Posts by Patti H
Center Update!
After 30 incredible years, our Founder and Executive Director, Patti Herbst, will be retiring on November 1, 2025. Please join us in celebrating Patti and learn more about our incoming Executive Director!
A Message from Patti Herbst
Center for Independence Founder & Executive Director
Dear Friends of the Center,
On November 1st, I will retire as the Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Independence. Serving the Center over the past 30 years has been the honor of a lifetime. I’m deeply grateful to the families who have trusted us with their children—we’ve witnessed countless milestones: first steps, first words, first time sitting independently, driving a power wheelchair, graduating, and landing a first job. These moments are the heartbeat of the Center.
Many of you know that my husband, Chuck, and I founded the Center because of our son, Justin. Born 10 weeks early and diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy, Justin changed our lives forever. In those uncertain early days, we were scared of the unknown. We had no roadmap and no role models. But we had hope, and we believed in him.
We built the Center to create that roadmap—for Justin and every child like him. We believed in a future where children with disabilities could be strong, independent, and full of possibilities. We believed in building a place for the community, by the community. Thirty years later, I’m proud to say that’s exactly what we’ve done. The Center is thriving, with a skilled staff, strong leadership, and a vibrant community committed to the “I Can!” spirit that defines our work.
Today, Justin lives independently with the help of personal assistants, has a close circle of friends, works in the community, and enjoys his life. As parents, that’s all we ever hoped for.
To our amazing staff—thank you for the skill, heart, and dedication you bring every day. You have made a difference not just in Justin’s life, but in the lives of so many.
To Chuck—thank you for being the quiet strength behind every success.
To our Board—thank you for your vision, support, and partnership through every season.
To our Donors—thank you for opening doors. Your generosity has changed lives.
I am thrilled to share that Josephine Boggs will become our next Executive Director. For more than 20 years, Josephine has served as an Occupational Therapist and our Clinical Director. She brings deep experience, compassion, and leadership to the role. I have complete confidence in her and know the Center will continue to thrive under her guidance.
While I’m stepping away from day-to-day leadership, I’ll remain closely connected. I’ll continue part-time as Chief Financial Officer for the next two years and will lead our free parent workshops on financial planning, advocacy, and wellness.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your belief in what’s possible has made all the difference.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Patti Herbst
Founder and Executive Director
A Note from the Director
As I reflect on the past year, I’m filled with pride and gratitude. Because of your support, the Center for Independence served over 965 children, adults, and family members—empowering them through therapy, employment programs, and vital family support services… Read the entire report >
Reflecting Growth: 25 Years of Empowerment and a New Identity
For a generation, The Center has supported children and families by developing programs to help them navigate the challenges of childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. With the introduction of “Working Together Chicago,” we now offer employment opportunities to individuals with developmental disabilities, providing them with pride and purpose.
As we celebrate 25 years of growth and evolution, we are rebranding to better reflect our expanded mission to serve people of all ages.
Read more in our July newsletter.
Dr. O’Shea Honored with Honorary Conductor Award
April 28, 2023, APF Welcomes a New Honorary Conductor!
We are delighted to congratulate Dr. Roberta Kuchler O’Shea on being awarded the prestigious Honorary Conductor Award by Semmelweis University and the András Peto Institute in Hungary, as acknowledged on their website.
We are deeply appreciative of Dr. O’Shea’s unwavering support of Conductive Education through research, advocacy, and education, and we thank her for the countless volunteer hours she has contributed to the Center, staff, board, and families.
Congratulations, Robbie!
Hope is the Foundation CFI’s work
Our vision is that all people with disabilities should expect to live with dignity and pride in who they are. The Center’s programs help children and young adults with disabilities gain the confidence and skills they need to lead self-determined lives filled with purpose.
The last two years of living through a Pandemic has been exhausting for the entire world. Like everyone else, we are relieved that there is finally light at the end of a very long tunnel. This year will be exciting and filled with renewed hope. Our Therapy Programs are back to pre-Covid levels and the Center’s Working Together Chicago program is getting young adults with disabilities back to work! We are also thrilled to announce that this year the Center will completely renovate our Countryside location – after 22 years of constant use, it is in need of an upgrade!
Our heartfelt thanks to all of you, our generous supporters, who have helped keep the Center operating in person throughout this crisis. Your support gave hope to the Center staff, our children, young adults and families, to come out stronger and remain confident that great new opportunities are ahead of us.
Please read the Center’s Annual Report that came out March 2022!