Community of Caring 2015

Community of REVIEW

FROM the HEART 12 great stories F O R E S T PA R K

JOURNAL REVIEW W E D N E S D A Y

Farther Foundation Creating worldwide aspirations PAGE 8

Animal Care League Providing compassion to the lost and found PAGE 11

Housing Forward Giving hope to the homeless PAGE 12

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October 21, 2015

Community of Caring

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

I want to make a difference in the world by

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How would you fill in the blank?

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our Community Foundation helps people who want to make a difference individually or collectively.

Individual giving: The Foundation offers many options for individual giving --one-time gifts that help; creating a fund that serves as a resource for children’s services, or the Arts, or Seniors, or some other area you wish to support; or working with you to design a bequest that continues your legacy of giving.

We help groups to make a difference, too. This year two new giving group, Entrepreneur Leaders in Philanthropy and Next Gen Leaders in Philanthropy, will respectively invest in a BIG IDEA that positively transforms Oak Park and River Forest and award professional development mini-grants to emerging nonprofit leaders so they can take their community work to the next level.

• 2015 marks the 20th anniversary of Women Leaders in Philanthropy, and as a group, they make a difference by supporting causes through consensus.

• Even our local high school students are making a difference by participating in the Community Foundation’s Future Philanthropists Program. Last year’s seniors raised over $57,000 for the program’s endowment fund, exceeding their goal. The juniors awarded $25,000 to local youth programs from the same endowment fund.

At the core of every individual decision, whether looking for the best way to make a contribution, choosing where to give now, planning for future giving or giving with a group, individuals are connecting with us at the Community Foundation for help in making a difference.

We want giving locally to increase for all nonprofits serving Oak Park and River Forest. Our Live & Give Survey conducted earlier this year showed that local donors give twice the national average but that only 49% of those dollars are given locally.

So, we have developed a new way to Give Locally during this Season of Giving. Watch for more about the Season of Giving here in the Wednesday Journal, on our website (www.oprfcf.org) and on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/OPRFCF).

Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation ■ 1049 Lake Street, Suite 204 ■ Oak Park, IL 60301 ■ 708-848-1560

Community of Caring

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October 21, 2015

Staff

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley VP/Director of Operations Andrew Johnston Staff Photographer William Camargo Contributing Writer Deb Quantock McCarey Editorial Design Manager Claire Innes Editorial Designers Jacquinete Baldwin, Javier Govea IT and Digital Developer Mike Risher Advertising Production Manager Philip Soell Advertising Design Manager Andrew Mead Advertising Designers Mark Moroney, Debbie Becker Advertising Director Dawn Ferencak Display Advertising Sales Marc Stopeck, Joe Chomiczewski Communications & Marketing Project Manager Alicia Plomin Classified Advertising Sales Maureen O’Boyle Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Distribution Coordinator Shanez Butler Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs ON THE COVER: Quinton Nash, left, shakes a tambourine during a song in the Sunshine Room at the Oak Park-River Forest Day Nursery in 2012. | File

PHOTO COURTESY OF OAK PARK-RIVER FOREST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Sharing is caring We are a community of people who care. We care about our family, neighbors, friends, and even those we don’t know.

At Oaktoberfest on September 19, the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation invited passers-by to write an answer to the prompt, “What Inspires You to Share?”

Watching the faces – especially the youth – ponder the question provided immense inspiration. Several people verbally stated what the facial expressions of others said: “That is a difficult question.” There were many delightful responses, with several expressing a similar sentiment of helping those who are less fortunate.

We have 80 social impact – aka nonprofit – organizations within our community.

All involve people who care about other people, animals and the arts. The follow-

KRISTIN C. VOGEN

ing pages provide a glimpse into several of them. Actively read, question, and ponder each of the organizations. How many have you heard of ? Volunteered for? Given a contribution to? Each provides a space and opportunity to care within our community. Each can help you answer, “What inspires you to share?”

Be inspired. Ignite your passion. Get involved.

Caring for the community,

Kristin Carlson Vogen President & Chief Executive Officer Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation

If you want to help This year we feature the following agencies and groups: Future Philanthropists Program Cluster Tutoring Repair Cafe Farther Foundation Sugar Beet Schoolhouse Hephzibah Oak-Leyden Developmental Services Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry Animal Care League Kidz Express Housing Forward National Alliance for Mental Illness Progress Center for Independent Living IMPACT OPRF Day Nursery Thrive Counseling Center

About our contributor Deb Quantock McCarey is an Illinois Press Association (IPA) award-winning freelance writer who has worked with Wednesday Journal Inc. since 1995, writing features and special sections for all its publications. An avid urban gardener and growing naturalist, she is also a local “green” advocate and community volunteer. As a WJ gardening blogger, Deb is also the host of Deb’s Big Backyard, which runs on oakpark.com and airs on Oak Park public cable, Channel 6.

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October 21, 2015

Community of Caring | Future Philanthropists Program

Teaching teens the business of giving

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Future Philanthropists Program

By DEB QUANTOCK McCAREY

ast September, Alec Seavey, then a junior at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, was chosen to be among an elite cohort of grant makers-in-training who would be eager to award small grants (between $1,000 and $5,000) to several worthy youth-centered nonprofits in the spring.

It was the latest crop of high school-age kids to be accepted into Future Philanthropists (FP), a two-year leadership skills development program for juniors, then seniors in high school.

The program is sponsored by the Community Foundation of Oak Park and River Forest.

Now, in Seavey’s second year, he will learn how to stage and manage a successful capital campaign, one that has a specific financial goal, just as such a project would in the real world, says Mark Sitzman, a volunteer program ALEC SEAVEY mentor, who also sits on the foundation’s board of directors.

Sitzman says the competitive enrichment opportunity is open to juniors attending Oak Park and River Forest High School, Fenwick High School and Trinity High School in River Forest.

Future Philanthropists was conceived and mounted in 2010 by Richard M. King, also a foundation board member.

“Every year, what the kids learn is that when you are grant making, the idea is to only spend five percent of the funds contained within the endowment. The reason for that is to keep the endowment sustainable.

The kids learn the entire grant process, and it is pretty rigorous,” Sitzman says.

In addition to the teens learning the art and science of philanthropy, he says “it has

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Address: Future Philanthropists Program, c/o OPRF Community Foundation, 1049 Lake St., Suite 204, Oak Park 60301

FILE

LEARNING GENEROSITY: Sam Ginn was part of a group of Future Philanthropists who made grant recommendations to the Oak Park Community Foundation last year. an element of social enterprise, where they do some volunteering, as well.”

This year, Kristen Vogen, executive director of the foundation, hopes to raise the bar by asking community members to possibly pitch in, as well.

“We have a goal for the program to be selfsufficient. In order to achieve that goal, we are currently seeking an additional $450,000 from our [base of donors],” she said in a written response.

