Forever Friends Foundation — Where Kindness Thrives & Friendships Flourish

Our Mission

No young adult should face the future alone.

Forever Friends Foundation raises the love — and the resources — that power The Be Yourself Group: our day program, overnight experiences, and the homes we’re building. We exist so that every young adult with developmental disabilities can grow real skills, real friendships, and a real life — in a village built around them, where kindness thrives and friendships flourish.

Stevie Schwer, Founder of The Be Yourself Group and Forever Friends Foundation

Our Story

From a living room to forever homes

The Be Yourself Group began in 2019 in Stevie Schwer’s living room, with three young women who had aged out of school and suddenly found themselves without a routine, a community, or a place to belong. Today it is a thriving village of 19 young adults with developmental disabilities — learning, working, and growing up side by side.

Through our day program, overnight “Stay Awhile” experiences, and the residential CILA homes we’re building, members build real skills, real friendships, and real independence — celebrated, every single day, for exactly who they are.

Our greatest dream is also the most lasting: helping each of our friends find a forever home — a place of their own, with people they love, for the rest of their lives. For many, it is the final and most hopeful move they will ever make. Forever Friends Foundation, our 501(c)(3) nonprofit, exists to make it real — funding every program today, and the homes we’ll open tomorrow. Every gift is tax-deductible, and every gift brings someone one step closer home.

Help us grow the village

The Be Yourself Group

The village — our day program, “Stay Awhile” sleepovers, and CILA homes for young adults with disabilities.

+

Forever Friends Foundation

The 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm that raises the funds — and makes your gift tax-deductible.

=

One mission

When you give to Forever Friends Foundation, you’re directly funding The Be Yourself Group.

Why It Matters

When school ends, a whole world can suddenly grow quiet — the friends, the routine, the daily sense of purpose. And families are left wondering what comes next.

For many young adults with developmental disabilities, school wasn’t just school. It was their friendships, their community, their reason to show up every morning. When it ends, families are too often told the best years are behind them.

We believe something far more hopeful. With the right village around them, the best years are just beginning — full of friendship, growth, and joy.

That’s exactly what your support makes possible.

What Your Gift Funds

Three ways we say “you belong here.”

Every dollar you give becomes a real moment in someone’s day — a meal cooked together, a victory on the dance floor, a friend who finally feels like home. We meet each person exactly where they are, and walk with them as far as they want to go.

☀️

The Day Program

The heartbeat of it all. Every weekday we come together to cook, train at UFC Gym, volunteer, sing our hearts out, and grow real-world skills — but mostly, we come together for each other. It’s not a program you attend. It’s a family you belong to.

🌙

“Stay Awhile” Sleepovers

Shared meals, late-night laughs, movies, and morning routines — all the magic of a classic sleepover, with independence built into every moment. A soft, safe landing place where everyone discovers they’re more ready than they ever knew.

🏡

CILA Homes

Warm, cozy homes of just 3–6 residents — decorated by the people who live in them, with roommates chosen, not assigned. By the time move-in day comes, it already feels like coming home. Not a placement. A life. This is our next chapter.

Our Big, Beautiful Dream

Let’s build them a home of their own

For five years, three young women have been showing up, learning to cook and train and advocate for themselves, and falling in love with a space that already feels like theirs. Now we’re ready to turn that space into home — and we can’t do it without you. Every gift, big or small, moves them one step closer to the front door. 🏡

Three young women. Five years. One dream taking shape.

Every gift — large or small — moves them closer to a home of their own, filled with people they already love. The moment the funding is in place, we build it. Be part of the front-door moment.

Help Build the Home

Our Village in the Making

Meet the friends you’re loving on

Some programs open a house and go looking for people to fill it. We did it the other way around — we found our people first, and we’re building everything around them. These are the faces behind every gift. Add real photos (with permission)

F

Faith

Faith came to us facing firsts she wasn’t sure she could conquer. Today she moves through the world with a pride and grace that stops people in their tracks — on the dance floor, at UFC Gym, and everywhere in between.

N

Nicole

Nicole came to us finding her footing. Today she holds a part-time job, moves on her own timeline, and holds this little village together in ways that are impossible to miss.

