About the Nonprofit
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The mission of Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) is to enrich the lives of people with disabilities in our partner communities through quality recreation services. NSSRA’s partner communities include the park districts of Northbrook, Deerfield, Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, Kenilworth, Lake Bluff, Northfield, Wilmette and Winnetka; the cities of Highwood and Lake Forest and the Village of Riverwoods.
Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association Foundation (NSSRA Foundation) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization created to solely support the work and advance the mission of NSSRA. NSSRA provides and facilitates year-round recreation programs for children, teens and adults with disabilities who live in our partner communities including cultural, sport, social, physical, outdoor, day camp, special event and virtual programs. NSSRA is dedicated to creating enjoyable and safe recreation programs that enhance participant’s abilities, giving them the opportunity to develop new friends and learn lifetime leisure skills.
NSSRA was established in 1970 and has the distinction as the first Special Recreation Association in the country. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, NSSRA received over 7,000 registrations each year in almost 600 cultural, sport, social, physical, outdoor, trip and special event programs, available during the day, after school, in the evenings and on weekends. Participants included children and adults with mental, physical, emotional or other disabilities, visual impairments or behavior disorders. This included individuals who are on the autism spectrum, who are deaf or hard of hearing or have debilitating conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis or Cerebral Palsy.
NSSRA Foundation was established in 1997 to support the mission of NSSRA by raising and granting supplemental funding. While NSSRA gratefully receives the majority of its funding from its partner agencies, NSSRA Foundation is there to bridge the financial gaps that remain. NSSRA Foundation raises funds throughout the year with all proceeds benefiting the Association.
Areas of support by NSSRA Foundation include:
· Providing financial assistance for participants and their families who are in need.
· Granting the funds to purchase specially equipped vehicles to transport participants to and from programs.
· Sponsoring several annual special events allowing the participants and their families to attend for free or at a reduced rate.
· Providing ongoing support for the growing demand for new services and programs offered by NSSRA.
