NSSRA Superintendent Candice Cunningham Celebrates 15 Years

(L-R) NSSRA Recreation Manager Becca Zajler, ELA Participant Jack Karasik of Lake Forest, ELA Participant Rachel Kator of Glenview, and NSSRA Superintendent Candice Cunningham.

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Northbrook – October 16, 2017 – This month NSSRA Superintendent Candice Cunningham marks 15 years of service with the agency. An uncommon accomplishment, Cunningham has served as Superintendent since 2009 and began her tenure with the agency in 2002 as a Recreation Specialist.

Founded in 1970, NSSRA serves over 1,500 children, teens and adults with disabilities living in its partner communities throughout the northern suburbs. With nearly 600 recreation, sport, cultural, social, and leisure offerings throughout the year, NSSRA is dedicated to creating new experiences, opportunities for leisure time, skill development and perhaps most importantly, friendship.

“I don’t think there is an area of NSSRA programs and services that Candice hasn’t influenced,” said Executive Director Craig Culp. “She’s had a tremendous impact on our agency’s development and growth over the last several years.”

Cunningham has lead NSSRA’s Inclusion services and team for the last 7 years, which has grown to support 1,000 placements on average throughout the year in the agency’s thirteen partner communities. In addition to Inclusion, Candice has also played a key role in the development of Enriched Lifestyles for Adults (ELA), NSSRA’s adult day program. “She built ELA from the ground up, and her consistent presence and attention to the program is what has helped ensure its continued success,” said Culp. Now in its 11th year, at its inception ELA was the first adult day program offered by an SRA, now serving approximately 22 individuals per year.

The consummate professional, Cunningham’s influence is hardly limited to leadership and development. Perhaps more importantly, she regularly offers her attention, wisdom and care to participants, families and staff at a moment’s notice. “When she walks into a program, you can see her instantaneous comfort and ability to meet the needs of whoever is in the room,” said Meggan Davies, NSSRA Recreation Manager. Davies continued, “She gracefully jumps into any situation unfazed, and taps into her wealth of experience and training to immediately assess the situation and respond accordingly.”

“There is not a more loyal, approachable, fair, kind or fun teammate,” said Culp. “She is deeply passionate about her work and is incredibly invested in our participants, communities and staff.”

“Anyone who knows Candice would describe her as authentic, engaged and compassionate,” said Ashley Ward, Director of Community Development for The Charmm’d Foundation. Ward continued, “She has high expectations of herself and others and is on a quest to identify what is the next layer of greatness for NSSRA. I hope she pauses every now and then to reflect on what she contributes, the value she offers and realizes the impact she has on so many.”

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NSSRA provides and facilitates year-round recreation programs and services for children, teens and adults with disabilities who live in the partner communities. NSSRA is an extension of ten park districts, two cities and one village in the northern suburbs of Chicago. This partnership includes the Park Districts of Deerfield, Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, Kenilworth, Lake Bluff, Northbrook, Northfield, Wilmette and Winnetka; the Cities of Highwood and Lake Forest; and the Village of Riverwoods. NSSRA has been creating an environment of belonging through play since 1970, and has the distinction as the first Special Recreation Association in the country. For more information about NSSRA and the programs and services they provide visit www.nssra.org.


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