Supporting Residential Programs through art, music, recreation, and spirituality.
Residential programs at Cunningham are supported by special therapy activities that include recreation, music, art and spiritual therapeutic programming. Children with severe emotional and behavior problems respond to the social interaction and creative challenges involved in recreational therapy and engage themselves as active participants.
Twice a week, each child takes part in group therapy on topics such as Feelings (Emotional Rollercoaster), Anger Management, Exploring Your Senses, the Matadors (Anti-Bullying), Coping Skills, or Teen Relationships.
Cunningham is a member of the Illinois Interagency Athletic Association (IIAA), an organization that encourages and rewards good sportsmanship over winning in athletic competitions. Teams from Cunningham participate in IIAA soccer, swimming, softball, volleyball, basketball, and track and field competitions. Children and youth from Cunningham also enjoy IIAA arts and crafts and creative writing activities, as well as the annual picnic with Illinois State University therapeutic recreational students.