HUNTLEY — On Aug. 23, the Pioneer Center for Human Services and the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (NISRA) celebrated the inauguration of the Huntley Bright Program through a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which also included a multi-chamber mixer that was hosted by the Huntley Area Chamber of Commerce.
As previously reported in My Huntley News, the Bright Program was first established back in 2021 and currently operates in the Huntley Park District’s Deicke Park facility located at 11419 S. Route 47. The goal of the program is to serve adults with developmental disabilities over the age of 22 with activities that focus on personal development through case management, community connections, and targeted development of personal independence.
NISRA and Pioneer Center jointly manage the year-round program, with activities taking place on Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Adults in the program are allowed to experience a variety of different activities, which vary to include everything from attending day trips to nearby attractions and partaking in volunteering opportunities to focusing on conflict resolution and money management. “We’re an agency that is determined to create opportunities for people to access and access as [easily] as possible. We’re excited about serving this part of the community and we are focused on growing the Bright Program and having it be amazing to those served,” CoChief Executive Officer of Pioneer Center Sam Tenuto had previously told My Huntley News.
Attendees of the Bright Program’s ribbon-cutting ceremony also got the opportunity to listen to a few guest speakers including Director of Developmental Disabilities for Pioneer Center D.J. Newport, Community Day Programs Manager for Pioneer Center Renee Stoklosa, and NISRA Executive Director Jim Weisman.
Mayor Tim Hoeft and leadership from Chamber of Commerce locations in Huntley, Algonquin, and Crystal Lake were in attendance as well.
Pioneer Center Community Inclusion Coordinator Jessica Howar told My Huntley News that once participants are ready to enter the Bright Program, they will be set up with an admissions manager who will provide further information regarding the program, as well as provide a pre-screening of the interested individual.
Once the Bright Program team reviews an individual’s information, an in-person assessment will be scheduled.
“The purpose of the assessment is to learn more about the participant and in turn, they learn more about the program and the staff. The Bright Program Team seeks participants who would be a good fit for the program, but families are also interviewing us to make sure we are a good fit for their loved one,” Howar had previously stated. “Once the assessment is complete, the participant will come to the Bright Program for a one-week trial. This allows the participant to see what it would be like if they were a part of the program.”
Tenuto stated that Pioneer Center and NISRA used the year 2022 to heavily focus on learning and listening to Bright Program members so that the two agencies can better design program activities to meet the needs of participants.
“Down the road, we will understand the impact on the community to see if there’re other things we need to do in this part of the county too. One step at a time. We’re a very thoughtful agency. So is NISRA,” said Tenuto.
For more information on costs, tours, eligibility assessments, and the registration process, individuals may contact the Pioneer Center’s Admissions office at 815-759-7160 or send an email to ddadmissions@pioneercenter.org.
