Donald J. Dew President - Chief Executive Officer
In June 1990, Donald J. Dew was selected from a field of over 150 candidates to fill the position of Executive Director of Habilitative Systems, Inc. (HSI), a vital west side human services organization which currently operates over 40 programs for thousands of children and families in need. Under his tenure, HSI's budget has increased from $6.5 million in 1989 to nearly $9 million in 2003, signaling a significant increase in services to Chicago area residents.
Mr. Dew is a west side native and has been employed at Habilitative Systems, Inc. since 1984 in varying positions including, Director of Case Coordination/Management, Director of Vocational Services, Director, Program Services and Acting Executive Director.
A sampling of his many accomplishments include: Contract procurement for assembly of 8,000 collector phones for the 1996 Democratic National Convention; development of Ameritech HSI Bill Payment Center now including both Western Union and Peoples Energy Co.; and securing funding totaling $6,000,000 from HUD and Chicago Department of Housing funding for 100 units of senior and disability housing.
Donald J. Dew brings to this position twenty-two years of professional experience and a vast knowledge of the programs and demands of Habilitative Systems, Inc. He received his Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree in 1980 from Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois. Prior to employment with Habilitative Systems, Inc., Dew fine-tuned his social work skills by working in the Juvenile Court of Cook County from 1978-1979; at the Westside Veterans Administration Hospital from 1979-1980; at Mile Square Health Center, Inc. from 1980-1982; at the Community Mental Health Council from 1982-1984 and served as a consultant for the Institute of Community Health in Oak Park during the same period. He was a 1991-1992 Fellow in the Leadership Greater Chicago Program presented by the Chicago Community Trust and earned his Certification in Business Administration from the University of Illinois in 1992. He was also a Switzer Scholar in 1998.
He is the recipient of numerous awards and certificates including: 1984 Outstanding Young Men in America; 1991 Community Service Award presented by the Community Mental Health Council, Inc.; 1993 Positive Self Image Award presented by the Westside Center of Truth- 1994 Alpha Kappa Alpha Monarch Award for ]Public Service; 1995 Being Single Magazine Pinnacle Award, 1995 Northwest Austin Council Appreciation Award; 1997 National Association of Black Journalist Community Service Award; 1997 Lawndale Peoples Planning and Action Council Community Service Award; 1998 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Social Service Award and in 1999 the Lewis University Outstanding Alumni Award-
Donald J. Dew is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, National Association of Black Social Workers and the Academy of Certified Social Workers. He is also currently the Chairman of the Westside CHAMP Advisory Board, an international model for the prevention of HIV, and past member of the CARF International Board of Trustees, and Schwab Board of Directors.
