Park Lawn's mission is to provide comprehensive services for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Description:
Provides an array of services designed to afford individuals with developmental disabilities the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge that will promote their independence, choice, and access to mainstream living.

History:
Park Lawn Association was founded in 1955, during a time when families across the country were banding together seeking education and services for their disabled children. They were part of a movement that challenged national and state legislatures who only funded education for children with mental retardation deemed "educable." Moderately and severely retarded children did not fall in this category and therefore, no traditional classroom instruction was available.

Parents sensed untapped potential in their children and were determined to find appropriate schooling. They decided to prove that public decision makers were wrong and began meeting in small informal groups in private homes. They exchanged teaching time among themselves and recruited friends to help provide instruction to these special children.

A "steering committee” was formed and meetings were moved to Reavis High School in Burbank, Illinois, a near southwest suburb of Chicago. Officers were elected and an official association was formed. The group began holding daily classroom instruction in the Utility Building at Reavis High School. As word spread, more families joined the group. Soon the association became so large that in 1956 they split into two geographic groups. One remained at Reavis High School and became known as the Garden Center. The other - Park Lawn - moved to the First Congregational Church of Oak Lawn and was known as the Suburban Southwest Association for Mentally Retarded Children.

In order to raise public awareness for their cause the group sought the assistance of the editor of a local paper. A reporter from the paper met with several families and wrote a series of articles. As a result many other families seeking similar services for their children joined the group. Soon more space was needed and the group moved to the second floor of the First United Methodist Church of Evergreen Park at 94th and Homan. They remained at this location for approximately ten years, until 1967.

The influx of more families with children in need of services created a need for more space and professional assistance. To address these issues the parents began raising money by holding events and soliciting for donations from individuals and businesses. Local mayors and government officials from Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park, Crestwood, Hometown, Chicago Ridge, Burbank, Bridgeview, Palos Heights, Alsip, Midlothian, and Oak Forest were asked for their assistance and letters were sent to legislators requesting government assistance. Then in 1968 with the help of hundreds of benevolent individuals, organizations and businesses and matching federal funds, the group was able to erect its first permanent school building in Oak Lawn and hire professional staff. This historic achievement inspired the group to continue more aggressively in its mission to provide comprehensive services for individuals with developmental disabilities.





As the children aged and their needs began to change, Park Lawn recognized the need for further expansion. The group renewed its fund raising efforts and in 1972, with the support of Evergreen Bank, a local family-operated bank, funding was secured to construct an addition to the school building for developmental training classes for individuals over age 21 as well as work shop. Shortly after completion of the new wing, the Illinois Department of Mental Health began funding school and developmental training programs and the association was able to hire an administrator to apply for these public funds.

At this time the association incorporated under the name of Park Lawn School and Activity Center. The name was derived by combining the names of the first two towns which provided support (Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn) and more accurately reflected Park Lawn’s work in the community and the services that were provided.

Contact person: Nancy Schmitz, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (708) 229-9325

Address:

10833 South LaPorte Avenue Oak Lawn, IL 60453-5499 (See a map)