But Alex, at just seven years old, had one wish this Christmas – to have his daddy home for the holidays.

Alex hadn’t seen his dad in a long time, and it was hard when he was away.

It wasn’t always easy when he was home – Alex could remember some times when he was sick. But there were other times – really, really good times – when he was better.

That’s what Alex wanted for Christmas – daddy back and feeling good.

Thanks to Human Support Services, Alex got his wish this year.

Alex’s dad had been battling drug and alcohol addiction since he was a teenager.

Like many, he’d struggled to overcome his addiction many times through the years, sometimes going sober for months at a time.

But experimenting with drugs and alcohol in his teens had led to heroin by the time he was in his 20s. He struggled to keep a job, and couldn’t be there for Alex.

Earlier this year, Jeff was arrested for possession. His future looked uncertain and he wasn’t sure if he would ever get the chance to be the father he wanted to be.

Jeff knew it was time for a change.

Through the Adult Redeploy Illinois program*, Jeff worked with HSS and his probation officer to get his life back on track.

Jeff worked hard to get sober and was able to get custody of Alex. Alex got his wish and they’ll be able to spend Christmas together.

Many people addicted to drugs want to find a way to stop, but don’t know where to turn. They end up in jail or even worse.

Luckily, in Monroe County there is an organization to help people like Jeff or anyone struggling with mental health issues or substance use.

That organization is Human Support Services (HSS). HSS can only provide these services because of people like YOU.

Thanks to generous supporters like YOU, HSS is able to offer counseling, housing assistance, employment training programs and much more to all people, regardless of their ability to pay.

Can YOU make a difference in someone’s life this holiday season with a gift to HSS? Donations are tax deductible and allow for people like Jeff to get the help they need.

Please consider giving a gift to support HSS.

Click here to donate and change the lives of people right here in Monroe County.

*Results expected with Adult Redeploy Illinois include reduced prison overcrowding; lowered cost to taxpayers; an end to the expensive vicious cycle of crime and incarceration.

*Note: Some details and names have been changed to protect the identity of the clients.

With blue polo shirts tucked neatly into khaki pants, the two women shuffle their hands in nervous excitement, eager to greet their next guests.

For days now, this is the moment they’ve been prepping for. The linens have been washed and lovingly arranged on the beds. Fresh baked muffins sit on the kitchen countertop.

It’s showtime.

Welcome to the SeeMore Inn, where guests are made to feel as if they are the most important people in the world.

And they are — at least within the walls of this bed and breakfast, especially in the eyes of those who work here.

The SeeMore Inn is a groundbreaking experiment in hospitality, a place where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can learn, work and thrive. The bed and breakfast is the first of its kind in Illinois.

And Human Support Services, which owns and operates the property, sees it as filling an essential role in its drive toward a more person-centered model of service.

What is a person-centered approach? Well, look no further than the inn to better understand.

The name SeeMore Inn derives from a Robert M. Hensel quote which reads: “There is no greater disability in society than the inability to see a person as more.”

The person-centered approach looks at the individual and identifies their unique talents and strengths, then connects them to roles in the community where they can reach their fullest potential. It’s about allowing that person to find their place in society, not “helping” them within the bounds of an organization or system.

Here at the inn, everyone pitches in and everyone benefits.

There’s Rachel, whose careful work in preparing eggs for breakfast is more than just a job. It’s a step toward a bigger dream of one day becoming a chef.

And there’s Linda, who beams when the guests say they enjoy the meals she serves them.

Clients work a variety of jobs, helping with everything from landscaping and housekeeping to cooking and serving guests, all under the guidance of supervision from HSS staff and a full-time innkeeper.

Those who work at the inn see it as a true privilege. Those who stay at the inn see it as a true treat.

“The Inn represents all that we are trying to achieve at HSS with our person-centered approach,” said Anne King, executive director at HSS. “The many talents of our clients really shine through, and they have a chance to provide a warm welcome to the community — opening people’s eyes to all that we have to offer, and all that we can do when we work together as a society to help every person live their best life.”

The SeeMore Inn, which officially opened to guests on July 1, operated for many years as the Waterloo Inn bed and breakfast. When the five-bedroom home hit the real estate market last year, HSS immediately saw the opportunity to do something innovative.

There was risk involved — as is the case with any real estate deal — but it was hard to pass up what would be a one-of-a-kind experience for clients and guests.

