A delicious assortment of food awaits everyone who attends the Center for Enriched Living’s annual Chefs’ Night, May 5 at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort. There will be everything from chili pork verde nachos to raspberry trifle, spinach pie, Thai salad, sesame chicken, rigatoni, and a whole lot more at this food fest that benefits the Deerfield-based organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Twenty-nine vendors are donating food and beverages to this benefit which is attended by 500-700 people.
Tickets are $125 at centerforenrichedliving.org.
Sue Bersh of Deerfield has been a volunteer with the Center for Enriched Living (CEL) for six years and became president of the organization’s board two years ago. She has served on the Chefs’ Night committee for six years, and was a cochair for three years.
Bersh praised Chefs’ Night, saying, “It’s a sense of community at the event. Everyone feels like a friend when you’re gathering around to support an organization you all care about. But you’re having a great time in a casual setting.”
In addition to sampling food, attendees see a video that shows the impact of the organization, Bersh noted.
“We always have a parent speak about what CEL means to them, and that’s my favorite part,” Bersh said.
There is also a car raffle, with tickets costing $100 or three for $275. The winner will have a choice of winning a 2025 Ford Mustang or $30,000 in cash.
There will also be a silent auction with around a dozen items.
Herb Washington, who has been CEO of the CEL for two years, has worked with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities for his entire 28-year career. He joined CEL because, “I really felt the mission, the culture, the supports that were provided really resonated with me on a personal level and aligned with my values,” he said.
CEL serves over 400 people each year in its 20,000-square-foot building. “Most of our clients have some degree of intellectual disability, anywhere from mild to profound,” Washington said. “Also, autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome.”
Board President Bersh said that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are now often integrated into the schools, “But at age 22, they age out and they have nowhere to go. That’s where we really fill a need. You hear the parents speak about what that means to them, and it warms your heart, and you realize what an important role this organization plays for families.”
CEL offers a wide range of services and activities.
“We have a day program that focuses on building social connections, orientation to the arts, and to community resources,” Washington said. That’s the REACH Adult Day Program.
“We have another program called Catalyst, which focuses on teaching skills of independence and life skills,” Washington said.
CEL also has an employment program which works to connect people with their dream jobs and supports them during their employment. It also assists them to learn new skills.
“We set them up for success and then we help find the job,” Bersh said.
“We also have a mental health program that meets the mental health needs of people with disabilities but also provides mental health resources and support to families,” Washington said.
In addition, a summer camp is offered for teens and adolescents.
Washington reported that the CEL, which began in 1968 and became an independent agency in 1984, is completely independently funded. It receives no funds from the State of Illinois. Individuals and families pay for the services, with fundraising making up 50-60 percent of the revenue. “About 60 percent of our clients receive some degree of financial assistance to help cover costs,” Washington said.
Chefs’ Night, which is celebrating its 25th year, is the main fundraising event, Washington reported, raising about $500,000 annually.
In addition to raising funds, Washington noted that Chefs’ Night “is also important in that it brings future supporters into the circle and is a good introduction into what CEL is all about.”
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