Meanwhile Seavey, now 17, is readying a launch of the second year student’s fundraising drive, wondering if it will be as difficult to raise money, as it was to give it away.

“Last year, once we started the site visits of the various charities, and started our ‘cage match,’ as it is called, to decide which charities are going to receive the funds, that is when it became very interesting, engaging, and a lot of fun for all of us,” Seavey said.

The effort will culminate in spring, with an awards event, to disseminate grant checks and acknowledge the 2014-15 fundraising initiative staged by the local youth.

“We have our first group graduating from college. What would be exciting would be to have them come back and be the program mentors, and one or two of their kids be

Phone: 708-347-1302 Email: email fpp@oprfcf.org Website: www.oprfcf.org/index.php/futurephilanthropists Leadership contact name: Rick King, program director; Karen Tardy, program coordinator Statement of purpose: The Future Philanthropists Program has four goals: • To instill knowledge and understanding of the important role of philanthropy in the community and in society.

• To give teens a leading role as primary decision makers in the important process of allocating grants to charitable organizations.

• To teach teens the art and science of fundraising in order to plan and implement activities that result in charitable contributions.

• To provide opportunities for teens to express and demonstrate volunteer leadership activities in the community.

How long have you been in existence?

We are just beginning our sixth year.

Ways volunteers can help: We keep a running list of adults in the community willing to volunteer as mentors to the students, a twoyear commitment. participants. Now that would be full circle,” said Joe Smith, a long-time program mentor.

“What Alec and his peers will learn soon is that it is certainly difficult to ask anyone for money, or anything, really. But, when you believe in what you are doing, and your heart and passion is behind it, for them that is what this senior year is. It will be to teach these young men and women about the ‘why’ of embracing a philanthropic life.”

We feel very strongly that giving back matters.

That’s why OakParkApartments.com is a proud supporter of a number of community organizations, events and social service agencies.

Providing our tenants with the highest value in housing and facilities.

OakParkApartments.com

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Community of Caring | Cluster Tutoring

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October 21, 2015

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Creating clusters of kids who achieve in school

By DEB QUANTOCK McCAREY

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he was just seven. That was when Bria Dyer, now a senior at Chicago Bulls College Prep, met Joni Strand, her Cluster Tutoring mentor.

It was 18 years ago when Strand, now 60, first stepped up as a volunteer to tutor the seven-year-old from the West Side of Chicago at Pine Avenue United Church, 1015 N. Pine Ave. Now, with Dyer launched, Strand says she started over again, and with this second student from the Austin community, after spending a decade in her life, Strand expects to tear up as the young woman graduates from high school and moves on to study engineering in college.

“Whenever we did my spelling homework, Joni would make me write the word, read it, and repeat the definition, to make sure I understood words I didn’t know,” said Dyer, whose single working mom, Tamika Rankins, 38, signed her oldest daughter up when she hit a few bumps in first grade.

Cluster Tutoring Complete address: 5460 W. Augusta Blvd., Chicago 60651

STACEY RUPOLO/Contributor

A NEW YEAR: On the first night of tutoring for this school year at Pine Avenue United Church (left to right) Bria Dyer, Nyla Dyer, Joni Strand and Marge Lyon pose for a picture.

“Back then Joni really helped me develop a more accurate way of reading, and understanding what words mean.”

STACEY RUPOLO/Contributor

DO AND REDO: Nyla Dyer, right, does her homework while Marge Lyon, left, reviews her school work at a tutoring session at Cluster Tutoring.

Several years ago is when her younger sister Nyla, now an 11 year old with a big smile and quick wit, was paired with Oak Park senior Marge Lyon. She is a veteran tutor who has an easy laugh and lots of interesting stories to tell related to her worldwide travels.

“Well, my hand writing, when I came in to Cluster Tutoring, it was not the prettiest,” says Nyla Dyer and a student at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Chicago. “But, by working with Marge, I got a lot better at that, and I could still get better with my handwriting,” she smiled, saying how she loves math, but the subject doesn’t usually love her back.

“People I know that volunteer here, want to work with children, understand the need, and know the necessity of having tutors to help kids learn how to read,” said

Lyon, adding that they are working diligently on Dyer’s math aptitude, and seeing improvements.

“I want to do better, and get ahead of what we are doing in class because I want to be ready for the next grade, and I want to be the one who raises their hand when nobody else knows the answer,” Nyla said.

The Dyer sisters’ mom, Tamika Rankins, says that 25 years ago is when her younger sister became one of the first children to receive free tutoring in the program.

“My mom really liked the program, and I always remembered that in my mind,” Rankins said.

Lyon reported that the second tutoring hub at First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake St., was added early on.

“Bria is very articulate, and when we are in public together,

Phone: 773-378-5530 Email: clustertutoring@clustertutoring.org Website: www.clustertutoring.org Leadership contact name: Kara Kalnitz, program manager Statement of purpose: To help students realize their potential through the power of learning in an environment that strengthens the student, the tutor and the community.

How long have you been in existence? 25 years Ways volunteers can help: Volunteer tutors needed on Tuesday or Thursday evening.

Volunteers with strong math skills on Tuesday or Thursday evenings, flexible schedule.

Useful donations other than money: Nature Valley granola bars

she can hold her own, and I am very proud of that. Nyla is growing up, and does have a lot of energy,” Rankins said. “She and Marge are like two old gals having a good time, but they do hunker down and get to work. I want my children to continue on in being successful, and I think their future is very bright, especially with the resources we have accessed through the Cluster Tutoring program.

Cluster Tutoring has broadened my girls’ worlds.”

Oak-Leyden serves more than 600 adults and children each year, from Oak Park, River Forest, Berwyn and Cicero Townships and their surrounding communities.

Our children’s services include Early Intervention up to age three, therapy services for children ages three to five, and Music Together® for newborns through five-year-olds. Our adult services include day and residential programs, vocational services, supported employment services, group homes, and independent living assistance. Contact us for a tour or more information.

www.oak-leyden.org

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411 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park IL 60302

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708-524-1050

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Community of Caring | Repair Cafe

October 21, 2015

Throw it away? No way!

By DEB QUANTOCK McCAREY

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id-morning on the third Saturday of the month, Sue Coppock is learning how to glue together the drawer of her 1920s high boy, a family heirloom with sentimental value.

As a drop-in “customer” of the Repair Café, which is housed in the Senior Citizens’ Center Lifelong Learning Center at 414 S. Oak Park Ave. in Oak Park, the repair and the advice is free. The expertise flows the dozen volunteer electricians, carpenters, jewelers, seamstresses and general fix-it guys and gals, most of them local seniors who say they have been handy their entire lives.

