Pioneer Center is a private, non-profit 501c(3) organization, providing services for people with developmental disabilities, homelessness and behavioral health needs
in the McHenry County community.
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Introducing ...
Our Newly Updated Logo
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-Letter From our CEO-
Dear Pioneer Team, Donors, Volunteers and Supporters,
As we begin 2023, and look ahead at new opportunities, I want to take a moment to pause, reflect and thank you for your unwavering support, continued contributions and most of all your graciousness in keeping Pioneer Center in your giving priorities.
Despite the disruptions and challenges caused by the Covid pandemic, Pioneer Center continues to provide critical and much needed services across our 3 Pillars, Developmental Disabilities, Behavioral Health and Homeless Services, consistent with our mission to:
“Help People live a dignified life of well-being, independence, and inclusion”
This year we celebrate 65 years of dedicated services to the community, and with that in mind we have created a new logo to capture and reflect who we are and what we do. The following is our new logo depicting the three levels of service under Pioneer Center and a new tagline:
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Our tagline “Passion to Serve. Commitment to Care.” says it all. It is about our passionate team and their commitment to care while serving all our clients.
I’m personally honored to serve as the CEO of an incredibly passionate and hardworking team, and looking forward to all that 2023 has in store, both opportunities and challenges.
Our priorities for the year and beyond are:
- Continue to focus on quality of services
- Develop new programs and expand services including Lake County
- Upgrade all our facilities and infrastructure including group homes, buildings, and Information Technology
- Commitment to staff training, learning, growing and development
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Drive and expand donor major gifts campaigns and commitments including Endowment Funds
Join me in partnering and collaborating on the above priorities and initiatives.
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With much gratitude and appreciation, |
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PADS Provides Emergency and
Extreme Cold Weather Hotel Program
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When the temperature drops below 15 degrees or there are dangerous windchill warnings, PADS Homeless Shelter is here to help unsheltered McHenry County residents. If the shelter is at capacity, an emergency hotel provides a quick solution. In addition, the hotel shelter program provides respite for those who have Covid, RSV or Influenza. This quarantine period prevents the spread of disease in our community. |
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“Our PADS hotel program provides a short-term, safe and quick place to shelter, within
a few hours or sooner, and has been critical to the well-being of many McHenry County residents experiencing homelessness,” explains Coordinated Entry Lead Gina Zinck.
Reasons for a short-term stay can vary. The program has been used for individuals or families waiting for an available bed, the need for a few days shelter prior to acquiring permanent housing, recently released from jail or mental health hospitals, eviction and escaping domestic violence.
Gina adds, “The program serves all of McHenry County and collaborates with every area stakeholder.”
The goal of the program is to provide immediate safety and shelter for our community, ease suffering and prevent lethality. Our PADS Team works with each individual or family to make appropriate referrals and create the best plan to end their homelessness.
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Make a Difference in 2023!
Join the Pioneer Center Team &
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As we enter 2023 many of us are making new resolutions. Why not change your career to a job that makes a difference in your community?
We currently have openings for Direct Support Professionals, Program Technicians, Therapists (Master's Degree required) and more. We offer both full and part-time opportunities, great full-time benefits, paid training, various locations across McHenry County and more!
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An Unforgettable and Inspirational Fundraiser
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Our 16th Annual Holiday Inspiration Luncheon (HIL), hosted by the Pioneer Women’s Network (PWN), on December 2, 2022 was an unforgettable and truly inspiring event.
Over 190 guests attended and even Santa made an appearance!
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Disability Rights Activist Kevin Sullivan and Emmy nominated WGN News reporter Dana Rebik inspired all when they spoke to the event attendees. Their personal story of how their lives intersected and the amazing result for Kevin brought awareness and motivation to all the guests. |
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Our HIL Event Committee and PWN volunteers created 88 gorgeous raffle baskets from generous donations given by area businesses. Attendees had an opportunity to bid on
23 amazing Silent Auction items and Grand Raffle prizes from the following local businesses: Steffan’s Jewelers, McHenry; Cantina 52, Crystal Lake; Tru Fitness, Lake in the Hills; Glenn Barickman, Grand Geneva Resort and Spa, Lake Geneva, WI; The Racket Club/Crystal Lake Park District, Crystal Lake; and Mario Tricoci, Crystal Lake.
