From Kaye Norlin, our Yoga Instructor

Creative Connections is non-profit organization is a dream for my daughter Meg and I that we started tossing around back in 2010. It was founded in 2019 and approved by Kwame Raoul Illinois Attorney General in June.  I had survived cancer, an experience with death, pulmonary hypertension, and a bilateral lung transplant in January 2018. My daughter Meg grew up with Cerebral Palsy and uses a wheelchair. It has always been difficult for her to access venues and activities that are available to other kids, such as dance and music classes, and theater/acting options. Part of this is because she is unable to drive and I worked full time, so it was difficult to help her get to events out of town.  She was fortunate enough to take voice lessons at Maestro & Mi Music Academy for a few years, as an adult.  I know she would have loved to do that as a kid, but it just was not an option for us.  Prior to my lung transplant, options were limited for me as well.  I used oxygen for my lung disease and had a medicine pump delivery life-giving medicine to my heart 24 hours per day. This medicine would prolong my life, but only the transplant would save it. I have a second chance to do those things we talked about for years, so we founded the NFP, found a location, and are working on the building with plans to open next month.

One of the first programs we will host is moving the Yoga for Cancer Patients to the new location (from Valley Regional Cancer Center). This program has been held at the cancer center since 2013 and is sponsored by the Pink Ribbon Club; my co-teacher Darcy Rub and I are excited to expand this program, which is held at no cost to the yogis. We have a long list of programs to offer and it is growing by requests form the community. Some of the programs are yoga for children, music, theater/acting, art, dance ( and yes, wheelchair dance will be among those classes).
Money will be used to make needed upgrades to the building and to provide services and programs for all community members, focusing on those people who are marginalized or underrepresented in music, art, dance, yoga, theater, etc. Our services are intended for all people regardless of age, disability, illness/disease, or income.