This week's Difference Maker takes advantage of "opportunities" to improve the lives of special people in the western suburbs.
Opportunity Knocks, at 8020 West Madison in River Forest, is an after-school and day program for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Mike Carmody is Executive Director and co-founder of Opportunity Knocks which has been around since 2009, engaging with people in River Forest, Forest Park, Oak Park, LaGrange, Westchester, and Chicago.
He told WBBM, "I have a brother John who has Down Syndrome, who, I think he and his friends...were not given the opportunities that myself or you would have. We saw a need and we wanted to do something."
Opportunity Knocks, which serves around 25 people on a given day and about 50 people a week, refers to its clients as "Warriors."
Sonja Taylor, 34, is one of the Opportunity Knocks "Warriors" and said "we work as a family here."
It's a family of warriors that attacks many challenges including urban farming, beekeeping, composting, catering and, on the day WBBM paid a visit, making pickles.
Carmody said, "I like to say it's kind of like a YMCA, park district, social club, college, all packed into one. Try new things, be with our friends and family and get to be ourselves."
Said Sonya with a smile, "I love coming here."