Flash mob organized to honor Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
A flash mob was organized in the main concourse of Eastwood Mall in Niles on Wednesday, looking to surprise shoppers walking around the mall and honor Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
The month, chosen to be March by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, highlights "the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities."
The event was organized by Gateways to Better Living, which got its start in the 1970s and continued to grow throughout the next few years. In 1998, Gateways to Better Living broke ground on three new facilities.
The Valley nonprofit offers several different day programs and residential services.
Wednesday's event, organizers say, was a way to advocate and raise awareness.
"Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is about recognizing the contributions, talents, and value that individuals with developmental disabilities bring to our communities," said Kristie Murphy, the community engagement director for Gateways to Better Living.
Murphy continues," This flash mob is a fun and powerful way to celebrate inclusion and remind everyone that we are stronger when everyone belongs."
She says that roughly 250 people registered for the event, and over 10 providers were in attendance for community members to speak with.
Pictured above is just a portion of the guests who participated in the flash mob.
"It just shows that we can all get together as a group and really celebrate who we are and what community is about and bring our community into it and have them understand how important inclusion is for all of us," said Murphy.
More information on Gateways to Better Living's programs can be found on its website here.
