Orchard Village Receives $5,000 Grant from Junior League of Evanston-North Shore for Employment Program

Orchard Village is pleased to announce that it has received a $5,000 grant from the Junior League of Evanston-North Shore. The funding will help support the organization's job services program, which helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) find and keep meaningful employment in the Chicagoland region.

Adults with IDD face significant barriers to employment, including limited access to job coaching, training resources, and career planning support. Orchard Village's job services program closes the gap by connecting individuals with IDD to community-based employment. The program provides individualized career planning, resume and interview preparation, job placement assistance, and on-the-job coaching. Orchard Village staff members work closely with both participants and local employers to help everyone succeed.

The grant funds will be divided across two areas of need. Half of the award will go toward educational and adaptive learning materials, including job training workbooks and technology tools that support communication and learning. The remaining half will cover transportation costs to job sites, interviews, internships, and workplace training sessions, removing a practical obstacle that often stands between individuals and steady employment.

"This generous support from the Junior League of Evanston-North Shore means so much to the people we serve," said Susan Kaufman, President and CEO of Orchard Village. "Employment gives people a sense of purpose, independence, and belonging. With these funds, we can make sure that more people with IDD have the tools and transportation they need to get to work, grow in their careers, and thrive in their communities."

Orchard Village created its employment program in 1977. The program received CARF Accreditation, which consists of ongoing consultation and in-depth on-site reviews by outside professionals to help Orchard Village provide the highest quality services.

To learn more about the job program, please visit orchardvillage.org/service/employment-services/