By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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LOVES PARK — When a future generation of leadership at Milestone Inc. unearths a time capsule five decades from now, they’ll find memorabilia from a record-setting Boone County Fair, artwork created by Milestone residents and photos that illustrate the work the nonprofit has provided for people with disabilities for 50 years.
Those are a few of the items loaded into a time capsule that will be buried outside of Milestone’s headquarters at 4060 McFarland Road.
Local dignitaries joined together with Milestone residents, employees and other supporters on Wednesday to prepare the capsule as part of a celebration of the organization’s 50th anniversary.
“When you think of our name, Milestone, and all the great things that happened in our history, everything that we do are milestones,” said Bill Grahn, president and CEO of Milestone. “What better way to preserve our history.”
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The capsule will be buried near a bench that honors Shawn Way, who succeeded Jim Hamilton to serve as the second CEO in the nonprofit’s history. Way, who led the organization for 13 years, was diagnosed with ALS about two years ago.
“That man and what he means to this community and what he means to this place is another reason we do what we do,” said Grahn, who succeeded Way. “Words can’t express how I feel about what he has meant to me to move forward and move Milestone forward.”
A plaque that will be placed on the ground above the time capsule instructs future generations to dig it up in 2073. The bench includes a quote from Way that reads “Hands around a heart; that’s who we are.”
A dream and persistence
Milestone’s roots trace back to the early 1970s when a group of parents raised concern about the lack of living centers for people with disabilities. At the time, the only choice they had was an institutional center miles away from their homes and family.
“Their dream and dedication, along with every caring and hardworking soul to this date, have made Milestone what it is today,” Grahn said.
In 1973, they opened Kishwaukee Apartments, the first residential care program of its kind in Illinois.
“This foundation began with one apartment building, a folding table and chairs, a one-line phone and persistence,” Grahan said. “Being true leaders, many residential options were the first of its kind in the state of Illinois.”
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Today, Milestone is the largest provider in the region of residential, developmental, vocational and social support services for people with developmental disabilities, autism, epilepsy and cerebral palsy.
It has 33 residential facilities and two day sites as well as a dental clinic that serves people in 14 counties. The dental clinic opened in 1999 and now has more than 3,000 patients. Kathy Carmody, CEO of The Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities, said people come from several counties away for treatment at the clinic.
“You are known far and wide well beyond the immediate area,” she said during a ceremony Wednesday morning.
She said Milestone has long been a leader across the state in improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities.
“We need a strong system in Illinois and Milestone has always been at the forefront of advocating for that,” Carmody said.
The nonprofit’s 50th anniversary celebrations continue this afternoon and tonight with an event from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the BMO Center, 300 Elm St., in downtown Rockford.
What’s in the time capsule?
- A biohazard bag with COVID supplies
- Pictures of Milestone homes and residents
- Milestone logos from the past 50 years
- Brochures and booklets from different events
- Program booklets from the 35th and 40th anniversary celebrations
- Artwork created by individuals served by Milestone
- Holiday cards designed and created by Milestone Industries
- City of Rockford challenge coin from Mayor Tom McNamara
- Lino’s 50th anniversary T-shirt, invitations to its 50th anniversary celebration and Ferragosto event
- Rhythm of the Heart music festival T-shirt and brochure
- State proclamation honoring Milestone from state senators Dave Syverson and Steve Stadelman
- Boone County Fair program and ticket
- A letter from state Rep. Maurice West and a 67th District commemorative coin
- A map of the 69th District, represented by state Rep. Joe Sosnowski, a challenge coin and a squishy ball
- Mug with Symbol in Rockford and a season pass to the Boone County Fair
- A certificate of appreciation from The Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities
50th anniversary celebration
When: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
What: Snacks and beverages provided from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; dinner at 5 p.m.; dancing and music.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas