June 2019
Shining Stars Awards & Recognition Banquet: Thank you for coming!
It was a heartfelt night of celebration on Friday, May 10 when nearly 450 people came together at the Hilton Chicago/Northbrook for NSSRA’s Shining Stars Awards & Recognition Banquet. The annual gathering gives us an opportunity to recognize our outstanding participants, families, staff, advocates, partners, community members and friends who have truly made a difference the previous year. Read about our award winners here, and check out our annual Year in Review video below. Thank you for joining us!
News & Announcements
Meet Carina, Our Summer Intern

Have you noticed a new, friendly face around lately? Join us in welcoming Carina, our intern for this summer! Carina is currently an undergrad at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, double majoring in Social Work and Therapeutic Recreation, with a minor in Psychology. We're so glad to have Carina on  #teamnssra this summer ! Learn more about Carina here.

If you are a young professional in your twenties or thirties, passionate about serving people with disabilities or giving back to your community, we’re looking for you!

NSSRA is forming an Associate Board of energized individuals to raise awareness and support of NSSRA’s programs and services to the direct benefit of participants. Members of the Associate Board will draw upon their expertise, personal and professional networks, and creativity to provide additional organizational, advocacy and philanthropic support to fulfill the agency’s mission.

Interested in joining? To learn more or get involved, please contact Rebekah Lee, Manager of Marketing & Communications, at rlee@nssra.org . We will be hosting an initial open house/interest meeting on Thursday, June 13.

This spring NSSRA Foundation is grateful to have been the recipient for grants from several local organizations!


Thank you to these wonderful organizations for making it possible for more participants to enjoy NSSRA programs, camps and special events this year! For more information about NSSRA Foundation, or to make a donation, click here.

Thank you to all the SRAs who joined us at our annual Spring Formal a few weeks ago!  Click here to view photos, and as always, special thanks to  Photography with Heart  for these fun photos!

Hey, hey! Don’t ditch those fancy clothes once prom season is done! Help our participants look and feel their best for our 2020 Shining Stars Banquet, when we’ll be celebrating our 50th anniversary as an agency!

New and gently used cocktail and formal dresses, suit coats and ties may be dropped off at the NSSRA office or to D&R Autoworks from May 20, 2019 through April 1, 2020. Click here for details.

During the month of July,  D&R Autoworks is donating a portion of proceeds from every oil change service or tire purchase to NSSRA Foundation! Click here for details.  

D&R is also a drop off center for our 2020 Dress Drive! Click here for details.

Thank you to D&R Autoworks for supporting NSSRA participants!
Come Out and Cheer on the Gators! 

Did you know that you are welcome, in fact invited, to attend Gator games? Come on out and cheer on our Gator softball teams over the next few months, we'd love to have you! All home games are from 7:00 - 8:00 pm on select Tuesday evenings in Lake Forest. Check out a few of our upcoming games below!




All games are held at Waveland Park (575 Butler Drive, Lake Forest).

For more information or with questions, contact Recreation Specialist Katie James at (847) 509-9400 x6833 or  kjames@nssra.org .

NSSRA has once again been selected as the charitable recipient for the Nielsen USTA Pro Tennis Championship, held in Winnetka. The ATP Challenger 80 is a one-of-a-kind event attracting some of the finest tennis players in the world and drawing international attention.

Net proceeds benefit NSSRA, and in the last 11 years the tournament has donated over $185,000 for our programs and services. Click here for details. Interested in volunteering? Sign up here.
Thursday, July 11

Are you new to NSSRA or thinking about registering your child for programs? Join us Thursday, July 11 to learn more about NSSRA and the opportunities available each season. Bring questions, meet NSSRA staff, talk with other families and let us g et to know you too!

Please RSVP by Friday, July 5 to Marissa Wayne, Recreation Specialist for Youth Programs, at mwayne@nssra .org or (847) 509-9400 x6834. Click here for details.
Saturday, August 3 • 9:30 am

Enjoy carnival rides, games, music and more!

This event is free for the whole family! Open to Northbrook residents with disabilities and individuals with disabilities served by NSSRA and their immediate family or caregiver living in the same household.
Wednesday, August 14 • 6:00 pm

Summer Bash is an end-of-summer party for participants, families and friends of NSSRA.

Held at the Park Center in Glenview, the evening is  FREE  for everyone and will include dinner, music and the chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones.

Interested in sponsoring this event? Contact Foundation Manager Laurie DeSimone at (847) 509-9400 x6821 or ldesimone@nssra.org .
Friday, September 13 • 7:30 am

Join us at Sunset Valley Golf Club in Highland Park for our annual SWING Golf Outing! Tee-off is at 8:30 am.

Funds raised from SWING Golf Outing benefit NSSRA programs and services. Sponsored by NSSRA Foundation . 

Interested in sponsoring this event? Contact Foundation Manager Laurie DeSimone at (847) 509-9400 x6821 or ldesimone@nssra.org .
Join   #teamnssra  in just a few easy steps: 

1. Complete an application at www.nssra.org/jobs .
2. We’ll email you to set up an interview.
3.  Come on in and show us why you’d be a great teammate! 
4. Join the team!
Community Events

Enjoy an inclusive and interactive storytime filled with stories, songs, sensory play, and socialization! Children of all abilities with their siblings and caregivers are welcome.

PLACE (Public Library Access and Community for Everyone) programs welcome adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as their parents and caregivers. Enjoy a sensory-friendly viewing and discussion of the 2008 musical hit film “Mamma Mia!” Parents and caregivers encouraged to attend. Please register in advance.
NSSRA Board of Directors
Thursday, June 13 at 10:00 am

NSSRA Foundation Board of Directors
Monday, September 16 at 7:00 pm

As part of a program through Amazon called Amazon Smile, when you shop online through  smile.amazon.com , Amazon gives NSSRA Foundation a portion of the profits from your purchase. Click here for details.
NSSRA | 3105 MacArthur Blvd., Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 509-9400 • info@nssra.org • www.nssra.org