By Sarah Mathe It’s hard to imagine that the 28-year old woman sitting across from me, full of energy and life, found it difficult to speak. The morning of Thursday, August 14, 2008, changed Bridget’s life. She woke up with a rope tied around her neck and a man sexually assaulting her. He bashed her…
By Cjay Harmer, Prevention Specialist As a parent you never want to believe that your child has been targeted by a bully. Often your child will struggle to deal with the situation on their own, not wanting to call attention to it. But, there are some common signs that you can look for if you…
Andrea and her son, Zachary, came to Pioneer Center the year after he was born. Born with multiple disabilities, caring for Zachary was overwhelming. The sheer number of doctor appointments and the life expectancy diagnosis placed on her son were a constant source of worry and stress. Through her work over the past few years…
You may know Buddyz for their great food and fun atmosphere. But did you know that the McHenry pizza place also offers great opportunities to Pioneer Center clients? Since they opened in September 2010, Buddyz has actively hired clients from Pioneer Center’s Community Employment Services program. In fact, two individuals have worked there since the…
Pioneer Center for Human Services has partnered with Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital to offer immediate access to services offered by Pioneer. In a unique collaboration, Pioneer Center will now offer an admissions center one evening a week, conveniently located within Advocate’s Outpatient Center in Crystal Lake. There, individuals will receive preliminary evaluations, complete enrollment paperwork,…
Dayton Street was turned into a command center Thursday morning, as Pioneer Center for Human Services ran a disaster preparedness drill to test their emergency response plans and make sure clients and staff are prepared for the worst. The drill involved Pioneer Center clients, staff and local police and firefighters. Pioneer Center also partnered with…
Annette Hammortree, CLTC, FRC of Rosemont, Illinois, secured a $2,000 grant from the MDRT Foundation on behalf of Pioneer Center for Human Services. Hammortree, a member of MDRT’s Top of the Table, is an active supporter of Pioneer Center. The MDRT Foundation grant will support the organization’s Janitorial Skills Training Program. About the Million Dollar…
Sweet Repeats Thrift Shoppe celebrated their grand opening at their new home in the Huntley Outlet Center last week. From the moment the ribbon was cut a steady stream of customers have visited the store, shopping for local bargains. “The store’s grand opening was such a huge success…
Pioneer Center announced today that it is in the process of purchasing the former Family Service building in McHenry. “There is a silent crisis in McHenryCounty as more individuals than ever find themselves in need of assistance,” explained Patrick Maynard, CEO of Pioneer Center. “Each year, the number of those in need grows, stretching available resources…
A little bit of rain…ok, a lot of rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the over 250 people who celebrated with Pioneer Center at this year’s Moonlight & Music event. Although the outdoor concert became an indoor party…it was the organization’s most successful event ever—raising more than $140,000! This year’s attendees were treated to a…
