SEASPAR Wins Big at State Conference

The Illinois Park and Recreation Association’s annual conference proved to be a successful one for SEASPAR, as the agency was the recipient of two prestigious awards.
Outstanding Special Event Award – SEASPAR now has the distinction of referring to the Self-Advocacy Academy as an “award winning program.”

SEASPAR was honored to hear that it was the recipient of the ITRS (Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Section) Outstanding Special Event Award. The focus of the nomination was on various aspects of the program including the need that is filled for an underserved population, the important life skills topics all adults should have, the variety of instruction provided, the adoption of the program from LADSE in 2007 and how SEASPAR continues to work with them to administer it, and its exceptional community and volunteer involvement. The Academy is a one of a kind program in the Special Recreation Association world, and SEASPAR is proud to be recognized at the state level for its success.

Anne Cosentino received the Director's Award from the Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Section of IPRA at the Annual Conference. The honor was presented by Director Peter Pope in recognition of Anne's exceptional work as the Education and Training Chairperson of the Section for the pastfive years. In particular, Anne was instrumental in creating the TR Leadership Summit in 2010.

In its first two years, the Leadership Summit has distinguished itself as an excellent day long workshop for all individuals working in therapeutic recreation, especially those working in community settings. It features multi-level tracks of sessions which meet the diverse needs and interests of the attendees. Congratulations to Anne for assuming this additional responsibility and moving educational opportunities to a higher level.

SEASPAR provides year-round recreation services for individuals with disabilities and is an extension of the park districts of Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, LaGrange, LaGrange Park, Lisle,Westmont, and Woodridge, and the villages of Brookfield, Indian Head Park and Western Springs.For further information, contact SEASPAR at 630-960-7600 (voice) or 630-960-7605 (TDD) or visit www.SEASPAR.org.