“When we looked at it that way, particularly in light of our larger mission, it was a no brainer,” said King. “We had to make it ours.”

The nonprofit closed on the property in February.

Since then, HSS staff and clients have been busy putting their own touch on the home. Projects have included picking new furniture and decor, and interviewing applicants for the innkeeper’s position.

The efforts shine through, from the moment you arrive at the bed and breakfast. The home, which was built in 1875, has a Colonial Farmhouse feel, with its white clapboard exterior and teal shutters.

Pastel paint and floral wallpaper grace the interior, while custom millwork around the hearth and antique light fixtures complete the look.

One can sip tea from vintage china on the porch or in the sunroom. Or a guest can enjoy one of the inn’s breakfast specials in the kitchen where the sunlight plays peekaboo with lace curtains on the windows.

Everything here is quaint and personalized. And it starts with that special SeeMore welcome, from staff who are more than eager to get to know you.

With every piece of furniture lovingly polished, and every scone carefully prepared and served, the SeeMore Inn proves that the road to a better life connects all of us.

And it wouldn’t be possible without your help.

Consider a tax deductible gift to HSS this holiday season. Your gift to our annual campaign goes directly to programs like those at the SeeMore Inn.

And please remember: We can all do more to see the best in each other.

When Shawn steps into the Walmart parking lot, he stands a little taller.

A slight smile is almost always on his face as he moves through his workday. The job involves a seemingly neverending task — moving shopping carts from the edge of the lot to the inside of the building.

Some might groan and complain. But for Shawn, each shopping cart, and each trip to and from the store, represents so much.

Independence. Opportunity. Growth. Being part of a larger, more diverse community.

These are all things that Shawn craved and expressed to his family and case coordinators.

Now they are no longer pipe dreams or abstract ideas. They are his reality.

The Building Futures program, offered through Human Support Services, is part of a larger movement toward person-centered services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program pairs motivated workers like Shawn with employers in the community.

Both benefit.

For the businesses, it is a chance to tap an eager workforce that truly sees each job as an opportunity, not just a paycheck. Often, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are filling business needs that may have otherwise gone unfilled.

For Shawn and others, it is a valued role — a stepping stone to building an independent future.

Shawn’s smile comes from a sense of purpose, and his delight in being able to shape his own path and follow his own interests. It also comes from the camaraderie he feels with fellow employees and the customers. Not to mention the satisfaction he gains in being able to earn a paycheck and pay for his own things.

After all, aren’t those things we all crave?

That’s the whole point of the Building Futures program.

“We’re looking at how can we allow the people we serve to have the best life, to experience the most quality, to have the most meaning,” explained Jessica Liefer, director of person centered services at HSS.

“We’re looking at each and every person, and each and every gift and talent and quality that person has, and we try to place them in organizations and employment positions that…they can grow and succeed in.”

For Shawn, it started with a simple wish, and someone who was willing to listen.

He had been expressing a desire to work for quite a while. So when the Building Futures program started up, and Walmart’s Missy Whittington began asking about potential job candidates, Liefer knew exactly who to ask.

“We knew there was more for him than working in (the HSS) workshop,” Liefer said.

Shawn’s new job was a test run, of sorts, for the larger program.

At the time, HSS didn’t have a job coach yet. So for a couple of days, Liefer went to Walmart with Shawn to see how he would enjoy being a cart attendant.

Her first impression?

“I did not realize how hard it was,” she said, chuckling.

It was a physically demanding position, and Shawn was worried. He desperately wanted to work, but would the job prove too difficult for him? Would he bump into cars with the carts? What about when it rained or snowed?

Whittington was quick to jump in and offer encouragement. She also customized the position in a way that allayed Shawn’s concerns. Shawn would just take the carts at the edge of the lot into the building. No more fears for Shawn; still a tremendous help to Walmart.

“That’s worked out perfectly,” Liefer said. “It’s something he’s good at. He’s right at the building and pushes the (carts) in and just really enjoys it. He works every Friday and he’s excited about going.”

There’s a point here that shouldn’t be lost. The businesses involved in the Building Futures program gain satisfaction and practical benefits as well.

“They see the quality it brings to their business, so that’s exciting,” Liefer said.

And Shawn’s family?

“I think they are happy to see things moving forward for him. They are glad that others see opportunity and potential in him as well,” Liefer said.

