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Therapeutic Recreation uses recreation services to help people with illnesses, disabilities and other conditions to develop and use their leisure in ways that enhance their health, functional abilities, and quality of life. It optimizes your ability to enjoy activities by reducing the affects of impairments, restrictions, and limitations that a person with disabilities may be living with.
The ultimate goal of recreation therapy is to make possible a full and optimal involvement in community life.
Do you know some of the benefits Therapeutic Recreation provides for persons with developmental disabilities?
• Improves quality of life
• Increases independence
• Focuses health promotion
• Promotes valued health care outcomes
• Increases social skills
• Expands social network
• Improves community living skills
Therapeutic Recreation also has physical and cognitive benefits
• Improves fine and gross motor skills
• Improves athletic skills
• Improves agility and balance
• Increases attention span
• Improves decision making
• Increases independence for making choices
The entire community benefits too
• Increases friendships among peers with and without disabilities.
• Increases participation in community
• Increases peer acceptance
• Develops transferable skills for employment and independent living
For more information about Therapeutic Recreation, visit www.nrpa.org.
Jane Hodgkinson Named to Hall of Fame
At the WDSRA Foundation’s 17th Annual Charity and Dinner Auction held Feb. 26th, 2011, Jane Hodgkinson was presented with the 2011 Hall of Fame Award.
The WDSRA Foundation’s Hall of Fame award is given to individuals, agencies, clubs, and businesses that have been instrumental in carrying out the WDSRA mission of developing of individuals through recreation and our vision of equal fun for everyone.
Hodgkinson joins other notable Hall of Fame recipients including Mike Williams of Williams Architects, the Naperville Exchange Club, B.R. Ryall of Glen Ellyn, and the Olson Family.
Here are excerpts from the surprise presentation by Steve Scholten and Cory Atwell, former WDSRA Association board members.
Steve: Each year the WDSRA Foundation Hall of Fame Award is given to individuals, agencies, clubs and businesses that have been instrumental in carrying out the WDSRA mission of “the development of individuals through recreation” and our Vision of “Equal Fun For Everyone”. This year all of us in this room will certainly agree that no one has done more to make sure the special needs population is honored and appreciated.
Cory: Yes, the agency started over 30 years ago with 125 children in summer day camp programs. Now WDSRA serves more than 4,500 individuals children and adults with special needs in over 1500 recreation programs, trips and special events annually. Annual participation exceeds 15,000 through programs, inclusion services, community education and fund-raising events.
Steve: We want to recognize THE person who has been there for each and every part of that positive growth and change.
In Jane’s 30 years with the agency she has not only embodied the tenets of this award each and every day, she has provided advocacy for individuals with special needs well beyond our DuPage borders. Jane has successfully formed long standing relationships with countless individuals who have helped to shape legislation that ultimately has helped not just the individuals served by WDSRA, but well beyond. Jane’s efforts have been tireless and her representation of the agency absolutely outstanding. The fantastic relationships the agency enjoys with all 9 of our member districts can be credited to Jane’s level of involvement and commitment.
At this 35th anniversary mark for Western DuPage Special Recreation Association it is most fitting and proper that we present Jane Hodgkinson with the 2011 Hall of Fame award.
Jane, you have given all of us the greatest gift of all. You have given each and every one of us your friendship and your love.
Please join me in raising your glass and toasting to an incredible run of 30 years. Congratulations on your years of service and thank you for your tireless efforts on behalf of an outstanding agency and all those with special needs.
WDSRA History 1971-2011
The Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) has been providing Equal Fun for Everyone for the last 35 years. WDSRA was formed in 1976 by the Glen Ellyn, Naperville, West Chicago and Wheaton Park Districts so that people with special needs have more choices in recreation. That summer, a day camp program was offered to 125 children with disabilities. Thirty-five years later, WDSRA now provides over 1500 annual programs to more than 4500 participants from nine communities, which now include Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Roselle, Warrenville, and Winfield in addition to the four founding Park Districts.
1971-1975
From 1971-73, the Naperville Park District applied for and was awarded a grant of $1,000 from the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation to offer a 6-week day camp program, called Camp Tawasi, for TMH children. The program ran a deficit of $1250 the first year. Dr. Jackson Anderson, a professor from the University of Minnesota, to evaluate the program for the Kennedy Foundation. Helen Haugsnes, a special education teacher, was the camp director. The program started with 22 campers and was held at the log building at Centennial Beach. In 1973, a monthly social club was added for TMH children from 6-16 and a weekly social club for young adults who were classified as EMH for crafts, dancing, games, and parties. On October 7, 1971, the Naperville Park District passed a resolution encouraging DuPage County Park Districts to meet on cooperating with services. By 1974-75, the camp program was run in cooperation with the Wheaton and Glen Ellyn Park Districts.
Special Recreation Legislation
Harris Fawell, then a senator from Naperville, was the legislator who sponsored all the Illinois special recreation legislation, during three different years. Fawell, an attorney, then served in the U. S. House of Representatives.
