DuPage/West Cook Program Spotlight

2011

November/December

Pillars

United Way of DuPage/West cook is pleased to announce Pillars as the Agency Spotlight for November/December. Pillars aspires to build healthier communities by making connections and changing lives.

Because of the range of services Pillars provides, including mental health, addictions, domestic and sexual violence services, they are able to provide integrated, comprehensive care to their clients. For each client they serve, there are others who benefit from that service, including the client’s family members, colleagues, and neighbors. Last year more than 11,000 individuals were touched in some manner by the services Pillars provide.

1. How do your programs help clients improve their lives and make lasting changes?

Pillars values the partnership with our clients. All of our services are client-centered, based on the value of independence and autonomy on the road to recovery. We have staff trained in a wide variety of evidence-based practices, ensuring that the intervention a client is receiving is right for his or her needs, and one that will have a positive outcome based upon current research.

At our donor recognition event this fall, two of our clients shared their personal story of how Pillars helped to change their lives.  A survivor of sexual abuse, Alexandrea came to Pillars depressed, failing in school, and trying to harm herself.  Our staff provided counseling and advocacy to both Alexandrea and her mom, helping them to cope with years of trauma.

Alexandrea shared, “Pillars was the only place I felt like I could be myself, where I felt safe and not judged.”  She told guests that Pillars helped her to manage her anger and overcome her fears and doubts.  Alexandrea started to accept herself and didn’t feel alone anymore. “Because of Pillars, I went from not wanting to do anything and having no dreams or aspirations, to feeling important again and looking forward to starting college next fall.”

At last year’s event, clients Sandra and Michael told their family’s success story.  Sandra lives with bipolar disorder and has battled suicidal feelings throughout her life.  She learned to manage her mental illness with the help of a Pillars’ therapist.

Her increased awareness helped her to recognize signs of mental illness in her oldest son, Mark. At age five, he was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder. Like his mother, Mark learned how to manage his condition with help from Pillars.  He excelled in school and recently graduated from college with honors.

Years later, brutal bullying brought Sandra’s younger son to Pillars. Michael refused to go to school and told Sandra that he wanted to kill himself.  Once again, Sandra immediately turned to Pillars.  Michael’s therapist provided him with proven strategies to overcome the bullying and rebuild his confidence.  Four years later, Michael is a self-assured teen who enjoys friends, school and theatre, and who shares his story in the local community to help others understand mental illness and mental health issues.

2. How has United Way of the DuPage/West Cook helped your agency fulfill its mission?

Through United Way’s support, we are truly able to make connections and change lives. In our health and wellness funded initiative this year we are working to integrate physical health and mental health services for our clients.  Through our partnerships with local providers including Community Nurse Health Association, we are ensuring that individuals are linked to medical homes and that the medical providers are aware of the behavioral health needs and concerns of their patients as well.

We asked Ann Schreiner, Interm President and Chief Executive Officer at Pillars the following questions. Here’s what she had to say:

3. What’s the most interesting aspect of your job?

• Seeing the creativity, enthusiasm and talent of our staff every day
• Making connections in the community– raising awareness of our services, reducing barriers to accessing our services such as stigma, providing services where clients are, i.e. in the home and community and not just in the office
• Partnering with our donors and funders in creating ever more effective, innovative services that keep our communities as healthy and safe as possible.

August/September

We are proud to present our newest highlighted program:

West Suburban PADS

United Way of DuPage/West cook is pleased to announce West Suburban PADS as the Agency Spotlight for August/September. West Suburban PADS was founded in 1992 with the creation of their overnight emergency shelter programs, and still provide this safety net today.

1. How do your programs help clients improve their lives and make lasting changes?

West Suburban PADS was founded in 1992 with the creation of our overnight emergency shelter program, and we still provide that safety net to hundreds of people in crisis every year. but our solution to homelessness goes far and beyond the sleeping pads and warm meals. The solution is housing – to provide stability and structure. It is support – for basic needs as well as medical, mental health and substance abuse issues. It’s employment – to prepare for a successful, sustained re-entry into the workplace, and prevention – before the crisis occurs. We offer give fully integrated programs that can be tailored to address clients’ needs no matter their circumstances or level of self-sufficiency.

2. How hasUnited Wayof the DuPage/West Cook helped your agency fulfill its mission?

United Way’s Health & Wellness and Financial Stability funding supports our programming in three areas:

• emergency and transitional shelter,
• supportive and health services and
• supportive housing.

West Suburban PADS is the primary provider of emergency overnight shelter in near-west Cook County. October through May, we shelter and feed 450 individuals at eight rotating sites. Fifteen guests also participate in our summer transitional shelter, which emphasizes supportive services to foster self-sufficiency. Over the past year, West Suburban PADS has significantly strengthened the connection between shelter and supportive services through assertive outreach & engagement strategies, creation of an interim housing program to bridge the gap between shelter and independent housing, expansion of permanent supportive housing opportunities and implementation of aftercare services for those who graduate from our programs but who may need extended, limited supports.

The outreach and engagement efforts in the shelter began with a particular focus on engaging “chronically” homeless guests in a housing plan, beginning with procurement of their state IDs; as a result, we moved 36% of our chronically homeless shelter guests into permanent supportive housing!

Our day-time, year-round Support Center is the epicenter for our clients’ access to a wide array of supportive services, beginning with basic services necessary for daily living, such as showers, clothing, storage lockers, access to computers, voice mail and mail service and extending to one-on-one case management and group life skills training.

Health services are provided via a multi-service, multi-agency collaboration called Project WIN (Wellness Initiative Network) designed to provide outreach to the special needs population and improve their access to health services by offering a comprehensive approach to medical, mental health and addiction issues.

Our transitional housing program provides subsidized housing, intensive case management and a wide range of supportive services to help clients regain their financial independence so they can progress to a stable housing situation. Transitional Housing gives program participants the time, structure and support to maintain housing stability, increase their earning potential, reduce outstanding debt, and strengthen basic life skills.

