What do you think of when you hear the name Seguin Services? Do you think of a local charity that works with children and adults with disabilities or a small business that creates jobs for people with disabilities? Both of those ideas are true, but consider another facet of Seguin Services today. While our country is facing a rising unemployment rate and an economic recovery that could easily stall, Seguin is one area small business that is creating jobs which are benefiting this economy and other metropolitan Chicago area businesses and individuals enabling them to weather this economic storm.
Seguin employs over 600 staff and contractual workers who provide the resources to care for over 600 children and adults with disabilities. While eighty percent of Seguin’s budget is generated by State of Illinois and Federal government fees for the services it provides, Seguin is also creating additional jobs. Just in the past year, Seguin used more than $1.5 million from State and Federal grants to pay for 23 construction and remodeling projects which directly benefit the children and adults Seguin serves. These dollars were used to pay local small construction companies which have enabled them to sustain themselves during these tough economic times.
Seguin has wisely sought the help of State and Federal legislators, including State Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, State Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno, State Representative Lisa Hernandez, and U.S. Congressman Daniel Lipinski, to assist them in creating program space to meet the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. As a result Seguin has utilized the skilled services of construction workers hard hit by a major recession. These legislators know that Seguin is a social service agency in the business of creating jobs. Today, more than ever, that is what Illinois needs—more jobs to fuel the economy.
Contractors working on Seguin’s behalf have provided stirring testimony on the investments made by our governmental officials. Bob Spran of R.A. James Construction in Berwyn states, “The remodeling we performed on Seguin’s group homes over the last year has enabled our small business to survive during though economic conditions.”
Ronald Valenti of RV Construction in Naperville adds, “I am fortunate for the work that Seguin has provided, not only to me, but also for my employees and sub-contractors. Personally, if not for Seguin, I may have lost my home and my business.”
In addition, John F. Cronin of Critchfield Construction in Elmhurst says, “As an architect and general contractor we have struggled. Many of my colleagues have lost their jobs and closed their companies. Over the past year Critchfield Construction, LLC, has had the pleasure of serving as the general contractor renovating Seguin’s Carr Center. This renovation project has kept our construction company afloat over the past year and has helped to create or maintain no less than 26 construction jobs. This number does not even include the benefits that the renovation has had on building material and equipment manufacturers, distributors and retailers, waste haulers, insurance companies and the Town of Cicero.”
“The work we were awarded from Seguin Services has made it possible for our company to employ tradesmen that would otherwise not be working,” states Sergio and Mary Ann Vasquez, owners of Affordable Decorating in Carol Stream. “Seguin Services has helped our business stay afloat along with helping others to be employed.”
Each of these companies and employees are thankful for their work, for Seguin Services, and especially for the support of their State and Federal legislators, especially during this holiday season. Seguin has made Christmas a lot merrier for many tradesmen.
House Speaker Michael Madigan, who has sponsored a major capital grant for Seguin’s Carr Center, has this to say about the investment of Illinois in the state’s economic recovery: “"The Seguin staff and Representative Hernandez made a very persuasive case for the critical role state funding and support would play in improving their operation and the services they provide throughout the region. I was happy to lend my support.”
State Representative Lisa Hernandez has been instrumental in securing significant grants to meet Seguin’s capital needs. As Representative Hernandez indicates, “Seguin Services does an excellent job. Funds that we have provided through State government as capital support have created jobs in various industries such as labor and construction. Therefore supporting Seguin with capital funds provides another valuable way we can create other jobs in the community which are important to our economic stability.”
Congressman Dan Lipinski has been a strong supporter of Seguin’s efforts in community economic development, securing major funding for construction and capital improvements for SEGUINWORKS, Seguin’s businesses that employ persons with disabilities. “The work Seguin is doing to create local jobs for those who otherwise would be unable to work is benefiting local businesses and our local economy,” Congressman Lipinski said. “I am proud to have helped secure the funding that allows Seguin to implement these important programs, and I look forward to continuing to work with them.”
For all of the support provided by our government leaders in this critical time, persons with disabilities and other special needs served by Seguin are especially grateful, as are their families, Seguin’s employees, and Seguin’s Board of Directors. Seguin also owes a debt of gratitude to the construction workers who do so much to create high-quality, safe and accessible program environments for persons served. In these challenging economic times, jobs are hard to come by, but Seguin Services can proudly proclaim its role in meeting these challenges.
For more information on this important story please call John Voit at 708/222.4530.
Seguin Services is a charitable not-for-profit agency serving metropolitan Chicago, always striving to integrate, enrich, and empower people with disabilities. Seguin lives its mission of “supporting adults and children with disabilities and other special needs, enabling them to be productive, valued members of society.” Seguin creates job opportunities and housing options that lead to greater independence, so that men and women with developmental disabilities can live, work, and socialize as their neighbors do. In addition, Seguin provides safe and loving homes for children who have disabilities and serious medical or emotional conditions. For more information please contact Dawneen Suriano at 708/222.4251 or www.seguin.org.
