If anyone understands the history of the Village of Progress, it’s Donna Mattison — she has been there pretty much from the beginning, when it was a day care in a Mount Morris Church.
Now serving adults with developmental disabilities from across Ogle County, Village of Progress will be celebrating its 50th anniversary on Aug. 28 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
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If anyone understands the history of the Village of Progress, it’s Donna Mattison — she has been there pretty much from the beginning, when it was a day care in a Mount Morris Church.
Now serving adults with developmental disabilities from across Ogle County, Village of Progress will be celebrating its 50th anniversary on Aug. 28 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. There will be tours of the Oregon facility, snacks and a plaque unveiling honoring Bob Glaser and John Herrmann for their leadership.
In that 50 years, VOP has grown into an organization that offers a wide variety of vocational, recreational and social programs. The Village boasts a 28,000-square-foot production facility where nearly 100 people with developmental disabilities work on any given day.
Mattison, who is now program director, said she has “no plans of retiring.”
“I love this place,” she said.
And she is not alone. Brion Brooks, executive director of the Village, said very few non-profits ever reach 15 years. He said what put VOP on the road to longevity was the first parents who saw a need for their children and were motivated to address that need.