About Voluntary Action Center of Northern Illinois

Location:

1606 Bethany Rd., Sycamore, IL 60178, US

Mission Statement

The Mission of Voluntary Action Center is committed to providing high quality services that address the basic transportation and nutrition needs of its community. Voluntary Action Center supports the needs of the members of DeKalb, LaSalle, Putnam, Bureau and Kendall Counties. Over the years those needs have grown exponentially. At VAC it is our goal to ensure the health and wellness of those who need us. Our services include: Meals on Wheels provides hot nutritional meals to the elderly, disabled, and homebound. Nutritional Programs such as lunches, for local daycare providers and senior citizens. TransVAC provides rides for local seniors, the disabled, and general public. MedVAC provides rides to medical appointments, hospitals, and testing services. Voluntary Action Center depends on the kindness and generosity within our community. Please support our mission with your time, talents, and financial contributions.

Description

VAC was incorporated in 1974. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of representatives throughout the communities we serve. Our Public Transportation Facility and Community Kitchen are located at 1606 Bethany Road in Sycamore, IL. We operate three senior luncheon sites throughout the county including one in Sandwich and two in DeKalb.

The agency began as a volunteer clearinghouse matching volunteers to needs in the community. After becoming aware of a lack of access services to the community for seniors and persons with disabilities, VAC began providing door to door transportation services with one van and several volunteer drivers. VAC provided 7,111 rides in that first year of operation.

In 1987, the F.O.O.D./ Meals on Wheels agency joined VAC in an effort by both agencies to improve coordination and efficiency among senior service providers in the county.

In 1988 the Public Transportation Facility was constructed on Bethany Road, with a grant to DeKalb County from the Illinois Department of Transportation. In 1991, VAC completed construction of the Central Kitchen Facility at the same location. These centralized facilities allowed for a rapid growth and expansion of services which continues to this day.