3. What’s the most interesting aspect of your job?

The most interesting aspect of our jobs is seeing, every day, that we really are solving homelessness. In 2010, our impact in three areas proved the point. We decreased – by 36% – the number of chronically homeless persons staying in our emergency shelter. We provided 26,282 nights of supportive housing – a 25% increase over 2009 and more than two times the nights of emergency shelter for the same time period. And we prevented homelessness for 194 individuals in 90 households with one-time financial assistance totaling $134,214 – a 70% increase in financial aid compared with 2009 and a 50% increase in the number of people served.

4. What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

Funding is the most challenging aspect of my job, in general, and more specifically the barrage of recent funding cuts and freezes, both public and private. Despite the heightened need to stabilize those experiencing homelessness in our communities and the proven impact of our solution, despite our advocacy efforts and steady individual and community support, these unanticipated reductions in income have put at risk our ability to provide housing, prevention and shelter services at the level necessary to satisfy demand.

5. What can members of our community looking to GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER do for your agency? 

All members of our community are welcome to join PADS’ network of 1,000 volunteers who help nurture the basic well-being of our guests and encourage their work toward self-sufficiency goals — in both the emergency shelter and ourMaywoodSupportCenter. Volunteers also help with fundraising and special events, contribute professional expertise (e.g. design, photography, legal and medical counsel) and lend a diversity of talents and perspectives to our Board of Directors and Friends of PADS Advisory Committee.

Said one PADS shelter guest: “I stayed in the overnight shelters for almost a month, and the volunteers were just wonderful. They were non-judgmental and took the time to tell me about community resources available to people in my situation. Many volunteers brought their children to help serve dinner. I especially appreciated that. They were ‘de-stigmatizing’ our homelessness.”

6. How do you LIVE UNITED?

We LIVE UNITED by holding firm to the belief that homelessness can be solved. The current economic climate is the most difficult we have faced in our 19-year history, as it brings an increased demand for our services alongside a decrease in funding. However, we have a track record of success in adapting well to change, weathering external uncertainties and maximizing our resources for maximum client benefit.

We’re efficient; 87 cents of every dollar invested in West Suburban PADS is applied directly to client service. We’re collaborative; every one of our five programs brings to the table the expertise and resources of two or more community partners. And we remain true to our core mission and delivery of the promise we make to every one of the 20 communities we serve.

As we prepare to begin our 20th shelter season, we are grateful to United Wayfor helping make this vision a reality. Together, we will open doors, build futures and end homelessness. For more information about West Suburban PADS click here!

June/July

United Way of DuPage/West Cook is happy to announce Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region at the June/July Spotlight. Since 1952, families in our community have relied on Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region to provide specialized services for their infants and children with developmental disabilities. Through their dedication and commitment to helping individuals maximize their independence, Easter Seals has become one of the largest pediatric outpatient rehabilitation service providers in the nation serving nearly 3,200 infants, children and young adults with disabilities each year.

Kathy Schrock, Vice President of Clinical Services at Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region, shared how hard working and dedicated her staff are to the Easter Seal’s missions.

1. How do your programs help clients improve their lives and make lasting changes? Our programs help clients improve their lives by helping them to be as independent as possible. Our expert therapists work with children to accomplish things that we may take for granted such as walking on their own, tying their own shoes and saying “I love you.” We approach each child as an individual, and each child’s services are tailored specifically to their needs in order to maximize independence and improve their quality of life. Instead of looking at what a child can NOT do, our therapists look at what a child can do and helps their parents and loved ones do the same. In many cases – because of the holistic approach at our center – our therapists can help these children achieve goals that were considered impossible for them by other medical professionals.

2. How has United Way of DuPage/West Cook helped your agency fulfill its mission? The funds received from United Way of DuPage/West Cook have played a significant role in allowing us to provide our premier therapy services to children whose families are uninsured or underinsured. Each year, Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region provides over $800,000 in financial assistance to low-income and uninsured families. We could not do this without the assistance and generosity of United Way. United Way of DuPage/West Cook also supports our Family Support Services. Most of these services are provided free of charge to our families and are what makes Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region so unique from all other pediatric rehabilitation services available in the Chicago area. United Way of DuPage/West Cook has also supported our Lily Garden – one of the few inclusive Child Development Centers in the west suburbs.

3. What’s the most interesting aspect of your job? My job is most interesting because I work with compassionate and committed experts in the field of pediatric developmental disabilities. The environment is creative and always evolving. No one is ever satisfied with maintaining; there is always energy to learn more and find the best outcomes for the children and their families. It is most interesting to be among some of the best therapists who continue to strive to develop better strategies and better programs for children. It is also noteworthy that this work occurs in a positive playful environment that results in significant developmental achievements for the children. Parents are also supported and instructed and as a result become powerful advocates for their children.

4. What is the most challenging aspect of your job? The greatest challenges are twofold yet intertwined. First is the ongoing need to defend the importance of therapy for children with special needs. Funding often doesn’t cover the cost of services so justification of effectiveness is continually required. The second is the belief by some in the community that children with developmental disabilities aren’t worthy of resources that could support them to become more capable adults. The fact that the State of Illinois is last in most rankings for community services for individuals with developmental disabilities speaks not only of our legislators but of our community that continues to allow these supports to be reduced or eliminated.

5. What can members of our community looking to GIVE, ADVOCATE and VOLUNTEER do for your agency?

• GIVE- There are always financial needs in the center so that it is possible to help as many children as possible. Donations can be made to individual programs – such as Assistive Technology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy etc. – or to specialty programs – such as Outreach Programs or SuitABILITY. In-kind gifts such as equipment for therapy, toys for The Lily Garden Child Care Center and prizes for fundraising events are always appreciated.
• ADVOCATE – Join Easter Seals today in educating and informing public officials about issues that affect individuals with disabilities. Community members can visit the “Advocate” page on our website to view all of the ways they can advocate for our clients and others with special needs.
• VOLUNTEER – There are many opportunities to volunteer at Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region. Volunteers are an integral part of the Easter Seals community and help enhance the services provided to children and adults with disabilities. Volunteers can choose from many different opportunities such as therapy volunteer, fundraising event volunteer, facility project volunteer, child care volunteer and administrative volunteer.

