Special Children’s Charities
Special Olympics Chicago/Special Children’s Charities is committed to providing athletic activities, educational programs, and social opportunities for more than 4,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in all 77 Chicago neighborhoods, 70% of whom live at or below the poverty line.
Our partners include the Chicago Park District, which organizes intramural leagues and other athletics, Chicago Public Schools, where we sponsor an Art and Music Therapy program in 45 schools, and numerous agencies. We also work with Chicago organizations to offer these programs:
- The After 22 Program, a partnership with Anixter Center and City Colleges of Chicago, provides young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities educational services, internships, and job training after they age out of the Chicago Public Schools system
- An athlete-produced television show on CAN TV
- Music, drama, and improv classes with Second City, ABLE Ensemble, and Fernando Jones
- Dance with Hubbard Street Dance and other dance companies
- Common Threads cooking classes
- An Athlete Leadership Council
This is a pivotal and exciting time as we expand our menu of services and increase the number of athletes who participate. Help us continue our mission to give them lifelong learning opportunities by donating at https://sochicago.org/donate.
