South West Illinois News

As executive director of Human Service Center (HSC), Shea Haury is committed to improving the lives of people with behavioral health issues and intellectual disabilities.

“At HSC we help individuals and families see what is possible in life,” Haury told SW Illinois News. “We help them identify their strengths and build on them. We help them see the possibility of the future and a better life through counseling, skill development, support and the instillation of hope for something better. When you equip a person with the proper tools and support to overcome addiction or poor mental health, that in turn positively impacts their family, their employer and the community as a whole.”

Haury started working with HSC in 1999 as a substance use counselor and later became director of counseling services. She left the center, located in Peoria, in 2012 to serve as clinical services director with Centerstone of Illinois until 2016, when she returned to HSC as executive director.

HSC Executive Director Shea Haury

“I truly could not be more blessed to be in the position I’m in and surrounded by an amazing team that works every day to improve the lives of those we serve despite the budgetary challenges we have faced over the last 10 years,” Haury said. “Our team is constantly brainstorming ideas and ways that we can inform the community of the services we offer and grow our abilities to meet their needs.”

Haury holds a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. She said the reason she chose to work for HSC is very different from why she works there now.

“When I first started, I was just looking for something close to home, doing what I went to school for,” Haury said. “Now, I stay for very different reasons. I stay because of the commitment of the staff, the mission and vision of the organization and because I truly feel that what we offer to the community makes the entire community stronger. The people we serve are my neighbors, my friends, my kids' friends and families, and I want to see others succeed and prosper because we all benefit when that happens.”

Haury hopes to continue to raise mental health awareness and inform the public of the services HSC provides in Randolph and Washington Counties.

“There are still so many people that I run into that don’t know about Human Service Center or the programs we offer,” she said. “There is a growing need for our services in both counties as a result of the rising rate of opioid and methamphetamine use, as well as increased rates of depression among teens in our area schools.”

Haury was born and raised in Randolph County, where she still resides. She currently serves as executive board member for the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health and Southern Illinois Substance Abuse Alliance; board member for the Community Foundation of Randolph County and Provider Co., LLC; and president for Sparta Stingrays Swim Team.

“I am proud that I have been able to use the education and experience I have in this field and apply it to the community I live in,” Haury said. “I feel it is so important to pour back into your community where your talents allow.”

In addition to her HSC work and giving back to the community, Haury loves spending time with her family.