6. How do you LIVE UNITED? Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region strives to live and work within the community – not just within the disability community, but the community at large in order to improve the lives of our clients and society as a whole. This is evidenced by our many programs that reach into the community and provide awareness and training; by our collaborations with other organizations, and through our extensive use of volunteers. For more information on Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region click here!

March/April/May

Aging Care Connections

United Way of DuPage/West Cook is pleased to announce Aging Care Connections as the March/April/May Spotlight. Celebrating 40 years of excellence, Aging Care Connections (ACC) provides the link to the most comprehensive, expert information, programs and services enabling older adults to remain independent and their families to make the best, most informed decisions regarding needed care in their lives. ACC has served over 8,000 older adults and their families in 22 communities of Lyons, Riverside and South Proviso Townships since 1971.

Linda Hussey, Community Relations Coordinator at Aging Care Connections, shared some of the great programs ACC has to offer as well as her passion for our non-profit communities.

1. How do your programs help clients improve their lives and make lasting changes?

At ACC, we improve the lives of our clients and make lasting changes through a variety of different programs and services, such as the following:

• Comprehensive Care Coordination Unit: This program allows Care Coordinators to provide a comprehensive assessment based on the unique needs of the elder individual and his/her existing resources. Considering multiple factors such as physical, emotional and financial needs, as well as strengths and support systems, the Care Coordinator is able to connect older adults and their families to the appropriate community resources.
• Case Management: An ongoing plan is created with the older adult to ensure all possible support services are made available to seniors so they can remain independent for as long as possible. Services include chore housekeeping, transportation, home delivered meals, respite care and benefits assistance.
• Elder Abuse Investigation: Comprehensive casework services and support are available to victims of abuse as they seek alternatives in these difficult situations.
• Caregiver Support Program: We offer many levels of assistance to those caring for an older adult. Some of these services include answering questions, providing information on resources currently available, offering a respite program, support groups offering advice and emotional support, and offering a Caregiver Resource Center containing books, films and resource material.
• Aging Resource Center (ARC): A program at Adventist LaGrange Memorial Hospital and three local skilled nursing facilities have the goal of ensuring a smooth transition home from a medical facility. Quality transitions from hospitals have proven to decrease readmissions.
• Aging Well: The program is composed of hundreds of older adults and more than 130 community-based organizations working together to create an environment in which people can age well through a variety of volunteer-driven programs.

2. How has United Way of DuPage/West Cook helped your agency fulfill its mission? As with all social service agencies, funding is critical to sustaining quality services and programs. United Way of DuPage/West Cook has been a long time generous supporter of Aging Care Connections. In addition, United Way has provided volunteers in the past to assist with carrying out programs as well as helping to raise awareness about our cause. We are truly grateful for their investment and partnership. 3. What’s the most interesting aspect of your job? Serving as the Community Relations Coordinator at Aging Care Connections allows me the opportunity to interface with seniors, their families and a diverse group of senior service providers. I am able to witness firsthand how communities working together can meet and exceed the needs of those less fortunate in the towns, villages and cities we serve. 4. What is the most challenging aspect of your job? As with any not-for-profit today, the economy has had devastating effects on funding necessary to sustain current programs. Even more frustrating is the lack of funding has limited the opportunities for new and innovative programs and services as our aging population evolves and the needs become more comprehensive. 5. What can members of our community looking to GIVE, ADVOCATE and VOLUNTEER do for your agency?

• GIVE: We conduct four mail solicitations throughout the year to increase awareness and solicit financial support. We also distribute a quarterly newsletter which includes information about donating to us. Furthermore, we hold two annual fundraising events, one in the fall and one in the spring. This year community supporters are also holding small cultivation events at their homes and places of business to raise awareness and funds for Aging Care Connections during our 40th Anniversary year.
• ADVOCATE: We partner with many senior organizations and individuals in the community that advocate for senior services and funding. Members of the community can get involve with advocacy by contacting Aging Care Connections. This may include calling local legislators about legislation affecting the care of older adults or to put together a round-table discussion group in order to better educate and inform the community about the issues faced in the community.
• VOLUNTEER: Volunteers are the heart and soul of Aging Care Connections. We could not do all that we do without volunteers. Our volunteers come from varied backgrounds and each brings a unique and wonderful set of talents to our organization. When you enter the doors of Aging Care Connections or call us on the phone, you are greeted by volunteers. Those volunteers then make sure callers and visitors are directed to the correct staff person and receive the help they are seeking. We also utilize volunteers in our Benefits Department to help seniors navigate the maze of benefits for which they may be eligible. Volunteers help us with data entry which must be completed in a timely fashion to facilitate our being reimbursed for services provided through state mandated programs. Volunteers assist us in completing client satisfaction surveys so that we can gauge where we are excelling and where we may need to improve our services. They serve on committees that plan and host two annual fundraisers each year. Finally, we have volunteer community action teams in the towns we serve that are working at the grass-roots level to make sure their towns are elder-friendly. Members of the community interested in any of the aforementioned volunteer opportunities should go to our website for more information – we would love to have you join our team of volunteers!

6. How do you LIVE UNITED? We LIVE UNITED each and every day by partnering with community organizations, like United Way, to provide the critical services and programs to older adults and their families in our diverse communities so that they may become stronger, independent and live healthier lives. In addition, through the United Way annual employee campaign (which raised more than $2,000 last year), we bring awareness to our staff about the necessity of working in partnership with United Way so that we are able to continue providing critical services in our communities. For more information on Aging Care Connection click here!

