In 2007, the Central Illinois Chapter commemorated its 20th Anniversary. Below is the text written for this occasion.

In the past 20 years, this not-for-profit organization served by a volunteer Board of Directors has grown from a core group of 39 volunteers to a staff of 17. The Central Illinois Chapter, originally providing services for 100 individuals, now serves several thousand annually.Its budget has grown from under $17,000 in 1987 to a budget of $870,836 for 2007, and the agency has become Central Illinois’ premier resource for information regarding Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

In 1986, a group of Peoria area family members and geriatrics health professionals established the Geriatric Network, laying the foundation for the Central Illinois Chapter’s affiliation with the National Alzheimer’s Association in 1987. With funds raised through garage and candy sales, the office moved from borrowed space at Methodist Medical Center’s Senior Services Department to the Davis Agency Building in 1988. The agency soon outgrew its North Street facility and moved to Fulton Street in 1991. Experiencing growing pains once again, the Chapter moved to Avanti Square in 1994, and on to its current location at 606 W. Glen Avenue in 1996. The Rock River Branch opened in February 1996 in Dixon and the Quincy Area Branch in 1999.

In 2006, the agency helped thousands by educating 532 family caregivers during 14 eight-hour early stage education programs, teaching 160 caregiver families about the disease’s middle-stage issues during 15 ten-hour education programs, easing late-stage caregiver stress by educating 156 families during six four-hour programs, providing comfort to hundreds during 36 monthly support group meetings, enrolling 121 individuals in the nationwide Safe Return program, helping more than 1,000 families during individual care consultations, and educating more than 3,800 community members attending 56 civic group events and 37 area health fairs. The agency also presented education programs to more than 1,000 health professionals who attended Illinois Department of Public Health, Activity Based Alzheimer’s Care and on-site training sessions.

For the past 20 years, the agency’s mission has been to eliminate Alzheimer’s Disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Services now include 24-hour Helpline, care consultations, family caregiver education series, library, bookstore, newsletter, support groups, Safe Return bracelet program and training for health care professionals.

The Central Illinois Chapter is affiliated with the national Alzheimer’s Association, Ronald & Nancy Reagan Research Institute, Heart of Illinois United Way, Lee County United Way, Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Public Policy Network and is in collaboration with additional civic groups and community organizations.