2026-Korn Family
When Chrissy and Ryan Korn welcomed their son Bruce on May 16, 2020, the world was in the midst of uncertainty. Born at the very beginning of the pandemic, Bruce’s early years were quieter than most—limited interactions, fewer social opportunities, and a much smaller circle than his parents had ever imagined for him.
As Bruce grew, Chrissy and Ryan began searching for a childcare center they could truly trust—one that felt safe, engaging, and supportive. Friends spoke highly of Starved Rock Regional Center (SRRC), and once they visited, they knew they had found something special. The security of the building, the thoughtful classroom activities, and the welcoming environment made SRRC feel like the right place for Bruce to grow.
They enrolled in August 2022, and that decision would change the course of Bruce’s life.
Through SRRC, Bruce began receiving developmental therapy and speech therapy, services that soon revealed something important: Bruce was experiencing delays greater than his family initially realized. The center’s thorough evaluation helped set the ball rolling toward an autism diagnosis, giving his parents clarity, understanding, and—most importantly—a path forward.
Therapists Kelly and Emma became trusted partners in Bruce’s journey. Kelly didn’t just work with Bruce; she supported the entire family, sharing resources and guidance to help them continue his progress at home. Even after Bruce aged out of therapy at the center, Chrissy made a point to stop by on Tuesday mornings just to say hello and update Kelly on how far Bruce had come—a testament to the bond they built and the lasting impact of her care.
What truly set SRRC apart, though, were the everyday moments of compassion.
One morning during drop-off, Bruce refused to put on his shoes. Chrissy was running late, stressed, and struggling to help him through it. A teacher stepped in with gentle reassurance and a simple solution: It’s okay—he can come in wearing his socks. That small act of understanding meant everything. During a time when Bruce was especially sensitive to socks and shoes, the teachers respected his needs, never forcing him, always meeting him where he was.
At SRRC, Bruce was allowed to be Bruce.
He thrived in the fun, inclusive environment—splashing happily during water days, exploring on field trips, searching excitedly for the elf on the shelf, and always stopping to say hello to the babies. For a child who had limited social exposure early on, SRRC opened up a whole new world of connection. Day by day, Bruce learned how to interact, play, and build relationships with others beyond his family.
Today, Chrissy and Ryan dream of a future where Bruce can communicate confidently, build meaningful friendships, and advocate for himself. They want the world to see what they already know—that Bruce is creative, joyful, and full of personality, with so much to share.
Without SRRC, his therapy and diagnosis may have been delayed, and finding trusted care while balancing two full-time jobs would have been incredibly difficult. Instead, SRRC provided therapy within his childcare day, removing barriers and giving Bruce the support he needed at exactly the right time.
“We consider ourselves very lucky,” Chrissy says—and that gratitude is echoed in every milestone Bruce reaches.
Because of Starved Rock Regional Center, Bruce is finding his voice.
As Bruce grew, Chrissy and Ryan began searching for a childcare center they could truly trust—one that felt safe, engaging, and supportive. Friends spoke highly of Starved Rock Regional Center (SRRC), and once they visited, they knew they had found something special. The security of the building, the thoughtful classroom activities, and the welcoming environment made SRRC feel like the right place for Bruce to grow.
They enrolled in August 2022, and that decision would change the course of Bruce’s life.
Through SRRC, Bruce began receiving developmental therapy and speech therapy, services that soon revealed something important: Bruce was experiencing delays greater than his family initially realized. The center’s thorough evaluation helped set the ball rolling toward an autism diagnosis, giving his parents clarity, understanding, and—most importantly—a path forward.
Therapists Kelly and Emma became trusted partners in Bruce’s journey. Kelly didn’t just work with Bruce; she supported the entire family, sharing resources and guidance to help them continue his progress at home. Even after Bruce aged out of therapy at the center, Chrissy made a point to stop by on Tuesday mornings just to say hello and update Kelly on how far Bruce had come—a testament to the bond they built and the lasting impact of her care.
What truly set SRRC apart, though, were the everyday moments of compassion.
One morning during drop-off, Bruce refused to put on his shoes. Chrissy was running late, stressed, and struggling to help him through it. A teacher stepped in with gentle reassurance and a simple solution: It’s okay—he can come in wearing his socks. That small act of understanding meant everything. During a time when Bruce was especially sensitive to socks and shoes, the teachers respected his needs, never forcing him, always meeting him where he was.
At SRRC, Bruce was allowed to be Bruce.
He thrived in the fun, inclusive environment—splashing happily during water days, exploring on field trips, searching excitedly for the elf on the shelf, and always stopping to say hello to the babies. For a child who had limited social exposure early on, SRRC opened up a whole new world of connection. Day by day, Bruce learned how to interact, play, and build relationships with others beyond his family.
Today, Chrissy and Ryan dream of a future where Bruce can communicate confidently, build meaningful friendships, and advocate for himself. They want the world to see what they already know—that Bruce is creative, joyful, and full of personality, with so much to share.
Without SRRC, his therapy and diagnosis may have been delayed, and finding trusted care while balancing two full-time jobs would have been incredibly difficult. Instead, SRRC provided therapy within his childcare day, removing barriers and giving Bruce the support he needed at exactly the right time.
“We consider ourselves very lucky,” Chrissy says—and that gratitude is echoed in every milestone Bruce reaches.
Because of Starved Rock Regional Center, Bruce is finding his voice.
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