Macon Program For Progress history

In 1970, Macon County Rehabilitation Facilities was incorporated to provide rehab services to disabled adults.

In May of 1983, MCRF acquired a contract with the State of Illinois the first license plate was produced.

Dot retired in 1984 but has continued to serve this community and our state through multiple committees and projects.

During a church conference on June 19, 1985, Mount Zion Church was renamed Bibb Mount Zion Baptist Church by a unanimous vote; however, our Bible-based principles remained the same.

On March 4th of 1957, Progress Day School (later renamed to Progress Resource Center) held their first classes. It took courage, determination and help from others that believed in what they were trying to accomplish, and in March of 1987 Progress Day School opened at Third United Methodist Church with a staff of volunteers and 24 children.

Several other group homes were opened up in the 1990’s bringing the current total of group homes to 9 including 1 apartment building.

In May 1999 under the leadership of Pastor Teddy Parker, Next Level Community Development Center Inc. was organized to offer after school and summer programs for children 5 to 18 years old.

New Dawn Counseling Center, a DBA of Next Level, was opened in 2006.

The first service was held on New Year’s Eve 2014.

The Women’s History Trail (WHT), a project of the Folk Heritage Association of Macon County (FHAMC), adopted an activity in 2018 that continues each March as a part of Women’s History Month.

On July 4, 2019 the second phase of the trail opened adding 5 more sites around Franklin.

2020 Dorothy Crawford named 3rd Macon Matriarch