The kindness, counselling and wealth of uplifting programs at the Cancer Support Center are well known to clients, but now they’ve been treated to a “makeover” at the organization’s cozy building in Homewood .
But those cosmetic changes, which were on full display during a special meeting Thursday at the Homewood location, are part of a plan to keep clients coming and make their difficult experiences with cancer just a little easier. The center also has a location in Mokena.
“Ultimately we just had our participants in mind — their comfort and safety,” Executive Director Kristen Kolwelter said before addressing the packed meeting.
Renovations included a full paint job inside and outside the center, including the awnings outside, as well as new furniture and artwork. The building also now has an expanded storage closet, updated art studio and wellness room, and all new electrical work along with a repaved parking lot.
A slew of supporters volunteered to do the work, including Jack Dominy, president of Meaney Electric and his team; Galloy & Van Etten, which installed new countertops; Mike Murphy, who did the painting; and Deirdre Ryan, an interior designer, who planned the color schemes, furniture and décor.
Many other volunteers helped move furniture, hang pictures, and remove old flooring.
Board member Brent Bachus coordinated the upgrade, saying a donor also provided capital for the project.
“The board felt it was time to invest back in the building,” Bachus said as he credited all the volunteer contractors and others who helped with the project.
Thursday’s event drew clients including Phyllis Adams, of Dixmoor, who began coming to the center last year after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Her cancer is in remission but she still appreciates the nonprofit’s support and healthy lifestyle and exercise classes, food demonstrations and gatherings of a group called Sistas of Hope.
“It’s given me a better perspective because it’s not all doom and gloom,” said Adams, who described feeling disheartened with her illness before starting to attend programs at the center. “Everybody seemed encouraging and upbeat.”
Fellow client Charmaine Moore started coming when her mom passed away last year from pancreatic cancer. She hosts workshops there, including one called “Let it go and experience JOY.”
“This is my way of giving back,” said Moore, who has had other relatives die from cancer, too. “I want to live.”
Nancy Rodriguez, who lives in Frankfort, came to the center after her late husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago. She’s been in a brain tumor support group and volunteers at the center’s consignment shop in Homewood, The Village Door. The shop’s manager, Dianne Matthews, is also a volunteer for the center.
“This has given me so much in my life with support and healing,” said Rodriguez.
There were also volunteers and employees honored during the event, including Carol Cerullo, a volunteer at The Village Door; Roy Alfonso, certified fitness and functional movement specialist and a contractual worker; Marcia Kuchta, a chef who leads healthy food programs; Roy Alfonso, certified fitness and functional movement specialist and instructor since 2015; and Wendy Butzbach, program navigator for years at the Homewood location.
“I feel that Wendy very much is the heart and soul of the Cancer Support Center personified,” said Jason Kieffer, clinical program director. “She’s consistently gone far beyond what is asked of her.
“We’re very lucky to have her,” said Kieffer, adding she fostered dogs, including one that he adopted.
The center has been growing in popularity, too. Kieffer said there were 565 individual counseling sessions last year and their art and child and family programs grew. There are also new ‘tween workshops, kid’s groups and night board games, he said. Staff have been reaching out to schools and the community about their programs.
There were 188 participants in fitness programs and 185 in nutrition programs last year.
Kolwelter said third party fundraising grew by more than 30% last year.
“Everything we do is for our participants … to make sure no one in our community faces cancer alone,” she said.
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
