PLCCA Celebrates Its Team at 2026 Employee Appreciation Day

On Friday, March 6, 2026, the Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action (PLCCA)

proudly hosted its Employee Appreciation Day at the Maywood Masonic Building in

Maywood, Illinois. The celebration brought together over a hundred dedicated employees

for a day filled with recognition, laughter, and appreciation for the incredible work being done across the organization.

This memorable event would not have been possible without the generosity of Mayor Nathaniel Booker, who graciously donated the use of the Maywood Masonic Building so PLCCA staff could gather and celebrate together.

From the moment employees entered the room, the atmosphere was festive and welcoming.

The venue was beautifully decorated with red, gold, and black balloons, elegant table

settings, and a lively photo booth area where teams captured memorable moments together.

Each table was thoughtfully arranged with black gift bags featuring gold lettering and

inspirational appreciation quotes. Inside each bag, employees received a notebook, pen,

and a special star-shaped glass desk award engraved with the message:

"May you be proud of the work you do, the person you are, and the difference you make"

A Grand Entrance and Inspirational Remarks

One of the highlights of the day was the grand entrance of Ms. Claudette P. Harrell, President and CEO of PLCCA, who entered the room to the instrumental version of T.I.'s “Let Em Know.” Her entrance energized the room and had employees on their feet cheering, dancing, and celebrating together.

Another inspiring moment came when Board Member and Mayor of Broadview, Illinois, Katrina Thompson, approached the podium to her theme song “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now.” Mayor Thompson delivered powerful and encouraging remarks that uplifted the entire staff and reinforced the importance of the work PLCCA employees do every day to strengthen communities and empower families.

PLCCA’s Board Members from Left to Right: Mr. Hank Johnson, Nneka Shelton, Claudette P. Harrell ( President & CEO, PLCCA), Mayor Katrina Thompson of Broadview, Illinois, and Jake Mathew

Departments Introduced in Style

Adding a unique and entertaining twist to the program, each department was introduced by their own hand-picked theme song, representing their team spirit and personality. As the music played, employees proudly stood to represent their departments, filling the room with applause, energy, and unity.

PLCCA’s Department Directors and Managers

Intervention Prevention and Behavior Health Services Employees

Children and Family Services Employees

MAR

Honoring the Legacy of Bishop Dr. Claude Porter

A central moment of the celebration was the presentation of the Bishop Porter MVP Award, honoring the legacy of PLCCA’s founder, Bishop Dr. Claude Porter.

All employees were individually called to the stage by name and presented with the award

in recognition of their:

● Outstanding dedication

● Exceptional teamwork

● Most valuable contributions to PLCCA’s mission

The award served not only as recognition for employees but also as a heartfelt tribute to the founder whose vision continues to guide the organization today.

Department managers were also recognized for their leadership and commitment. Each manager received a beautiful engraved black glass puzzle piece award that read:

"In case nobody told you today: You are amazing. You are important. You make a difference. You are incredibly appreciated and you deserve the best. So keep on being you, because the world needs more of who you are."

Shannon Fields receiving the Bishop Porter MVP Award

Fun, Games, and Team Bonding

Once the awards and recognitions concluded, the celebration shifted into full entertainment

mode.

The room quickly filled with laughter and friendly competition as employees participated in a

variety of activities including:

● Giant UNO

● Giant Jenga

● Line dancing

● The classic Bozo Bucket Game

● A full interactive Family Feud experience, recreating the excitement of the iconic

television game show

For one day, the focus was simple: no work—just celebration, connection, and

appreciation.

Stephen Hoffman - Finance Department dancing to their theme song “For the Love of Money"

Special Winners of the Day

Two employees walked away with special honors during the event.

Arturo Arroyo won the Grand Prize of a $100 gift card after discovering a hidden PLCCA money logo under his chair.

Meanwhile, Crystal Grant was announced as the winner of the PLCCA Newsletter Name Competition, earning herself a well-deserved day off from work.

A Day to Remember

PLCCA’s 2026 Employee Appreciation Day was more than just a celebration—it was a powerful reminder of the incredible people who make the organization’s mission possible every day.

From heartfelt recognition to laughter-filled activities, the event reinforced what makes PLCCA strong: a dedicated team committed to advocating for families and empowering people throughout our community.

Employees left the celebration feeling valued, energized, and deeply appreciated, a reflection of the organization’s ongoing commitment to honoring those who carry its mission forward.