On a cold and snowy evening in December 1982, motivated by the lofty Hellenic ideals of philotimo and philoxenia, a diverse and dynamic group of Greek Americans founded Greek-American Community Services and launched a groundbreaking movement that established the second nursing home in the United States to be owned and operated by and for the Greek community.Forty years after that first meeting, and 20 years after the opening of the Greek American Rehabilitation and Care Centre, John Psiharis, with substantial involvement from Dr. Elaine Thomopoulos, recounts the history of this monumental undertaking through their unique perspectives as co-founders of Greek-American Community Services and the Greek-American Nursing Home Committee, where they served as board members from inception through 2006. From that first meeting through construction and opening, this book, the second entry in the Hellenism in the Heartland Series, details the struggles and successes in achieving this monumental goal. The early years, rallying the community behind this effort, site selection, obtaining zoning and approvals, raising funds, arranging financing, groundbreaking, construction, and opening festivities are all covered. There were setbacks as well, ranging from Chicago politicians who offered an environmentally contaminated property in place of a promised location, to internal disagreements, opening pains, and crushing debt that needed to be urgently fixed. This diligent group persevered and navigated these severe challenges to accomplish the dream. Of the nursing home, a newspaper of the day proclaimed: "The creation of this center united the Chicagoland Greek Americans as no other project or cause has in these times." Today, the nursing home is consistently rated as one of the best in the state of Illinois and regularly maintains a waiting list.This book, in intimate detail, tells the story of how this monumental project came to fruition. John and Elaine's involvement throughout this time provide a unique vantage point for this narrative. The story is enhanced by photos and ephemera, an extensive who's who listing, and a detailed chronological history.