That extends to Shawn’s girlfriend, who recently received a gift from him: a beautiful ring, one of the first things he bought with his Walmart paycheck.

Shawn is one of many who are now involved in the HSS Building Futures program. And his story illustrates a common theme: that helping one person realize their dreams can better connect our whole community.

Invest in Shawn’s future — a future we all share, and have a stake in — by contributing to our annual holiday appeal today.

Her hands are dusted in flour as they knead dough, purposefully molding the bread into shape.

Later, she’ll mix batter for cakes, carefully measuring ingredients and scooping the soft gooey mixture into the pans.

It’s methodic, calming work. There’s something rewarding about watching the fruits of her labor come to life as the baked goods rise in the ovens.

When she leaves work, maybe she’ll make a call to chat with one of her children, or maybe she’ll visit her grandchildren. She might take one of the yoga classes she recently signed up for, or spend time with some of her new friends.

For the first time in decades, the road Olivia is on is a good one.

It wasn’t easy to get here, and she didn’t do it alone.

Olivia was only 12 when she started drinking to escape the abuse in her household. By the time she was 21, she was using cocaine.

She married young, and had children in her 20s. Over the following decade, she struggled with drug and alcohol abuse and mental health issues that spiraled out of control.

She divorced her husband, lost touch with her children and ultimately faced trouble with the law and spent time in prison. She couldn’t find a steady job and was plagued by negative thoughts and behaviors.

As the years wore on, Olivia made several attempts at rehabilitation and participated in Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. She sought treatment for PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, paranoia and depression.

But still, Olivia struggled to stay sober and manage her mental health. She felt isolated from family and friends and was separated from her children.

This was not the life she wanted.

Olivia knew she needed to change and needed help to do so. When she came to Human Support Services, she was ready to pursue the road to her best life.

At HSS, Olivia received counseling for substance abuse and mental health issues and joined our women’s group, where she receives valuable support from others who have faced the same struggles.

Living in our transitional housing has given her the opportunity to learn to budget money. She has learned to focus on self-care, and completed extensive dental work that has helped improve her self-esteem and outlook.

Over the last several years, she has developed a network of friends and has repaired the broken relationships with her family.

The care Olivia receives at HSS has paved the way to a better life. She has been given the tools necessary to successfully manage her depression and work toward her goals.

Olivia’s future is brighter than ever. She has been drug-free for 10 years and has set goals to become a full-time employee at the bakery and spend more time with her grandchildren. With help from HSS, she found a second chance to live her best life.

Like Olivia, many people in our community are traveling down the road to recovery. HSS is there to give them the opportunities to make a better life.

Tax-deductible gifts from friends and neighbors help make that possible.

This holiday season, consider making a charitable donation to the Human Support Services Annual Holiday Appeal to help Olivia and others like her.

When you give to HSS, the road to a better life connects all of us.

When they first began to talk about her, she was visibly overwhelmed. Her cheeks flushed crimson as she covered her face with her hands, momentarily uncomfortable in the spotlight.

But then, a giggle escaped. Another quickly followed.

Soon, any signs of shyness evaporated and in its’ place was another, more powerful emotion – joy.  A joy so effervescent it seemed to vibrate from her every move.

She shook as she rose from her seat at the table, giggles escaping as her eyes danced.

Michelle may have been nervous in front of the crowd, but those nerves were no match for excitement and pride.

This night, she got the chance to stand next to her “big boss,” Waterloo Mayor Tom Smith.

Smith presented Human Support Services with a check for the work Michelle and her fellow day services clients had done to help the city.

For Michelle, it wasn’t about the giant cardboard check. The heart-swelling pride so visible in her excited giggle and beaming smile had little to do with the money she made.

For her, this was about more than just a job.

It was about HER job.

She had spent the summer beautifying the streets of downtown Waterloo, and this fall, she helped run a pumpkin painting booth at a festival.

She had an important job in HER community. Her big boss was telling everyone that she did her job well. It mattered. She mattered.

The partnership between HSS and the city gave Michelle more than a job to do – it gave her a sense of pride, purpose, and more than a little joy.

We are able to give her these inspiring gifts of pride and new beginnings because of YOU – our donors.

Help Human Support Services develop more valuable partnerships and programs so that we can continue to change lives – one story at a time.

