Elmhurst Couple Are Longtime Volunteers

Elmhurst IL

11 December, 2021

8:59 PM

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Press release from UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago: Dec. 11, 2021 For Frank and Debra Catalano, service has never taken a backseat — it has been woven throughout their personal and professional lives, taking shape in numerous ways within their community and beyond. The Catalanos have never wavered in their commitment to volunteerism and inclusion, and their generosity is now being honored with the dedication of a United Cerebral Palsy Seguin of Greater Chicago (UCP Seguin) home for adults with disabilities. Frank and Debra first met when their children were in grade school, and have been collaborating on everything from their mortgage business to their volunteer work ever since. Frank served on the Elmhurst and statewide Boards of the Jaycees, which are branches of the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce. It was through the Jaycees that Frank helped create the Brent Klosterman Children Assistance Foundation, which was formed for Debra's son who passed away after his battle with cancer. As a way to commemorate Brent's legacy and help families in need, the organization is now known as the Elmhurst Children's Assistance Foundation which provides financial assistance to caregivers struggling with expenses while caring for the needs of their sick child. "It's all about giving back," Frank said. "We will be judged by how we care for individuals who cannot care for themselves." Throughout their respective careers, Frank and Debra have both pursued service initiatives with intention. Both Frank and Debra were involved in the Kiwanis Club and Rotary Club respectively, and both served as Chairpeople of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors at different points in time — continuing a legacy of Catalanos serving on the Chamber's Board. Debra also worked on the Junior Guild and the Foundation for the Elmhurst Hospital, leading Frank to serve on the hospital's Board of Governors, where they helped raise funds and donated toward the $35 million capital campaign to rebuild the hospital from the ground up. For years, the Catalanos have been extensively involved in volunteer organizations within their community, and as time has gone on, they've expanded their scope beyond Elmhurst to serve as many people as possible. When Frank was first introduced to UCP Seguin, the breadth of support services really caught his attention. "One of the main things that drew me to UCP Seguin was the ability to work with individuals from lots of different communities who have so many different needs," Frank said. "It's so rewarding when you can do small things that make a huge difference." Seeing an opportunity to leverage their community and business connections, Frank and Debra became outspoken advocates for individuals with disabilities and have continued to raise awareness for the substantial lack of services they face in the State of Illinois. Through UCP Seguin, the Catalanos have engaged in philanthropy, advocacy and volunteerism in the pursuit of life without limits for people with disabilities. "We give a lot of our time," Frank said. "We feel that volunteering is what's most important in these organizations — giving our time to help in a variety of ways." Frank has worn many hats within UCP Seguin, including Board Chairman. Foremost among the organization's achievements under his tenure has been securing a living wage for staff who provide the essential direct care for individuals with disabilities. As Board Chair, Frank was determined to raise these dedicated staff from poverty pay to the pay they deserve, participating in the statewide They Deserve More Coalition's intense legislative advocacy efforts with UCP Seguin playing a leading role. The result: over the past five years, the Illinois legislature has in bipartisan fashion raised hourly wage rates for direct support staff to $16.00, a nearly 50% increase. Under his guidance and astute leadership, UCP Seguin has been able to navigate successfully through the significant fiscal and programmatic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, facilitating vaccinations for over 2,000 individuals since January 2021. Frank and Debra hope that UCP Seguin continues to expand its services to people with disabilities and integrate mental health into its approach. They also hope to see an expansion of UCP Seguin's network of Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs). "What a great privilege to be recognized for something so meaningful to the organization," Debra said of the new Catalano House. With the dedication of a CILA group home in Elmhurst – to serve as residence to four individuals with disabilities – in their name, the Catalanos are thakful to be a part of the UCP Seguin family. They are especially appreciative to be commemorated within Elmhurst, a community to which they feel deeply connected. After their decades of giving back, UCP Seguin is proud to honor Frank and Debra Catalano for their inspiring commitment to promoting respect and better quality of life for people with disabilities. "We're extremely humbled by it," Frank said. "There are a lot of deserving people, and all we can say is thank you." This press release was produced by UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago. The views expressed here are the author's own.