January/February

Oak Park & River Forest Day Nursery

United Way of DuPage/West Cook is pleased to announce the Oak Park & River Forest (OPRF) Day Nursery as the January/February Program Spotlight. Preparing to celebrate their 100th anniversary, the OPRF Day Nursery has been a childcare provider to Oak Park and surrounding communities since 1912. Their mission is to provide quality, full-time, nurturing childcare and preschool education by professional and caring staff in a safe environment for families in the community.Offering year-round childcare assistance, this agency provides services for children ages 2 ½ through 5 years old and has a tuition sliding scale so they may offer quality childcare to families with a variety of income levels. The agency uses the Creative Curriculum, a play-based curriculum with an emphasis on building the foundation for early literacy.

Catherine Hart, Executive Director at OPRF Day Nursery, shared further details about the driving force behind her work and how United Way has been so helpful in her organization’s success. 1. How do your clients improve their lives and make lasting changes? Our quality program allows parents to work or attend school, secure in the knowledge that their children are well cared for. Nutritious meals are prepared onsite by a staff cook, who holds a current Food Sanitation Certificate, and served family style to encourage social interaction and table manners. Children take up to three field trips during the school year to places such as a local farm, a children’s museum, etc. We also offer Parent Meetings monthly, which seek to enrich individual families, but also to create a community feeling among our families. These Parent Meetings include family activity nights, lectures on parenting issues, family outings, and much more. 2. How has United Way of DuPage/West Cook helped your agency fulfill its mission? The support we receive from United Way is a key element in our funding, and this in our ability to provide the services we provide. Specifically, support from United Way subsidizes the sliding fee scales and their children will benefit from early learning opportunities. We proudly display our United Way agency logo on all of our printed materials and our website. 3. What’s the most interesting aspect of your job? As an administrator I have always loved having the opportunity to help children develop at their own pace. I enjoy seeing the teaching staff help children learn numbers, the alphabet, be introduced to the Spanish language, and enhance their literacy skills. Young children learn to socialize with peers and adults at this age, which leads to success in their interactions as they grow. I love being a special part of their development. 4. What is the most challenging aspect of your job? Like most non-profit agencies in these difficult financial times, funding is our most challenging issue. We want to provide high quality care for the community, keep our teachers well trained and supported, and maintain our historic place in our landmark building. This all calls for a lot of funding and that is our biggest challenge! 5. What can members of our community looking to GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER do for your agency? We could use more board members. Our Board of Directors is always seeking talented and creative persons to assist with fundraising, human resource issues, and public relations. If you have the time, interest, and skills to help a worthwhile childcare provider, please contact us to serve on our Board. We welcome volunteers of all ages: we are part of the UCAN Senior Grandparent program, have summer high school helpers, and community members who offer additional learning experiences for our students. If you would like to volunteer, please give us a call. 6. How do you LIVED UNITED? The OPRF Day Nursery LIVES UNITED by being a proud and grateful recipient of United Way agency funding, and being an important resource for the community. Thank you, United Way! For more information on the Oak Park & River Forest Day Nursery please visit http://www.oprfdaynursery.org/

Thrive Counseling Center

Thrive Counseling Center has served the mental health and social service needs of Oak Park, Chicago and the near west suburbs for over 112 years. Thrive serves over 2,000 clients each year including over 800 youth. Thrive also partners with area organizations to strengthen agency services and reach those in need. Dan Kill, President and CEO of Thrive Counseling Center, further explains the organization’s services and community support below. 1. How do your programs help clients improve their lives and make lasting changes?Thrive is a comprehensive mental health center. They offer counseling, recovery services, and specialized individual care. Out multi-cultural and highly educated staff empowers clients to attain their own mental and emotional well-being.

2. How has United Way of DuPage/West Cook helped your agency fulfill its mission? Thrive’s mission is to build healthy minds, families, and communities. Hard economic times often result in decreased funding and an increased need for mental health and specialized social services. Funding from United Way of DuPage/West Cook helps make Thrive’s adult, family, and youth behavioral healthcare services available to the community. They also provide phenomenal exposure for our agency services. This exposure broadens our reach and allows us to serve more people in need. 3. What is the most interesting aspect of your job? It is always interesting to observe or hear about Thrive clients making positive changes as a result of our services. Clients often feel empowered to not only make a difference in their own lives, but also in the lives of others. It is both interesting and gratifying to see the chain reaction of our services within the community. 4. What is the most challenging aspect of your job? Continuous funding sources and volunteer resources are challenging items for Thrive to maintain. 5. What can members of our community looking to GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER do for your agency? Thrive welcomes community support! Thrive has various volunteer opening throughout the year. They partner with a volunteer-run resale shop called “The Economy Shop” from September-May. Proceeds from the shop benefit Thrive Counseling Center and other area non-profits.  In addition, Thrive is currently looking for new volunteers to serve on their board of directors. For a list of volunteer opportunities offered throughout the year visit our website. 6. How do you LIVE UNITED?Thrive greatly appreciate all the support United Way of DuPage/West Cook provides to our agency and other organizations across the region. Our staff participates in the annual giving campaign each year as a means of giving back to United way. Thrive’s CEO, Dan Kill, has given to United Way for the past 36 consecutive years and has for many years provided presentations about United Way’s giving campaign to other community organizations. These presentations promoted United Way’s mission and discussed how United way continue to help agencies like Thrive achieve our own mission. The staff at Thrive are committed to volunteer community service through their participation on many community organization committees and boards.

