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.

Spring 2023

Celebrating 65 years of Human Services in the Community

Creating a Legacy of Value and Opportunity for Tomorrow 

In 1958, Verona Huff and a small group of parents were dedicated to creating better opportunities for their children who lived with developmental disabilities. And over the coming years that vision grew into an organization providing services and programs to make a positive impact in our community. In 2006, the organization was named Pioneer Center to reflect the broad array of services and programs for individuals living with developmental disabilities, behavioral health needs and those facing homelessness.   

This year, Pioneer Center for Human Services is celebrating 65 years of service in the McHenry County community. Pioneer Center is dedicated to continuing the legacy of the Huff family, where each person is valued and given equal opportunity. To secure the future success of the organization and the clients we serve we have established The Pioneer Legacy Endowment Program.  


As a vital part of our mission, we ask for your support in this important endeavor. When you give to our endowment fund beyond your regular giving, it helps build an organization that lasts. Since only a small portion of the fund will be used each year, what you give grows. And what grows sustains our mission as a permanent source of support and a lasting legacy for all our clients today and tomorrow. 


For information about how our endowment fund works, contact John Blazier at 815-759-7128 or email jblazier@pioneercenter.org

Pioneer Center Achieves Three Year Accreditation

from CARF International

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) International recently announced that Pioneer Center for Human Services has been accredited for a period of another three years. This year our PADS Homeless Shelter and operations was included in the accreditation.

 

The CARF decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be given to an organization and shows substantial commitment by an organization to quality standard of operations and continuous improvements.


An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process. It has demonstrated to a team of surveyors its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable and of the highest quality.

A client’s parent commented to the accreditation team, “Pioneer is such an asset to our community, I can’t say enough good things about them.” In response to the announcement, Pioneer Center CEO, Frank Samuel commented, “This award is a testament to our talented and dedicated staff who represent our passion to serve and commitment to care.”

Special Olympics

Athletes Train and Compete

Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization providing individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities the opportunity to train, participate and compete in sports activities year-round. 


Pioneer Center has a Special Olympics Program that is free to for all our day program clients. Our athletes train and compete in a variety of sports incuding track, soccer, bocce, volleyball, bowling and basketball.


Recently our Pioneer Center Hawks basketball team placed third in the Special Olympics Basketball Tournament held at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL.


A few weeks ago some of our athletes competed in the Spring Games in Mt Prospect, IL. Although the weather was not on our side, our athletes were awarded with 4 gold medals, 3 silver, 4 bronze and a handful of other ribbons at the event.


Pioneer Center's Community Inclusion Coordinator, Jessica Howar explains, "The athletes not only love to participate and compete with their friends, they also enjoy the opportunity to learn new skills, build their confidence and feel empowered in what they are doing."

This program is unique to Pioneer Center because it is not funded, and our staff volunteer their time to ensure that everyone we serve is given the opportunity to lead a dignified life of well-being. 


If you are interested in supporting our Special Olympics programs please contact our Development and Marketing Director Meg Bonham at (815) 759-7144.


For more information about our day programs for individuals with developmental disabilities, please contact Pioneer Center Admissions at (815) 759-7160 or ddadmissions@pioneercenter.org .

PADS Construction Complete:

Additional Rooms and New Flooring Completes Phase 3

A very welcoming family room.

The new PADS Emergency Homeless Shelter in McHenry, IL, fully opened in 2020, expanding from a 34 bed shelter to 70 beds with seperate men/women sleeping areas, bathrooms, showers, a day room/dining area, laundry, mailboxes and offices. The second phase of construction, completed in 2021, included a new commercial kitchen, designed to support food preparation, delivery and storage.


Carrie Freund, Director of Homeless Services explains, "Since we had been operating for over two years, we had the opportunity to be able to assess and determine exactly what we needed for the third phase of construction."


The third and final phase was recently completed and includes new flooring, more staff offices, a small conference room, a multi-purpose room, a family room and a drop-in office that our guests can use for privacy during telehealth visits or for online job interviews.

Additional staff offices

"We added a family room in an effort to keep families as intact as possible and to give our families privacy while sheltering with us," adds Freund.

