SMILE/ Special Services
Everyone should have access to Park
District programs regardless of their family’s
financial situation. SMILE (Scholarships Mean
For all
to play
Involvement in Leisure for Everyone) Grant-
in-Aid, a program of the Parks Foundation
of Highland Park, was established in 1992 to enable families
in need of financial assistance the chance to “SMILE” and
participate in Park District programs.
With support from residents and local businesses, the
Foundation raises money each year to fund this grant-in-aid
program through private and corporate donations. In the last
year, over $100,000 in grants were awarded to over 85 Highland
Park families through this worthwhile program.
Apply for SMILE Grant-in-Aid
An application form (in English or Spanish) requesting detailed
financial information is available at West Ridge Center or can
be downloaded from our website at pdhp.org. Forms must be
completed and submitted to the Registration office at West
Ridge Center. All SMILE Grant-in-Aids are awarded on the basis
of need and availability of Grant-in-Aid Programs at the time of
application. Upon submission of a grant request, families will
be notified in 10 working days of their grant status. Questions
regarding the SMILE Grant-In-Aid program may be directed to
Stephanie Rendler at 847.579.3133 or [email protected].
Donate to SMILE Grant-in-Aid
If you would like to make a donation to support this important
program, you can:
• Check the SMILE donation box on your registration form when
registering for a program in-person and include the donation
amount with your payment.
• Click on the “Donate to SMILE” category when registering
for a program online and you can pay for your donation at
checkout.
• Download the SMILE Donation Form from our website, pdhp.
org and mail with payment to: Parks Foundation of Highland
Park 636 Ridge Road Highland Park, IL 60035.
Help us reach our goal!
Services to Residents with Disabilities
Park District of Highland Park is a
partner with Northern Suburban Special
Recreation Association (NSSRA). Formed
in 1970, NSSRA is an extension of ten park
districts, two cities and one village in the
northern suburbs of Chicago and provides and facilitates year-
round recreation programs and services for children, teens and
adults with disabilities. NSSRA offers recreation, sport, cultural,
social, and leisure programs and events available throughout
the year, creating new experiences, opportunities for skill
development, leisure time, and perhaps most importantly,
friendship. NSSRA has been creating an environment of
belonging through play since 1970, and has the distinction of
being the first Special Recreation Association in the country.
We believe that everyone should have the chance to try
something new. This means you have the opportunity to
participate in any one of NSSRA’s nearly 600 annual programs,
or that you have the opportunity to participate in one of Park
District of Highland Park’s programs with the assistance of an
NSSRA Inclusion companion.
Inclusion Services
Park District program Inclusion Services are
available to residents with special needs at no
additional cost to the family. Inclusion services
may include, when necessary, staff training,
program modifications/adaptations, modified equipment and
program observations.
Reasons to Request Inclusion Services
• A parent or family member recognizes that a participant
would benefit from additional support in a Park District
program
• Park District staff identifies a need for additional support, for
safety and programmatic reasons, and communicates this
need to the family
Requesting Inclusion Services
When registering for a Park District of Highland Park program
for the first time:
• Mark the accommodation section of the registration form to
indicate that the participant will require assistance from
NSSRA
• Once your registration form is submitted, the Park District will
contact you to discuss the type of Inclusion support needed
for the participant
• The Park District will provide NSSRA with an Inclusion
request that contains both program and participant
information
• You will be contacted by NSSRA to discuss the needs of the
participant and get input on the type of support required
• NSSRA will work with the park district to put the necessary
Inclusion accommodations in place for participation in the
desired program(s)
• Communication between you, NSSRA, Park District staff
continues throughout the Inclusion process
For more information, regarding Park District Inclusion Services
contact: Jessie Blumberg, 847.579.4062, or [email protected].
Meggan Davies, Manager of Inclusion, NSSRA
847.509.9400 x6828 • [email protected]
For more information about Northern Suburban Special
Recreation Association (NSSRA) go to nssra.org
3105 MacArthur Blvd. • Northbrook, IL 60062 • 847.09.9400
Summer 2017 • Park District of Highland Park
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SMILE (Scholarships Mean Involvement in Leisure for Everyone!) Grant-in-Aid Program