Perspectives & Press

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM, a time to recognize the contributions of workers with disabilities and promote inclusive employment practices. This year marks the 80th anniversary of NDEAM, and the City of Highland Park celebrated by issuing an official Mayoral Proclamation, and presented it to CEL at the October 20 City Council […]

This October, the US Department of Labor is celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). It is an annual recognition of the positive impact that people with disabilities in the American workforce and an acknowledgement of the importance of increasing opportunities for people with disabilities.  Building a career is a challenge […]

At CEL, we believe everyone deserves the chance to share their talents and pursue meaningful employment. That’s why we were so proud to host our first-ever Reverse Job Fair, a unique event that turned the traditional hiring process upside down. Instead of employers setting up tables, CEL members became the hosts of their own booths. […]

CEL’s The Nora Project is on a mission to build inclusive classrooms all across the country. At its core, inclusive education is about expecting, planning for, and valuing the needs of all students. Spaces are designed in a way where students with and without disabilities are empowered to learn together, and educators have positive attitudes […]

CEL looked a little different in 1988. We didn’t have our own beautiful building with Universal Design, and social/recreational programs were all that we offered. But even back then, our members were supported by excellent, dedicated staff who cared about them. That’s the year Marilyn, a young professional eager to make a difference, first walked […]

On Tuesday, July 22, CEL CEO Herb Washington and member Jay M. kicked off the morning with an appearance on Good Day Chicago! They joined anchor Natalie Bomke to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and share how CEL helps people with developmental disabilities lead more independent, empowered lives. As […]

The move strengthens both organizations’ efforts to build a more inclusive society, starting in classrooms and lasting a lifetime. We are proud to announce that The Nora Project, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching empathy and inclusion through education, will be integrated into CEL on July 1. This thoughtful and mission-aligned integration reflects a shared commitment […]

🎵 “Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name.” 🎵 At CEL, the feeling of being welcomed and truly known is part of everyday life, just like in the classic TV show Cheers. But unlike Cheers, that sense of belonging doesn’t usually happen at a local bar for our members. Until now. For the […]

Remarkable $200,000 Grant Helps Remove Barriers for CEL Members with Developmental Disabilities CEL (Center for Enriched Living) is thrilled to share the incredible news that we’ve been awarded a generous $200,000 grant from The Smith Tieken Foundation. This support comes at a crucial time and will significantly enhance our ability to continue empowering our members […]