My Nonprofit Reviews
MarketerD
Review for Little City Foundation, Palatine, IL, USA
For more than fifty years, Little City has provided services to people with disabilities to enhance their skills and offer enriching social experiences. One such program is Little City’s Center for the Arts.
“Creativity has no disability.” That’s the slogan for the Center for the Arts, which offers studio arts, media arts and design and textile arts for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They also provide a wide array of hands-on arts projects for children with mild to severe disabilities including autism.
I became familiar with the arts program at Little City several years ago when a family friend sent out holiday greeting cards featuring the work of Little City’s talented artists. The card included a biography of the artists and information about the arts program. I learned that the artists are residents of Little City’s program “employed” by the Center for the Arts. The artists are offered guidance by Little City’s professionals who help further foster these abilities. The artists are featured at art showings throughout the Chicago area, featured alongside professional artists who are not faced with the same challenges.
I had a first-hand experience with the arts program when I volunteered at an event at Little City’s Chicago campus in late 2009. At this event, children ages 5 to 16 were working to create paintings, papier maiche, sculptures and more to provide a sense of community and accomplishment through the arts. It was an inspiration to see the ownership and pride the children took in their work.
The arts programs are more than therapeutic. They are life-changing for some of these individuals who can’t communicate vocally or who have trouble opening up and expressing themselves to others.
The artwork created by Little City’s artists is inspiring and I can’t wait until the holiday season rolls around again so I can send out a new batch of beautifully designed cards that help provide funding for and promote the great and inspiring work of one of my favorite non-profit organizations.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
sending greeting cards featuring the artwork of Little City's talented and award-winning artists to my family and friends. I recently sent "thank you" cards to all those who supported my participation in a walk-a-thon supporting Little City. The cards featured the beautiful work of the Little City artists and I had so many inquiries from family and friends about how to purchase these cards because the artwork is so well-done and truly rivals professional artists who don't face the same challenges.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
expand the arts program that currently serves both children and adults.
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
What specific problem, purpose, priority, or project prompted your gift?
I know people who suffer from developmental disabilities and I see the strain it has on their family. Little City does wonderful work by supporting children and adults with disabilities. I knew from my volunteer work with the organization that they utilize their funds wisely. Now, of all the charities I donate to annually, Little City is top of my list.
Why did you make your donation at this time?
I began as a volunteer, then joined the Young Professionals Group, then after becoming more familiar with their work, became a regular donor.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
