Walking through the largely expanded offices of the Family First Center of Lake County, individuals will eventually come upon the Serenity Sanctuary for Plants and People — a room filled with flowers and plants, primarily around the walls.

Rachael Chenier, Family First’s executive director, said the room serves a number of purposes for an organization that grew significantly, both in the number of staff members, which has more than tripled, and physical space, more than fourteenfold, in less than a year.

A gift from the Brushwood Center in Riverwoods, Chenier said the room may be therapeutic for clients of Family First as well as members of the staff who need a relaxing moment during the workday. In part, the room enables nature to be part of a person’s therapy,

“Not everyone likes to be out in a forest,” she said. “This room is bringing nature to them with indoor green space. It’s helpful for people trying to make a change in their life. It’s a place where people can become calm.”

The Family First Center of Lake County grew from eight to 27 employees between May and October at its Waukegan office primarily because it became a licensed Illinois Certified Behavioral Clinic in February. It now has seven case managers helping more than 240 clients.

Obtaining its license in February, Chenier said it enabled Family First to bill Medicaid and private insurance companies for the services it provides to clients with a variety of needs, no longer depending primarily on grants for revenue.

Rachael Chenier tends to one of the many plants in the Family First Center of Lake County’s Serenity Sanctuary in its expanded offices in Waukegan, where it now employs 27 people, up from eight less than a year ago. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)

Before it was licensed by the state, Chenier said Family First had eight employees, as much of its work centered on community events throughout the county. By October, there were 27 people on staff, including seven case managers.

Initially operating out of a 300-square-foot office in a six-floor building in the 2500 block of West Washington Street in Waukegan, Chenier said Family First now occupies approximately 4,250 square feet, including the entire sixth floor and some space on the first level.

Generally, people come to family first with a specific need, like money for rent. utilities, childcare or something else basic. Chenier said they often connect a client with an organization that can directly offer emergency help, like their township, but now there is more.

“Underlying all these needs are behavioral needs such as anxiety, stress or addictive behavior,” Chenier said. “Before these needs can be met, a client has to deal with this emotionally. The case managers help them with that.”

Family First Center case managers can work with children in a room where they can express themselves through play. The room is part of a major expansion of the Waukegan office in the past year. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)

Nancy Perez Rosa is the caretaker for her special-needs adult daughter, Rebecca Diaz. Rosa came to Family First because she had challenges getting the assistance she needed, particularly health insurance for her daughter, which led to basic financial needs.

“They found a place with programs for me,” Diaz said. “I get to play sports like (wheelchair) hockey and dance.”

“We went to different places, and Family First was able to give her the help she needs,” Rosa added.

Venessa Corona, Family First’s director of case management, said she helped Diaz and Rosa find a way to explain the situation to an insurance carrier, which enabled the family to get their insurance needs met.

Corona said she joined Family First in September when 12 people worked there. She watched it grow rapidly. She regularly helps people who need assistance with rent, utility bills or legal assistance — often collecting child support.

“We ask them where they’ve been,” Corona said. “We look for a different provider and help them articulate the reasons they need the help.”

In September, Corona said the influx of people needing aid grew as immigration enforcement efforts of the federal government, known as Operation Midway Blitz, became more intense. Mothers Trust was a big help at the time with gift cards for clothes.

“People’s hours were cut,” Corona said. “They were not going out of the house because they were afraid. There is less of that now.”

Among the assistance case managers give is helping people both find jobs and secure positions with greater earnings potential. Corona said they often work through the Job Center of Lake County.

Along with Family First’s growth through becoming a licensed behavioral clinic, Chenier said the organization continues to work in the community, operating a preschool at Lions Math and Science Christian Academy and after-school activities at PADS of Lake County.

Chenier said Family First continues to do its Unity in the Community events, where it will bring the bouncy houses and other activities to add to an event like a farmers market.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/08/family-first-center-waukegan/