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Family Respite Services

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 (*Subject to cancellation depedent on Halloween attendance)
  • Holiday Session – November 6, 2024 – December 19, 2024 (*No session November 27-28)

Registration Information

Email program director Amber Tinney or call 630-281-1845 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.

Enrollment & Funding Process

Thanks to generous donors, our respite services program is currently FREE for families! Email program director Amber Tinney or call 630-281-1845 for specific session information and new participant registration.

boy on sports field

I love my school

“I love my school because I have great teachers and friends.”

person standing near artwork

I like to socialize and laugh

“I like to socialize and laugh with my friends every day.”

happy person smiling

Little Friends staff are remarkable people

“As parents, we feel truly thankful and blessed for the opportunities that Little Friends has provided and offered.  Little Friends staff are remarkable people who are dedicated to what they do and those they serve.”

girl on swing set smiling

Good times with friends and people who care

“For my son, this has not been just a school but the place where he spends good times with friends and people who care about him.”

person reading

How grateful we are

“How grateful we are to all the angels who work with our son at Little Friends. This is his home.”

smiling boy

Krejci means so much to Us

“Krejci means so much to us because it’s been the one place that has truly helped my child excel and grow; the place that he is not judged or made to feel different but accepted. I am so appreciative of the patience, care, and hard work from all the Krejci staff.”

child sitting on bench

Positive Impact on our Family

“Respite has had such a positive impact on our family. We love that our kids can socialize with other families that share our similarities. It gives me comfort knowing he is in good hands”