Community Link Celebrates 2024 Achievements

January 13, 2025

Community Link Celebrates 2024 Achievements

Breese, IL- Community Link proudly reflects on a great year of accomplishments in 2024. Through community engagement, innovative programs, and infrastructure improvements, Community Link empowers adults with developmental disabilities to live their best lives.

Community Link expanded community inclusion opportunities with its Day and Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) Programs. The Day Program surpassed community-based activity benchmarks, while the CILA Program reported a substantial rise in participant activities outside the home. To support this growth, the organization added a Community-Inclusion Specialist to the CILA Program providing more individualized experiences.

Participants engaged in an array of volunteer opportunities, including but not limited to the “Red Porch Days” program, the Humane Society in Highland, Meals on Wheels, Snack Pack program, preparation for local church rummage sales, and Adopt a Highway in Breese.

To continue the evolution to an “Ideal CILA” philosophy, the agency significantly increased team meetings with individuals to discuss their needs regarding choice, dignity of risk and rights, and independence. The agency also eliminated shared bedrooms to all single-occupancy rooms, with only those who prefer to share in double-occupancy.

The organization made critical investments in infrastructure to ensure accessibility, safety, and comfort. Upgrades included roof replacements at three of the largest CILA homes as well as handicapped-accessibility and safety enhancements at three additional homes.

Community Link hosted two very successful fundraising events. The Palace of Possibilities gala, funding the endowment of the Special Needs Foundation for Community Link, raised $123,000 to invest in the future of the organization. While the Buddy Walk raised $134,000 with over 1400 registrants. Gifts to both events were increased from the prior year, underscoring the community’s unwavering support for the organization’s mission.

In 2024, Community Link engaged in a comprehensive strategic planning process involving many different internal and external stakeholders. The result is a newly articulated mission, vision, and values statements, alongside a five-year strategic framework. Key priorities include enhancements to the Adult Day Program, expansion of the residential program, employee engagement, and codified Board infrastructural oversight, all through a mission-based lens.

“We are incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished in 2024,” said John Huelskamp, executive director of Community Link. “These achievements reflect our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for our participants and ensuring they can lead lives with choice, growth, and independence.”

Community Link extends heartfelt thanks to its staff, participants, board members, volunteers, families, friends, contributors, and neighbors for their continued dedication to its mission.

Community Link is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities through a person-centered approach that promotes self-directed living choices and community integration opportunities. The mission of Community Link is to offer opportunities for growth and independence for people with developmental disabilities. For more information visit commlink.org.

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