A Message from Our CEO We want to wholeheartedly thank the Ada S. McKinley staff and board of directors during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic for your support in establishing a best-case scenario as we prepared for what has ultimately led to a statewide impact. Your selflessness and diligence have been very much appreciated. Over the [...]
Being a black woman right out of slavery, there are little to no records of Ada S. McKinley. She has gone unsung among Black sheroes. Here’s what we were able to dig up through research as we continue to honor her legacy. Ada Sophia McKinley was born on June 26, 1868 in Galveston, Texas during [...]
Ada S. McKinley staff hosted agency-wide celebrations to commemorate the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and Black History Month. People we serve with developmental and intellectual disabilities discussed who Martin Luther King was, his dream for world unity, and the importance of ending racial injustice. Pictured are participants standing proudly in front of their [...]
Cornell Wilson, a long-time participant of our Vocational Services Program, was the guest speaker at our annual Board of Directors & Leadership Team Luncheon. Cornell (pictured at right with Tim Rubens, Community Day Services Director) has been the State Tennis Champion for Individual Match Play for the Illinois Special Olympics three times in the last [...]
Our Vocational Services Special Olympics Bowling Team closed out the calendar year with a historic win. They outscored three other teams and earned the top honor as State Champions. They were the first athletes to compete in the State Bowling Tournament for Special Olympics of Illinois and earned Ada’s first ever gold medal in bowling. [...]
Ada S. McKinley staff closed out our Centennial year in style with a very special holiday celebration held at the South Shore Cultural Center. The red-carpet style gathering brought together the employees who make it happen daily across programs and locations serving over 7,000 people annually. Festivities included recognition of long-serving staff, music, food, raffle [...]
Ada S. McKinley joined the Coast Guard for the annual, city-wide Chicago Christmas Tree Ship effort at Navy Pier. Our Employment and Community Support Services team coordinated the distribution of 1,200 live trees to deserving families in time for the holidays. Our agency supports this incredible Chicago tradition as an annual partner. It is a [...]
The children at our Roseland Child Development Center had the pleasure of receiving a visit and donation of books from author Useni Eugene Perkins. Mr. Perkins is best known as the author of Hey Black Child, a poem that inspires children to be proud of who they are and to believe in what they can [...]
Ada S. McKinley has extended its reach and impact by expanding our child welfare programming. The new services include post-adoption support, parent mentoring, home visiting, and family advocacy. These additions to our programs complement our existing emergency shelter, foster care, and intact services and strengthen our commitment to providing critical resources to children, youth and [...]
McKinley Vocational Panthers continue to make their mark at the Special Olympics. They won a gold and silver medal in the Sectional Bowling Tournament, and for the first time in Ada history, the Panthers are sending a team to the State Tournament. They also won a silver medal at the State Flag Football Tournament. We [...]
