Joliet Slammers hit home run with St. Coletta's of Illinois

There’s always a bit of excitement when participants in St. Coletta’s Community Day Services program head out on a community outing.

On July 19, that excitement hit a whole new level when a group of developmentally disabled individuals from St. Coletta’s Community Day Services program was treated to a minor league baseball game in Joliet.

“I’ve always wanted to go to a baseball game,” said one participant as he headed to Joliet to see the Slammers take on the Schaumburg Boomers at Duly Health and Care Field.

The Joliet Slammers made the trip to the ballpark possible by sending eight tickets to the nonprofit social service agency earlier this month. A grant from the Suburban Service League of Frankfort paid for their hot dogs, chips, burgers, fries, nachos, popcorn and soda.

“We appreciate the Joliet Slammers and Suburban Service League of Frankfort for making this community outing possible,” said Heather Benedick, St. Coletta’s CEO. “Getting out in the community and interacting with others is important to the people we serve. It gives them an opportunity to build friendships, enjoy social activities and increase their self-esteem, independence, confidence and social skills.”

“It is always a great pleasure to the whole Slammers organization when we are able to help the organizations in Joliet and the surrounding area enjoy a day at the ballpark,” said Ken Miller, Director of Community Relations for the Joliet Slammers. “We always try to sell fun.”

Based in Tinley Park, St. Coletta’s of Illinois is a nonprofit social service agency that provides educational, residential and vocational training services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they can achieve their greatest potential.

More than 300 children and adults from the south, southwest and western suburbs depend on the nonprofit each year.

Getting participants to interact with their communities is an important part of St. Coletta’s mission. The organization strives to send three small groups into the community each day, giving everyone a chance to interact with others several times a month.

Suburban Service League of Frankfort has helped make the trips possible, donating $5,000 to St. Coletta’s so every student and adult participant has $16 to spend on a trip to a local eatery, movie theater or festival.