Holiday Edition 2024

Sending Warm Holiday Wishes

Letter From our CEO

Dear Friends and Families,

As we approach the end of 2024, we reflect on our accomplishments these past few months. This year has been marked by remarkable achievements and a strong commitment to our shared goals. We faced many challenges that tested our limits, but through collaboration and a strong belief in our mission, we overcame, learned and grew stronger. Our inspiration comes from the individuals we serve across the 3 Pioneer Center Pillars of Services and Programs -Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Behavioral Health and Homeless Services. Every day we see the rewards of our work in the faces of those we serve in our Group Homes, Community Day Centers, Therapy Center and Homeless Shelter. Working together towards a common cause creates a sense of community for both clients, guests of PADS, volunteers, families and staff. READ MORE

PADS Homeless Shelter Provides

Emergency and Cold Weather Plan

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.

“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. READ MORE

REMINDER

MATCH Your Donation!

Our staff at the McHenry County PADS Homeless Shelter are working tirelessly to meet the needs of the many homeless men, women and families with children that reached out to us for assistance. Now we need your help! Giving Tuesday is almost here and all funds raised will go towards the essential needs at our homeless shelter. Please mark your calendar to make your gift on Giving Tuesday – Tuesday, December 3rd. Your donation will be MATCHED by generous donors up to $24,000.

Grateful to our Donors & Volunteers

Thank you to our amazing donors and volunteers who attended an Evening of Gratitude event at The Chapel in McHenry. Attendees were thanked and appreciated by staff while they enjoyed delicious appetizers and drinks. In addition, our CEO and Directors presented information on each pillar of service and volunteers were recognized for their time and dedication. We would also like to give special thanks to The Chapel for providing their facility and assistance to help make it happen.

Community Employment Services:

Meet our Clients Working in our Community

The Community Employment Services (CES) program helps clients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) find jobs in the community based on their abilities, strengths and talents. “The CES team supports job seekers through the entire process of employment including applying for the business of their choice, interviewing, computer training, onboarding and job coaching,” explains Tip Hale, Manager of Employment Services.

We want to highlight one of our clients Jonathon, who loves his job at Walmart in Crystal Lake, IL. Jonathon enjoys prepping online grocery pick-ups and deliveries at the store. Jonathon continues to thank our CES team for assisting him and giving him the confidence to succeed.

Monica was working at a library but wanted something different with benefits. After several meetings with our CES team, Monica was hired as a personal shopper at Walmart. Monica states she loves her full-time job, and has great benefits.

For more information about our Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Day Programs, please email: ddadmissions@pioneercenter.org. If you would like to donate towards these amazing and essential community programs: www.pioneercenter.org/donate

Old National Bank Gifts Little Free Library

Old National Bank in McHenry, IL donated their time, materials and books to create a Little Free Library stocked with amazing books for the families receiving services at our Child and Family Therapy Center in Woodstock, IL. The beautiful library was hand made and hand painted by their employees. A huge Thank You to Old National Bank, our clients will enjoy reading the books from the Little Library.

Pictured from left to Right are CEO Frank Samuel, Director of Behavioral Health Samantha Marcellis and bank representatives and library volunteers Connie Lavin, Jill Dahl, Kate Alway and Brad Knebel.

Other Ways to Donate to Pioneer Center

Use QCDs to manage your required minimum distributions from an IRA.

A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) allows individuals who are 70½ years old or older to donate up to $100,000 to one or more charities directly from a taxable IRA instead of taking their required minimum distributions. What this means is you avoid paying the tax first and then make the charitable contribution.

Donor advised funds make charitable gifting easier

A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a philanthropic giving vehicle like a charitable savings account. It provides an immediate tax benefit to you and allows you to easily support Pioneer Center and other charities of your choice over time. Generally, you can invest cash and appreciated securities, as well as other assets that a charity may not be able to accept as a direct gift.

For more information on donating, please contact CEO Frank Samuel at 815.759.7135 or your financial advisor.

Pioneer Center on the Radio

Huntley Community Radio station 101.5, invited Pioneer Center to share our message to the community about the great work we do serving McHenry county and neighboring communities. It will be aired on December 8th. Be sure to tune in!

Pictured - (Left to Right) Ron Giordano, Host; Jody Beckford, Director of Development and Marketing; Samantha Marcellis, Director of Behavioral Health, Frank Samuel, CEO; and Stefani Abdai, Sr. Manager of IDD Community Day and Employment Services

Upcoming Events

You are invited!

Be a Part of the MAGIC!

Buy your tickets TODAY for this year’s awe-inspiring Annual Charity Holiday Inspiration Luncheon (HIL) on Friday, December 13, 2024 from 11 am 2 p.m. at the Holiday Inn located in Crystal Lake, IL. This is your opportunity to see the star attraction, Dewayne Hill as seen on AMERICA'S GOT TALENT, NBC, HBO and other networks. Don't miss the VIP experience with exclusive offers!

MORE INFORMATION

Join us in Thanking our Sponsors

The Holidays are Coming!

Client Creations For Sale at our Winter Craft Fair

Friday, December 6th from 10am - 1pm.

4001 West Dayton Street

McHenry, IL

Shop an assortment of hand-made items proudly created and crafted by our clients.

Find something unique for everyone on your holiday list!

***Cash preferred for all purchases***

Check or credit/debit cards will only be accepted at select tables.

Shop & Share Holiday Fundraiser

On Sunday, December 1, 2024 from 9 am to 5 pm buy all your holiday plant and flower decor at Countryside Flower Shop Nursery & Garden Center in Crystal Lake, IL (5301 E Terra Cotta Ave.). They are generously donating 18% of all sales when you print this flyer and give it to your cashier when you check-out.

Call for Volunteers

Join us and make a difference!

"I volunteer at Pioneer Center because it is important to support an agency that provides a wide variety of services and programs that help our community." - Ruth Drye, Fomer Pioneer Center employee and long-time Volunteer

Volunteers play a vital role in the mission of Pioneer Center. By volunteering, you can make a difference in the lives of those we serve each year.

Whether you are an individual, group, community organization, or large or small business or corporation, we have a place for you.

If you are interested in volunteering please contact our Event & Volunteer Coordinator, Sue George at sgeorge@pioneercenter.org or (815) 759-7130.

Thank you to all our Pioneer Center Volunteers