Recent Accomplishments
• 2009 - SouthSTAR received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education for $1,000,000 over five years to expand our employment services.
• 2009 - SouthSTAR opened its fifth group home in Crete, IL. This home was built from the ground up and is fully handicapped accessible. The home will serve as residence for six women.
• 2009 - SouthSTAR .opened .a .Sensory .Stimulation Room to provide individuals with develop-mental disabilities the opportunity to experience the world in ways they are not usually able to access themselves, through sights, sounds, smells and touch.
• 2008 - SouthSTAR Board of Directors reorganized its structure to focus more on long term sustainability and ensuring due diligence in following the mission statement.
• 2008 - SouthSTAR received a grant form the Great Lakes Bank Foundation to purchase a van for the new group home located in Crete, IL.
• 2008 - SouthSTAR celebrated the first class to graduate form our Community Technology Center.
• 2007 -SouthSTAR opened a state of the art computer lab for individuals in the program to increase their vocational, personal, social and community living skills.
• 2007 - SouthSTAR began serving children through the Home Based Support program.
• 2006 - Became an AmeriCorp site. Also became a member of Illinois Voices, a self advocacy group for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• 2006 - SouthSTAR Services is accredited by The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF) in vocational, personal, social and community living through September 2009.
• 2005 - SouthSTAR Services opened its fourth house in December of 2005. Hamlin House is located in Park Forest and is home to six of SouthSTAR's male individuals with developmental disabilities. The house, was purchased, in part, with CDBG funds.
• 2004 - SouthSTAR Services is accredited by The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF) in vocational, personal, social and community living through September 2006.
• 2003 - Increased number of individuals served, benefiting from social integrating experiences, securing jobs, volunteering, attending college along with other opportunities.
• 2002 - Training Center located at 1021 West End Avenue opened, expanding services to seniors and others with severe disabilities.
• 2000 - SouthSTAR Services celebrated fifty years of services to persons with developmental disabilities. Four CILA homes serve 21 individuals.
