There’s no denying that grandparents are special. Something about the bond between a grandparent and a grandchild is a bit magical.

Being a grandparent means being playmate and caregiver, protector and friend, teacher and student.

In this way, grandparents tend to become experts in the interests and needs of their grandkids. For some grandparents, that may mean taking on the role of novice paleontologist when their grandchild becomes obsessed with dinosaurs. Or maybe grandma decides to learn all the lyrics to Taylor Swift’s album, just to stay in touch with her granddaughters.

For others, being a grandparent means advocating for programs and services that will enrich the lives of their grandchildren and countless others.

Such is the case for Mary Beard of Waterloo. She became involved with Human Support Services (HSS) after two of her grandchildren were diagnosed with intellectual disabilities.

“My granddaughters have impacted my life in every way possible, from realizing the blessings they are, to worrying about their future,” Mary said. “The work HSS does with developmental and intellectual disabilities was a natural fit for me to get involved.”

Mary has served on the development committee of HSS since 2022. In January 2024, she was appointed to the Board of Directors.

One of the reasons Mary joined the board was to provide opportunities that will brighten the future for her grandchildren. Like all grandparents, she wants to help them live life to the fullest. In her dual roles as HSS board member and grandparent, she says she will work to make that dream a reality.

She also brings a wealth of experience from a career in Information Technologies and business analysis to the board.

Professionally, Mary worked in the criminal justice arena for nearly 35 years at Regional Justice Information Service (REJIS) in St. Louis. REJIS provides IT solutions for public sector and criminal justice entities. Starting as a computer programmer, she gradually transitioned to being a Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP).

In this position, she interviewed clients and designed computer applications which enabled them to work efficiently and safely. This experience has led her to ask questions and make people think a little further about an answer or solution, a trait that will be useful when considering HSS initiatives.

“I am an analyst at heart,” Mary said. “I am constantly thinking about how people and systems and entities can work better. I ask a lot of questions to fulfill my need to understand.”

This is not the only time Mary has taken an active role in an organization in order to gain a better understanding and lend a helping hand.

As a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, Mary served on the Board of Christian Education and as a Confirmation mentor when her children were growing up.

She interviewed nearly 50 people in Monroe County to obtain their life stories as part of the Monroe County Bicentennial Committee. Those stories are now published in the two-volume From Tablet to Tablet books, which were edited, reviewed, and compiled by Mary and fellow co-chair, Dennis Knobloch.

Mary also spearheaded the first-ever Midwest Meet and Greet for the Mowat-Wilson Syndrome (MWS) Foundation. Mary’s eldest granddaughter lives with MWS.

When Mary saw a need to gather families facing this rare syndrome together for support, she organized, raised funds, and hosted the event at the St. Louis Zoo.

She is ready for a new challenge to serve her hometown and community through HSS.

“Truly, it is simply amazing realizing all that HSS does,” said Mary. “I am always learning about the scope of services that HSS offers, the number of people employed by HSS, and the dedication of the leadership that inspires each and every person to keep making HSS better.”

Just as her children, grandchildren, family, and friends know how lucky they are to have Mary in their corner, the staff and clients of HSS, along with the entire community, are just as lucky to have Mary’s support as we move forward with our mission to help everyone live their best lives.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about joining the committees or board of HSS, contact Courtney Hunter at chunter@hss1.org.

While Mary O’Leary knew about Human Support Services for years, it wasn’t until she attended the annual Shine Your Light Gala that she began to really understand the impact HSS has on the lives of people in our community.

The moving, and often inspiring, stories shared by clients and speakers at the gala had a resounding effect on Mary.

So when Mary, who had long been active in her children’s PTA and ice hockey club, decided it was time for her to do more to serve the community, HSS was a natural choice.

“A co-worker of mine, Jennifer Harres, was on the HSS Foundation and asked me to get involved,” Mary said. “I was looking for a way to give back so it was a resounding yes!”

With a real life understanding of HSS’ programs and services and a background in finance, Mary joined the board in September 2021. She was quickly named chairperson of the finance committee.

Originally from Paris, Mo., Mary moved to St. Louis in 1992. She attended Missouri State University in Springfield where she earned a degree in business before settling in Columbia, Ill., in 2004.

In 2018, Mary was named vice president and controller for First National Bank of Waterloo.

As a board member, Mary continues to support HSS events and fundraisers. She enjoys attending the HSS gala, client performances and the annual Thanksgiving dinner.

When she’s not crunching numbers or driving kids to hockey practice, Mary enjoys reading mystery and suspense novels.