At a long table is Bob Lempera, 71, “working on this clock. The lady brought in new batteries, so I am thinking that is what she thinks is wrong. All it needs is one battery, and it fits right in there,” says Bob. “Last month we spent about an hour on an old floor lamp, and we were successful. It was this old thing, and it would have probably ended up I don’t know FILE where.”

Nearby Paul Oppenheim is letting the glue MEN WITH TOOLS: Mac Robinet, foreground, and Manon Kessy, investigate a strange sound set on Coppock’s dresser drawer. He says, “fixfrom a vacuum cleaner during the first-ever Repair Cafe at the Lifelong Learning Center. ing things is like solving a puzzle.”

Volunteers repaired free of charge everything from a lamp to a chain saw.

“I am here to fix anything that needs fixing,” he said, “and today, there are about six or seven the skill sets needed were things in the world, so this is one way to adof us in here, ready to help solicited and put to work dress that.” out.” Oppenheim is also Across the hall, fixing the broken clasp on fixing broken toasters, a running columnist for lamps, vacuum cleaners, a necklace chain is volunteer Pat Koko sharWednesday Journal. toys, jewelry, as well as ing that “the idea is to encourage the people Conceived as a way to mending and stitching who come here to learn the process, so the help people reduce waste next time they can do it on their own.” clothes. while building community, Ready to pay forward what she has “We can’t guarantee the Repair Cafe concept that you’ll walk out with a learned from Koko, and the seamstresses kicked off in Amsterdam, workable item, as we may fixing a tear in her dress is Toyia Baker, 45, Netherland in 2009. not have the skills or nec- from Oak Park.

It was a New York Times “I understand that this is about more than essary parts on hand. But Bob Lempera article in 2012 that inspired we’ll give it our best shot,” just coming here to get items repaired,” she local co-founders Nancy said. “It is about paying it forward and comBauer says.

Bauer and Mac Robinet Repairing the faulty ing here to build community. I had a clasp for to launch a Repair Café in Oak Park in 2013, wiring on an old hair dryer is Robinet, who a necklace fixed, and they showed me how to Bauer says. took time between tweaks to say that “when do that as well,” she says. “Sometimes you After a few conversations with the SCC we gather together and fix broken things, might think these kinds of repairs are much Lifelong Learning Center and some network- it changes the way we think about what we more complicated than they really are, but it ing and promotional efforts, volunteers with own. We do not have an infinite supply of just takes a few minutes to do it.”

“Last month we spent about an hour on an old floor lamp, and we were successful. It was this old thing, and it would have probably ended up I don’t know where.”

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Repair Cafe Address: Senior Citizens Center 414 S. Oak Park Ave. Oak Park 60304 (Entrance is located by the barber shop) Phone: 708-848-5251 Website: www.repaircafe.org/en/locations/ repair-cafe-oak-park Leadership contact name: Nancy Bauer, co-founder Statement of purpose: Repair Cafés are free meeting places and they’re all about repairing things (together). In the Repair Café, you’ll find tools and materials to help you make any repairs you need to clothes, furniture, electrical appliances, bicycles, crockery, appliances, toys, etc.

You’ll also find expert volunteers with repair skills in all kinds of fields.

How long have you been in existence? The Oak Park location has been around for 3 years, but there are Repair Cafes all over the world. The first one opened in Amsterdam in 2009.

Ways volunteers can help: We often need new, handy volunteers to act as repair experts during the meetings. We are especially looking for people who are handy with: • Clothing/textiles • Electrical appliances • Bicycles • Furniture/wooden objects • People who like to share their skills with neighbors.

Repair Cafés often have room for volunteers who like to act as host or hostess. In this role, you provide everyone with coffee and tea, help new visitors at the reception table and act as a contact for both the repair experts and the visitors in the Repair Café.

Useful donations other than money: Batteries, glues, epoxies and lamp switches are always needed. Also, if you are bringing in broken lamp, it is suggested to also bring a replacement light bulb.

“Music and Me” for 6 month old babies to 4 year olds and their caregivers. $12 for a trial class Parent and Tot, Preschool, and Kindergarden in Spanish programs Call us about our Placement Visits!

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Community of Caring

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Community of Caring | Farther Foundation

October 21, 2015

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Creating a broad pathway to student success

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By DEB QUANTOCK McCAREY

ngelicca Telles is a 22-year-old college graduate who says she has left behind the travails and stigmas of growing up in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood on the southwest side, crediting the change in her to an enrichment opportunity she received in the summer of her junior year in high school.

Now as a past Farther Foundation scholarship recipient, and its first alumni board member, Telles says she understands that the possibilities in her life are limitless.

“I was an exchange Photos courtesy of Farther Foundation student who lived ANGELICCA TELLES with a host family in HOME BUILDERS: Veronica Perez (right) holds a piece of sheet metal that will be used to Thailand, and volun- make a home. teered teaching English to little kids. Occasionally we would go over to the hospital and them towards their highest aspirations,” do outreach,” she said. he said. “It is our aim to provide opportuTelles, a Chicago native, says her travels nities for eager and deserving students to abroad to interact with another culture has travel worldwide and interact with indihelped her realize that “there is probably not viduals who have diverse backgrounds and a murderer waiting for me outside my door. experiences.”

“As much as that As a student at Phoesounds like a basic lesnix Military Academy, son, it is something I with her scholarship believed day in and day this summer Veronica out in growing up in the Perez, 16, did a service community I did. Betrip to South America. cause, living in Little The teenager, who also Village is dangerous, grew up in Little Village, there is a lot of gang viobut now resides in Gage DOWN TO EARTH: Jennifer Baeza holds Park, tears up when she plants that a group of students planted on lence and shooting and articulates how “when a recent trip. stuff,” Telles said. you are in the city, you And, seeing what’s Jennifer Baeza do not get that chance. and meet new people and things, you know nearby from a wider It’s like there are four that there is a whole new, better world out perspective has been the walls that keep you in there for you beyond your neighborhood in point since the non-profit’s inception in 2008, says David Weindling, your neighborhood, and you are stuck in Chicago.”

Weindling adds that “We know that unforfounder of the Oak Park-based Farther it. Having that chance, and coming from a low-income family, you do not have the op- tunately these opportunities are often proFoundation.

“It is our goal to help students break free portunity to get away from the danger,” she hibitively expensive for students from lowerfrom the constraints of poverty and propel said. “When you are able to go to Ecuador, income families, but it is these students who

“There are a lot of stereotypes when you grow up in Little Village. At either 15 or 16, you could get pregnant, or become an alcoholic in high school, or a drug dealer, or especially, a drop out.”

Farther Foundation Address: 223 S. Elmwood Ave., Oak Park 60302 Phone: 708-497-7240 Website: www.fartherfoundation.org Leadership contact name: David Weindling, board president Statement of purpose: Farther Foundation helps students break free from the constraints of socioeconomic isolation and poverty and are propelled toward outstanding academic and personal achievement.

