Independent living center marks 20 years of service
A celebration of 20 years of service will take place Nov. 18 during the 20th annual meeting of the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living.
Local residents, people with disabilities, advocates, elected officials, civic leaders and business owners are encouraged to join with the staff and volunteer directors for the meeting, to be from 5 to 8 p.m. at Al's Steakhouse on West Jefferson Street, in Joliet.
The evening will feature an introduction of new board members, award presentations, testimonials from disabled consumers and highlights of the center's accomplishments over the past two decades.
This year also marks the 20th anniversary of Pam Heavens' leadership as executive director, according to board President Denise Winfrey, who also serves as a member of the Will County Board.
Heavens was one of a handful of local advocates, including Deb Condotti of Easter Seals and Bang Long who died in 2008, to develop the center in order to offer valuable resources to the growing number of disabled consumers in the Will and Grundy regions.
The center provides programs and services to persons of all ages with all types of disabilities and operates solely on grants and contributions to provide information, referral, advocacy, independent living skills training and a wide range of specialized workshops to the area's disabled individuals. The center was recognized by the Community Services Council as the Outstanding Service Agency of the Year.
The center is a United Way agency. Operated by and for people with disabilities, the agency operates solely on grants and contributions to serve a growing population, as one in five Americans are currently estimated to be experiencing a disability.
Tickets cost $15 a person. Reservations can be arranged by contacting the center at 815-729-0162 or 815-729-2085 (TTY), or via e-mail to Shoma at shomawgcil@sbcglobal.net. Payments need to be received by Monday and can be mailed to the center at 2415 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL 60435.
