Children’s Therapy Center celebrates 75 years of helping kids

Joe Garcia has great things to say about the 75-year-old Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities (CTC). The Rock Island man is a caretaker for his granddaughter, Alina, 7, who has a rare genetic disorder and needs the help provided by the center. “They have really good people here. They treat your child as […]

Joe Garcia has great things to say about the 75-year-old Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities (CTC). The Rock Island man is a caretaker for his granddaughter, Alina, 7, who has a rare genetic disorder and needs the help provided by the center.

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“They have really good people here. They treat your child as the most important child around,” said Mr. Garcia, who added that his granddaughter takes three types of therapy at the CTC – speech, occupational and physical. Today, with a lot of help from therapy center professionals, Alina is doing better, he said. She can stand, crawl and her communications skills have improved. She loves Disney movies, especially cartoons, and has become somewhat of an “animation snub,” preferring only the latest and best animated movie features, said Mr. Garcia. Alina is one of the many children helped by the Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities, which has its main office at its 23,000-square-foot building at 4450 48th Ave. Court, Rock Island, and a satellite clinic at 3901 W. Locust St., Davenport. This is a special year for the center as it celebrates its 75th year of helping children faced with disabilities and delays throughout eastern Iowa and western Illinois.  The organization got its start in 1949 when it was known as the Crippled Children’s Foundation of Rock Island County. After several title changes over the years, it became the CTC in 2022. “Helping kids is the foundation of everything we do, and we’re thrilled to be celebrating 75 years,” said Angie Peterson, president  and CEO of the Children’s Therapy Center. “Like many nonprofits, we’ve experienced some tough times over the years, especially the last few years due to the pandemic. Despite many of these ongoing challenges, we have been able to continue and expand our therapy program due to the incredible kindness and generosity of individuals, charitable foundations, and businesses throughout the QCA and beyond. We couldn’t do what we do without these incredible supporters,” she added. Ms. Peterson added that 75% of the therapy services provided are not reimbursed, so fundraising is vital to the continuation of the organization’s mission.  “Every dollar counts and every dollar will help,” Ms. Peterson said, adding the organization needs to raise around $800,000 a year to continue to help children. With that in mind, the CTC has fundraisers and other events in the works for its anniversary year. They include:

• The Chuck Long Charity Auction — now in its 27th year — is the CTC’s largest annual fundraising event. This year’s hybrid event, presented by the Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, will be held May 10-18 and will feature more than 200 items to bid on. They include autographed sports memorabilia, themed baskets, restaurant and entertainment gift cards, designer handbags, home décor and more. Participants include supporters from nearly 40 states and major sponsors. Among them are Whitey’s Ice Cream, American Bank & Trust, Iowa 80 The World’s Largest Truckstop, HawkeyeReport.com, Necker’s Jewelers, Mel Foster Co., Fareway Stores, and The Black & Gold Shop. Visit www.ctcqc.org on May 1 for the link to auction registration and bidding. 
• Annual bass fishing tournament hosted by CTC, which is now in its 50th year. The 2024 tournament will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21. It is presented by Russell. Additional sponsors include Van Meter, Inc., Spahn & Rose Lumber Co., Adcraft Printwear – Custom Apparel & Merchandise, Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and Berthel Fisher Companies. Information is available here.
• The annual “iCan Shine” Bike Camp June 3-7. This innovative program helps kids with disabilities learn to ride a conventional two-wheel bicycle and become lifelong independent riders. This achievement, in turn, creates a gateway of opportunity, helping them gain assurance and self-reliance in many other aspects of their lives, the CTC says. The camp provides an environment where kids are empowered to maximize their abilities. About 80% of the kids are riding independently by the end of the five-day program.The remaining 20% make progress toward this goal and leave camp accompanied by family members who are trained to continue working at home. More about this event can be found here.

Ms. Peterson said the CTC doesn’t have a goal in mind for its fundraising events, but always hopes for the best to keep therapy programs running, and expanding its services. For example, an occupational therapy program expansion that includes an ADL (Activities of Daily Living) space along with a sensory room. Also, future physical therapy program expansion includes a larger gym space.  “We really rely on the kindness of people to keep us going,” she added. The CTC has a team of 12 employees who take on about 650 appointments every month, she added. Mr. Garcia said that team has made all the difference in the world to his family. “It’s been a really good experience. They have gone beyond my expectations,” he said.