About CSS
Founded in 1980 by a visionary group of parents, educators and community leaders, Community Support Services was established on the premise that all individuals deserve an optimal chance to live with independence, self-esteem, and personal fulfillment. This fundamental belief continues to inspire our programs and services and motivate our many passionate staff members and volunteers.
CSS has continued to grow strategically and compassionately, striving to better serve people with developmental disabilities and their families. Ours is a story of hope and optimism—a story that speaks of the human ability to create, to achieve, and to make a tangible and lasting difference in the lives of others.
Mission Statement
Community Support Services, Inc., is a private, not-for-profit service agency that initiates, provides and promotes services for people with developmental disabilities and their families, within their communities, in order to strengthen their independence, self-esteem, and ability to participate in and contribute to community life.
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Service Principles
- Persons with developmental disabilities are people first and are respected as individuals.
- The needs, as identified by persons with developmental disabilities and their families, determine the services. Because these needs change over time, services need to be made available throughout the person’s life.
- Persons with developmental disabilities, their families, and professionals work as partners to make the service delivery system more responsive to individual needs.
- Persons with developmental disabilities are members of families, and this primary relationship is ongoing and needs to be supported.
- Persons with developmental disabilities are entitled to live and participate in the community and to receive the same opportunities and protection as people without disabilities.
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Who We Serve
CSS provides support annually to nearly 600 children, adults and seniors with developmental disabilities and their families annually. We provide services in west suburban Cook County and eastern DuPage County.
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Project for Family Support 360
In 2004, we initiated the Project for Family Support 360. It started as a concept: empower families and communities by providing support that is family-centered, bi-cultural and bilingual. The concept was driven by, and has been widely embraced by, the many Latino families we currently support. Since its conception, we have partnered with the Institute on Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago to create resources including leadership and advocacy training, family to family resource exchanges, networking and support, information, referral, community connections, and future planning supports. Numerous service providers, local community groups, and funders have become involved to support our collaborative and growing efforts.
The concept has been so widely embraced that it has lead to the purchase of a building in Cicero which will soon function as a one-stop Family Support Center for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The Center is scheduled to open in 2010.
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Chicago Canine Club
In 2008, we opened the Chicago Canine Club, a CSS-owned facility with a dual-purpose. It’s a doggie daycare and pet boarding business that provides a revenue stream for CSS. We also use the space to provide hands-on pre-vocational training in animal care, and community-based employment and volunteer opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities who are interested in working in the animal-care field. The Club blends the passion to help people with disabilities and a true love for dogs, creating a space where the general public can board dogs and our participants can learn about work in doggie daycare, pet-sitting businesses, and veterinary offices. This is the only program of its kind in the geographic area.
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Calendar
Night of a Thousand Stars: Food for Thought @ Community House, Hinsdale IL – February 26, 2010
Parents Night Out: For weekly times, click here.
NEW: Health & Wellness Program – Classes start January 14, 2010. Click here to view flyer.
Canine Care Assistant Training Program – February 15 – March 29, 2010 (Classes offered Monday and Wednesday 9-12 pm and 4-7 pm @ the Chicago Canine Club)
Community Family Fun Fair – April 24, 2010 @ the Max, McCook, IL
LaGrange Pet Parade – Coming in May 2010
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In the News
“Mommy is Always There For Me” – the life of a 12-year old with an intellectually disabled mom. – People magazine, October 5, 2009. (NOTE: For best viewing, set your internet browser to block pop-ups on this page). Click here to read.
Respite Survey – In light of a serious State budget crisis that is affecting the availability and distribution of funds to organizations that provide essential services to people with developmental disabilities in Illinois, CSS sent a survey to 150 families in September. The survey examines the impact of the real-time and potential loss of support to our families. To see a summary of the results, click here.
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Leadership Team
Gaye Preston, MM
President and CEO
Marilyn Benuska, CFRE
Vice President of Development and Marketing
Andrea Finnegan, CPA
Vice President of Finance and Operations
Kaye Masters, MSW, LCSW
Vice President of Family Support and Quality Assurance<
Judith E. Bican
Vice President of Employee Services
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Board of Directors
Gregory Mino, CFA, Nuveen Investments Chair, Board of Directors
Christopher Keys, PhD, DePaul University
Vice Chair, Board Affairs
Christine Campbell, Attorney-at-Law
Vice Chair, Resource Development
Kevin Mitzit, Hinsdale Bank and Trust
Secretary and Treasurer
Randall Barth, MBA, Hewlett Packard Company
Thomas G. FitzGibbon
Peter Heydemann, MD, Rush University Medical Center
Jacqueline Montgomery, IL Municipal Retirement Fund
Elisabeth Pantoja
Sal Sciortino, Restaurant Proprietor
Galen G. Williams, Maroon Global, Principal
Cindy Zajecka, Consumer Advocate
CSS is a private, not-for-profit Illinois corporation governed by a Board of Directors. Members of the Board serve an initial term of three years and may be reelected to two more terms of two years each.
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Directors
Randall Barth, MBA, Hewlett Packard Company
Tommy FitzGibbon, MB Financial
Peter Heydemann, MD, Rush University Medical Center
Jacqueline Montgomery, IL Municipal Retirement Fund
Elisabeth Pantoja
Sal Sciortino, Restaurant Proprietor
Galen Williams, Maroon Global
Cindy Zajecka, Consumer Advocate
CSS is a private, not-for-profit Illinois corporation governed by a Board of Directors. Members of the Board serve an initial term of three years and may be reelected to two more terms of two years each.
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Contact info
9021 Ogden Avenue
Brookfield, IL 60513
Ph: 708.354.4547
Fax: 708.354.7412
www.communitysupportservice.org
Email: info at communitysupportservices dot org
You can also join us on Facebook, sign up for our free e-newsletter and engage our community via our Forum.
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