JOLIET – Don Kaczmar heard about the Senior Services Center of Will County through a friend five years ago as a helpful source of information.

For Kaczmar, it was the social scene that piqued his interest. Today he can be seen at the center chatting up other seniors while creating paintings he sells. It has become an integral part of his life – so he was concerned when he heard earlier this year about the center’s financial troubles.

“I was worried constantly,” Kaczmar said. “The number of people working here was shrinking. And it was running out of money.”

In January, rumors swirled about some of the center’s programs, including the stability of the Meals on Wheels program. The issue turned out to be a maxed-out line of credit of $400,000, reaching a peak of $596,000 last fall.

Since then, new Executive Director Barry Kolanowski has reshuffled the center’s operations and personnel to pay down that line of credit and get the center back to good financial standing.

Line of credit

In January, the center had to cut its Meals on Wheels program, which delivered meals to about 600 seniors throughout Will County, to four days a week, instead of five. It also asked employees to take furlough days.

At the time, former Executive Director Patricia Hensley said the situation would become dire if the center didn't find a way to pay its $400,000 line of credit soon. While expenses remained the same, state payments lagged far behind, creating a major cash flow problem.

Hensley said the state owed $400,000 to $500,000 in payments to the center at the time, falling about 90 days behind for most of its programs and months behind on the center’s Meals on Wheels and elder abuse prevention programs. The center at that time received no funding from Will County or the city of Joliet, and little funding from other municipalities. State and federal grants amounted to 82 percent of the center’s revenue.

The center pursued multiple avenues to find revenue. It asked several Will County municipalities for funding, and received $1,000 from Joliet. It also started a GoFundMe account to raise money. But as of Friday afternoon, it had raised only $1,315 toward a $400,000 goal with the online fundraising website since the account was activated six months ago.

Two months after the financial issues came to light, Hensley resigned. The center's Board of Directors asked for her resignation, board Treasurer Duffy Blackburn said at that time.

On April 1, the Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging, which provides federal grants to the center, took over the center's Meals on Wheels program, allowing the center to gain some financial footing.

Righting the ship

Three weeks later, the board hired Kolanowski to take Hensley's place, citing his experience working with nonprofit organizations and businesses. He also was a minister, experience which he said helps him identify with people.

Since he took over, Kolanowski said the center’s line of credit has been reduced to $196,000, noting that the debt had reached $596,000 last fall.

“And we’ve got money in the bank,” he said.

Kolanowski said this was possible due to the shifting of responsibilities and positions in the center.

“I saw the problem, or disconnect, was more about the number of staff and the process,” Kolanowski said. “We have a great staff.”

Other changes include a new insurance provider that offers better benefits at lower rates and installing LED lighting throughout the center, Kolanowski said.

Business sense

When asked about Kolanowski, many seniors and staff at the center commented on his business-oriented focus.

“It’s a new focus,” said Lavera Claiborn, who has worked at the center in varying capacities since 1968. “Barry is very open to ideas. He has made structural and personnel changes to bring it in line.”

Kaczmar said he noticed several changes since Kolanowski took over.

“Barry took over and he is a businessman,” Kaczmar said. “It has changed 100 percent since I joined.”

Kaczmar also noticed Kolanowski often comes down to greet seniors and staff.

“That’s different,” he said.

Looking forward, Kolanowski said he wants to form programs that help seniors hire services such as an electrician at lower, discounted rates.

He has hired Gina Glasgow as the new senior life coordinator, to work with the townships, discuss consolidation of services and create a volunteer network.

Joliet resident Norma Peters and Shirley Laidler from Lockport attend line dancing classes on Mondays and Fridays. They’re excited about the center’s plans to add more day trips and programs that help seniors.

“I think [Kolanowski] is doing great,” Laidler said.

“We were concerned, a lot,” Peters said of the center’s financial condition. “It’s a home away from home.”

“If we wake up and this wasn’t here, we wouldn’t know what to do,” Laidler said.