Little Friends, Inc. proudly announces that Mike Briggs, President and CEO, and the organization itself have been honored with the “Live Long and Prosper Award” from the Nimoy Knight Foundation, recognizing exceptional leadership, compassion, and a lifelong commitment to advancing inclusion, dignity, and opportunity for individuals with disabilities.
Established in 1965, Little Friends, Inc. is a leading nonprofit organization serving children, adults, and families impacted by intellectual and developmental disabilities, Autism, social and emotional challenges, and physical disabilities. Today, Little Friends provides one of the broadest arrays of services in the State of Illinois, with a comprehensive continuum of support for individuals on the Autism Spectrum across the lifespan.
Mike Briggs has served as President and CEO of Little Friends since March 2017, following many years of service on the organization’s Board of Directors after retiring from a 30-year career leading manufacturing companies. Since stepping into the CEO role, Briggs has guided significant expansion and innovation across the organization. Under his leadership, Little Friends has grown from $13 million to more than $30 million in annual revenues, now supporting over 2,500 children, adults, and their families throughout the region.
“This award speaks directly to the heart of our mission,” said Mike Briggs. “As I learned more about the Nimoy legacy, the idea that ‘difference is not a deficiency ‘deeply resonated with me. Our work helps people learn how to express themselves and be understood. Many autistic individuals feel emotions as deeply as anyone else but often rely on logic—much like Spock—to help manage and communicate those emotions. Supporting that process is both meaningful and powerful.”
The Live Long and Prosper Award honors individuals and organizations whose work embodies the values of humanity, optimism, and service exemplified by Leonard Nimoy’s enduring legacy. Little Friends’ person-centered approach, commitment to inclusion, and belief in each individual’s potential closely align with the Nimoy Knight Foundation’s mission.
This recognition underscores Little Friends’ continued commitment to innovation, advocacy, and person-centered support—ensuring that individuals of all abilities are valued and supported throughout every stage of life.
