Ecumenical Adult Care of Naperville thrives on community support
Ecumenical Adult Care of Naperville has served more than 3,000 families over the last 34 years by providing affordable adult day services.
This year, it is poised to undergo a positive transformation, fine-tuning its long-term strategic vision, objectives and mission to provide a safe, social and stimulating environment for adults of all ages in need of daytime care at a reasonable cost.
Community support in the form of generous time, personal resources and donations has been the key to the revitalization of Ecumenical Adult Care.
Pro bono assistance from SCORE Fox Valley, counselors partnering with the U.S. Small Business Administration, provided it with marketing acumen and strategic planning assistance.
Sikich LLP of Naperville will design a new logo characterizing the organization's mission, and several individuals have agreed to offer much-needed interior design consultation.
At the annual fundraiser, the Naperville Newcomers and Neighbors Club awarded Ecumenical Adult Care of Naperville with a generous donation.
In October and November, it was the recipient of quarterly donations from both the Medinah and Naperville chapters of the 100 Who Care Alliance. Publicity and energy from these donations have catalyzed robust community support.
Over the Thanksgiving weekend, two anonymous donors each pledged to match $10,000 in year-end donations to Ecumenical Adult Care.
Every dollar donation received by Ecumenical Adult Care of Naperville through Dec. 31 will be matched 200 percent, up to $10,000.
Ecumenical Adult Care provides caregiver respite for a fraction of the cost of home care or institutional adult care, and the importance of these services cannot be overstated. As a participant caregiver poignantly remarked, "For my mother to maintain her independence, I had to lose mine."
The impact of Ecumenical Adult Care of Naperville is also significant. Mary was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, triggered by Lyme disease.
At 55, she was still very active, and her husband needed to continue to work. For two years, Mary came to Ecumenical Adult Care five days a week.
Adopting the "best friend approach" to participant care, staff accommodated Mary's need to walk continually throughout the day. Knowing that she played the guitar prior to her disease, they also recruited a volunteer guitar player.
Although Mary couldn't speak, she listened and sang along with the Peter, Paul and Mary songs he played. It is this combination of professional and volunteer care that is the cornerstone of its success over the past almost 35 years.
But more support is needed. Indeed, it is only through grants, generous donations and community support that Ecumenical Adult Care can continue to provide quality and affordable adult day services.
Fully 100 percent of donations go toward center operation and client care, allowing it to renovate its facility and adult activities. Gifts are tax-deductible and, thanks to the two anonymous donors, each dollar provides it with three times the donated value.
To support this mission, please send a check payable to Ecumenical Adult Care to 305 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville, IL 60540. Donations can also be made directly at ecumenicalcenter.weebly.com or on Facebook (search Ecumenical Adult Care of Naperville).