Decatur, Illinois, December 12th, 2022– LLCU made a $20,000 donation to C.H.E.L.P. of Decatur on Friday, Dec. 9th. C.H.E.L.P., which stands for Community Home Environment Learning Project, is a non-profit, state-financed agency that serves people of all ages in the Macon County area by offering private home care and house cleaning services, as well as programs and assistance for adult protective services. The donation will directly benefit the “Dementia Friendly Decatur” program, which is under the umbrella of CHELP, with the direction from a DF Decatur Community Leadership Team. The Dementia Friendly Decatur program strives to create a community that is informed, safe and respectful of individuals with all types of dementias, as well as providing resources to the families and caregivers of those afflicted.
“At LLCU, our staff is regularly trained to recognize warning signs of situations that could potentially place our elderly members at risk of financial trouble, but also at risk regarding their general well-being,” stated Robert Ares, LLCU President & CEO. “Awareness about dementia is growing and through this partnership with CHELP, we hope to better recognize and serve our community in this very important area.”
“We are so excited that LLCU is willing to step up and help us at CHELP with our Dementia Friendly Decatur initiative,” stated Julie Walker, CHELP Executive Director. “Through this donation, we will be able to expand awareness and understanding of dementia, but also expand services and staffing used to assist families experiencing dementia with a loved one.”
The Dementia Friendly Decatur efforts began in July of 2021 and have led the community to receiving national recognition from Dementia Friendly America as the 23rd Illinois community to be a Dementia Friendly Community. For more information, visit: chelpil.org
[Photographed from left to right: Robert Ares (LLCU President & CEO), Jeri Conaway (LLCU Senior Vice President), Beverly Davis (LLCU Executive Vice President/COO), Julie Walker (C.H.E.L.P. Executive Director) and (Linda Little, Macon County Board VP).