Page 31 - Gateways 2018 Spring

"A Zoo for All": More Than Just a Name 27

If you take a look around Brookfield Zoo at any given time, you’re bound to see individuals
participating in a variety of programs that cater to different needs and abilities. Some of these
programs—such as ProjectSEARCH and Art360—are a bit newer, while others have been
around for more than a decade.

ProjectSEARCH
Now in its second year, ProjectSEARCH is a collaboration between the Chicago
Zoological Society and Helping Hand Center that provides employment training for
adults with disabilities. Ten externs currently are in the middle of their assignments—
which range from food preparation to staffing a help desk to office assistant
positions—throughout the zoo. Upon completion of their externships, participants
will work with counselors to seek employment in the community. Of the program’s
first-year participants, 100% were placed in local jobs after completing their externships.

Art360
Art can be a great form of expression, and the Art360 program—a partnership between
the Society and Community Support Services, Inc.—gives young adults with intellectual or
developmental disabilities the chance to find their voice while drawing, painting, or sculpting

animals at the zoo. This 10-week program is offered several times throughout the year and
ends with a final exhibition where the participants are able to showcase their artwork.
The next showcase is scheduled to be held on April 5. You can check it out and
purchase the artwork at CSS Academy, located at 3732 Grand Blvd. in Brookfield.

GoodWorks
Each year, six students with disabilities from five partner high schools are brought in
as volunteers in Hamill Family Play Zoo. They start out working with a coach from their
high school, and by the end of their semester, they can be working independently
on a variety of tasks that help keep the exhibit up and running for families. In addition
to learning important job skills, the teens also build confidence and gain experience
interacting in a public setting.

Animal Ambassador Visits
When individuals can’t make it to Brookfield Zoo, Society staff brings the zoo to them. Each year,
we take some of our animal ambassadors for several visits to Misericordia, a local organization
that offers a community of care for persons with mild to profound developmental disabilities.
In 2017, animal ambassadors also paid a special visit to the Lake County Special Recreation
Association Summer Camp and the Schaumburg Township Disability Picnic. (For more
information on our animal ambassadors program, see the story on page 11).

Special Celebrations
There’s nothing quite like a good celebration! In addition to our ongoing programs, we also
set aside some dedicated time to recognize all our guests. Nearly 2,000 guests came out for
our 2017 “A Zoo for All” day, which celebrated children and adults with physical, cognitive, or
developmental disabilities. And hundreds attended our 2017 “Zoo Goes Blue for Autism” event,
which included a sensory-friendly
Dolphins in Action presentation
and special animal Zoo Chats.
And these are just a few
of our special events—
visit CZS.org to find
information about 2018’s
scheduled events.

BROOKFIELD ZOO | SPRING 2018