What better reason for our participants to enjoy the outdoors than to take care of and enjoy a garden area! Canopy Parents’ Club purchased garden beds, flowers, vegetables, and soil with funds that were raised and saved from previous events that they hosted. The Canopy Parents’ Club also donated all of the gardening tools! In […]

The Autism Friendly Directory (AFD) is growing! There are currently 24 members on the directory and several who are steps away from being added and certified as “Autism Friendly.” The 411 about the AFD… What: The AFD is a community resource for families living with autism. The AFD provides a list of businesses and organizations […]

We are so excited to share that Christine’s Dream Equestrian Center, our therapeutic riding program based at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, IL, was awarded a grant of $9,000 from the Adtalem Global Education Foundation last month. The Adtalem Global Education Foundation was established in 2010 and is based in Chicago, Illinois. The private foundation […]

Building relationships. Building relationships is crucial in most jobs, but especially in mine, Development. It is important to put myself out there in the community and learn about businesses and organizations, so that I can find and determine ways that Giant Steps is able to work together with and partner with others in the community. […]

This week, Lisa Ewers (Giant Steps’ Major Gifts Director) and myself had the opportunity to give back and volunteer our time to Rich Harvest Farms (RHF), whom hosted the 102nd Western Junior Golf Tournament. We jump at the chance to show our appreciation and gratitude for all that Mr. Jerry Rich does for our organization. […]

Our volunteers are the very heart of Giant Steps! We are fortunate to have so many volunteers with a need for more. Many parents and outside organizations have reached out to help. Fortunately, for Giant Steps, many youth have started reaching out to help as well. Whether it be students in high school looking to […]

Giant Steps’ Elementary students have been prepping since January for their upcoming end of the school year musical. The theme, Pajama Party! What better way to learn how fun getting ready for bed can be! From songs about cozy friends to lullabies to even, monsters under the bed (YIKES), all elementary students will have the […]

Gustavo Estrada. Most of us know him as Gus. He is one of the most talented, skilled, helpful and humble individuals that I have ever met. Gus is a part of the Information Technology (IT) Department for Giant Steps and his official title is Technology and Multimedia Specialist. What many people do not know or […]