M

Mitali

Mitali came to us working on her health, confidence, and independence. Today she stands on stages — performing alongside recording artists, leading with joy, and calling BYG the reason she has real friendships.

Building the Village

We don’t just love our participants. We love their whole village.

Moms, dads, siblings, grandmas, caregivers, best friends — we invite everyone in, because growth happens best when love surrounds it. When a young adult thrives, it lifts the entire family. So we walk alongside families with open hearts and open hands, celebrating the wins and showing up for the hard days.

📞

We’re the emergency contact when you’re stuck across town.

🤗

We’re the shoulder to cry on after a hard day.

💛

We’re the phone call saying, “You’re not alone in this.”

This is more than a program. This is your village — and we’re so glad you’re here.

Why We’re Different

We’re not failing to scale. We’re refusing to.

The moment we grow past what a human being can hold in relationship, we become what we set out to replace. The boutique size is the model. The intimacy is the point.

🤝

Truly known

Person-centered care means nothing at 8:1. Our 3:1 ratio isn’t a selling point — it’s the minimum condition for actual care.

🛡️

Safe and joyful

Safety and joy are not a trade-off. Our residents are safe because they’re known and loved — and joyful because we refuse to stop there.

👨‍👩‍👧

The whole village

We don’t just welcome residents — we welcome everyone who loves them. Families have a voice in who their person lives with.

In Their Words

Love, straight from our village

The families who walk through our doors had often stopped imagining what was possible. And then they see it — and they cry. Every time.

“[Add a parent’s words here — what changed for your family when you found BYG?]”

— A BYG parent add real quote

“[Add a participant’s words — what do they love most about being here?]”

— A BYG participant add real quote

“[Add a caregiver or sibling quote — how does this village support the whole family?]”

— A family member add real quote

Our Village in Pictures

Joy, in full color

Dance parties, cooking lessons, gym wins, stage moments, and a whole lot of laughter. Share photos and I'll drop them in here

💃

🍳

🥊

🎤

🎳

🌼

🎨

💛

Become a Monthly Friend

Join the Forever Friends Circle

Our village runs on love — and on people who show up month after month. A small recurring gift is the steadiest, most powerful way to keep our programs alive: the meals, the music, the staff who know every name. Pick a level that feels right and become a Forever Friend today.

$10 / month — Friend

Helps stock the kitchen for our cook-together lunches. confirm impact

$25 / month — Best Friend

Fuels a week of music, movement & community outings. confirm impact

$50 / month — Forever Friend

Helps sponsor a “Stay Awhile” sleepover experience. confirm impact

$100 / month — Village Builder

Supports a month of personalized programming for one person. confirm impact

Become a Monthly Friend

Come Celebrate With Us

Where the whole village shows up

Our events are free, joyful, and open to all ages and abilities — afternoons full of friendship, laughter, and belonging. Come as you are.

🎳

The Magic Bowling Party

Free for families · all ages & abilities welcome

Over 100 guests come together for an afternoon of bowling, pizza, a live magic show, and laser tag — in a safe, inclusive space where friendships blossom and confidence grows.

📅 confirm date · 📍 Warrenville, IL confirm venue

Sponsor the Party

Want to help?

Sponsor a little joy

Local businesses and families make these days possible. A gift card, raffle basket, small prize, or event sponsorship goes straight into giveaways and thank-you gifts for the families who attend — and every donor is recognized on-site.

Want to sponsor or donate a prize? Email foreverfriendsfdn@gmail.com or call 847-828-6101 — it means the world to our little village.

Add more events here as they come up (dance nights, fundraisers, etc.)

Ways to Give

Your love, turned into belonging

Every single gift — whether it’s $5 or $5,000 — becomes a warm meal, a dance party, a new skill, or a step closer to home. It’s all tax-deductible, and it all goes straight to our young adults. Give however feels easiest for you.

💳

Give Online

A fast, secure one-time or monthly gift by card.

$25 $50 $100 $250 Other

Donate Securely

Paste your PayPal link to activate this button

PayPal

Open your PayPal app and scan the code to give in seconds.