New flooring in high traffic areas.

All of these updates will help improve our guests experience during their stay and will assist each person and/or family to more stable

outcomes.



The McHenry County PADS Homeless Shelter is grateful and thankful for your continued support.

If you are interested in donating to our shelter, please visit our website: www.pioneercenter.org/donate

Donations can aslo be mailed to Pioneer Center at 4031 West Dayton St in McHenry, IL 60050.

Drop-in Office

May is Mental Health Awareness Month


The Behavioral Health division at Pioneer Center served 424 clients over the last year, providing case management, crisis intervention, prevention and therapeutic services throughout the community. Pioneer Center has been supporting the mental health needs of our county for over 40 years. Our trained therapists help provide mental health awareness, prevention and intervention.

Calling All Sponsors

Pioneer Center's Golf Outing is almost SOLD OUT!

Don't Wait! Text SPONSOR TO (815) 404-0559 for details on sponsorships for our 2nd Annual Golf Outing. Promote your business, reach over 6000 individuals, select sponsorships include golfing for 4 & cart and a full program of games, prizes, food, entertainment and laughter.

Make your IMPACT TODAY!

Our golf outing raises funds for people with developmental disabilities, behavioral health needs and homeless services.

 

When: June 23, 2023 11:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Where: Redtail Golf Club - 7900 Redtail Dr. 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


For More Information: Contact Sue George sgeorge@pioneercenter.org or Text SPONSOR to (815) 404-0559.

Sign up on our WEBSITE to golf!

Join our Pioneer Center Team

Apply TODAY!

Make 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!

If you are interested in joining our compassionate and caring team, please view our career opportunities and apply today. www.pioneercenter.org/careers



Please contact Human Resources if you have any questions about Pioneer Center job opportunities.

April is National Volunteer Month

Pioneer Center celebrates our volunteers and their kindhearted efforts to make a difference.

Over the past year, our volunteers have served in many different ways through Pioneer Women’s Network, Pioneer Men’s Alliance and our Events Committee. Our volunteers supported our events and assisted in raising over $160,000 at four fun-filled events. The funds raised helped over 1,500 participants, residents, children and families we serve through our three pillars of services - Developmental Disabilities, Behavioral Health and Homelessness.


We want to thank each and every volunteer who gave their time, talents and energy to make this possible.


Are you interested in joining the Pioneer Women’s Network, Pioneer Men’s Alliance? Meetings are once a month to share a laugh, learn, explore and inspire each other through joined passions. Whether you have a few hours a month to volunteer or are looking to jump in with both feet, there is a place for you. Visit our Volunteer webpage or contact Sue George at (815) 759-7130 for more information.

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.

Upcoming Events
Save the Date!

You are invited to the Pioneer Center for Human Services and Pioneer Women's Network 17th Annual Holiday Inspiration Luncheon on Friday, December 1, 2023 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Crystal Lake, IL.

The day is full of laughter, entertainment, gorgeous gift baskets, raffles and auctions. Start your holiday shopping early and join us!


Save the Date and tell your family, friends and neighbors to join us and help impact Pioneer Center’s Three Pillars – Homeless Services, Developmental Disabilities and Behavioral Health.


If you have any questions, please email Sue George at sgeorge@pioneercenter.org.

Organizational Announcement

Pioneer Center welcomes Development and Marketing Director Meg Bonham.

 

For the past 5 years Meg was the Director of Development for the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe at Marytown in Libertyville, IL. Through effective donor relationships, partnerships with community/government organizations and engagement with benefactors, Meg played an instrumental role in raising over $200,000 for their capital campaign.

 

In addition, Meg was the Director of Communications for Annunciation Radio in Toledo, OH and previous to that served as the Director of Development for the Heartbeat of Toledo. Meg received a master’s degree in professional communication from La Salle University.

 

We are excited to have Meg join the Pioneer Center team and help us raise the critical funding needed in all three of the essential human services we provide to the community – Developmental Disabilities, Behavioral Health and Homelessness.



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with Pioneer Center on

Questions or Concerns about the Pioneer Center Mission Update newsletter can be directed to the editor, Debra Kulinski at dkulinsk@pioneercenter.org.