2010 November/December

United Way of DuPage/West Cook is pleased to announce The Community House’s Willowbrook Corner Program as the November/December Program Spotlight. The mission and driving force behind the efforts of The Community House staff, Board of Trustees, and volunteers is “Building community through excellence and innovation in socially relevant programs.” The Community House has been providing services for the residents of unincorporated Willowbrook for over 12 years. The neighborhood, commonly referred to Willowbrook Corner, is bounded by Route 83, I-55, and Glen Forest Preserve. The Willowbrook Corner neighborhood is an island of low-income, minority, primarily female lead households, surrounded by extreme wealth. The Community House focuses its efforts on providing safe and supervised programming for the social aged children in the neighborhood. They collaborate with School District 180 and currently offer after school and summer camp, for grades K-8, and an open recreational basketball program for 5-12 graders. In addition, The Community House is the lead agency and oversees the Willowbrook Corner Coalition. The Willowbrook Corner Coalition meets every other month and consists of roughly 21 supporting agencies that work together to determine ways in which service gaps can be filled. The Coalition members, along with residents of the neighborhood, help to identify problems and issues in the community, assign responsibility, and report back at every meeting about the progress they have made. Tracy Boucher, Director of Social Services at The Community House, discussed further details on The Community House and the Willowbrook Corners Initiative as seen below. 1. How do your programs help clients improve their lives and make lasting changes? The Community House programs provide support to families of the neighborhood in numerous ways. Not only do our programs provide a safe and supervised environment for students after school, they also provide academic enrichment, and educational based activities which will better prepare the students for advancement in their education. The Community House staff also provides support and referrals to other agencies for parents who are in need, and work closely with school administrators and social workers to resolve student and family issues that arise. 2. How has United Way of DuPage/West Cook helped your agency fulfill its mission? United Way of DuPage/West Cook provides guidance, direction, and financial support to our programs, which allows us to focus on the programming and clients. Without the support of United Way our programs would not be as successful as they are today. 3. What’s the most interesting aspect of your job? The most interesting aspect of my job is that it’s always changing and evolving! Each day, it’s something new and exciting. While there are certainly challenges, I continue to be amazed at how well each member of the Coalition works together to support a common goal, which is to service the residents of the Willowbrook Corner neighborhood. 4. What’s the most challenging aspect of your job? The most challenging aspect of my job right now would be to maintain existing funding sources, as well as cultivate new ones. It has taken a long time to get where we are now, and the momentum we have is incredible. There is still a lot of work to be done in the Willowbrook Corner neighborhood, and the need for financial support is greater than ever before. 5. What can members of our community looking to GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER do for you agency? Members of the community can ADVOCATE for our programs in Willowbrook by getting the word out. So often, because we are located in DuPage County, there is a misconception of the need in the Willowbrook Corner neighborhood. These residents live in poverty, literally across the street from multi-million dollar homes. Members in the community can VOLUNTEER in our programs to help support our staff and act as role models and mentors to the students. In particular, our students tend to lack adult male role models in their lives. Finally, members of the community can GIVE by supporting the fundraising efforts of United Way of DuPage/West Cook, so that they may continue to provide financial support to the Willowbrook Corner programs. 6. How do you LIVE UNITED? I LIVE UNITED by volunteering in the community I live in. My family and I volunteer once a week at a therapeutic horse barn. We clean stalls, feed and water the horses, and provide financial support to the organization as well. In addition, I volunteer as an executive board member to build a new community campus serving individuals with Autism. I have found that both volunteer experiences are personally extremely rewarding for me and my family. We have fun together as a family helping with the horses and even my 11 year old son with Autism knows he is helping his community. For more information on The Community House and Willowbrook Corners please visit http://www.thecommunityhouse.org/ September/October

For more information on People’s Resource Center please visit http://www.peoplesrc.org/ May

For over 58 years, Ray Graham Association has been dedicated to the full participation of people with disabilities in a quality life by providing leadership that supports the accomplishments of individuals, strengthens families and inspires community involvement. Ray Graham Association offers a broad array of services and supports through our 35 program sites throughout DuPage County to more than 2,500 children and adults with disabilities that include mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and autism. Services include vocational, respite, early intervention, recreational, home-based and residential programs.

We thank Cathy Ficker Terrill, President and CEO, for answering our questions: 1. How do your programs help clients improve their lives and make lasting changes? RGA has a diverse offering of programs to help people with disabilities live meaningful lives. Through our Community Living Centers, people are supported to participate in their communities through employment, volunteerism and recreation. Our residential services allow people with all levels and types of disabilities to live in the community to maximize their independence and quality of life. Other programs include Employment Services, Home-Based Support Services and Early Intervention, all of which assists people with disabilities to reach their highest potential. Ray Graham’s Hanson center provides recreational programs for children and adults with and without disabilities. The Gateway Special Recreation Program provides recreation services throughout the year that stress teamwork, positive interaction and skill building. Our Therapeutic Horsemanship Program provides children and adults with and without disabilities the opportunity to experience the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding, and the Morris Service Dog Program provides people with specially trained dogs to help each person function more independently. 2. How has United Way of the DuPage Area helped your agency fulfill its mission? Through helping to fund our micro-businesses and community employment services, United Way of DuPage Area is at the center of our mission as the two programs allow for individuals with disabilities to increase their community involvement and live a quality life. Without the help of United Way, many individuals would not have the opportunity to fulfill their personal and vocational goals. Our staff and volunteer network view the United Way as an integral part of our support team. 3. What’s the most interesting aspect of your job? The most interesting aspect of being CEO of the Ray Graham Association is the people we support. Although these individuals have disabilities, they have a positive attitude. They believe in themselves. They set great goals for themselves and they are fun to be around. Whenever I have the opportunity to interact with the people we support, I always learn something. Their “can do” attitude is inspiring and humbling. They motivate me to do more. 4. What can members of our community looking to GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER do for your agency? As advocates of Ray Graham, members of the community are supporting over 2,500 individuals with disabilities to help RGA maintain the highest standards of quality services and supports. This can be done through donations, joining our President’s Circle with an annual gift of $1,000 or more, joining the Monarch Society by pledging to include Ray Graham in estate plans, or through our Adopt-a-Home. Volunteering for RGA is another way to become an advocate of RGA, as there are several opportunities. Each year RGA hosts a Butterfly Ball, a golf benefit, and a Walk Benefit where volunteers are needed. We also are looking for people who would like to host their own fundraiser or become a part of the development or capital campaign committee. Volunteers are also always needed for facility care at our 35 sites. This can include such activities as spring cleaning, washing windows, painting, carpentry, helping individuals decorate their living spaces, and landscaping. If working with horses is an interest, our horsemanship program is always looking for volunteers to be leaders and side walkers for riding lessons, or assistance in barn maintenance. These are just a few ways members of the community can volunteer, to further discuss these opportunities or to suggest new ideas, you can contact our volunteer coordinator Mary Beth Glenn at 630.628.7172. Joint advocacy tactics and strategy aimed at Springfield with our local legislators would also be welcome. —————————————————————————————————————– April

Family Shelter Service

Family Shelter Service has been providing “help and hope for victims of domestic violence” for the past 34 years. During 2009, 242 women and children spent a combined total of 12,874 nights in our emergency shelter. There they began to heal from the violence and abuse they experienced and plan for a new life. Another 694 adults and children received counseling and services to deal with the abuse in their lives, and 8,434 persons contacted our 24-Hour Crisis Hotline for assistance. To help clients transition into their new lives in safety and wellness, Family Shelter also offers these important programs: 24-hour hotline, education and outreach, court/victim advocacy, intermediate housing, career assistance, financial literacy, children’s counseling, and Latino outreach.