We partner with schools and community organizations to identify students who demonstrate a commitment to success through academic achievement, participation in support programs and a willingness to take a bold step beyond the familiar.

Farther Foundation provides opportunities for deserving students to travel worldwide and participate in programs where they are immersed in new cultures, develop skills, provide community service, cultivate leadership potential and attain personal growth.

potentially have the most to gain.”

Jennifer Baeza, 17, who also attends Phoenix Military Academy in Chicago, still lives in the Little Village neighborhood with her family. The Latina’s scholarship enabled her to participate in an extended outdoor adventure program in Belize that was transformative.

“There are a lot of stereotypes when you grow up in Little Village. At either 15 or 16, you could get pregnant, or become an alcoholic in high school, or a drug dealer, or especially, a drop out,” she said, with her mother lending support beside her. “My parents helped me to avoid all that. But, being able to go abroad to Belize for 19 days has changed my mindset about everything, including my family, my fears, and now I know that in the future I can do almost anything.”

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Community of Caring

October 21, 2015

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Women in Leadership Conference

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4:30pm – 6pm Roundtable Discussions led by prominent female community and business leaders

6pm – 7pm Cocktail Hour hosted by Riveredge Hospital

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Sponsorship opportunities are available and benefits include a vendor table, dedicated e-blast and more! Inquire for details.

Contact Kristen Benford to reserve your seat: (708) 613- 3306 or send your information to kristen@oakpark.com

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Community of Caring | Gardening

October 21, 2015

Gardening for all

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By DEB QUANTOCK McCAREY

n gardening circles, come fall, sinking hands into the soil to pull up the last harvest of beets, carrots and turnips, or pluck pumpkins, plus winter squash from the vine, or in summer pick and eat that first ripe tomato, is the joy of edible gardening.

And, anyone can do it, as gardening is for all.

To that end, in spring, Sugar Beet Schoolhouse created its All Ages, All Abilities Community Garden at the Park District of Oak Park’s Cheney Mansion.

A few blocks west, working the soils in the raised garden beds behind Hephzibah Home are the 26 children, all wards of the state, tending to the nonprofit’s Alex Anderson Memorial Garden, which rePhotos provided emerged in 2014.

Both nonprofits donate all, or a IN THE GARDEN: Cheryl Muñoz (left) and volunteers gather in the garden at Cheney Mansion in Oak Park. portion of their bounty to the Oak Adriana Riano (below) is the nutrition coordinator at the Oak Park and River Forest Food Pantry.

Park and River Forest Food Pantry.

They say it is how their commu- day in this community garden.

“Sugar Beet Schoolhouse came nity of gardeners personally grow, to us, and other organizations like by giving back to a good cause.

“These two groups have been us, wanting to know if we wanted growing lots of fresh vegetables to help contribute to the Oak Park for us, and it is great,” says Adri- Food Pantry by planting a garden,” ana Riano, nutrition coordinator said Marjorie Wynkoop-Sullivan, at the food pantry. “They come and who works at Oak-Leyden Developbring the produce every Wednes- mental Services assessing the abiliday, things like fresh lettuce, Swiss ties of its clients. “We have been chard, kale…just anything. It is involved with the local food pantry in the past, where very, very healthy we’ve had particivegetables for our pants volunteer clients.” there taking stock Growing to give, off of the trucks. giving to grow…

So we wanted to get In its first year, back again. We are here, and making sure that we’re iliary has been fruitful.

Cheryl Muñoz, ex“For our kids, gardening provides very grateful that learning how things grow.” ecutive director a sense of order for them,” Brown Mary Anne Brown, executive diother organizations of the Sugar Beet said.

“They plant something, it berector of Hephzibah Children’s Ashave given to us and Schoolhouse says gins to grow, then they can watch it sociation, says that at Hephzibah we just wanted to her collaborative grow and that is someHome, the 26 children pay it forward.” and communitything they have not had The young adults who live on-site, and building gardening in their lives: A sense of who are now part of in Oak Leyden’s initiative has been structure.

If you do this, their gardening crew, “day program,” a labor of learning you can get these kinds she says, live with are “from all over the and love. of results. So, that is instate of Illinois, and are a wide variety of “Clearly, I cannot Mary Ann Brown credible.” children who need time intellectual and do this on my own, Molly Philosophos, physical disabili- to heal and take care of so I enlisted volunHephzibah’s developties, “which means themselves. teers through the “Most of the kids had ment director, says the support of community partners they don’t learn things as quickly project grew out of her such as Oak Leyden, West Suburban as other people do and they just absolutely no idea that MARY ANN BROWN you would plant a seed participation in the Special Recreation Association, Op- need more assistance maneuvering in the ground and a carOak Park Community portunity Knocks, and we also have through life.

“In our population, of course, ex- rot would grow,” Brown said. “And, Foundation’s Leadership Program. support from Concordia’s Gerontology Center, and through the Oak ercise is something that is definitely they could pick a carrot and take it In collaboration with other adult Park Township Senior Services and important, and when you garden into the kitchen, or even just stand students, it was a class project, and they tapped Seamus Ford of A Root we also have a great lending library you do get exercise,” she said. “But out here and eat it.”

The children being able to tend to Riot Urban Garden Network to add through the library system in Oak it also teaches them where food comes from, too. Taking care of the the garden with the assist of adult a fence and “dig out about a foot and Park,” Muñoz said.

Every Wednesday is volunteer earth, taking care of what we have volunteers from the Oak Park Aux- a half of the dirt that was there, and

“Most of the kids had absolutely no idea that you would plant a seed in the ground and a carrot would grow. And, they could pick a carrot and take it into the kitchen, or even just stand out here and eat it.”

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Sugar Beet Schoolhouse Address: 805 Hayes, Oak Park 60302 Phone: 773-988-6205 Website: sugarbeetschoolhouse.org Leadership contact name: Cheryl Muñoz, executive director Statement of purpose: Sugar Beet Schoolhouse provides fun, practical programming that elevates food literacy and gets people inspired about good food from seed to plate.

How long have you been in existence? 3 years Ways volunteers can help: Volunteers can get involved by helping with our weekly harvest at Cheney Mansion from 9 to 11 a.m. We’ll be harvesting through mid November. In the spring, we will be looking for volunteers to help plant and maintain the garden as well as build new structures and give tours.

There are always opportunities to get involved in our work.

Useful donations other than money: Gardening tools, seeds, plants, cooking equipment and help in our garden.

Hephzibah 708-649-7100 946 North Blvd., Oak Park 60301 www.hephzibahhome.org

Oak-Leyden Developmental Services 708-383-2050 320 Chicago Ave., Oak Park 60302 www.oak-leyden.org

Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry 708-386-1324 848 Lake St., Oak Park 60301 www.oprffoodpantry.org

bring in really good soil. Those two things really allowed us to have a much better garden, than was here in years’ past,” Philosophos said.

