Family Respite Services

About

Little Friends Respite Family Services provides caregivers with time for rest and relief from the challenges that are associated with raising a child with special needs. Our program offers multi-week sessions for children with special needs and their siblings, featuring a combination of indoor and outdoor activities and socialization opportunities. Thanks to generous funding, we’re able to offer this program completely free of charge to children ages 3–17 and their siblings.

We welcome all types of children with a range of disabilities and their siblings. Our sessions are led by a dedicated lead instructor, supported by trained staff and passionate 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 – Wednesday & Thursday Evenings

5:30-7:30 pm, 27555 Diehl Rd. Warrenville – Door A

2025 Schedule:

Fall Session – August 25, 2025 – November 1, 2025 Registration for the Fall Respite Session is now closed. For information about future respite sessions or to learn more about our program, please contact us.
Holiday Session – November 3, 2025 – December 20, 2025 (*No session week of Thanksgiving)

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.

Compassionate and understanding volunteers are needed to connect with and engage children with disabilities and siblings aged 3-17. Little Friends Family Respite Services program offers multi-week sessions for children with disabilities and their siblings, featuring a combination of 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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