ORCHARD VILLAGE

Skokie, Illinois, 1972: Bernard Saltzberg, a proud father of three sons with developmental disabilities, envisioned a nurturing community wherein his boys and other young people with disabilities might thrive after their formal schooling ended at age 22. Bernie envisioned a residence in which adults with developmental disabilities could share a safe, caring and home-like environment. After much hard work to fund the project, Bernie and other parents from the community purchased a six-flat apartment building located on a small Skokie cul-de-sac. Within months, the building became the residence for more than a dozen adults with developmental challenges. In September of 1973, Orchard Village appointed Mr. Saltzberg its first Executive Director. Today, 43 years later, Orchard Village takes a more community-integrated approach (12 small-group homes in real suburban neighborhoods) to serving the residential, vocational, transitional and home-based needs of the nearly 300 men, women and children with developmental challenges under our care. We are proud to partner with families and communities in empowering these individuals to achieve fulfilled and engaged lives. To be a place, as we have always promised, “where people blossom.”