In the spring, Munoz says she is planning to grow her programming with more gardening, more community volunteerism and more education for everyone.

“This year we donated over 700 pounds of food to the Oak Park – River Forest Food Pantry,” she says.

“I would like to see the park district really wrap their arms around this project, and consider this as a way of providing recreation -- a different type of recreation to all of our citizens here.”

Community of Caring | Animal Care League

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October 21, 2015

11

ACL keeping lost pets found

By DEB QUANTOCK McCAREY

W

hen three house cats were rescued by Oak Park firefighters during a blaze that broke out in an apartment building on the 300 block of Washington Boulevard in July, a first responder on behalf of the felines was Jason Pounds, the village of Oak Park’s animal control officer and humane investigator. He is always on the case when pets are lost, and need to be found.

During the fire there were no human or feline injuries, and on-thespot one of the cats was reunited with its owner.

The other two cats were also alive, but with no owner in sight, became cats that were missing.

“The two other cats were actually in the unit where most of the fire damage occurred,” said Pounds. “[After the firefighters rescued the cats from the unit], they waved me over, and I was able to put the cats in the back of my van and get in touch with the building management company. They provided me with the owners’ information, and I tracked down the owner of the cats.

But, by then it was late, so I brought the cats down to the Animal Care League (ACL), and advised the owner that the cats were in a real bad fire but they were fine and being cared for.”

Kira Robson, ACL’s executive director, says while adopting out stray dogs and cats is a huge part of her job (she says ACL has a 97 percent success rate in its adoptions), sheltering lost pets until their owners can be found, is also a service they render

Animal Care League

FILE

EASY GIRL: Dr. Mary Eisenlohr examines a skittish Greta in the clinic of the Animal Care League of Oak Park. that that ACL is sheltering their lost animals, too.

I think those West Side neighbors, some of the Berwyn neighbors, Cicero neighbors don’t know to double check here.”

Pounds, who is on duty five days a week, and on call 24/7, says that for him, finding lost pets, then immediately returning them to their owners, or transporting them to ACL to be impounded, is a good portion of his daily routine.

“I will make a plug for why an ID tag [or microchip ID] is so important,” said Robson. “If Officer Pounds picks up a stray, and it has

“If Officer Pounds picks up a stray, and it has an ID tag with an address, he is going to reunite the pet with its owner that day, but if the dog or cat makes it to us, there will be fines and fees, so its better to avoid all that.”

Kira Robson

on behalf of pet owners in the Oak Park area, whose animals often wander in from far away locales.

But, she added that, “it’s the neighbors on the West Side of Chicago, as well as Berwyn and Cicero

an ID tag with an address, he is going to reunite the pet with its owner that day, but if the dog or cat makes it to us, there will be fines and fees, so its better to avoid all that.”

Happily, Pounds says, the two cats have been reunited with their owner, thanks to his partnership with ACL. But, next time, he says, with an ounce of prevention, could come pounds of cure, especially in terms of pre-emptive pet safety.

“If your dog does get out, don’t just start combing the neighborhood, looking for him and screaming and whistling for the dog,” Pounds said. “You need to call Animal Control immediately. All animals picked up by the village,

Complete address: 1011 Garfield, Oak Park 60304 Phone: 708-848-8155 Website: www.animalcareleague.org Leadership contact name: Kira Robson, executive director Statement of purpose: Animal Care League is committed to providing shelter, medical care and comfort to animals in need; reducing animal overpopulation; and acting as a community resource, thus promoting the human/animal bond.

How long have you been in existence? Our tag line is Helping Homeless Animals Since 1973.

Ways volunteers can help: Dog walking, cat socializing, rabbit socializing, offsite events, office help, fundraising, fostering, working at our 2nd Chance Resale Shop, dishes, laundry, and more. Our volunteer orientation is the first step in the process and goes over all of the ways you can get involved. Info is on our website.

Useful donations other than money: Science Diet canned cat food (biggest need), gently used towels, fleece blankets, kitty litter (non-clumping), paper towels, toilet paper and durable dog toys.

whether it be Animal Control, a police officer…anyone, it’s always taken directly to Animal Care League, and they will take it from there to reunite an owner with their lost dog or cat.”

Friday, December 4th • 3-9pm Saturday, December 5th • 9am-3pm

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HOLIDAY ITEMS, PET ITEMS, GIFT BASKETS, BAKERY, JEWELRY, MUSIC & MORE! All your generosity goes right back to support the daily activities of our shelter.

Call 708-848-8155 for more information!

LEARN MORE AT ANIMALCARELEAGUE.ORG

6930 W. Roosevelt Rd., Oak Park Space provided by Community Bank of Oak Park/River Forest

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Community of Caring | Housing Forward

October 21, 2015

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At home and finding a new job

By DEB QUANTOCK McCAREY

ter when he headed to the PADS shelter in Franklin Park and they began opening ver the last decade, Louis O. Dugan, doors for him. a 60-year-old former U.S. Marine, has “Louis is a classic example of why we been intermittently couch surfing work under an approach called Housing and homeless, living on the streets.

First, which means the program is focused At the height of the recent reces- on moving homeless people into indepension he lost his job, then dent and permanent housing eventually everything else. as quickly as possible, then It was then that he reached providing additional supports out to Housing Forward, and and services as needed,” said they reached back. Housing Chelsea Dare, the Open Door Forward is the new name for Housing case manager at West Suburban PADS. Housing Forward. She is now “Oh my God, I was homepart of Dugan’s ongoing reless for three years. First of covery as he moves toward a all, you have an area where more stable life. you hang around in, and mine Even though Dugan is now was Franklin Park, where in a space he describes as a my daughter stayed in,” said beautiful third floor apartDugan. “Then, the first thing ment with eight windows, a Louis Dugan you learn is where all the back door, hardwood floors bathrooms in town are, and in a family-friendly neighnext, where all the clocks borhood, he wants one more are in town, because if you thing in place: a job. do not own a watch, you do not know when “I lost my factory job and I could not find the warming centers, or libraries are open another job, and I am still trying to find a or closed. I just got a cell phone, and it is job. In fact, I am always trying to find a job, a government phone, so I was very lucky to but it has been a little slow going,” he said. get that.”

“I am 60 years old, so not everyone is going Dugan said his first break came last win- to want to run out and hire me.”

O

“I thought it was BS at first, but she was sincere. And when it happened, it was pretty cool, because I know that these people went to all this trouble for me.”

WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff Photographer

AT HOME: Louis Dugan, 60, a Marine veteran poses for a photo in his new home. Housing Forward helped Mr. Dugan get into a home before the winter starts.

Some additional assistance, says Cristy Harris, director of the Prevail program of Housing Forward, could come for Dugan though Housing Forward’s job readiness and counseling programming, which has expanded in scope since the recent merger of Housing Forward and Prevail.

