St. Coletta’s of Illinois Celebrates Its 70 Year History

Tinley Park, IL – St. Coletta’s of Illinois is excited to announce its 70th anniversary! In celebration of this joyous milestone, a specially-designed commemorative logo celebrates the history of their founders, the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, and recognizes the growth of the organization.

Over the past seven decades, St. Coletta’s has accomplished so much, never straying from the spirit of the original mission of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi. From an old farmhouse as home and school to 29 boys, to an expanded Palos Park Campus of residential cottages, a school, dining hall, and church, to today's comprehensive program that serves over 250 children and adults, St. Coletta's continues to serve and advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Throughout the years, St. Coletta's has continued to grow and adapt to the changing needs of those served. As an emphasis on living and working in the community altered the model of care, St. Coletta's responded by providing opportunities for boys and girls, young men and women, to flourish within the community. Today, St. Coletta's continues to address the shifting requirements of care as individuals served grow older and their needs change.

Now regionally recognized, St. Coletta’s of Illinois resides in Tinley Park and has grown larger than seemed possible. With 25 group homes spread throughout the South and Southwest suburbs, 160 residential clients call St. Coletta’s home. The Kennedy School is thriving and has recently opened its doors to over 30 new students. The Vocational Program offers participants more long-term employment opportunities than ever before.

Each day, St. Coletta’s celebrates what the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi started in 1949, and is honored to continue to carry out their mission.

St. Coletta’s of Illinois, which is celebrating its 70th year, provides services to over 250 adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities through educational, vocational and residential programming. If you are interested in learning more about St. Coletta’s of Illinois or would like to schedule a tour of the Tinley Park facility, please contact Annette Skafgaard at 708-342-5200.

St. Coletta’s of Illinois Foundation supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. To learn more about St. Coletta’s of Illinois Foundation and its mission, please contact Carrie Seida at 708-342-5246 or visit our website at www.stcolettail.org.

Photo Captions: 1) Specially-designed commemorative logo celebrating 70 years. 2) Students receive lessons from Sr. Joanne Marie Kleibhan in the early 1950's. Enrollment started with just 29 boys, but soon flourished to 120. 3) In 1963 the Kennedy Job Training Center was designed to prepare recent Kennedy School graduates for jobs within the community. 4) Today, the Vocational Program in Tinley Park is open to both residential as well as community participants and offers pre-employment instruction, job placement and supported employment. 5) Transition Town, which opened in 2017, provides the Kennedy School students, as well as adults within the Vocational Program, hands-on learning in a simulated community environment.