News & Events

Little Friends is launching the Connecting Adults with Communities (CAC) Program to address the need for supporting neurodiverse young adults in bridging the gap between educational services and post-secondary integrated employment. The program aims to prepare individuals for competitive employment within underrepresented sectors. It is estimated that within the next decade, 500,000 neurodiverse teenagers with autism will become adults, requiring them to meet social norms and join the workforce. To improve their employability skills and… Read Full Post

Titan CEO and headline sponsor Wipfli LLP are pleased to announce Mike Briggs, Little Friends Inc. President, and CEO, as a 2024 Chicago Titan 100. The Titan 100 program recognizes Chicago’s Top 100 CEO’s & C-level executives. They are the area’s most accomplished business leaders in their industry using criteria that includes demonstrating exceptional leadership, vision, and passion. Collectively the 2024 Chicago Titan 100 and their companies employ upwards of 325,000 individuals and generate over… Read Full Post

Little Friends Board of Directors is made up of community members giving of their time to help Little Friends fulfill our organization’s vision: Our Board welcomes Raj Patel, President and Founder of The Hari Group, a franchise and real estate development company, based in Naperville. Currently, Raj serves on the Board of Trustees for North Central College, and on the board of the Naperville Heritage Society. He was also recognized by the Franchise Times, naming him… Read Full Post

Everyone is settling into new spaces and routines at our Adult Day Services program site in Warrenville now that the program move from Downers Grove is complete. The new building provides an environment that allows our Adult Day Services program to continue to emphasize elements of a meaningful day and a flourishing life. Focus on recreation, skill acquisition, community integration, self-advocacy, social-emotional skill refinement, access to novel experiences, and other engaging activities will now happen… Read Full Post

As our Adult Day Program gears up to move from its location of 37 years in Downers Grove to our site in Warrenville, plans are being implemented to reimagine the services Little Friends provides to the over 100 adults we serve. From this new location, along with enhanced vocational training, job opportunities, and supported employment services, technology training will be a new added component. Our Adult Day Services program has transitioned over its long history… Read Full Post

We congratulate our educational staff on receiving recognition as a National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) School of Excellence yet again this year!  This award-winning team of educators engages students and their families in developing independence, self-advocacy, and self-determination skills through a team approach to person-centered programming. Little Friends school programs offers a therapeutic setting that provides a nurturing and supportive environment for both students and staff. Teachers, therapists, and staff positively impact the… Read Full Post