Although its Elmwood Park facility has been sold, officials at Oak-Leyden Developmental Services say there will be no disruption of services to its clients in that immediate area.
The Oak-Leyden nonprofit provides treatment services and vocational programs that take place at a learning center in Oak Park, in 12 smaller group homes and at the 9,089-square-foot facility in Elmwood Park that is being sold to the village.
“There are just under 30 adults who are at our Elmwood Park facility,” Oak-Leyden Chief Executive Officer R.J. McMahon said. “Fortunately, we have enough space at our Oak Park learning center where all of those folks can go. It has a capacity for 90 individuals.”
McMahon said that the organization now will be looking for a smaller setting to serve Elmwood Park clients.
“What I’m thinking is that within the next year is a reasonable (timeframe) that gives us enough runway to find smaller leased space so we can still be in the community,” he said. “It could be in Elmwood Park again, or Melrose Park or Franklin Park. This will now allow us time in the coming months for the transition, and in the meantime we have a place in Oak Park for all of those folks who were being served out of the Elmwood Park location.”
The sale of the property, at 22-23 Conti Parkway, for $820,000, came about after McMahon spoke with Elmwood Park Village President Angelo “Skip” Saviano.
“I’ve known Skip for a long time,” McMahon said. “The village showed interest and we were receptive to the conversation. I’m grateful that we were able to put this together.”
Closing on the property sale, which consists of the building and 12,500-square-foot land parcel, is to happen on or before May 20, according to Elmwood Park Village Manager Paul Volpe. Oak-Leyden is to remit $6,000 rent for every month it remains there.
“The acquisition in the Village Circle is the last remaining piece of the Mayor’s vision to enhance the town center,” Volpe said. “Eight years ago, the Circle was a random collection of vacant, deteriorating buildings. 22-23 Conti Parkway is a key corner at the front end of what is now a quaint strip of mixed use properties.”
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Volpe said the village now will research what might be the best use for the Oak-Leyden building, such as a possible new convenience store.
In addition to its Oak Park and soon-to-be-vacated Elmwood Park learning centers, Oak-Leyden operates 12 smaller homes throughout Berwyn, Forest Park, Franklin Park, Melrose Park, Northlake, Oak Park and Westchester.
“There are about 54 people who live in those 12 homes,” McMahon said. “Each has four residents and a couple have up to six living there. These all are locations where we can provide 24/7 care.”
He said the homes serve developmentally disabled clients who are adults ranging “to ages in their 50s, and even older. Our Oak Park facility also is all adult, so it will be no problem taking care of the folks from Elmwood Park.”
Oak-Leyden also provides children’s services for those up to three years old.
“Our children’s services group has therapists who work with them in the child’s natural environment,” McMahon said. “If they’re in a day care center, then we see them in the day care center. If the kids are in their homes, then we go to their homes, which also allows our therapists to work with the parents.”
There are about 120 employees at Oak-Leyden Developmental Services, the majority of whom are state-certified “direct support professionals,” or DSPs as they’re known in the industry.
“Those are the folks who truly are on our front lines,” McMahon said. “They’re the lifeblood of the organization. This is really difficult work on even the best day, but our DSPs come through and they’re so committed to the people we serve.”
McMahon said many of the DSPs are multi-lingual and consist of case managers and occupational, mental and physical therapists.
Oak-Leyden’s most recent budget showed it to be a $6.7 million nonprofit that receives about 80% of its funding from the state of Illinois.
“The rest comes from grants, donations from the community and other sources,” McMahon said. “We’re very proud to have been around for over 65 years and fully engaged in Oak Park and the Leyden Township area.”