“The level and intensity of services needed by some people is much greater, so we do our best, and Prevail does, as well, to get people the services they need immediately, then making sure their crisis is as short as possible,” said Lynda Schueler, executive director of Housing Forward. She adds that

Housing Forward Complete address: 1851 S. 9th Ave., Maywood, IL 60153

The Oak Park Residence Corporation markets over 500 apartments in 23 distinctive buildings through-out beautiful Oak Park, Illinois.

Our updated vintage style living offers modern amentities while retaining classic Oak Park architectural features. w w w. o a k p a r k r c . c o m

21 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Ilinois 60302

Phone: 708-338-1724 or 888-338-1744 (toll free) Website: www.housingforward.org Leadership contact name: Lynda Schueler, executive director Statement of purpose: The mission of Housing Forward is to transition people from housing crisis to housing stability.

How long have you been in existence?

24 years Ways volunteers can help: In the PADS Shelter, Employment Readiness and Emergency Assistance programs. Check out all our volunteer opportunities at www.housingforward.org/ get-involved

the non-profit’s combined Emergency Assistance and Job Readiness programming will maintain the Prevail name as programs of Housing Forward, and will continue to operate out of First United Church of Oak Park.

“Oh yeah, my life is better now that I have a house,” Dugan said. “I almost gave up before I got the apartment, but Chelsea stopped me. She said, ‘Louis, I think we have a place for you.’ I thought it was BS at first, but she was sincere. And when it happened, it was pretty cool because I know that these people went to all this trouble for me.”

To volunteer, call: Michelle Ptack, volunteer & outreach coordinator 708-338-1724 x304 Useful donations other than money: Toiletry items such as travel-size bottles of lotion, sunscreen, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, Q-tips, double-edged razors, foot powder, toothbrushes and toothpaste, dental floss and ear plugs. Clothing like rain gear (e.g. ponchos), belts, new socks, new underwear (men’s, including boxers, and women’s larger sizes), white T-shirts (large and extra-large), sweatshirts, sneakers (new or gently used). Please make sure all used clothing is clean. Cleaning Supplies like window cleaner, soft scrub, bathroom cleaner, non-bleach floor cleaner (e.g. Pinesol, Lysol), bleach and rags. Office Supplies/Equipment-USB flash drives, white or color 8.5-by-11” paper, pens, paper clips, AA and AAA batteries. Other - CTA transportation passes, backpacks (adult size), water bottles, Target/Walmart gift certificates, Aldi’s/Jewel/ Dominick’s gift certificates and a painter’s easel.

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Community of Caring | National Alliamce for Mental Illness

October 21, 2015

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Ending the silence around mental illness in teens

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By DEB QUANTOCK McCAREY

uicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. And, among teens and adults who live with mood disorder, it is 100 percent preventable.

That was one of the messages conveyed to a rotation of teacher Jenny Harrington’s health classes at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School in Oak Park during the presentation of “Ending the Silence” in September.

The 50-minute video, with a testimonial and Q &A component, was led by volunteers Megan Harkins and Pooja Nagpal, both National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Metro Suburban Advocates.

Individually, each young woman shared her personal journey with mental illness, with the aim being to raise the middle schoolers’ awareness around the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), panic attacks and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), depression and bi-polar disorder, as well as schizophrenia.

“We know that one in five kids will experience the onset of a mental health condition, but only 20 percent of them will actually get help,” said Harkins, who told the students that she is living with an anxiety disorder, while pursuing a degree, then a career in law. “Helping middle school and high school kids understand the issues of mental illness makes a big difference because if we can teach them about the warning signs, we can help them learn how to help themselves and their friends.”

Harkins added NAMI’s stats indicate that 50 percent of students, ages 14-plus, who are living with an undiagnosed mental health condition, rarely seek help to manage it.

Their hope, she said, is to change that.

“Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds, so through this presentation, we are trying to share a message of empathy and hope because there are ways you can go to get help,” Harkins told the 14

WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff Photographer

MOVEMENT: Pooka Nagpal from NAMI has students Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School stretch before telling her story about the mental illness she struggles with everyday. students in Harrington’s end-of-the-day health class.

Nagpal, 29, who was diagnosed as having ADD and Major Depressive Disorder in her early 20s, said, “Unfortunately, there are a lot of tragic situations where people end up taking their own lives because they do not reach out for help [because] they are still afraid to talk about it out loud. Teenagers need to know what mental illness is all about, and

most of whom are enwhen I share my pertering 9th grade. sonal story, it makes “I hope what the me feel better, and it kids will take away makes them feel betis that it is OK if you ter, so it is a win-win suffer from some situation.” mental illness and As a NAMI Advotake a medication, cate, Nagpal specuor go see a counsellates she has carried or. We want them to that message of hope understand that the and healing to over Megan Harkins norm now is to go 1,000 students at loand get help from me, cal public and private or another trusted schools.

Harrington says she counts on the annual adult,” Harrington said. “With this NAMI presentation, as its message lines up with program, we can reach out and catch those her curriculum, in her classes at Gwendolyn kids, and we need that safety net. I can’t say Brooks, and OPRF summer school students, it enough.”

“Helping middle school and high school kids understand the issues of mental illness makes a big difference because if we can teach them about the warning signs, we can help them learn how to help themselves and their friends.”

National Alliance for Mental Illness Address: 816-818 Harrison St. Oak Park 60304

WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff Photographer

STRAIGHT TALK: Megan Harkins from NAMI addresses Jennifer Harrington’s class at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School in Oak Park about mental illness and the stigma of the disease.

Phone: 708-784-4085 Website: namimetsub.org Leadership contact name: Kimberly Knake executive director Statement of purpose: Improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness by providing education, support and advocacy

How long have you been in existence? 27 years Ways volunteers can help: Volunteers can help with a wide range of activities including leading groups, becoming trained teachers, voice instructors for our music groups, office support and special events.

Useful donations other than money: Small gift cards for our drop-in center participants to use for groceries, toiletries, etc. Musical equipment for music therapy groups, new laptops/ computers for our employment program.

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October 21, 2015

Community of Caring | Progress Center for Independent Living

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Don’t ‘dis’ their ability to work

By DEB QUANTOCK McCAREY

readiness experience.”