He has stated that several park district directors approached him about sponsoring some type of bill that would allow park districts to serve those with special needs. Fawell was familiar with school districts that formed special education cooperatives and used that model for the legislation. He has often been quoted as saying, “Of all the bills I sponsored, the special recreation bills are the legislation I received the most thanks from parents.”
The legal base for all Illinois special recreation associations is the result of Senate Bills 745 and 746 of the 1969 Illinois General Assembly. These bills encouraged two or more communities to join together to provide services to the handicapped residents of the community. Every Park District is authorized to establish, maintain and manage recreational programs for the handicapped, including both the mentally and physically handicapped, to provide transportation for the handicapped to and from such programs, to provide for such examination of participants in such programs as may be deemed necessary, to charge fees for participation in such programs, the fee charged for non-residents of such districts need not be the same as the fees charged the residents of the district, and to charge fees for transportation furnished to participants.…including provisions for transportation of participants, procedures for approval of budgets, authorization of expenditures and sharing of expenses, location of recreational areas in the area of any of the participating districts and municipalities, employment of a director and other professional workers for such program who may be employed by one participation district, municipality or board which shall be reimbursed on a mutually agreed basis by the other districts…The first bill passed in 1969; the second bill, that provided a funding mechanism, passed in 1972, and in 1975 the final bill was passed. Now park districts had a clear legal path to provide services for people with disabilities and many communities began discussions about forming a “special recreation association”.
In DuPage County, the entities that would become NEDSRA, SEASPAR, and WDSRA were in discussion stages. The communities forming WDSRA wanted each community to put $2,000 towards seed money to create an Association. The communities forming NEDSRA wanted $500 per community, so some towns being thrifty, joined NEDSRA rather than WDSRA.
WDSRA's Highlights: 35 Years at a Glance
1976 Glen Ellyn, Naperville, West Chicago and Wheaton Park Districts form WDSRA in the fall. Barbara Sternfeld (later) Singer is hired as first director.
1977 Member park districts of WDSRA approve the articles of agreement. First program offered is summer day camp. Leisure education classes in the schools start.
1978 WDSRA and Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital begin cooperative programs for Traumatic Brain Injured (TBI) and people who had had strokes. High Hopes was the social club for the TBI.
1979 First cooperative summer program with School Association for Special Education in DuPage County (SASED) for TMH Students.
1980 The first track and field meet is held at North Central College.
1981 Jane Hodgkinson becomes second director. Programs expanded to offer to mentally ill adults, Special Olympics, vacation trips, deaf/blind programs, geriatric programs and Boy Scouts. Joint workshops for physically challenged offered with Marianjoy in archery, tennis, and golf.
1982 WDSRA named Gold Medal winner for Excellence in Programming from National Recreation and Park association (NRPA) and National Sporting Goods Association. First Recognition Banquet held. WDSRA hosts first State Special Olympic Bowling competition at Wheaton Bowl. WDSRA hosted its first mainstream spring break trip in cooperation with the Wheaton Park District. WDSRA hosted its first wilderness trip for the mentally Ill.
1983 Co-sponsored a summer program for students of the DuPage/West Cook Special Education Cooperative with other Special Recreation Associations. First Very Special Arts program offered through day camp. WDSRA programmed for Sunnyridge Residential School. WDSRA chartered their first Cub Scout pack. CASE afterschool and summer camp including door-to-door transportation began.
1984 Offered Disability Awareness Day for 3,000 Girl Scouts. Began cooperative swim program with BR Ryall YMCA. WDSRA Board began development of first Long-Range Plan. WDSRA chartered first Girl Scout troop. SASED afterschool program including door-to-door transportation began. Co-op summer school program for severely mentally handicapped individuals was formed.
1985 Administered regional track meet for Cerebral Palsy and wheelchair athletes. WDSRA started the Very Special Olympics. WDSRA went on a Canadian Wilderness Camping trip for the mentally challenged. A volunteer program was started for high school students and business people. Programming began for Marianjoy pain patients.
1986 WDSRA’s tenth anniversary. Bloomingdale Park District joined the association. WDSRA joined SRMA Risk Management Pool. In house safety committee formed. Intern program and manuals (with NCTRC & NTRS guidelines) were developed. Ski Clinic, in cooperation with Marianjoy, is formed for pain patients. WDSRA held a six day camping trip for the mentally handicapped. Long distance golf shoot program was formed. Parents/child sign language class began. Adaptive Physical Education program with SASED began. Visually Impaired support group was established.
1987 City of Warrenville joined the association. Wheaton Kiwanis sponsored first "Splash & Bash" event. North DuPage Special Education Cooperative (NDSEC) for people with multi-needs. First trip for people with physical challenges offered to Hoover Outdoor Center. WDSRA had four international Special Olympics athletes. WDSRA held the first Arts Recital. WDSRA had its first participant airplane trip. First youth basketball team was formed. Community service volunteers joined WDSRA.