We thank Karen Kuchar, Executive Director, for answering our questions: 1. How do your programs help clients improve their lives and make lasting changes? Most importantly, Family Shelter Service provides domestic violence victims a safe place to live to begin to work through the trauma and feelings of guilt that they carry with them as a result of their abuse. Our counselors are skilled in assisting our clients with this difficult task, as abusers are very good at convincing their victims they are responsible for their own abuse. While we help clients work on their emotional health, we also help them work their way through the court system, including writing a personal safety plan and gaining Orders of Protection against their abusers. Through our career assistance and financial literacy programs, clients begin to plan for their new lives and gain new skills to transition from shelter with greater confidence and sense of well-being. 2. How has United Way of the DuPage Area helped your agency fulfill its mission? The financial assistance Family Shelter Service receives from United Way is critical in helping us accomplish our mission to help victims of domestic violence break free and begin new lives. We also have the distinct privilege of being a United Way partner, giving us a “seal of approval” from an agency that is much esteemed by the community. Because United Way supports us our current and future donors, sponsors, volunteers and clients know that Family Shelter meets the standard of performance expected from a United Way agency. 3. What’s the most interesting aspect of your job? Helping people understand the far-reaching and long-lasting effects of domestic violence on victims—especially children—and its negative repercussions in our community are critical messages that I will never tire of delivering. It is a great moment of joy watching someone move from unawareness to enlightenment and action—adding one more advocate to our efforts to end the cycle of violence and abuse. And when victims know that the community understands their dilemma, it helps diminish their shame, making it easier for them to come forward and ask for help. 4. What can members of our community looking to GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER do for your agency? As Family Shelter goes into its second year of state budget cuts and diminished foundation funding, we are seeking financial and in-kind contributions from our friends, old and new, to help us ensure that our shelter and counseling doors remain open. As the economy worsens, the demand for shelter and services in our area has increased. With so many women and families at risk, Family Shelter must continue to be an option for victims of domestic violence in DuPage County. Family Shelter also relies heavily on its volunteers to help us answer hotline calls, provide children’s programs, maintain our facilities, raise funds, advocate for victims and much, much more. To learn more about how you can help, please call 630-221-8290 or visit our website at www.familyshelterservice.org. —————————————————————————————————————– 2009 December

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana

Mission: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place

We thank Monica Woodson, Regional Vice-President, Central Region, for answering our questions: 1. How do your programs help clients improve their lives and make lasting changes? The Girl Scout Leadership Experience encourages girls to take increasing responsibility for designing and implementing their own activities, which results in extensive opportunities for them to see how their actions can impact the lives of others. Girls say a leader is defined not only by the qualities and skills one has, but also by how those qualities and skills are used to make a difference in the world. Age-appropriate activities in Girl Scouting introduce girls to new concepts. Through these activities, caring adults encourage girls to explore a variety of related topics, empower them with the ability to choose the direction they will take to accomplish a goal, and then support them as they put their ideas into action. The experience often illuminates a girl’s personal skills and interests and gives them the confidence to make an impact with their words and actions. 2. How has United Way of the DuPage Area helped your agency fulfill its mission? The support received from United Way of the DuPage area has and continues to allow us to provide age appropriate leadership building programs for girls in DuPage County. This ongoing support offers girls access to Girl Scouting pathways and experiences that include camping, field trips, service projects, and experiential learning opportunities that allow girls to Discover, Connect and Take action in their communities. 3. What’s the most interesting aspect of your job? The uniqueness of my job is what I find most interesting. Serving as Regional Vice President of our Central Region is distinctive in that it allows me to work both as an administrator and “implementer” of strategies designed to strengthen our service to girls and adults involved in Girl Scouts. While the majority of my colleagues utilize their expertise in concentrated areas, such as fund development, membership or retail sales, the Regional Vice Presidents are afforded a great opportunity to manage and oversee several departmental areas within our region. From developing and implementing recruitment strategies with my staff to collaborating with our Product Program team to ensure that girls receive the full experience of our cookie and fall product sales, serving in this capacity allows me to play an integral role in all aspects of our council’s activities. Having been a Girl Scout, I consider it a privilege to be in a position to work with our staff, funders, and other community collaborators in introducing girls to the Girl Scouting experience. 4. What can members of our community looking to GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER do for your agency? One of the great advantages of being associated with the Girl Scouting movement is that it offers opportunities for people to serve in many ways. If a person is interested in making a monetary donation, they can make that donation through our fund development department to support our general operations, camp properties, or a specific program such as our Journey World facility located in downtown Chicago. If advocacy is where the interest lies, Girl Scouting has a strong advocacy movement that works with local, state and national leaders to ensure that the needs of girls and young women are at the forefront of their planning and funding. Since volunteerism is at the core of the Girl Scouting philosophy, there are always opportunities for individuals to donate their time. Serving as a troop leader, assisting in one of our Regional service centers, facilitating girl programs, and helping girls involved in our community engagement programs manage cookie sales are just a few ways in which a person can donate their time. Volunteer opportunities are designed to best utilize the talents of the volunteer and our volunteer services department offers thorough training programs designed to fit the needs of each individual. —————————————————————————————————————– September

Heritage YMCA Group

The Heritage YMCA Group serves the communities of Naperville, Aurora and Oswego. They have over 21,000 members and serve thousands more as community participants in a wide range of programs. Their mission is to enhance the quality of life for families through programs reflecting Christian principles to build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. In all they do, they work to instill the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. The YMCA is not a pool or gym or a camp facility. Their business is about changing people’s lives. Their work is about instilling values in kids today so they will make better decisions tomorrow. Their business is about developing character and leadership skills. And the way they do that is by putting heroes in the lives of kids everyday in every program they offer.

