From job sites to lifelines: Building hope in Rockford

In Rockford, construction is often measured in steel and concrete. But for the Stenstrom and Sockness families, the true measure of their work has always been people.

Built over generations, Stenstrom Companies is a partnership between two families who have grown side by side, raising children, building careers, and shaping a community together. That same spirit of partnership extends beyond job sites, guiding how they support their employees and care for the people around them.

It’s also what led them to a decades-long relationship with Rosecrance, a partnership that is now being recognized with the organization’s highest honor, the Castle Award.

Presented at The Rosecrance Foundation’s annual benefit in Rockford in 2026, the Castle Award honors individuals and families who have made an exceptional and lasting impact on Rosecrance’s mission, particularly in supporting those facing substance use and mental health challenges. It recognizes extraordinary leadership, service, and philanthropy, and reflects a legacy of champions who have helped expand access to care and strengthen recovery services.

For the Stenstrom and Sockness families, that impact began with relationships.

Their connection is rooted in shared work and mutual respect. But it was real-life moments, often urgent and deeply personal, that transformed that connection into something lasting.

There were times when employees quietly asked for help. Times when supervisors faced situations that no training could have prepared them for. And times when the stakes were life-altering.

In those moments, company leaders reached out to Rosecrance not as donors but as partners looking for support.

And every time, they found it.

For the Stenstrom and Sockness families, supporting employees means standing by individuals in difficult moments and ensuring they have access to the resources they need. Rosecrance has become a trusted extension of that support system, offering guidance, care, and reassurance when it matters most.

While the company is known for building roads, infrastructure, complex fuel systems, and facilities, its partnership with Rosecrance reflects another kind of construction: rebuilding lives.

Today, what began as a professional connection has grown into a multi-generational commitment rooted in trust, service, and partnership. The Stenstrom and Sockness families continue to lead by prioritizing people, relationships, and community, the same values that built their company.

The Castle Award stands as a reflection of that journey. Not just a recognition of generosity, but of sustained partnership in showing up, responding, and standing alongside others in their most critical moments.

“It’s an interesting thing to see when you can weave together a capital endeavor of growing a business, growing our families, and now sharing a philanthropic goal,” the Stenstrom and Sockness families said. “It kind of brings it all full circle. And if you can eat, live, and serve with your closest friends and family, that’s a pretty good life.”

Because while buildings may shape a skyline, it’s people who shape a community. And through their enduring partnership with Rosecrance, the Stenstrom and Sockness families are helping ensure more individuals have the support they need to rebuild, recover, and move forward.