Zelle

Open your banking app, choose Zelle, and scan to send your gift fee-free.

✉️ Mail a Check

Make checks payable to Forever Friends Foundation. Email foreverfriendsfdn@gmail.com and we’ll send you the mailing address.

🎁 In-Kind & Sponsorships

Gift cards, baskets, event sponsorships, and corporate matching gifts help us throw joy-filled events like our free Magic Bowling Party. Email foreverfriendsfdn@gmail.com.

Forever Friends Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 99-4477689). Your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. A receipt will be provided for every gift.

Get Involved

There’s a place for you in this village

Giving money is one beautiful way to help — but it’s not the only one. Bring your time, your talents, or just your heart.

🙌

Volunteer

Join us for outings, events, and program days. Share a skill, lend a hand, or just bring the fun.

🎓

Intern

Students and aspiring caregivers: grow real experience alongside a team that will cheer you on.

🎁

Sponsor & Donate In-Kind

Gift cards, raffle baskets, supplies, or event sponsorships — every bit fuels the joy.

📣

Spread the Word

Follow us, share our story, and tell a family who needs to know they’re not alone.

Email Us to Help

Stay in the loop

Join our mailing list for joyful updates, event invites, and ways to help our village grow.

Connect to your email tool (Flodesk/Mailchimp) to make this live

Transparency & Trust

Your gift is in good hands

Forever Friends Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We take stewardship seriously — every dollar is put to work for the young adults we serve, and we're always happy to answer questions about how funds are used.

501(c)(3)

Registered nonprofit

EIN 99-4477689

Tax-deductible giving

Est. 2019

Serving Naperville & Aurora

Financial documents (Form 990, annual report) available on request — email foreverfriendsfdn@gmail.com.
Add links to your Form 990 / annual report / Candid profile when ready

Good Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Yes. Forever Friends Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 99-4477689), so your gift is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. We'll provide a receipt for every donation.

Where does my money go?

Straight into the programs and day-to-day operations that serve young adults with developmental disabilities — meals, staff, fitness, community outings, life-skills training, overnight experiences, and the homes we're building.

How is the Foundation related to The Be Yourself Group?

The Be Yourself Group is the program — the day program, sleepovers, and CILA homes. Forever Friends Foundation is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises the funds to make it all possible.

Who do you serve?

Young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families, in the Naperville and Aurora, Illinois area.

How do we enroll or learn more about the program?

We'd love to talk. Call 847-828-6101 or email foreverfriendsfdn@gmail.com, and visit beyourselfgroup.com to see the programs.

Can I help in ways other than donating?

Absolutely — volunteer, intern, sponsor an event, donate in-kind items, or simply share our story. See the Get Involved section above.

Meet the Team

The people behind the village

Stevie Schwer

Founder

Holds a degree in Human Services and has spent her life advocating for people who deserve more than the world offers. Living with a learning disability herself, she leads with love and refuses to accept “good enough” when extraordinary is possible.

TC

Tony Capparelli

Co-Founder

The entrepreneurial force and steady anchor behind BYG’s operations. His leadership, humor, and deep compassion make him beloved by staff, residents, and families alike.

CR

Christa Robins, PA-C, MMS

Medical Advisor

With 17 years of healthcare experience, Christa ensures every resident receives thoughtful, expert medical guidance — clinical precision paired with genuine care for the whole person.

NV

Nina Velasco

Residential Lead

Leads with both heart and high expectations. She holds the girls to their routines, goals, and independence — because being truly cared for means being truly believed in.

MW

Mary Weber

Community Engagement

A master’s in social work and 7+ years with individuals with IDD. She fosters social-emotional growth and a supportive space for everyone to build confidence.

HC

Hannah Chacon

Programs & Development

Over a decade creating inclusive programs through movement, art, and connection. Holds a degree in Expressive Arts Therapy and Psychology.

You found your village. We’ve been waiting for you.

Join the people building a world where young adults with IDD never face the future alone.

Donate Today Visit The Be Yourself Group

A village — and a future — for young adults with disabilities.