Farmers Weekly Review

On Wednesday, August 21, colleagues, friends, and family gathered to celebrate Lisa Dillon’s 35-year career with Trinity Services.
Dillon started at Trinity Services in 1989. At the time, Trinity had one community day program located at the original administration building on Gougar road in Joliet.
Today, Trinity serves over 5,800 people with disabilities and mental health needs. Trinity officials credited Lisa Dillon for her part in that growth.
Lisa has a long list of major accomplishments in her 35 years with Trinity, starting as a Direct Care Professional in 1989. When Trinity opened a second community day program in Frankfort in 1992, Dillon managed it for several years as the Program Coordinator. That same year, she became involved with The Council for Quality and Leadership, or CQL, an international accrediting organization, as a reliable interviewer and later as a CQL certified trainer on Personal Outcome Measures.
“It was a busy time,” Dillon said. “We were growing and expanding. I assisted with transitioning ‘The Visions Network’ as they became Network 7. Then along with other colleagues, we developed the Trinity curriculum utilized across all of the agency day programs.”
In 1998, Dillon became the Associate Director of Network 5, which included day programs, residential, supported employment, and the STRIDES therapeutic riding center. In 2006, Lisa joined the executive committee.
It was in 2006 that Dillon received her Nursing Home Administrator License, as well as certification as a trainer for Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professionals, or QIDPs, for the State of Illinois. That same year, she graduated from Lewis University with a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership Studies through the Trinity cohort program.
Dillon is very grateful for all of the support she received from Trinity, especially when it came to her education.
“When I started at Trinity, I was working toward my associates degree,” she said.
“Trinity saw that I had potential and supported me through the years. That got me where I am today.”
Tony DiVittorio worked with Lisa for many years and experienced first-hand her effect on people.
“It is obvious to anyone that has worked alongside Lisa that she is a great person in her dedication and positive attitude,” DiVittorio said.
“However, it’s just as obvious she has a good soul, and when you experience her, it impacts you in a way that makes you want to be a better person.”