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In 1988, the McHenry County faith community voiced concerned about homeless people they observed living in cars, under bridges, viaducts and in wooded areas in the county during the cold winter months. Together, they agreed to open their doors each night to provide individuals with dinner, a warm place to sleep and breakfast.
In order to secure its sustainability, in 2006 McHenry County PADS merged with Pioneer Center for Human Services. The merger of these two organizations was the very first of its kind in McHenry County. In 2020, Pioneer Center opened a permanent facility to operate a year-round PADS Homeless Shelter in McHenry County. It is the only emergency shelter in the area serving men, women, and children 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Pioneer Center offers McHenry County’s broadest range of housing assistance blended with vital support services to help those in need obtain housing, build self-sufficiency, and remain housed.
Our mission is to end homelessness in McHenry County and help people live a dignified life of well-being, independence, and inclusion.
Impact statement: Our biggest impact is in the number of positive outcomes we have. Those who exit the shelter leave in better health, have sustainable housing, understand the resources and are much more financially prepared. We encourage our clients to stay in touch, so we remain a source of information and assistance for them.
