What was the catalyst for founding BiG Great Lakes?

BiG Great Lakes was founded by a mom on a mission to find a purposeful, safe, and thriving community for her special needs adult children. Having 4 children, 3 special needs adults, she and her husband knew there were not many quality adult programs out there above the status quo of custodial care, and if there were, there were very long waiting lists. As a parent, she visited many social based, vocational, and residential communities, locally and out of state, to find a model that she wanted to duplicate, not only for her children, but for all adults with disabilities. She came across the Brookwood In Georgetown Community in Texas after attending the "Center for Learning Conference" and knew she found the model she wanted to replicate, in core values, in purpose, in community. (the Brookwood COmmunity in Georgetown Texas). After launching as the first out of state satellite Nov 1, 2021, there are now 11 BiG replications throughout the United States.

How are you able to help adults living with disabilities?

BiG Great Lakes provides an innovative, out of the box, entrepreneurial program, providing meaningful work, while changing the world views those with disabilities. Citizens at BiG Great Lakes are becoming potters, bakers, artisans and more while creating high quality products, and building a community of long term friendships. Their goal is to have their own satellite program building that includes a high end gift shop and coffee caffe', and to provide homes for their Citizens. They also provide something called RPM, or Rapid Prompting Method. RPM is an educational tool for non-verbal or unreliably verbal individuals that leads to OPEN ENDED EXPRESSIVE LANGUAGE, increasing quality of life and consistent social opportunities. BiG Great Lakes has two Level 2 Licensed RPM Practitioners. BiG is able to help adults with disabilities by providing that purposeful work, a reason to wake up every morning, by providing continuing education, learning through enterprises and what is marketable, and providing an atmosphere to cultivate new friendships and continue enjoying the community they are building .

How many Citizens are in your program?

There are currently 29 enrolled Citizens with others in a waiting pool, enrolling new Citizens 1 per month.

How can we get involved?

There are many ways to get involved: Spread the mission of BiG to your family and friends, donate to help them get one step closer to their goals, stop by the program to visit and purchase their wonderful product, or join in volunteering, in which there are many opportunities from weekly commitments to special event occasions. Please visit www.biggreatlakes.org for more information on how to sign up to be a volunteer and to find out more about BiG. Program Location : 4555 Old Grand Ave, Gurnee, Il Monday- Thursdays 10:00-4:00

What is one thing you want everyone to know about BiG Great Lakes?

From Parents with Special Needs Children to Parents with Special Needs Children: THERE IS HOPE. THERE IS HOPE OF A BEAUTIFUL QUALITY, PURPOSEFUL LIFE BEYOND 22 YEARS OLD FOR YOUR CHILDREN. From Special Needs Parents to the Community: Special Needs Individuals are treasures to be discovered. Get to know a person with disabilities and watch how you are transformed. BiG Great Lakes believes that all individuals deserve respect and honor, and are capable of much more than one may realize. Our goal is to provide an atmosphere where every Citizen can thrive, and to discover their gifts and passions, and give room for them to bloom. BiG is not simply a program. It is a culture.