My son is now 29 years old and has been attending Canopy since he was 22.  Sam used to split his time with other Day Program’s but Canopy is our first choice by far.  The staff at Canopy truly cares about their participants and really listens to the different needs of each individual.  They work tirelessly to make each day’s activities fun and educational for all involved no matter what their limitations might be.  On Fridays Sam rides horses at the barn and seems to really love it.

Every participant has unique needs.  Some are non-verbal such as my son while others might have certain habits, compulsions, likes and dislikes, the staff works hard at knowing each of them individually and supporting their needs as best they can.  As I mentioned, my son is non-verbal and has trouble communicating so we often are unsure how he feels about things.  As soon as we arrive at the parking lot for Sam to ride the bus to Sugar Grove he gets a big smile on his face and runs to the bus.  That warms my heart and makes me understand that he is in a great place, the BEST in my book.

– Sam Lewis

I would like to express how grateful I am for day programs for special people like my son, Alex. Canopy has given him an outlet for socialization, learning, new experiences, and a purpose for his day. 

He enjoys his days at Canopy and at the stables learning about and caring for horses, volunteering at Two Brothers Roundhouse, interacting with the other participants and staff, and participating in music therapy and community outings. I am so grateful that Alex has this opportunity to feel proud of himself and for the smiles I see he has while he is at Canopy.  It means so much to all of the families!

– Lisa Beier

I am writing this letter to offer my strongest possible endorsement of the Canopy Program and to share the profound, positive impact it has had on my family. Choosing Canopy was a pivotal decision, and the results have been inspiring. There are few adult autism day programs in the State of Illinois; even fewer that provide a holistic and sustainable support system. 

Canopy doesn’t just see a problem to solve; it sees our child’s unique strengths and needs, and works to enhance those strengths to overcome those needs.  

Canopy displays empathy, a commitment to community, and shows us each day that this is not just a service, but is a catalyst for change.

– 

As parents of two adult children with autism and epilepsy, we’ve been very fortunate to work with great people throughout their childhood. However, as they turned into adults, it became very clear that services became incredibly hard to find. People are generally empathetic to kids, especially when they’re small and cute. However, as they age and become adults, it’s almost as they’re lost – even though what made them so special when they were younger has only grown to make them more special now. And while that can come with more challenges for parents, it also means that having a program like Canopy to turn to becomes the difference between inclusion and being alone. We were so fortunate to find Canopy – and not just the program, yet the people who genuinely care about adults with severe disabilities. They make a meaningful difference in so many lives and show what this world should be – a place that helps those in most need.

– Amy & Steve Hylka

Our son, Cole, is in his seventh year at Canopy. I started looking at day programs well before our Cole aged out at age 22. When I toured Canopy, I knew it was different from any of the programs I had visited. The participants seemed engaged. There is enough structure for our son to be successful. The consistency of his days and variety of activities keep him tuned in. He looks forward to the cooking sessions, walking track, golf cart excursions, community outings and his beloved stable days. The staff-to-participant ratio works well for our son. Cole attends three days a week and is always ready to go! As he is nonverbal, his desire to attend tells us he loves his days at Canopy. Cole’s father and I are thankful to the attentive and enthusiastic staff that make each day at Canopy enjoyable for our son. We really don’t know how we would fill his days without Canopy.

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We’ve really valued the almost three years Dan has been a part of the Canopy program  and the past 15 years he’s been a part of the Giant Steps community. The Canopy program has been a welcoming and much needed place for Dan. It’s a program  that he looks forward to attending and is a place where he is able to participate in activities that help him work on life skills, try new things and have fun all while being in a supportive environment where he feels valued, understood and empowered.  The staff at Canopy go above and beyond with their support and commitment  to help the program participants develop independence, build skills and have fun all while being in a social environment with their peers.  Dan has enjoyed cooking, music, art, horse back riding and outings to places in the Canopy community while attending there.  Canopy has been a wonderful program for Dan and has given him purpose and great opportunities in a place where he feels accepted and supported.

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Our son has been a participant at the Giant Steps Canopy adult program since 2018. Canopy provides predictability of daily schedules and routines, community outings, vocational opportunities, therapeutic art and music, physical activity and behavior support.  The staff is caring and committed. Having looked at several other day programs, we believe it is far superior in meeting the needs of our son. We feel blessed to have found the program and comforted to know our son is in such good hands each program day.

– Tim & Sarah Ellsworth

Our son is a recent graduate of the Giant Steps transition program. Ever since he was in early childhood, we have worried about his 22nd birthday and no longer receiving supports from the school system.  We explored many options for adult day programs, one of them being Canopy.  Canopy is so much more than a typical day program.  Not only do they give the participants meaningful programming, they continue to build on life skills, job skills, social skills, health & wellness.  The participants are active members of the community and the community also embraces our participants.  The Canopy staff is one of a kind and they provide an inclusive and safe space for all participants.  Colin loves his days at Canopy, especially when he is out in the community.  He is learning new skills and his days are filled with purpose.  The new state of the art facility will not only help current participants, but help so many other families in the future.  We are so excited to see all of the possibility for the future of Canopy.

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Canopy has provided our son an opportunity to continue to create relationships with his peers as well as the community. The staff is always welcoming and upbeat and he feeds off that energy. Not one for a lot of words, he does mention his friends by name in the program which gives us confidence he is engaged. Transition and change can be difficult when entering a new program,  but he is always happy going to and coming from Canopy.

– Jason and Rorre Hafner

Jonathan Capuno started at Canopy in 2024. Canopy has helped him adjust to their program and helped him tremendously adapting to the different activities they provide. He enjoys shopping, track, and working at the stables. He has learned to be independent and advocate for himself when he needs anything. This is his 3rd year and we are very happy how Canopy had a huge impact on him.

– Mr. & Mrs. Juanito Capuno