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About the Nonprofit

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Shining Abilities is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization that serves youth and adults with special
needs in Lake County and surrounding communities. It’s our mission to empower our special
needs community by providing a nurturing and inclusive environment where abilities can shine
bright. We accomplish this through recreational and life skills opportunities, Special Olympics,
evening programs, social events, and a vocational based day programming. Shining Abilities’
vision is to provide services to enhance our participants’ involvement in their community and lead
fulfilling and productive lives while entering into adulthood. This is accomplished by offering a
variety of programs to support continuing education and life skill development, promote whole
body wellbeing, and socialization. All while inspiring our surrounding communities to see the
value we all have to provide.
Since we started in June 2022, Shining Abilities has accomplished so much. Northern Lights an
independent Special Olympics agency was the kick off for Shining Abilities, it has grown from just
17 athletes to now over 60. From there more programs were added such as dinner nights out to
larger special events like Prom, “Thanks”giving Celebration, Kick-off to Summer Family Picnic,
Gum Drop Ball. Most recently we opened the doors to a vocational day program to provide a
safe place for adults with special needs to come and work on life skills and vocational training.
Shining Abilities currently programs for nearly 100 families in the Lake Villa, Round Lake, Fox
Lake, Antioch communities and continues to grow. The future is here and we need your help.
We have secured a second location, the Shining Abilities Training Center & Market, to allow for
growth, and more opportunities. Sponsorships/donations from businesses like yours will help us
achieve the future now!