Invest in the future of our community by contributing to our annual holiday appeal today.

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There’s a framed picture of his mom on the wall, and James is quick to point it out to guests.

Beaming with pride, he’ll show you the television, the gaming system and the view from the windows in his upstairs bedroom.  Then on the way out, he’ll mention the picture of his mom.

The house has all the amenities – a lovely yard, spacious, comfortably-furnished rooms, and even a deck. But those perks of real estate aren’t on the official “James tour” of the house.

The photograph of his mom, though, that’s a key part of the tour.

Because for James, that picture is an integral part of what makes this charming two-story house a home – his home.

Having a place to call home matters to everyone, but it may mean even more to James.

For him, having a home also means having independence, opportunities to be a part of the community and a sense of family.

And in this house on a quiet residential street, he’s found all three.

James shares this residential Human Support Services home with two other Human Support Services clients and caregivers.

Together, James and his roommates share meals, household responsibilities, and lives as independent as possible.

They’re a family, as loving and unique as any other.

Though James’ mom passed away shortly before he moved into this HSS house, he knows she would have been proud of his new home and this exciting new chapter in his life.

James’ sister Angela, who lives nearby, agrees.

“It gives me great peace of mind to know he is in an environment where staff goes above and beyond to learn how to help him live a full and useful life. I can tell he is made to feel needed and that he is contributing to the community,” she said.

We are able to provide comfortable homes and opportunities for independence because of YOU – our donors.

There are many more individuals like James, looking for opportunities to live, work and thrive in our community.

Join us in helping find a sense of home. Invest in our local community and donate to the Human Support Services annual holiday appeal today.

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He’s no longer a young man, but when Mickey smiles, his eyes twinkle with the pure, unadulterated joy of youth.

There’s a light inside Mickey, the kind you can see without ever having to hear him speak a single word.

Mickey, 63, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child and is deaf. He communicates through sign language, the written word and some speech.

While he may not say much directly to most people, Mickey has the very rare and enviable gift of making those around him feel happier, just by being who he is.

Every day, when Mickey arrives at the Human Support Services workshop, he shows up with that contagious smile and an enthusiastic wave.

“He’s usually happy,” said his mom, Reita. “Every morning, he greets me with a smile and ‘good morning.’”

Mickey, who has been working in the day services program at HSS since 1992, lives with his parents, Reita and Orville.

Mickey loves his job with HSS, Reita says. Every day, he gets up in the morning, makes his bed and prepares his breakfast and his lunch at home before boarding the bus to HSS.

When Mickey gets home in the afternoon, he handles a few chores around the house, including mowing the yard, sweeping the floor and taking out the garbage.

“HSS gives him a place to work that we feel comfortable with,” Reita said. “He is making money which is important to him, and he’s gotten into the Special Olympics. HSS has just been wonderful to him. We don’t worry about him when he’s gone. They provide the transportation and without that he wouldn’t be able to work so much.”

Mickey is proud of his job and likes to earn money so he can buy food and gifts for his friends and family. His favorite days are when he gets to do janitorial work because he earns the most money, Reita says.

“I can’t imagine what would have happened with Mickey if he didn’t have HSS,” Reita said. “He doesn’t like having to miss work. If we go on vacation he’s anxious to get back so he can get back to work.”

In his spare time, Mickey loves making projects with his wood-burning tool. He gives his finished designs as gifts, and has even won awards at the Monroe County Fair. He also enjoys watching football, baseball and basketball with his dad.

For Mickey, HSS provides a job he loves, and a sense of purpose.

This year, HSS workshop clients worked more than 39,000 hours on projects for area businesses. Partnerships like these give our clients safe, supervised on-site jobs, while giving local businesses an affordable, dependable workforce.

Join us in building more partnerships like these to make our community stronger. Your contribution to the Human Support Services annual holiday appeal will make a difference to individuals and families right here in Monroe County.

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When the door opened, her eyes nervously scanned the counselor’s office. At 10, she was already cautious and skeptical of strangers.

Satisfied that her surroundings were safe, Morgan quietly slipped into a chair without a word. She fixed her gaze on her tennis shoes and the dirty hem of her jeans.

Her silence added plenty to what counselors already knew.

Morgan’s family life had been troubled and unstable. She had moved from home to home, and had been passed from one foster family to the next for most of her young life.

