The Douglas Center Featured on ABC7Chicago Eyewitness Weekend Morning News

Skokie, IL - The Douglas Center was recently featured on ABC7Chicago Eyewitness Weekend News. Rifath Khan, Chief Executive Officer of The Douglas Center was interviewed by Hosea Sanders, Co-Anchor of ABC7 Chicago News This Morning.

The segment featured an interview with Ms. Khan highlighting the types of choices and opportunities for training, employment and programs and services provided by The Douglas Center. Ms. Khan focused on the improvement and development that individuals with disabilities make under this type of program and how it empowers people with special needs by providing them with opportunities to live a life of their choice. Among the many programs highlighted in the segment were the center’s Work Program (Manufacturing and Commercial Sewing Divisions), “Art From The Heart” Creations program, “Young at Heart” Seniors Program, Developmental Rehabilitation and Vocational Transitions programs, Speech and Music Therapy,

Rifath Khan also announced the launch of the center’s crowdfunding campaign for the purchase of an aquarium for their upcoming Multi-Sensory Therapy Room on crowdrise.com. The campaign launched on #GivingTuesday to raise funds ($8,000.00) for the purchase of an Aquarium for their Multi-Sensory Therapy Room for individuals living with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities. Individuals with disabilities have difficulty interacting with their external surroundings. They struggle with eliminating distractions when focusing on a particular activity. They often feel overwhelmed by their environment due to their inability to appropriately process sensory information.

“The Douglas Center is committed to raising public awareness of the contributions and skills of workers with disabilities; providing training and employment opportunities and collaborating with the private business sector toward achieving a mutually beneficial partnership,” stated Rifath Khan. “At The Douglas Center we are all about providing choices for our participants…empowering and inspiring them in the management of their disabilities, building of self-esteem and improving existing social, work and independent work skills”.

“The Douglas Center would like to express our sincere gratitude to Hosea Sanders of ABC7 Chicago News for the opportunity to raise public awareness on the many contributions of individuals living with disabilities”, said Ms. Khan. For more information about The Douglas Center and our Crowdrise campaign, please visit their website: www.thedouglascenter.com

To view The Douglas Center appearance on ABC7Chicago, please go to: http://abc7chicago.com/society/the-douglas-center-offers-work-training-experience-for-adults-with-disabilities/413030/

ABOUT THE DOUGLAS CENTER

The Douglas Center, a non-profit organization located in Skokie, Illinois, provides day programs for individuals with intellectual, developmental, physical and mental disabilities. Through their Work Program, The Douglas Center offers employment opportunities that include manufacturing, commercial/industrial sewing, packaging, assembly, shrink wrapping, labeling, heat sealing, fulfillment services, etc. by partnering with local manufacturers, businesses and individuals on work contracts/projects. The center offers pre-vocational skills and work training (including sheltered workshops), Supported Employment program, Expressive Therapies programs, a Seniors program as well as developmental rehabilitation for adults of all ages.

The Douglas Center opened its doors in 1999. Today, they provide a home away from home for the hard working and dedicated individuals they serve. Because of The Douglas Center participants are able to experience fuller lives, enhanced and enriched by the employment opportunities, programs and services our center provides. The Douglas Center programs are focused on assisting each individual in the management of their disabilities and building of self-esteem while developing and/or improving existing social, work and independent living skills. Here at The Douglas Center lives are being changed every day!