If you’re interested in serving on a committee or joining the HSS board, please contact Courtney Hunter, director of development, at chunter@hss1.org.

As the daughter of a coal miner, Jessi Rucks moved frequently with her family when she was a child. In doing so, she was given a unique opportunity to develop exceptional interpersonal skills.

Jessi came to view what some would consider a challenge – starting a new school, learning her way around a new town, changing routines – as simply a way of life.

“I think I’m pretty good at deep and uncomfortable conversations. I want to get to know you – the real you,” Jessi said. “We’re all figuring life out as we go. We all have more in common than we realize. Let’s lean on each other and learn.”

She became adept at starting over fresh, making new friends, and realizing that people are not so different – no matter where you go.

As an adult, Jessi translated the people skills she learned in her childhood into a career in human resources. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business Administration from Marshall University in West Virginia.

With 15 years of human resources experience in both the private and public sectors, it’s no surprise she was recruited to serve as chair of the Human Resources Committee on the HSS Board of Directors. She joined the board in October 2023.

“I love the commitment HSS has to doing the right thing for others. I admire what they do and who they are so much,” she said.

Even though she’s only been on the board for a few short months, Jessi is quickly getting a sense of the mission and values that drive HSS leadership and staff.

“Everyone who works at HSS has deep compassion and empathy for others and you can really feel that,” Jessi said.

Jessi lives in Waterloo claiming, “home is where my family is.”

We’re so pleased that the Rucks family feels at home in our community and we are excited to see how our newest board member contributes to our mission of helping all people live their best lives.

If you’re interested in supporting HSS or serving on one of our committees or on our board, contact Courtney Hunter, director of development, at chunter@hss1.org.

In this era of meal kits and fast food, most people don’t spend time preparing elaborate dinners for friends and family.

But for HSS Board Member Megan Selck, the thoughtful act of providing good food for loved ones is just one way she gives her time and talents for the benefit of others.

Professionally, Megan has dedicated her entire career to the nonprofit sector. For two decades, she has supported the mission and development of such organizations as the Greater St. Louis Area Boy Scouts of America, Loaves and Fishes Community Services, CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, and The American Cancer Society.

Through these positions, Megan has learned the ins and outs of the nonprofit world. She sees firsthand what can be achieved through the dedication of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

At home in her community, Megan is active in her church, St. Paul United Church of Christ in Waterloo, where she also serves as chair of Child’s World Preschool Board of Directors.

She is a member of the Alpha Phi House Corporation Board and chairperson of the Monroe County Chapter of the American Red Cross. She also serves on the board and development committee at the Alliance Francaise de St. Louis.

Then a few years ago, HSS leadership approached Megan about lending her expertise to guide the development of Human Support Services.

Megan quickly saw how essential HSS is to the community and agreed to join the Board of Directors.

“HSS serves a need in our community that is only growing,” Selck said. “Mental health is critical at every level, and I am honored to work with the team at HSS to make it a priority for Monroe County.”

Along with her work on the board, Megan and her husband Andrew, donate a crawfish boil – prepared and hosted by the Selcks at their home – for our annual Shine Your Light Gala.

Megan, a native of Belleville, settled in Waterloo in 2016. She and her husband Andrew have two children and two dogs. Megan enjoys attending her children’s activities, playing tennis, and traveling.

We are honored to have board members like Megan as part of our HSS family. If you are interested in learning more about serving on the HSS board or on one of our committees, please email Courtney Hunter, Development Director, at chunters@hss1.org.

It started with a simple request.

HSS staff asked local businesswoman Lisa Maurer if Community Day Services clients could take a tour of her Waterloo-based furniture painting and restoring business, Farm Girl Finds.

Lisa graciously agreed.

That one visit blossomed into so much more than Lisa – or HSS staff – could ever have imagined.

During the tour, Lisa showed the group a piece she was working on. While demonstrating how she applies the paint, Lisa asked if any of her guests would like to try her technique. Lots of enthusiastic hands shot up. Lisa passed around the paintbrush and everyone eagerly gave it a try.

Lisa loved being able to inspire creativity and witness the look of pride on the clients’ faces as they painted. She knew right then that this had to be more than a one-time experience.

Now, Lisa is not only the newest member of the HSS Board of Directors, but she visits our facility weekly to paint furniture with clients. She is helping clients develop an entrepreneurial spirit by teaching them the process of her business.

Every Wednesday, Lisa and her staff bring a piece of furniture into HSS for clients to work on until it’s ready to sell. The piece is then delivered back to Farm Girl Finds where clients learn how to take the measurements, price it competitively, and stage the furniture to sell. Lisa generously donates 100% of the sales of these pieces back to HSS.

