Mark Buschbacher, President/CEO at Serenity House Foundation Inc | https://paulgregorymedia.com/
Mark Buschbacher, President/CEO at Serenity House Foundation Inc | https://paulgregorymedia.com/
The listed appropriations included two grants of $500,000, along with three additional grants totaling $60,000, all designated for programs or services funded by the State of Illinois.
These appropriations represent state-level funding authorized by lawmakers, reflecting what was approved in the budget, not necessarily disbursed. The funds cover only State of Illinois support and exclude federal, local, or other public sources.
Founded in 1985 by Henry Tews, Serenity House states that its mission is: “Our goal is to break silence, end stigmas, get well, and empower generations. We continue to expand our capacity and services to meet the ever-increasing demand for help.”
You can learn more about the organization at its website.
In its most recent IRS Form 990 filing filing for tax year 2024, the organization reported $242,714 in total revenue.
At the beginning of 2024, Serenity House had $3,721,440 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $3,622,920, indicating a 2.6% decline in overall holdings.
However, a Chicago City Wire analysis found that IRS filings frequently contain discrepancies when compared with publicly disclosed government grant reports and budgets.
Serenity House is one of hundreds of nonprofits across Illinois that receive substantial support from state taxpayers while also fundraising privately.
In 2025, Illinois lawmakers introduced House Bill 1266, also known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Act. The proposal would create a new oversight body within the Office of the Auditor General tasked with identifying cost-saving measures, reviewing agency performance, and advising on audit priorities. If passed, DOGE could bring additional scrutiny and performance evaluation to taxpayer-funded organizations.
According to ProPublica, Illinois has more than 78,000 active tax-exempt organizations, including nearly 60,000 classified as charitable nonprofits. In their most recent IRS filings, these groups reported a combined revenue exceeding $156 billion.
| Fiscal Year | Total Grants/Contracts | Total Taxpayer $$ |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | $1,060,000 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Kurt Hill | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Louis Libert | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Robert Vorel | Chairman |
| 2024-2024 | Stephen Morcos | Treasurer |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Ashley Paige Alsup | Chemical Dependency Counselor | - |
| 2024 | Bernadine T Markey | Chief Executive Officer | - |
| 2024 | Charjan R Clark | Self Employed | - |
| 2024 | Chris Abrams | It Technician | - |
| 2024 | Elizabeth Brownlee | Permanent Supportive Housing Manager | - |
| 2024 | Jay Kenny Meldman | Cd Technician | - |
| 2024 | Pamela Anne Miller | Adm Assistant | - |
| 2024 | Stephen R. Smith | Manager | - |
| 2024 | Thomas James Sullivan | Counselor | - |
| 2024 | Todd Dewayne White | Director | - |
| 2024 | Tresha Lynette Miller | Peer Recovery Coach Supervisor | - |
| 2019 | Heather Ada Helm | Youth Prevention Specialist | - |
| 2018 | Logan Cole Chandler | Chemical Dependency Technician | - |
| 2017 | Jeffrey Shannon | Program Director | - |
| 2017 | Meerah Kim | Residential Supervisor | - |
| 2017 | Natasha R Porter | Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Intern | - |
| 2017 | Nathan Harris Mccormick | Intern | - |
| 2016 | Madeline Renee Selinger | Cd Technician | - |
| 2015 | Courtney Rene Garner | Client Service Coordinator | - |
| 2015 | Emily Katherine Doss | Assistant Director | - |
| 2015 | Kathy J Simmons | Board Of Directors | - |
| 2015 | Melissa M Kimmel | Executive Director | - |
| 2014 | Alan Saltis | Clinical Support | - |
| 2014 | Andrew David Ussery | Owner And Director | - |
| 2014 | Blaise Rastello | 12 Step And Relapse Prevention Counselor | - |
| 2014 | CARRIE ANN RODRIGUEZ | Child Care Worker | - |
| 2014 | Dinah Sue Fisher | Accountant | - |
| 2014 | Jessica Allison Angerman | Activities Coordinator | - |
| 2013 | Becky Kay Babb | Chemical Dependency Technician | - |
| 2013 | Elizabeth Cravens | Counselor Assistant | - |
| 2013 | Thomas A Flynn | Director Of Operations | - |
| 2012 | Austin Kretsos | Counselor And House Manager | - |
| 2012 | Jennifer Rae Grantham | Public Relations And Media Coordinator | - |
| 2012 | Patricia Elizabeth Davis | Owner And Director | - |
| 2012 | Rachel Alexandra Ryan | Social Work Intern | - |
| 2012 | Susan Andre | Volunteer Resident Caregiver | - |
| 2011 | Alexis Nicole Williams | Youth Advisor | - |
| 2010 | Tamisha Ticole Spradley | Shelter Advocate | - |
| 2009 | Benjamin G. Martin | Executive Director And Founder | - |
| 2009 | Brittany Ann Hansen | Substance Abuse Therapy Intern | - |
| 2009 | Leila Mary Smith | Curriculum Facilitator | - |
| 2009 | Susan Riley | Counselor, Program Manager | - |
| 2009 | Walter J Newman | - | |
| 2008 | Jessica Lyn Magers | Counselor Intern | - |
| 2005 | Juliette Renee Genteman | Administrative Assistant | - |
| 2004 | Elizabeth Greene Ringas | Addiction Therapist | - |
| 2003 | Taneshia Lashawn Williamson | Addictons Counselor's Assistant | - |
| 2002 | Andrea Vidrine | Massage Therapist | - |
| 2002 | Lore Ann M Falimirski | Secretary And Receptionist | - |
| 1996 | Carol A Folisi | Program Manager | - |
| 1996 | Marjorie Drews | - |
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