She was shy, and the look on her face made it clear she had no interest in talking about her family, her life or her fears for the future. Not today – maybe not ever.

Adults in her life thus far had disappointed her, and she wasn’t about to open up to another one.

Morgan fiddled with her ponytail, trying in vain to tuck away some of the wild brown hairs slipping out of the band.

She shuffled in her seat, growing more uneasy as the moments passed in silence.

Then the counselor did something unexpected.

The counselor stood up and pulled a baseball from a duffle bag under her desk. She held it out and gestured toward Morgan.

Morgan’s expression swung from surprise to delight and back to skepticism before she settled on a small shy smile.

With an encouraging nod from the counselor, Morgan stood up slowly, not entirely convinced this wasn’t some kind of trick.

She gingerly opened her hands. When the counselor gently tossed the ball to her, she caught it, squeezing it tightly in her small hands.

For a moment, they locked eyes and shared a smile.

Soon, they were tossing the ball back and forth with ease. Morgan began to relax. Before she knew it, the session was over.

That session was nearly a decade ago.

Morgan has been seeing her Human Support Services counselor ever since.

The trust slowly forged between that shy young girl and her counselor became so significant that at some points in Morgan’s life, it has been the only consistent adult relationship she has had.

Over the years, the HSS counselor helped Morgan through crises in her home life and stood by her as she navigated all the issues teenage girls face every day.

Morgan went on to excel in school, and in the words of her counselor, has blossomed into a kind and considerate young woman.

Those who knew that shy tomboy would scarcely recognize the polished, well-spoken college freshman.

“I was with her for a very long time,” her counselor said. “She knew she could come in here and talk to me.  She could have gone down so many other paths, but she is going to do wonderful in her life.”

Your generosity allows HSS to give outpatient counseling clients like Morgan a chance at a happier, brighter future. There are many other men, women, youth and families in our communities who need our help to find a renewed sense of wellness and hope for the future.

Join us in investing in our future, and help us build a better, stronger community – one story at a time. Please donate to the Human Support Services annual holiday appeal.

*Note:  Some details have been altered to protect the identity of real clients.

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Real men aren’t supposed to be bothered by silly things like nightmares.

Men of his father’s generation certainly didn’t let “feelings” get in the way of responsibilities like work and family.

And yet, here he was.

The nightmares were relentless, torturing his sleep.

The days weren’t any better, though, because memories of the trauma haunted his waking hours.

Alex tried pretending it had never happened. In the two years since it occurred, he had gotten pretty good at “acting” like everything was fine.

But then the guilt, shame and fear, started eating away at him. As time passed, it got harder – not easier – to pretend everything was fine.

He felt angry. In truth, he felt angry a lot.

There were more and more days when he didn’t want to get out of bed.

It wasn’t long before it was just easier to have a drink or two to forget about it. That helped for a while.

But then he needed more drinks to keep the thoughts at bay.

The more he drank, the worse he felt. The worse he felt, the more he drank.

His wife didn’t understand why he called into work so much. Why couldn’t he get up and help more around the house? Why couldn’t he just get over it?

Even his kids seemed disappointed in him most of the time.

Their disappointment only made him feel worse about himself. Those feelings turned into more anger.

He couldn’t get out of bed most days and stopped caring whether or not he lost his job, his wife or his kids.

By the time Alex started counseling at Human Support Services, he had given up hope. He was doubtful that there was anything or anyone that could pull him from this dark hole he’d been living in for so long.

Today, Alex has hope.

He is midway through treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. His counselors say he has been making great strides.

Alex conquered the biggest part of the program – facing, identifying and telling the story of his trauma.

Since then, he has been working to repair his family relationships and has been slowly putting his life back together. He has identified what his triggers are, and is working on ways to navigate around them and manage his reactions.

He doesn’t call in to work as often, and is able to see how PTSD was impacting his life.

For Alex, working through the counseling program and PTSD curriculum at HSS has given him hope and allowed him to see light at the end of the tunnel.

There are others out there like Alex who feel lost in the darkness. Through no fault of their own, they struggle with mental illness or trauma. They need help finding their way back into the light, and you can help.

Join Human Support Services in our efforts to ensure that every individual who comes through our doors for mental or behavioral health services is given the very best guidance and tools for recovery and relief.

You can help build better lives – one story at a time.

Contribute to our annual holiday appeal today – change a life tomorrow.

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