Ecumenical Adult Care of Naperville Thrives on Community Support

Ecumenical Adult Care of Naperville (EAC) 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 EAC. Pro bono assistance from SCORE Fox Valley, counselors partnering with the U.S. Small Business Administration, provided EAC with marketing acumen and strategic planning assistance. Sikich LLP of Naperville will design a new logo characterizing the EAC mission, and several individuals have agreed to offer much-needed interior design consultation.

At the EAC annual fundraiser, the Naperville Newcomers and Neighbors Club awarded EAC with a generous donation. In October and November, EAC 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 EAC through December 31, 2017, will be matched 200%, 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 an EAC participant caregiver poignantly remarked, “For my mother to maintain her independence, I had to lose mine.”

The impact of EAC 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 EAC five days a week.

Adopting the ”best friend approach” to participant care, EAC staff accommodated Mary’s need to walk continually throughout the day. Knowing that she played the guitar prior to her disease, EAC 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 EAC’s success over the past almost 35 years.

But more support is needed. Indeed, it is only through grants, generous donations and community support that EAC can continue to provide quality and affordable adult day services. Fully 100% of donations go toward center operation and client care, allowing EAC to renovate its facility and adult activities. Gifts are tax-deductible and, thanks to the two anonymous donors, each dollar provides EAC 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 on the Ecumenical Adult Care website or through Facebook.