We thank Tom Beerntsen, President/CEO, for answering our questions below. 1. How do your programs help clients improve their lives and make lasting changes? Our vision is to be top of mind when people think about kids and families, to be the recognized expert on healthy lifestyle in spirit, mind and body and to be recognized as the best place to work, volunteer and give. At the YMCA we are working to create a sense of community where kids and families want to spend time together. Our nation faces a health epidemic as obesity approaches a crisis level. The YMCA is a leader in advocating for healthy lifestyles to improve health and reduce stress in a world that is becoming more stressful. The Y works each day to provide a safe place for children where they can have fun with their peers. 2. How has United Way of the DuPage Area helped your agency fulfill its mission? United Way support is invested in two critical programs. The YMCA operates a before and after school care program called Safe ‘n Sound at 39 elementary schools sites in three school districts. This extraordinary program is a partnership with the United Way, our schools and business. Moms and dads can go to work each day knowing that their children are safe and in good care. United Way support helps us honor our promise to never deny Y programs to kids and families because of a lack of financial resources. This year we will provide over $100,000 in financial assistance to families in our Safe ‘n Sound program. In addition, United Way funding helps support our work with the YMCA Naperville Family Resource Center. This special partnership between Scott School in Naperville, the United Way and many individual, civic and business donors focuses on academic improvement, character development and providing positive social experiences. Kids who had been struggling in school are now thriving because donors cared enough to create and maintain this special program. 3. What’s the most interesting aspect of your job? I am privileged to be surrounded by a staff that shows up each day believing that by the end of the day we will have improved the lives of kids and families. The YMCA is in the right place at the right time with the right programs in a world that needs to refocus on a less stressful, healthier lifestyle where kids and families spend more time together. It is exciting to be part of an organization where people are committed to shaping a better tomorrow for our children. 4. What can members of our community looking to GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER do for your agency? We will never turn anyone away from the Y because of an inability to pay the costs of participation. Our annual Strong Kids Campaign, along with Our United Way support, allows up to honor that promise. We also work year round to engage volunteers as coaches, program assistants and board members. Individuals interested in learning more about our YMCA may call me directly at: 630-420-6277 or by visiting our website at: www.heritageymca.org. We are always looking forward to involving good folks who want to help us advocate building strong kids, strong families in strong communities.

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April

World Relief DuPage

World Relief is a not-for-profit agency that works with local churches, hundreds of individuals, and community groups to offer a comprehensive range of services to refugees and immigrants living in DuPage County. Each year World Relief helps more than 7,000 clients, 90% of whom are low income. World Relief focuses on helping clients who, because of language or income barriers, cannot yet be served by other area agencies.

We thank Hayley Meksi, Executive Director of World Relief DuPage, for taking the time to answer some of our questions. 1. How do your programs help clients improve their lives and make lasting changes? Our most intensive service provisions are in Refugee Resettlement. The primary focus of this program is to assist refugees, who have fled war, torture, and persecution, to resettle in the United States with U.S. government approval. Our model of service is to link newly arriving refugees with community volunteers and churches to assist them in the process of adjusting to their new life. Other programs include: • Refugee Services which support refugees in specific ways as they transition to independence in the U.S. • Citizenship and Immigrant Legal Services which help more than 4,000 eligible area residents. Immigration Counseling and Citizenship Outreach and Application Preparation are conducted through World Relief’s Wheaton location as well as in local churches. • Volunteer and Church Mobilization Services which help to link refugee and immigrants served by World Relief to local churches and volunteers to facilitate life changing relationships. • Education Services provided by World Relief which help refugees and immigrants become self sufficient. 2. How has United Way of the DuPage Area helped your agency fulfill its mission? World Relief DuPage is immensely grateful for its partnership with United Way and the resources that it provides to newly arrived refugee and immigrant families. One of the programs supported by United Way is our Youth Services program. The goal of this program is to provide opportunities for refugee students to learn, grow, and thrive in their new communities. Through funding from United Way, we are able to provide 5 after-school clubs to newly arrived refugee students. These clubs represent a beautiful example of how we are able to live out our mission by providing quality services to students and engaging the community to enter into this work with us. 3. What’s the most interesting aspect of your job? The most interesting part is hearing stories of refugees and immigrants being welcomed into and cared for by their new communities. These stories of lives being changed, both of the immigrants and their neighbors in DuPage County, are reflective of the reciprocal relationships that we at World Relief are honored to be a part of. DuPage County is celebrating its 30th year of welcoming refugees – and this is work that originated in local churches. WR has been privileged to come alongside churches and others in the community to help equip them and provide additional much-needed support to our newest residents. 4. What can members of our community looking to GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER do for your agency? Donate Your Resources • Financial: All gifts to World Relief are sincerely appreciated • Used furniture: Each newly-arrived refugee family is provided with a basic home set-up from our warehouse of donated furniture. • Used cars: We accept cars in any condition. Donate Your Voice To receive World Relief’s bi-monthly Advocacy Update which includes ways in which you can advocate for and speak up on behalf of the under-resourced and marginalized, please email Jenny Hwang at jhwang@wr.org. Donate Your Time World Relief provides many one-time and ongoing volunteer opportunities for you to plug in to. To hear more about our opportunities, please contact Jenna Liao at (630) 462-7566 x46 or at jliao@wr.org. —————————————————————————————————————– 2008 December

Access DuPage

Access DuPage is a collaborative effort by thousands of local individuals and hundreds of DuPage County organizations to provide access to medical services to the county’s low income, medically uninsured residents. Access DuPage is supported and sustained by a unique partnership of hospitals, physicians, local government, human service agencies, community funders and community groups working together to address the local impact of a national health care crisis.

