Betty Sivek

          Betty is the Community Religious Worker (CRW) for the residents of Elizabeth Ludeman Developmental Center, a large facility in southwest Cook County. Betty also promotes the establishment of SPRED Centers in Catholic parishes in the South City, Southwest and Western Suburban areas.

Julie Hess

          Julie is the Community Religious Worker (CRW) who animates the parishes of the Northern and Northwestern Suburban areas and the North City parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago in establishing SPRED Centers.

• meeting with administrators of facilities to introduce them to SPRED as a way to ensure integration into local communities of worship respecting the religious preference of each person.
• assisting facility staff in gathering data concernng the religious identity and sacramental histories of the persons in their care.
• approaching the leaders of local parishes and churches to bring them to an awareness of the presence of persons with disabilities who wish to participate in worship experiences.
• working to help church leaders to designate a person as the SPRED Chairperson who gathers adult believers to form a small community of faith to welcome those with special needs who wish to belong.
• working with volunteers who want to establish a community of faith in their church.