NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, KESHET, ANNOUNCES MY LIFE, A PILOT RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY FOR ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

CHICAGO – September 16, 2015 – Keshet is delighted to announce the launch of MY life, a residential program for individuals with special needs at 2121 St. John in Highland Park, offering members the opportunity to live independent and fulfilled lives through personalized program support and community engagement opportunities.

MY life launches on September 27, and will serve as an avenue for adults with intellectual disabilities to further establish meaningful lives in a supportive community. Internationally recognized for its quality programs, Keshet will bring the same level of excellence and integrity to the MY life residential building. What makes MY life stand apart is its commitment to creating a fun and safe environment that provides individuals with special needs the same opportunities as others, while being privately funded and supported in large part by the Keshet Organization.

Upon opening, MY life will intentionally have four residents with two more ready to move in within the following few months. Each unit is 1050 sq. ft., with two bedrooms, either single or double occupancy in each, a living room and 1.5 bathrooms. The space hosts a large common area, where upon choice, residents can choose to enjoy meals together, family-style. The residential building is within walking distance to downtown Highland Park and will focus on healthy living with a full fitness area in the building and a nutritionist on staff.

“We are so thrilled to be launching MY life, an opportunity that has been part of Keshet’s strategic plan for many years,” said Abbie Weisberg, CEO and Executive Director of Keshet. “We feel that this program will fit the needs for adults, by offering the chance for independence and acceptance for our special needs community members, something that we are constantly striving for at Keshet. We are committed to making sure our visitors are engaged citizens in the community and this program will allow just that. As a privately funded organization, we are very grateful for the people who have and will support this ongoing growth of the Keshet Organization.”

By offering residents a space of their own, the program allows the chance for further community involvement through employment opportunities, recreation, volunteer work and activities pertaining to spiritualty and socialization. Central to Keshet and the MY life program is the belief in the dignity of choice for all, regardless of their developmental abilities. MY life offers the opportunity for residents to find this independence and success within an environment of safety and support. The unique set up offers individuals with special needs 24/7 care and a tight-knit community, allowing continual growth and development of their own skills.

Residents have the opportunity to use a previously arranged vocational program or enroll in Keshet’s GADOL program, which offers group and individual sessions focused on vocational training, socialization and recreational and physical exercise. Different activities inside and outside of the home allow for the residents to become further integrated into the community, both through service and employment. Assistance in transportation is provided.

Local residents range in ages from 19 to 35, with diagnosed developmental disability. The targeted cost of the program is $45,000 and includes housing, communal breakfast and dinners, programming, transport, communal spaces and staff support.

For additional information, visit www.keshet.org/.

About Keshet

Keshet is a social service agency based in Northbrook, Ill., offering support to the greater Chicagoland area while operating according to traditional Jewish values. Founded over 30 years ago, Keshet serves over 500 individuals each year, financed through $2 million raised in fundraising efforts. As a premier provider of educational, recreational, vocational and social programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities, Keshet believes that individuals of all abilities should have the opportunity to live in a way that enables success and that the individuals they service should be engaged and accepted members of their community. Keshet’s mission is to enhance independence and integration to optimize personal potential.

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