1988 Winfield Park District joined the association. First Holiday (Christmas) dinner dance offered. First LD/BD trip was taken. WDSRA purchased its first accessible bus. Day Camps structure changed to four day per week, with optional Friday fieldtrips.
1989 Formation of wheelchair sports programs and clinics. Wheelchair sports programs created were tennis and fishing. Public Information and Staff Enrichment Coordinator positions added. First Caregivers Conference for Parents offered. First WDSRA Medical Advisory Board was formed. WDSRA’s first cable show was produced. WDSRA co-sponsored DuPage Arts Alliance Council.
1990 Roselle Park District joined the association. Second Long Range Plan completed. Performing Arts Group, TROOP Drama, formed. Participant-cable access program "Video Adventures" first produced. 3-V Carp Tournament benefits WDSRA. WDSRA dancers practice with the Bolshoi Ballet through Very Special Arts.
1991 First aquatics swim meet. Drop-In Center for mentally ill adults started in Naperville. Chicago Northwestern Railroad offers trip to Union, Illinois. Auro program started for youth at risk.
1992 First WDSRA Inclusion Coordinator position created and WDSRA joins Park District Risk Management Agency (PDRMA).
1993 Agency's fundraising arm, WDSRA Foundation, established. WDSRA earns second NRPA Gold Medal Award for Outstanding Programming for People with Disabilities.
1994 Japanese visitors study American programs for people with disabilities and selected WDSRA as site visit. Foundation hosts first auction and Hall of Fame inductee.
1995 First year to co-sponsor "Serena's Song", world's only accessible hot air balloon. Sponsored Cleveland Ballet Dancing Wheels at College of DuPage; workshop participants came from as far as Milwaukee. Foundation sponsors first Women's Gold Outing.
1996 Carol Stream Park District joined the association.
1997 Acquired new administrative building through joint purchase with Carol Stream Park District.
1998 Legislation passed that allowed the City of Warrenville to transfer membership to the park district. Positive Recreational Opportunities (PRO) League started.
1999 Warrenville Park District became an official member of the association.
WDSRA's International Special Olympian, Joe Kirkwood was the first Illinois athlete chosen to compete in the 26.2 mile-marathon.
2000 WDSRA’s Boccia athletes competed at the National Games Festival for the Disabled in New London, Connecticut, for the first time.
2001 WDSRA celebrates 25th Anniversary, honors founders, first annual Family Fest, WDSRA cookbook published.
2002 WDSRA one of 11 SRAs to receive $450,000 Vitamin Settlement Grant.
2003 Senate Bill 1881 is passed, removing Special Recreation tax from the tax cap.
2004 WDSRA’s Wheelchair Basketball Team wins first IHSA Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, finishes fourth in nation.
2005 Rec and Roll day program created for adults. Aktion club formed.
2006 Windy City Warriors won the IHSA wheelchair basketball title for the second time.
WDSRA grows to serve more than 8,000 individuals and offers over 1,000 programs, trips, and special events each year. WDSRA offers Special Olympic weightlifting.
2007 WDSRA Windy City Warriors softball team takes 1st place at FIRST EVER Junior
Softball Nationals Tournament! WDSRA offers Special Olympic Floor Hockey.
WDSRA provides over 1,000 inclusion participations. Rec and Roll expands with a second location in Carol Stream when WDSRA buys administrative building from CSPD.
WDSRA first SRA to receive the IGFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. First Annual Music Recital is held. Needs Assessment Survey conducted. WDSRA receives high marks.
2008 WDSRA is named a Distinguished Agency for the second time. WDSRA offers first “Speak-Up Camp” for children who stutter with SRACLC and the Stuttering Foundation. It receives award from IPRA. Supporters run the Chicago Marathon to raise funds for WDSRA. WDSRA’s “green efforts” are rewarded by receiving flag from SCARCE at DuPage County Board meeting. Girl Scout Troop 200 forms for girls 6-15. Foundation holds first Jump-a-thon to raise funds, over $20,000 raised
2009 WDSRA one of five agencies nationally selected to participate in pilot inclusion study for Johns Hopkins University and Bubel/Aiken Foundation. WDSRA provides over 1,500 inclusion requests. WDSRA implements the Young Athletes Program of Special Olympics. According to Illinois Special Olympics, WDSRA serves more Special Olympians than any other SRA. Community Cruisers is piloted with Wheaton/Warrenville School District 200’s transition program with 13 students. Video Ventures Program wins outstanding program award from ITRS
2010 Ackerman Sports Complex opens and WDSRA has its first dedicated sports times in facility, 99-year lease, opens 3rd rec and roll program and starts 2nd drop-in center for young adults with mental illness. WDSRA named “Naperville’s greatest asset” in city survey of families with special needs. “SRA’s Got Talent” wins outstanding special event award from ITRS. Windy City warriors win 5th state basketball championship.
2011 Jane Hodgkinson retires from Association and Sandy Gbur becomes the third director of WDSRA