We are so grateful for the volunteers, donors, speakers, community sponsors and all who attended this extraordinary fundraiser.
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Upcoming Events
Save the Date!
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Pioneer Center's 2nd Annual
Golf Outing
June 23, 2023
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Redtail Golf Club
7900 RedTail Drive
Village of Lakewood, IL
11 a.m. Check in, Buy Raffle Tickets, Lunch
12 p.m. Shotgun Start
5 p.m. Drinks followed by Appetizers & Entertainment
6 p.m. Awards Ceremony and
Raffle Winners Announced
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You are invited to Pioneer Center for Human Services and Pioneer Men’s Alliance 2nd Annual Golf Outing at Redtail Golf Course on Friday, June 23, 2023. Pioneer Center is celebrating 65 years of service and, with the support of the community, we would love to enter 2023 breaking last year’s record of funds raised at our outing!
Fee: $150 for Single Golfer and $500 for a Foursome
This fee includes: 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch, award program, two drink tickets, live entertainment and heavy appetizers in the evening.
Save money and put together a foursome! Raffle tickets will be sold at the outing for amazing prizes.
Engage your employees, family and friends to impact Pioneer Center’s Three Pillars – Homeless Services, Developmental Disabilities and Behavioral Health. Thank you for your support.
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Enter the New Year with
Exciting Volunteer Opportunities
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Are you looking for a friendly and fun atmosphere while making a difference in your community? Come for a visit during one of our Pioneer Women’s Network or Pioneer Men’s Alliance gatherings. Meetings are once a month to share a laugh, learn, explore and inspire each other through joined passions. Whether you have just a few hours a month or are looking to jump in with both feet, there is a place for you.
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Pioneer Center volunteers are a collaborative group of individuals from around McHenry County and surrounding areas who come together to aid in the mission of Pioneer Center through education, fundraising and supporting Pioneer Center clients. |
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Organizational Announcements |
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Newly Hired Behavioral Health Staff |
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Samantha Marcellis has recently started as the new Director of Behavioral Health. Samantha is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Certified Domestic Violence Provider. Samantha has experience in both early childhood collaborations and systems-level change initiatives. She is an advocate in the community for the awareness and prevention of violence, specifically focusing on the impact on children and families. In addition, Samantha has experience teaching and presenting through classroom, tutoring, professional training and guest speaking activities.
Samantha has her master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology where she focused on multicultural psychology and Latino mental health. She has over 10 years of experience providing counseling to children, teens, adults and families and is also trained in multiple evidence-based parenting interventions. Please welcome Samantha to the Pioneer Center team!
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Megan Fischer, LCSW, has rejoined the Behavioral Health Division at Pioneer Center as the new Clinical Services Manager. Megan received her undergraduate degree from Columbia College of Missouri with a major in Human Services and graduated from George Williams College of Aurora University with a Master’s degree in Social Work.
Megan started at Pioneer Center in 2014 in the Behavioral Health group homes as a Program Technician. She then worked as an Intensive Home Therapist (IHT) and was promoted to the Clinical Coordinator of our IHT program. We are excited to have Megan back on our team.
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Leadership Addition in Developmental Disabilities Division
Jason Clark has recently joined Pioneer Center as the new Senior Program Director of the Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Division. Jason brings 25 years of highly accomplished IDD experience to this new role. Jason’s previous position as a Chief Executive Officer has provided him with experience in strategic planning, operations management and a vision/values style of leadership. Please welcome Jason, we are thrilled to have him on our Pioneer Center team.
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Organizational Change in Homeless Services
We are pleased to announce that Patty Moeller accepted the Shelter Manager position at the McHenry County PADS Homeless Shelter. Patty started at Pioneer Center in 2018 as the PADS Administrative Assistant. She transitioned to the PADS Recovery Specialist and then to the role as a PADS Case Manager. It has been exciting to watch Patty learn and grow in many different positions throughout her time at PADS. We are confident that she is going to do a wonderful job in her new position.
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Follow, Like and Engage
with Pioneer Center on
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Questions or Concerns about the Pioneer Center Mission Update newsletter can be directed to the editor, Debra Kulinski at dkulinsk@pioneercenter.org.
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