History of Orchard Village
Orchard Village began with the same mission it continues today. Bernard Saltzberg, a father of three sons with disabilities, decided to create a nurturing community where his sons and other children with disabilities to thrive after schooling ended at age 21. Bernie wanted to create a residential facility in which people with disabilities could live in as close to a normal setting as possible and in a warm and caring environment.
After much hard work to fund the project, Bernie Saltzberg, Ed Melia, and other parents from around the community purchased the six-flat white apartment building located on a small cul-de-sac in Skokie. In September of 1973, the Orchard Association for the Retarded appointed Mr. Saltzberg as the first Executive Director.
| 1972 | Orchard Association for the Retarded/Orchard Village incorporated | ||
| 1974-1975 | Orchard Village becomes a reality with First Community Living Facility established at 7660 Marmora Avenue. | ||
| 1978-1979 | Orchard Village’s Vocational Department established. 4 residents enter competitive employment. | ||
| 1979-1980 | Parents & Friends of Orchard Village open Potpourri Thrift Shop in Skokie. | ||
| 1980-1981 | Respite Center at 7638 Marmora Avenue opens. 40 families and adults with disabilities receive short term respite care. | ||
| 1981-1982 | Supervised Living Arrangement Program opens. Seven residents graduate from residential program to live in the Skokie community semi-independently. | ||
| 1982-1983 | Intermediate Care Program opens at 7671 Marmora Avenue. Residential program expands to serve 62 people. | ||
| 1985-1986 | Intermediate Care Facility receives 6 Star rating for two consecutive years from the Quality Incentive Program (QUIP) administered by the Illinois Department of Public Aid. Association for Retarded Citizens of Illinois honors two employers statewide as “Employers of the Year” for their assistance in the Supported Employment and training of clients with developmental disabilities served by Orchard Village. |
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| 1986-1987 | Orchard Village begins In-Home Respite Program providing short term care to children and adults in their own homes. More than 50 families served in the first year. Completes new kitchen/assembly building with the reorganization and expansion of the food service department. |
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| 1987-1988 | Orchard Village, Evanston Township High School and Park School initiate a pilot Transition Planning Project to study and evaluate the needs of special education students graduating from high school as part of a statewide study. Six residents graduate to more independent levels of residential care while Orchard Village initiates two new residential programs: the Interim Supervised Living Arrangement Program at 7638 Marmora for 4 men and a third Supervised Living Arrangement Program for 2 women. Residential program expands to serve 67 people. |
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| 1989 | Orchard Village receives grant to begin Community Integrated Living Arrangements. | ||
| 1993 | Orchard Village helps establish the Transition Resource Agency Council (TRAC) and consequently received statewide recognition for its Employee Mentor Program | ||
| 1997 | Person-centered interviews based on 21 Personal Outcomes become foundation of support. 21 Personal Outcomes
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| 2000 | The Orchard Village community grows to 325 individuals with the acquisition of Options, Inc. | ||
| 2005 | Salubris™, our healthy living initiative, is implemented in its first 24-hour home. | ||
| 2007 | Orchard Academy welcomes it inaugural class. Orchard Academy is only the 2nd school of its kind in Illinois providing the vocational, independent living and social skills necessary for students with special needs to transition successfully into life after high school. Started Home Based Services which supports children and adults who live at home. The program offers grant funds with which individuals can use to purchase services that allow them to maintain home living and reach personal goals. |
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| 2008 | Opened our first Transitions Home. Transitional Residential Services facilitates the growth of young adults by providing housing, supervision and an independent living skills program to teach them the skills to live independently. Customers learn to navigate public transportation, become involved in social activities, find success in a career and many more skills essential to living on one's own. |
