Orchard Village Golf Classic Empowers Program for Adults and Youth with Disabilities

More adults and youth with disabilities will have the support they need to find and keep jobs in their communities, thanks to this year's Orchard Village Golf Classic. Seventy-two golfers turned out on August 10th for the 34th Annual event at Edgewood Valley Country Club, raising more than $127,000 for Orchard Village's jobs program.

Golfers played through a hot, summer afternoon, with temperatures climbing and humidity hanging heavy over the course. Even so, the full field stuck it out from the first tee to the last putt, a sign of just how much the cause means. The outing has become one of Orchard Village's most important fundraisers, giving supporters a direct way to invest in the independence of the people the organization serves.

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Orchard Village's employment program pairs each participant with a job coach, who helps with everything from resume writing and interview practice to job coaching once a participant is hired. The goal is steady, meaningful work in the community, along with the confidence and sense of belonging that comes with it.

Shawn, an Orchard Village resident, knows that feeling firsthand. He found a job at a local pizza restaurant through the employment program. Shawn is also a familiar face at the Golf Classic, where he volunteers selling squares for the prize board. Denise, another resident and day program participant, also volunteered at this year's outing. She competes in basketball and track and field with Orchard Village's Special Olympics team and plays golf for fun.

"The Golf Classic reminds us each year of what our community can accomplish together," said Susan Kaufman, President and CEO of Orchard Village. "The funds raised will help even more of the people we serve find jobs, build confidence, and become active, valued members of their communities."

Orchard Village's employment program has connected adults with physical and developmental disabilities to local employers since 1977 and holds CARF accreditation for its community-based employment services. If you'd like to hire a program participant or learn more, please contact Aly Halberstadt, Director of Employment Services, at (847) 967-1800 ext. 152, or at Alyson_Halberstadt@orchardvillage.org.

Orchard Village extends its thanks to the sponsors who made this year's Golf Classic possible.

Thank you, Golf Classic sponsors:

Event Sponsors

Sikich

Gillespie Ford

Sentry Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley

The Gordon Family

Robert Thrush

Hole Sponsors

CoBank

Ahead

DS Containers

Winston Taylor

Law Offices of RF Wittmeyer Ltd.

Birdland Media

Goldstein Law Offices PC

Swag Bag Sponsors

Shure

Law Offices of RF Wittmeyer Ltd

Trophy Sponsor

Love, Tito's

Beverage Station Sponsors

Christopher Financial Group LLC

DeKind Computer Consultants

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Founded in 1972, Orchard Village is a charitable social services organization located in Skokie, Illinois. The agency empowers people with developmental disabilities to achieve fulfilling lives in their communities. It partners with families and communities to ensure that people with developmental disabilities have choices and a voice in their lives, and, that they receive support needed to reach their goals. Annually, Orchard Village services and programs support the housing, day program, job placements, behavioral and mental health, and home-based needs of 330 participants, who range in age from children to mature adults. For more information about Orchard Village and its services, visit www.orchardvillage.org.