On board so far, and helping ara Capetillo is working full Progress Center get to that end time expanding the right to game is John Conversa, direcwork for people living with tor of manufacturing at Ferrara disabilities, including herPan Candy Company. He was self. among the first business people Capetillo has a condition to become members of Capetillo’s known as Arthrogryposis Multinewly formed Community Partplex Congenita and because of it nership. depends on a wheelchair and venIt is a grass roots initiative tilator to live and work. that began in the form of a comEven so, with her abilities she munity brainstorming breakfast has earned two graduate degrees, and is now blossoming into a and is now the seemingly tiremovement, thanks to the buy-in less and charismatic Bilingual of a growing coalition within Employment the Forest Park Advocate at The Chamber of Progress Center Commerce. for Independent “Sara and her Living’s Forest people are develPark location. oping a database She oversees its of qualified canjob-readiness didates, and our and internship hope is that it programming. will be ready to “Right now, distribute to area what we have is business owners an internship by early Novemwhere people ber. So afterward come here. But, Horacio Esparza we can say hey, my idea is to utiif you are looklize the business ing for these skill owners in Forsets, we have est Park to help our candidates get other skills them here,” Conversa said. “Disthat are not necessarily office abilities come in all shapes and sizes, and there certainly would skills,” Capetillo said. “Some of our consumers want to launch a be a person who may not be a job search, and we are not set up good fit in a manufacturing ento be a job placement service, so, vironment. But in other cases, if these people can get a shot at there would be opportunities to an internship with a local manu- work at our company, and there facturer, for example, they can are possibly jobs to be filled in acbe evaluated by an actual on-site counting and IT. I could certainly see that being a fit.” person who knows the gist of Joel Foster, a member of the what is needed to hold a job in that industry, and as an intern, Forest Park chamber, has become that is a huge part of the job- a champion of the work the Prog-

S

Progress Center for Independent Living Address: 7521 W. Madison St., Forest Park 60130 Satellite office at Moraine Valley Community College; 12940 S. Western Ave. (3rd floor), Blue Island 60406 Phone: 708-209-1500 Website: www.progresscil.org Leadership contact name: Horacio Esparza, executive director Statement of purpose: Progress Center serves all the suburbs in the Cook County area.

Progress Center is operated by and for people with disabilities.

Our mission is to provide people with disabilities the tools they need to become independent.

How long have you been in existence? 27 years Useful donations other than money: Medical equipment and any other medical accessories.

“We have been working very hard with people with disabilities, and we do have people with disabilities who are ready to work. We now need the employers to get on board.”

Courtesy of Progress Center for Independent Living

Horacio Esparza, executive director at the Progress Center for Independent Living. ress Center is doing. He is also the Community Partnership liaison to the Forest Park chamber.

“Our goal with the Community Partnership is to build a sustainable model that can be used here, as well as taken by the Progress

Center to expand their employment efforts with people with disabilities in nearby communities,” says Foster.

Horacio Esparza, the center’s executive di rector, adds that “We are celebrating 25 years of hav-

ing the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), but I think we have more not to celebrate because still, over 60 to 70 percent of people living with a disability do not have a job, and are still living in poverty. We have been working very hard with people with disabilities, and we do have people with disabilities who are ready to work. We now need the employers to get on board.”

Community of Caring | IMPACT

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

October 21, 2015

Making an IMPACT on underage substance abuse

IMPACT

(Note: family names have been changed for reasons of privacy)

A

By DEB QUANTOCK McCAREY

s Jean stood at the door of her River Forest home listening as a police officer told her that her son, Will, had been taken to RUSH Oak Park Hospital with alcohol poisoning, she was scared, and knew she and her husband Vincent had a long night ahead of them.

Earlier that afternoon, Will, a junior at Oak Park and River Forest High School, had been found passed out in the bathroom of a local McDonald’s.

Everything from that point on, she said, is a blur.

However, what happened next, she said, could have been a lot worse, if they, as parents, had not made an effort to attend the inaugural IMPACT (Parents and Community Together) Parent Café at Unity Temple in 2010.

It was the year her son Will entered his teenage years, and at the high school, she had no idea what to expect, especially when it came to peer pressure and underage drinking.

“Luckily, someone at the McDonald’s called the police, and when we got to the hospital, it was not a stomach pump anymore, but rather they were running saline through his system,” she said.

When they knew their oldest son was OK, was when their parental detective work began.

Vincent says he started by phoning Will’s friends parents, the boys he knew were with his son during the drinking binge. He wanted to make sure those teens were safe, and at home.

That night, he was given the cold shoulder, feeling the parents “had circled the wagons,” he said.

The next day, Vincent uncovered Will’s cell phone in a pile of leaves. That is when clarity came, as well as confessions.

“We learned everything, because kids are re-

Courtesy of IMP.A.C.T.

GATHERING UP: Parents cafe meet to share ideas and concerns about their teens at an IMPACT Parent Café. ally bad at covering their tracks,” Vincent said.

“They were getting a ‘handle,’ which is slang for a bottle of liquor that is large enough (roughly a half gallon) that there is a handle built into it.”

The texts also revealed where the underage teens had purchased the liquor.

The only silver lining, Jean said, came when “we had all those families over to go over what happened that day, a couple of nights after it happened, and that particular strategy was one of the ideas at a Teen Café.”

Ron Orzel, board president of IMPACT, said this “is an example of why IMPACT is trying to encourage as many parents as possible to attend at least one Parent Café, which occur regularly

at public sites in Oak Park and River Forest.

“We know that everyone at the high school is not drinking or doing marijuana, and, there are also a lot of parents out there who are not OK with this behavior, but they just do not talk about it,” says Orzel. “That is the aim of IMPACT’S Parent Cafe’s, to get those parents networking with each other.”

For Jean and Vincent, it was a wake up call.

Vincent says, “For some of these kids, the issue of alcohol in high school is going to be there sooner or later, and as parents, you have to give your kids some strategies. It is too hard for a kid who wants to be accepted to be alone.”

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Address: IMPACT Office River Forest Township 8020 Madison St. River Forest 60305 Phone: 708- 771-6159 Email: impactoprf@gmail.com Website: impactoprf.org Leadership contact name: Ron Orzel, board president; Dr. Bakahia Madison, program director Statement of purpose: IMPACT (Parents And Community Together to Reduce Youth Drug and Alcohol Use) is a grassroots organization committed to making the community aware of the realities of youth drug and alcohol use and to reducing that use by collaborating with those in the community who have influence over our youth.

How long have you been in existence? Since 2010 Ways volunteers can help: We need volunteers to assist at IMPACT functions, such as Parent Cafés or school events. We are also looking for people with communication and social media skills to assist with our website, Facebook and publicity to attend public meetings when topics are relevant to IMPACT, and to serve on committees. For those interested in a leadership position, there is room on the board of directors.

Useful donations other than money: Supplies, gift cards and food for events are always helpful, but when people are willing to share their skills or experiences they can make a huge impact.

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October 21, 2015

Community of Caring | OPRF Day Nursery

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

ABC’s of getting kids ready for kindergarten

P

By DEB QUANTOCK McCAREY

re-K teacher Marian Moore-Rounds says that for the pre-schoolers she leads, her “Maple Room” at the Oak Park and River Forest Day Nursery is their final frontier to kindergarten, and by year’s end, each and every child will be kindergarten-ready.

