Family Respite Services

About

Little Friends Respite Family Services offers caregivers time for rest and relief from challenges associated with raising a child with special needs. Our program offers multi-week sessions for children with special needs and their siblings, featuring indoor and outdoor activities and socialization opportunities. Currently, there is no fee for this program serving children 3-17 and siblings.

Each session is hosted by a lead instructor, paid staff members, and community volunteers. All participants are guided to engage in structured activities, art projects, gross and fine motor play while encouraged to socialize. One to one aides are available as needed. Sessions are ongoing throughout the year.

Weekly Sessions – Thursday Evenings (Wednesday sessions may be added dependent on enrollment/interest)
5:30-7:30 pm, 27555 Diehl Rd. Warrenville – Door A

2024 Schedule:

Winter Session – January 17, 2024 – March 21, 2024
Spring Session – April 10, 2024 – May 24, 2024
Summer Session – June 5, 2024 – July 25, 2024 (*No session July 3-4th)
Fall Session – August 21, 2024 – October 31, 2024
Holiday Session – November 6, 2024 – December 19, 2024 (*No session November 27-28)

2025 Schedule:

Winter Session – January 17, 2024 – March 21, 2024
Spring Session – April 10, 2024 – May 24, 2024
Summer Session – June 5, 2024 – July 25, 2024 (*No session July 3-4th)
Fall Session – August 21, 2024 – October 31, 2024
Holiday Session – November 6, 2024 – December 19, 2024 (*No session November 27-28)

Registration Information

Email info@lilfriends.com or call 630-355-6533 for specific session information and new participant registration.

Please bring snack/water bottle (drink) to every session!
If at any time a participant shows an indication of illness, sore throat, cough, etc., caregivers will be notified to pick up immediately.
We will do our best to work through challenging behaviors, but for any dangerous/crisis behaviors, caregivers will be notified to pick up if our attempts at de-escalation are unsuccessful.
We may be able to provide 1:1 support as needed. Please reach out if your child would need this type of support to discuss program options.
There are NO fees associated with the program at this time, we only require regular attendance and commitment so we can plan for staffing/volunteer needs. We understand emergencies/sickness happen, but to keep our program free to families we request at least 24-hour notice for any absences.

Big hearts needed to engage little minds and hold hands of special needs children and siblings aged 3-17. Little Friends Family Respite Services program offers multi-week sessions for children with special needs and their siblings, featuring indoor and outdoor activities and socialization opportunities.

Volunteers are needed to help supervise these planned activities. You will gain experiential learning for your future career in education, nursing, physical therapy and beyond. You can earn service hours or build your college and career resume. Choose one or multiple shifts. We are seeking high school and college students as well as adult volunteers on an ongoing basis.

Learn More & Apply

Enrollment & Funding Process

Thanks to generous donors, our respite services program is currently FREE for families! Email info@lilfriends.com or call 630-355-6533 for specific session information and new participant registration.

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