Pioneer Center for Human Services

4001 Dayton Street
McHenry, IL 60050
Phone: 815.344.1230
Fax: 815.344.3815

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“Pioneer Center offers an oasis of dignity, respect and hope year after year to thousands of people with disabilities.”
~ Verona Huff, Founder of Pioneer Center

In 1958, a small group of parents began meeting to determine how best to educate their children with disabilities. These dedicated parents formed the organization known as McHenry County Association for Retarded Children. During the next 50 years, what began as a grass roots effort has grown to become Pioneer Center for Human Services. From its humble beginnings in 1958 as a single day school program, Pioneer now serves over 1,600 people annually across McHenry County. From its roots serving the developmentally disabled, Pioneer has expanded to also serve individuals with mental illness and traumatic brain injury along with providing early intervention services for children from birth through age five. It also provides services for victims of sexual assault through the VOICE program and services for homeless men, women and children through McHenry County PADS.

Milestones in the history of Pioneer:

Our Beginnings:

1958	Verona Huff sought an educational experience for her 7-year-old developmentally disabled daughter, Sandy. A small group of parents and caring individuals bonded together to start McHenry County Association for Retarded Children.
1959	Bylaws were adopted and the organization received its official charter.
1961	First school opened, with twenty children registered and eight attending classes which took place at Wonder Lake Bible Church.
1965	A sheltered workshop employment center was opened with three employees.
1966	School relocated to former Terra Cotta School in Crystal Lake. With the advent of SEDOM (Special Education District of McHenry County), a work activities center for persons over school age became the primary goal.
1973	First community living facility with 20 beds opens.
1974	The Birth-to-Three Program began with five infants.
1979	The Crystal Lake Vocational Rehabilitation Center was formed to provide services for people with mental illness.
1981	The Adult Day Training Program was formed for people with severe developmental disabilities. A group home was opened on Ponca Street in McHenry serving eleven adults with developmental disablilities.
1982	The Community Case Management Program was created to serve individuals with mental illness.
1983	The organization broke ground for a 12,000 square foot addition to the Dayton Street facility to expand vocational rehabilitation services.
1985	The first annual fundraiser, Gold Rush, attracted 250 attendees and raised $36,000 for programs.
1989	Name was changed to Pioneer Center.
1992	Initiated services for people with traumatic brain injury.
1994	The Annex building, which houses the Vocational Rehabilitation and Mental Health programs, as well as Community Support programs, was opened in McHenry.
1996	The first CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) accreditation was received for ALL programs.
1997	The Senior Care Program began, providing work alternatives for elderly clients with developmental disabilities. The Manke group home was opened for eight adults with developmental disabilities. Pioneer West, a building for our Birth-to-Three program, Employment Services, Employment Services and Central Intake was opened.
2001	The PsychoSocial Rehabilitation Program was formed.
2004	Pioneer Center was awarded $250,000 to purchase a Curran Road home, a ranch house that addresses the needs of clients with aging issues and physical disabilities.
2005	The first consumer-run business, the Snack Shack, opened in Pioneer East. The business won the “Best of the Best” at the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities conference. Three new programs were added: Janitorial Services, Employment Development Services and School to Work Transition Services.
2006	VOICE, Pioneer Center’s program for victims of sexual assault was started. The organization was renamed Pioneer Center for Human Services to reflect the broad array of services offered. McHenry County PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) merges operations with Pioneer.