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Welcome to St. Coletta’s of Illinois, Inc.
St. Coletta’s of Illinois, Inc. was created by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi for the specific purpose of providing services in a Christian environment for all children and adults with developmental disabilities and other persons with short-term needs. This care is provided regardless of race, creed or economic background.
Through training, residential and educational programs designed to enhance physical, mental, social and spiritual well being, St. Coletta's encourages each individual to achieve his or her greatest potential within society. Each individual is given the opportunity to grow in the least restrictive setting, which meets his or her needs and abilities. |
St. Coletta's of Illinois, Inc. is one of the collaborating organizations sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi. It has a vital, vibrant mission that is at the heart of all its activities. That is to provide educational, vocational and residential services for children and adults with developmental disabilities. The organization treasures the many hours selflessly donated by a large volunteer network which helps make St. Coletta's of Illinois successful.
In 1949, the Sisters of the Order of St. Francis established St. Coletta's of Illinois for 29 students with developmental disabilities. An old farmhouse sitting on 53 tree-covered acres outside of Palos Park began what today has become a social service agency providing services for approximately 400 children and adults with developmental disabilities.
For 40 years, developmentally disabled children lived, went to school, and learned work skills on the grounds of the Palos Park campus. In 1989, St. Coletta's of Illinois took a great leap forward by relocating the Kennedy School to a vacant public school building in Palos Hills. For the first time in the school's history, children living on campus boarded a bus to go to school just as millions of other children do each day.
That first effort at de-institutionalization was followed quickly by the opening of group homes located in the area communities. Studies have shown that community-integrated residential programs not only reduce the impact of institutional living on skill development, but also provide an environment that encourages participation in society. St. Coletta's of Illinois now has 27 supervised group homes for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
The future of St. Coletta's of Illinois, or more exactly the future of the 400 children and adults with developmental disabilities entrusted to its care, depends on the continued growth of the organization. The active Board of Directors is totally committed to continuing community integration. St. Coletta's of Illinois will move forward into the future with big plans and ideas, because great things are never accomplished by dreaming small. |
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