Pioneer Center is grateful to a local business, which donated money to the community organization.

On July 10, Salon MACKK, in Crystal Lake, hosted a Cut-A-Thon to help raise money for Pioneer Center. The MACKK team provided haircuts, make-up applications, shampoo, and styling. According to one of the owners, Karin Jackowiak, they “had a steady stream of people getting pampered, participating in raffles and enjoying coffee from Conscious Cup and food provided by That’s Amore Pizza.

“It was our biggest fundraiser yet,” said Jackowsiak.

Earlier this year, Pioneer Center transitioned many of its clients to other service organizations and put a ‘for sale’ sign on two of its locations.

Pioneer Center is owed more than $1.5 million by the state, which has been at a budget impasse for nearly a year. Officials decided to slim Pioneer down to its core mission of helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and providing several community-based programs. The organization transferred some of its services to other agencies and released about 100 of their employees.

On July 10, Salon MACKK, in Crystal Lake, hosted a Cut-A-Thon to help raise money for Pioneer Center. The MACKK team provided haircuts, make-up applications, shampoo, and styling. According to one of the owners, Karin Jackowiak, they “had a steady stream of people getting pampered, participating in raffles and enjoying coffee from Conscious Cup and food provided by That’s Amore Pizza.

“It was our biggest fundraiser yet,” said Jackowsiak.

In October, MACKK does fundraisers to promote breast cancer awareness and they raise money for individuals in need. “It’s great to see the people in the community come together for a cause.”

According to Laurie Bivuna, Pioneer Center’s Director of Marketing, “The monies generously received from the Salon MACKK Cut-a-thon will be used to help fund our residential programming. Pioneer Center operates more than a dozen group homes throughout McHenry County that serve adults and seniors with developmental disabilities, children with autism and adults with mental illness. As a nonprofit operating in Illinois, fully funding our programs is always a challenge and we are extremely grateful for the generosity of the community and the staff at Salon MACKK.”

Pioneer Center began in 1958, when Verona Huff and a small group of parents started the McHenry County Association for Retarded children. Huff wanted more for her 7-year-old daughter, Sandy, who had Down Syndrome. That act of determination led to the creation of the organization that would become Pioneer Center for Human Services.

The organization Huff began over half a century ago, expanded to include shelter for the homeless (PADS,) programs for the developmentally and intellectually disabled, life skill development, employment services, case management, residential living services, senior services (SOAR,) autism services, and respite help for caregivers.

Besides the staff, Pioneer Center’s Auxiliary works to support the mission and vision of Pioneer Center through giving of their time and talent. These dedicated members act as ambassadors of the organization by promoting community awareness of our programs and services.

Even though the organization metamorphosed into something beyond Huff’s dreams, the mission remained constant: to empower individuals to achieve their full potential. In 2014, Pioneer Center, with funding from McHenry County Mental Health Board, began the county’s first telepsychiatry program for people with concurrent mental health and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Several Crystal Lake organizations plan fundraisers during the summer. July 21, Muse Art scheduled a “Paint this! Fun-raiser.” Star Charities has a “Tee Up 4 Charity” golf outing July 29. Georgio’s Pizza scheduled the “Georgio Charity Golf Outing” Aug. 12. For more information about Pioneer Center, their services, or upcoming events visit www.pioneerceter.org.