The clients love painting and sanding the furniture – and thrive in perfecting their new skills. But the Farm Girl Finds staff might enjoy these Wednesdays even more.

“The clients are always excited to see us and we are greeted with hugs, smiles, and high-fives,” said Lisa. “We also love watching them do the ‘money’ dance after a piece of furniture that they worked on has been sold!”

As an entrepreneur, Lisa knows exactly how rewarding it is to make something that people admire and want to showcase in their home.

As caregiver for a sibling with a developmental disability, Lisa also understands the value of supporting an organization like HSS – especially for families who care for loved ones with developmental disabilities or mental health concerns.

“I quickly learned how having an organization like HSS that provides services in the community can be a much-needed resource, not only for people like my brother but for myself as his guardian,” Lisa said. “I didn’t realize how hard it would be to help him apply for a job, fill out resumes, prepare him for interviews, and to find those employers who are willing to hire, train, and work with those with disabilities.”

Lisa and her husband moved frequently for many years, which she says allowed her to experience a great variety of opportunities. Besides raising a family and opening her own business, Lisa has been involved in fundraising and special events with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, and has helped open and operated a resale//consignment shop with the board of directors at Youth In Need. She also served as executive director for the Lake Mills Main Street Program.

In addition to HSS, Lisa is a current member of Explore Waterloo, the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and St. John’s UCC Church in Maeystown.

True to her “Farm Girl Finds” moniker, Lisa rarely passes up a thrift store, estate sale, auction, or garage sale.

“I’m always out looking for quality furniture and farmhouse finds. I like finding statement pieces that make customer’s homes more unique and inviting,” she explained.

This passion for preserving farm living stems from growing up on a farm in rural St. Clair County.

Now, Lisa has turned her hobby into a successful business and a way of life. After moving to Monroe County over 10 years ago, Lisa and her husband renovated an 1870s farmhouse and one room log cabin.

HSS is beyond grateful for the collaboration that has formed between our nonprofit and Farm Girl Finds. We encourage you to stop in and check out this lovely store – and our clients’ handiwork – next time you are visiting Waterloo!

Growing up out west, Lisa Krenz was a camp counselor for two summers in Georgetown, Colo.

Time spent at that Easter Seals camp for kids and adults with disabilities had a huge impact on her life.

“It was the 1980s, and things were a little different in our country then,” Lisa explained. “I learned more in those two summers than you can imagine.”

The camp experience led Lisa to pursue a career in special education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Concordia University in Chicago and a master’s in special education from Webster University in St. Louis.

For years, Lisa taught special education in both private Lutheran schools and public school settings.

Once her time in the classroom was over, she taught other aspiring teachers at Kaskaskia College in Centralia, Ill., and Greenville University in Greenville, Ill.

She has been working as an editor for curriculum resources at Concordia Publishing House in St. Louis since 2016.

“Throughout my adult life, I’ve tried to lift others up and be encouraging so that we might all be the best we can be,” Lisa says.

Lisa’s outlook on life perfectly aligns with the mission of Human Support Services – helping all people live their best lives.

When Lisa moved to Columbia, Ill., with her husband, Pastor Stephen Krenz, it didn’t take long for members of their congregation and the community at large to get a sense of Lisa’s boundless optimism and love for others.

Fellow HSS Board Member Gary Crawford was the first to recognize that Lisa was a perfect fit with HSS.

For the past year, Lisa has been sharing her extensive expertise and radiant demeanor with staff and clients of HSS by serving on the Board of Directors. She brings meaningful experiences and a unique perspective.

Lisa describes herself as “a teacher, a friend, a parent, and a daughter.”

She brings a bit of each of those personas to her role as board member and community volunteer.

Though Lisa has been an official Monroe County resident for a mere five years, she is already an engaged member of the community.

Lisa is an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Columbia where her husband, Stephen, serves as pastor. They have a son, Joel, a daughter, Anna, and a son-in-law, Ryan.

While her children were in school, Lisa was an active parent volunteer for Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Hoffman, Ill., and Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School in Centralia, Ill. She also volunteered at the Murray Developmental Center in Centralia, Ill.

Through HSS, Lisa has found an organization in this new chapter of her life to pour her heart into.

Lisa says, “In my work I’m always thinking about how we can make God’s Word and His love accessible for all people.”

Interested in getting more involved at HSS? Contact Courtney Hunter at chunter@hss1.org.