Generosity brings new outdoor pavilion to St. Coletta’s of Illinois

Thanks to the generosity of donors, participants in St. Coletta’s of Illinois’ educational, residential and vocational training programs now have a beautiful outdoor space to enjoy.

On Oct. 28, the nonprofit social service agency celebrated the completion of its new Jean R. Leavengood Pavilion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event brought together participants, staff, board members and several generous donors who helped make the project a reality through their contributions to the Raise the Roof fundraising campaign.

Among those in attendance was Jean R. Leavengood, whose generosity inspired the pavilion’s name. “I’m glad I could help,” said Leavengood, who learned about the project and campaign from St. Coletta’s Foundation Board Member Elaine Kindt. “My late husband believed in giving back,” she added, reflecting on the couple’s shared commitment to supporting the community.

St. Coletta’s serves nearly 300 children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Established in 1949 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Coletta’s continues to empower individuals from the south and southwest suburbs of Chicago to learn, grow and thrive at every stage of life.

The new pavilion is the latest addition to the agency’s Tinley Park campus, providing students and adult participants with a dedicated outdoor space for group activities and social gatherings, such as its recent Fall Fest.

Adjacent to the pavilion is a new sensory path, installed with generous grants from the Edmond and Alice Opler Foundation and the Stack Family Foundation. The path features sensory panels, musical instruments and spinners, offering students an engaging and calming space to explore.

“Jean made this possible for all of you,” St. Coletta’s CEO Heather Benedick told participants in the agency’s Community Day Services program as they joined the celebration. Afterward, guests gathered to enjoy freshly baked cookies prepared by Coletta’s Crossing Bakery, a new St. Coletta’s initiative, and took part in a guided facility tour led by Benedick.

The Jean R. Leavengood Pavilion will serve as a welcoming space for outdoor activities, community events and programs that enrich the lives of those served by St. Coletta’s.

To learn more about St. Coletta’s of Illinois and its programs, please visit www.stcolettasofil.org or call 708-342-5200.