Access DuPage Staff

Kara Murphy, Managing Director of Access DuPage (middle row, second from the right in the photo above) was kind of enough to answer some of our questions. 1. How do your programs help clients improve their lives and make lasting changes? The truth is that no one can afford to be uninsured, but the consequences of a lack of healthcare are particularly devastating to our low income neighbors abilities to live and work. For the individuals who meet our guidelines and enroll in Access DuPage, their program enrollment means that they have access to a wide range of health care services. They have access to basic primary care services through a local volunteer provider with whom they can receive ongoing medical treatment. Enrollees also have access to diagnostic services, medication, specialty care, and hospital based services. Medical treatment is provided at a low or no cost basis, with patients paying small copays that represent a fraction of the cost of their treatment. 2. How has United Way of the DuPage Area helped your agency fulfill its mission? United Way funding is vital to Access DuPage’s ability to coordinate health care services for our patients. Current Access DuPage enrollment exceeds 7,500, and more than 10,000 patients will be treated through Access DuPage this year. Each month brings a new record high volume, and in these difficult financial times, it is our wish and commitment to continue to enroll any and all eligible applicants. Our costs per patients are drastically lower than the cost of traditional health insurance ($403.08 per pt in FY 08 vs. $4,479 average cost of employer sponsored individual health insurance in 2007). Nonetheless, every United Way dollar that Access DuPage receives ensures that we are able to continue to provide our patients with the services they need. 3. What’s the most interesting aspect of your job? There are so many parts of my work that I find fascinating. Our patients are incredibly diverse–gracious and typically resilient in the face of challenges that most of us would find unbelievably daunting. Working in healthcare ensures that no day is ever dull, because the human body is such a complex instrument, and medical science continues to amaze me. But mostly I am humbled by the way that our community has embraced Access DuPage and the patients that we serve. Every day I talk to providers and application agents whose efforts make this program possible, and they participate because they believe that their individual efforts have the power to affect real difference in people’s lives. And they are absolutely right. 4. What can members of our community looking to GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER do for your agency?If folks want to get involved in Access DuPage’s mission, we would certainly welcome their support. We recently moved to a new office, and for the first time we have space to accommodate volunteers in our administrative offices. We could really use the assistance. In terms of advocating, I would encourage folks to speak to their personal health care providers about Access DuPage, and encourage them to participate in whatever way they can. And for individuals who may not have medical skills to volunteer, or time to serve directly, please know that even modest donations of funding support are enormously beneficial. Since every dollar of direct funding is matched by ten dollars of donated services, you can also be confident that funds provided to Access DuPage (through United Way Giving) have amplified power to change our patient’s health. Thank you so much for your support!

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October

Bridge Communities

Bridge Communities has been helping homeless families move from homelessness, financial instability and limited employment to financial self-sufficiency and permanent housing since 1988. Homelessness in DuPage County is a hidden epidemic. There are an estimated 48,000 homeless people in DuPage County, the majority of who are children. The average age of a Bridge Communities client is 8 years old. The two-year Bridge Communities Transitional Housing program provides each family with safe and affordable housing, case management, life skills mentoring, transportation, job readiness and training, and after school tutoring in order to achieve lifelong self-sufficiency. All of this is accomplished through partnerships with more than 40 faith-based and community service groups located throughout DuPage County. “Our dream has always been to provide quality, affordable housing for families who want to raise their families in the communities where we have lived and raised our families. Our mission is to create this dream, one family a time.” Co-founders: Mark Milligan and Bob Wahlgren.

Joyce Hothan, Executive Director of Bridge Communities

1. How do your programs help clients improve their lives and make lasting changes? Bridge Communities is a transitional housing program that works. Comprehensive surveys, conducted after completion of our 2-year program, show that Bridge clients develop the knowledge and skills necessary to live self-sufficiently. Our clients are able to maintain permanent, stable housing and employment; they have stabilized or decreased their debt and improved their education level. Our most recent statistics show: -97% of it clients who completed the program were able to maintain permanent, stable housing -91% were able to maintain stable employment -78% have not increased their level of debt since exiting the program -40% received additional job training or education since exiting the program 2. How has United Way of the DuPage Area helped your agency fulfill its mission? Bridge Communities is thankful for the collaboration and resources that United Way of DuPage Area has provided to our organization and in turn to the families we serve. Bridge Communities has always prided ourselves on working uniquely with other community organizations to solve the problem of homelessness and we value the collaborative expectations from the United Way of DuPage Area. Our agency is stronger because of these expectations and efforts. Funding provided by the United Way of DuPage Area has helped provide housing, employment services, tutoring for adults and children, life-skills mentoring, donated automobiles and financial planning for our families. 3. What’s the most interesting aspect of your job? My work as Executive Director of Bridge Communities is motivated by the wonderful transformations that happen with our homeless families each and every day. Once a homeless family is able to have secure housing, the process of rebuilding their lives can happen. I am so privileged to be part of creating a climate of change that can take hold through mentoring, additional training or education, job placement which can then lead to better paying jobs and long term financial security. I also love the partnerships we are able to forge with employers, school districts, faith communities, social service and academic institutions, as well as with The United Way DuPage Area to solve the problem of homelessness – one family at a time. Can you tell I love my job? 4. What can members of our community looking to GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER do to benefit Bridge Communities? There are many ways to help Bridge. You can donate money directly to Bridge through our website at www.bridgecommunities.org. Another great way to support us is through Sleep Out Saturday. You can create your own sleep out group or you can join a group who is sleeping out on November 1st. This is a great event for youth groups and families. Some groups sleep out in backyards or in their cars. There are many other Bridge events during the course of the year, all of which are detailed on the website.

Pictures of Bridge Communities client and mentor working together.

Megan and Mary

Megan, Mary and Jacq