At least that is the aspiration she has for the mostly four year olds who are learning, laughing and living in the Day Nursery’s family-focused school community.

“I think of kindergarten-readiness as a two-fold thing,” said Moore-Rounds. “In addition to their cognitive development, being ready for kindergarten is also about developing social-emotional skills, which means we are making sure the children know how to share, negotiate, follow direction, and be able to self regulate by exhibiting control over their behaviors.”

Ethan Colchamiro’s daughter is a proud member of Ms. Marian’s graduating class of 2015.

“When my daughter started at the Day Nursery three-and-one-half-years ago, she was shy, but she was also very active, and the teachers were able to channel that,” he said, adding that his child has “always had an interest in words and reading, and at the Day Nursery they cultivated that,” and by the time she left she was reading at a third grade level.

“It was amazing,” said the Oak Park dad.

Complementing her in-class approach to early education, Moore-Rounds says she makes an effort to meet the children wherever their interests are.

She calls the experiential learning, studies of the world at large.

OPRF Day Nursery Address: 1139 Randolph St., Oak Park 60302 Phone: 708-383-8211 Website: www.oprfdaynursery.org Leadership contact name: Cari Christoff, executive director Statement of purpose: To provide highquality early childhood care and education for working families in the community.

How long have you been in existence?

Since 1912.

Ways volunteers can help: Classroom or administrative support, board of directors, working standing committees, or an event planning committee.

Useful donations other than money: Gift cards or small amounts of children’s clothing in sizes 2-6.

FILE

LEARNING DIRT: Emerson Garcia, left, Camila Winter and Oliver Tesch, pat down composted manure in the new raised-bed garden at the Day Nursery of Oak Park and River Forest in 2013.

“In spring we had one child whose grandparent was working on a construction site as a project manager at Lake Street and Forest Avenue in Oak Park. So, he came into the classroom to read books about the topic, and showed them blue prints, so they could draw their own blue prints, then build something based on it,” said Moore-Rounds, adding that “Geez, we even found a very old blueprint of the Day Nursery. That was fun.”

Spending hours at an active construction site in Downtown Oak Park was a chance to wear little hard hats.

“The site manager explained everything about the construction tools they were using to build the structure and a little bit of the building process,” Moore-Rounds recalled. “The kids were really interested in the busyness of the construction site. There were a lot of people and a lot of machines.”

Kate Gantzer-Hayes recalls how for her oldest son “writing was a huge thing they worked on with my son [and strengthening of social skills]…really, in an instructive and patient way,” adding that she recently enrolled her youngest boy because “one of the things that I love about living in Oak Park is that we have people from all kinds of socio-economic backgrounds, ethnic and religious backgrounds, and the thing I like about the Day Nursery, is that when I walk

FILE

RHYTHM: Quinton Nash, left, shakes a tambourine during a song in the Sunshine Room at the Oak Park-River Forest Day Nursery in 2012. into that door I see all that reflected by the students who are there.”

Executive director Cari Christoff said that the 77 children, age 3½ to 5 years old, who matriculate through her program are

all “learning how to be part of a larger group and a family. Being accepting of all of its members. Now that is really an important skill all of us need to learn in life,” she said.

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Community of Caring

October 21, 2015

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Community of Caring | Thrive Counseling Center

October 21, 2015

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Starting a new revolution

By DEB QUANTOCK McCAREY

to me. It was in that moment of crisis that I had my Dad drop me hen Revolution Ma- off at a shelter in Oak Park.” cInnes, 49, describes That’s when MacInnes began how over five years his journey back, supported by time he went from be- Housing Forward’s wrap-around ing homeless to co- emergency services for homefounding his nonprofit, Become, less individuals, including group the story reads like a script for a therapy sessions.

Hollywood movie.

It was through those therapeuIt opens on a tragic note, builds tic sessions that MacInnes says interest in the plot line with a he became involved with Thrive, social media-inspired twist, and eventually qualifying as a parwinds down with a happy end- ticipant in its West Cook Housing, thanks to the therapeutic ing Initiative Program (WCHIP), and housing support he received and began re-booting his life from Thrive Counseling Center with access to a psychiatrist who in Oak Park. diagnosed him as “My ex-wife having Bipolar used to tell me I Disorder. was depressed, beIn addition cause I would be to being able to depressed weeks take residence at a time, but I did in a WCHIP-held not know it,” he apartment in Oak said. “I was an artPark, he received a ist, and a photogrange of case manrapher, and pretty agement services. successful. So, if “After Rev’s I was depressed for mental health staRevolution MacInnes two weeks, I would bilized, he said look at it as I am he had a vision just waiting for the and he was going good part to come, to start his own when I would jump into the ma- nonprofit. And now he has done nia, and finish my work.” that,” said Calvin Berg, his SupFive years ago, at age 44, the portive Housing Case Manager mental illness revved up and ev- referring to MacInnes’s nonprofit erything MacInnes knew and venture, Become. loved fell away.

His Hollywood story arc ar“In late summer of 2010, di- rived in the form of using Twitter vorced, I moved in with my par- at Starbucks. ents in Oswego,” said MacInnes.

“My ex-wife, through a won“I became homeless on Dec. 26 in derful gift, allowed me to keep 2010. On that Christmas day I had this smartphone and use it while reached the point of ‘I don’t care I was homeless,” he said. “So, about anything anymore’ and I in the mornings, I would stay in did not really care what happened Starbucks between 7 and 9 a.m.,

W

Thrive Counseling Center Address: 120 South Marion St., Oak Park 60302 Phone: 708-383-7500 Website: www.thrivecc.org Leadership contact name: Nina Allen, LCSW, president/CEO Our mission: The mission of Thrive Counseling Center is to build healthy minds, families, and communities by empowering people to attain mental and emotional well-being. Hope, resilience, and recovery form the heart of our programs and services.

How long have you been in existence? 118 years Volunteers can help: Special events, Economy Shop Useful donations other than money: Donations to the Economy Shop

“I am bipolar, and I have to deal with it. But to live with it, what I first needed to do was admit that I needed that help.”

WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff Photographer

A NEW MAN: Revolution MacInnes poses for a portrait in Oak Park. because I still had a Starbucks gold card, and with it could stay there and be warm, safe and dry,” he said. “It allowed me to utilize Twitter, too, and in very small

ways, help the lives of other homeless people.”

He credits the trifecta of Starbucks, Twitter and Thrive as being “crucial for my survival and

eventually helped end my homelessness.

“Being bipolar is still an issue for me, because I do not work in any traditional way,” he says.

“Every day is a new time for me to figure out a workaround for whatever the issue of the day might be for me,” he said. “I am bipolar, and I have to deal with it. But to live with it, what I first needed to do was admit that I needed that help.”

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