programs. We hope you have a relaxing Labor Day and enjoy the long weekend!

We'll see you back at CEL on Tuesday, September 8th for our regular programming. 🧡

Thank you for coming out to support CEL! We hope Monday was more than just a great day on the course. We hope you left k...
09/02/2026

Thank you for coming out to support CEL! We hope Monday was more than just a great day on the course. We hope you left knowing a little more about CEL and the people with developmental disabilities at the heart of what we do, including all of the CEL members you met at the event.

Together, more than 200 golfers, sponsors, and CEL board members helped raise $380,000 to support opportunities for CEL members to connect with friends, pursue their passions, find meaningful employment, and find success in their daily lives. Thank you!

Visit ExperienceCEL.org/2026Golf to learn how you can get involved with CEL and view the event photos!

CELebrating Liz! 🧡Join us in celebrating Liz as she hits an incredible 10-year milestone at CEL! CEL staff recently gath...
08/30/2026

CELebrating Liz! 🧡

Join us in celebrating Liz as she hits an incredible 10-year milestone at CEL! CEL staff recently gathered to celebrate and recognize a decade of Liz being an important part of our team.

As our Office Assistant, Liz is often one of the first people you’ll see when you walk through the doors of CEL. Whether she’s greeting members, welcoming visitors, or helping keep things running behind the scenes, her warm smile and friendly personality help make CEL a welcoming place for everyone.

To make the milestone even more special, Liz was gifted a wonderful piece of artwork created by CEL members to celebrate her 10 years at CEL. It was a thoughtful way to recognize the positive impact she has made and the connections she has built over the years.

We’re so grateful for all Liz brings to CEL each day and for the past 10 years she has spent supporting our team and community. Congratulations, Liz! We’re so glad to celebrate this milestone with you! 🧡

Interested in becoming part of Team CEL? We’re hiring! Visit ExperienceCEL.org/careers to explore current opportunities.

REACH members are always on the move!Getting out into the community gives members opportunities to build independence, d...
08/29/2026

REACH members are always on the move!

Getting out into the community gives members opportunities to build independence, develop skills, connect with others, and have fun while experiencing all that their community has to offer.

Members spend much of their time exploring the community, building friendships, trying new experiences, and making choices about how they want to spend their day.

From parks and playgrounds to restaurants, museums, and exciting local attractions, there’s always something new to explore!

REACH members are making connections, trying new things, and experiencing life’s possibilities!

Interested in learning more about REACH? Visit ExperienceCEL.org/REACH.

CEL is lucky to have staff members who choose to spend their own time in CEL programs, even after their workday ends. Me...
08/28/2026

CEL is lucky to have staff members who choose to spend their own time in CEL programs, even after their workday ends. Meet Becky A., CEL's Operations Supervisor, who also volunteers across a variety of social recreation and fundraising events.

Becky has been volunteering with CEL since September 2025, saying, "I love the members and wanted to get more involved in the activities they do."

She describes her time at CEL as "extremely rewarding" and shares why it matters to her: "CEL gives so many opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to have fun and do things out of their comfort zone that they may not go do on their own."

One of Becky's favorite parts of volunteering is getting to know the members: "I love all their different personalities. They are so much fun."

Her favorite memories come from watching members step outside their comfort zone. She shared, "I like it when a member does something they don't normally do or tries something new. Recently at the Splash Party, a member tried an art project who usually doesn't, and that was a win for me. I also love when they enjoy the crafts I put together on Friday nights, like the snails, book flowers, tape decorating, bucket hats, tie-dye, flag pins, and Shrinky Dinks." Becky supplies the materials for these crafts herself, bringing her own creativity to Friday Art nights.

Her advice for anyone considering volunteering? "Just give it a try. You would be surprised how much you will enjoy it."

Interested in becoming a volunteer like Becky? Visit ExperienceCEL.org/volunteer to learn more.

CELebrating Our CEL Staff! 🧡 While we’re on our program break this week, we’re taking time to CELebrate the incredible s...
08/26/2026

CELebrating Our CEL Staff! 🧡

While we’re on our program break this week, we’re taking time to CELebrate the incredible staff who make everything we do possible. Our team enjoyed a Staff Appreciation event featuring delicious grilled cheese from Chef’s Night tasting partner Toasty Cheese Mobile Eatery, music, and time to connect with coworkers. We’re grateful for the dedication, compassion, and hard work our staff bring to supporting our members and families each day.

They’re grate, they’re gouda, and they’re a big part of what makes CEL special! We loved taking a little time to celebrate the people who help make it all happen.

We’re also hiring at CEL! Learn more about our current openings at ExperienceCEL.org/careers.

Give your old athletic shoes a new purpose! 👟🧡Do you have worn-out sneakers collecting dust in your closet? Have your ki...
08/25/2026

Give your old athletic shoes a new purpose! 👟🧡

Do you have worn-out sneakers collecting dust in your closet? Have your kids outgrown last season's cleats? Instead of throwing them away, drop them off at CEL!

As part of his Bar Mitzvah, Dylan Weinberg is leading a Tikkun Olam service project in partnership with "Got Sneakers" to collect gently used and worn-out sneakers, rubber cleats, and golf shoes of any size or condition. The proceeds from his shoe drive will be donated to the CEL's The Nora Project to support building inclusive classrooms and communities!

Please bring your shoe donations to the box inside our foyer.

📍 Drop-Off Location:
Center for Enriched Living (CEL)
280 Saunders Road
Riverwoods, IL 60015

Thank you for helping make a difference, one pair of sneakers at a time!

Fidgets aren’t toys, they’re tools! Despite the appearance of playing with a toy, fidgets are doing important work. By k...
08/24/2026

Fidgets aren’t toys, they’re tools!

Despite the appearance of playing with a toy, fidgets are doing important work. By keeping our hands busy with repetitive motion, we channel excess energy and are able to focus.

It’s like Lachi sings in the song: “I stim on the beat yeah I move when I’m thinking!”

Fidgets provide the necessary tactile and sensory input that support self-regulation.

Listen to Lachi’s full album that celebrates disability and difference through bops that entire families can jam out to and download our free companion curriculum at ExperienceCEL.org/Lachi

Navy Pier is the place to be! 🎡CEL members took their fun to new heights exploring Navy Pier, taking in the Chicago skyl...
08/23/2026

Navy Pier is the place to be! 🎡

CEL members took their fun to new heights exploring Navy Pier, taking in the Chicago skyline, and making memories along the way.

They started off the day with a ride on the iconic ferris wheel and continued the fun with the carousel and swings! Afterward, members walked around the pier, grabbed some tasty snacks, and picked up souvenirs, including some adorable Navy Pier magnets for Rachel and Sasha.

Join the fun! Learn more about CEL's programs at ExperienceCEL.org/Programs

Address

280 Saunders Road
Riverwoods, IL
60015

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 9am - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 9pm
Friday 9am - 9pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm
Sunday 1:30pm - 9pm

Telephone

+18479487001

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when CEL - Center for Enriched Living posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to CEL - Center for Enriched Living:

Shortcuts

Share