www.almosthomekids.org Fall20141

McKenziestoletheheartsofeveryoneshemetfromthemomentshecametoAlmostHomeKidsfortransitionalcarein2010.HerbirthfamilywasunabletoaccommodatehercomplexmedicalneedssoAHKstaffworkedwiththeStateandotheragenciestohelptoidentifyandtrainanappropriatefosterfamilyforMcKenzie.DuringherstaywithusMcKenziewasknownforherbubblyandsunnypersonalityandbrightblueeyes,andshedevelopeduniquegamestoplaywitheachofhercaregivers.

LayenieAnderson,AHKDirectorofCaseManagement,fondlyrecallsthedaysheknewthattherightfamilyforMcKenziehadbeenfound.“FromthemomenttheylaideyesonMcKenzie,RebekahandJeffactedasifshewastheir’s.Therewasnodoubtintheirmindsthatshewastheirdaughter”.AHKstaffhelpedeverystepoftheway,andtheywerethrilledtofinallytakeherhomeoncetheirstatelicensurewascompleted.

WiththeextensivetrainingthatMcKenzie’snewfamilyreceivedatAHK,theywereabletoconfidentlybringMcKenziehome.Shethrivedinhernewhomeenvironment,completewithdogs,catsandchickens!WhenMcKenziedidneedtogotothehospital,theirlocalhospitalstaffinsouthernIllinoisremarkedthattheyhadnevermetafamilysoontopoftheirchild’scomplexmedicalneeds!

ThispastMayitbecameofficial:McKenzie’sadoptionwasfinalized!TheycouldnothavebeenhappiertomakeMcKenzieanofficialmemberofthefamily.Thefamilyrecentlywelcomedanewlittlegirlintotheirhomewhoalsoisinthefostercaresystem,andMcKenzieisnowabigsister.ThisJunethefamilywasintheNapervilleareaandtheymadeaspecialtriptoAlmostHomeKidstorevisitwhereitallbegan.ThestaffwhomhadgrownsoclosetoMcKenziewhileshewasherewerethrilledtoseehowwellshewasdevelopingandwesawseveralglimmersofrecognitioninMcKenzie’sshiningeyes.

WecouldnotbehappierfortheentirefamilyandareveryproudoftheroleweplayedincreatingaforeverfamilyforMcKenzie.

A Forever Family Begins at Almost Home Kids

HomeNewsFall 2014

IN THIS ISSUE

CoverStory 1McKenzie – A Forever Family Begins at Almost Home Kids

OurSupporters 2Corporate Spotlight: Magellan Corp Planned Giving: Stock Gifts Medical Education Program: Amicus Foundation & The Coleman Foundation

OurEvents 4Share the Care Ball Summer Soiree Golf Marathon Upcoming Events New Ways to Give – Giving Tuesday

OurCommunity 6 Volunteers of the Quarter Volunteer Highlight Our Needs: Wish List – Holidays

McKenzie with her dad

2 www.almosthomekids.org Fall20143

Our Supporters

WiththeamazingsupportoftheAmicusFoundationandtheColemanFoundation,AHKhasestablishedanewprogram:TheKeithVeselik,M.D.MedicalEducationProgram.TheprogramisnamedinhonorofDr.Veselik’sdedicationasafoundingmemberofAlmostHomeKids.

Duetoadvancesinmedicineandtechnology,childrenwithspecialhealthcareneedsarelivinglongerliveswhichisgoodnews.However,thismeansthatmorechildrenwillneedhealthcareoutsideofthehospital(astheymovetohome),andthereforetheneedfordoctorswhoarecompetentintheircareisgrowing.Thecurrentrealityisthatmostdoctorswillcompletetheirentire7-10yearsoftrainingandneverlearndirectlyhowtocareforachildascomplexasthechildrencaredforatAHKintheoutpatientsetting.

Withover12,400childreninthestateofIllinoisidentifiedashavingchroniccomplexmedicalconditions,theneedforcommunitybasedhealthcarefacilitiesisincreasing.Whendoctorsaresurveyed,theyreportthattheyfeelunderpreparedtocareforchildrenwithmedicalcomplexitiesintheoutpatientsetting.AHKhasfoundthatmanyofitsfamiliesreportfrequentdifficultieswithobtainingprimarycarephysicians,bothinfindinganydoctorwhowillaccepttheirchildrenandinreceivingcoordinatedgoodcareoncetheyhavebeenacceptedintoapractice.Thisisespeciallytrueforprimarycarephysicians.AHK’sMedicalEducationProgramtargetsmedicallearners,residents,fellowsandpracticingdoctorsinthecommunity.Thisprogramimprovesthelivesofhigh-riskchildrenwithdisabilitiesbothnowandinthefuturebytrainingcurrentandfuturephysiciansaboutthemedicalcomplexitiesandsocialrealitiesofthisuniquepopulation.

TheMedicalEducationProgramhasbothdidacticandexperientialcomponentsandafull-timeMedicalEducationCoordinatorthatfocusesonprogramdevelopmentandinter-organizationalcoordination.AHK’sgoalistoimprovethequalityoflifeforitschildrenandfamilieswhichmeansthatAHKwillnotonlyhavetoofferexcellentclinicalcare,butalsowillneedtoplayaroleinbettertrainingthemedicalcommunityinknowledge,skillsandattitudesthatwillallowthemtocompetentlyservethisimportantandvulnerablepopulation.

Peter J. Smith, on rounds with Palliative Care Fellow and Heaven

Planned GivingIfyounormallygivecashattheendoftheyear,transferstockinsteadandgiveyourselftheaddedbenefitofcapitalgainstaxsavings.

Whetheritsmilkorfrozenfood,almosteverythingwebuyinthegrocerystoreisstampedwith“bestby”or“useby”datestoletusknowwhenit’sbesttousethem.Shouldn’totherpartsofourliveshavereminderdatesonthem?Whataboutyourstocks?Howlonghavetheybeeninyourportfolio“shelf”?Ifyourstockshavebeenhandingaroundyouraccount’sshelfforawhile,considertransferringthemtoourorganizationbeforetheendoftheyear.Youwillreceiveanincometaxdeductionthatwillhelploweryour2014taxbill.Youwon’tpaycapitalgainsonthetransfer,andyouwillhelpusendtheyearwithagiftwecanuseequaltothefullvalueofthestock.

Wehavesimpletransferinstructionsavailableonourwebsitethatcanhelpyoumakeyourstockgift.ContactRaeannOlsen-Jackson(rjackson@almosthomekids.orgor312.282.7081)tolearnmoreabouthowyoucanendtheyearwithtaxsavingsandthegreatfeelingthatcomeswhenyouknowyouhavehelpedothers.©CrescendoInteractive,Inc.

“Forover30years,I’vesupportedvariouscharitiesviatheUnitedWayinmyworkplace.Forthelast3years,I’vegivenstocktoAlmostHomeKidsatyear-end.IavoidcapitalgainstaxesbutmoreimportantlyIsupportthemissionofcaringforchildrenwithspecialhealthcareneeds.”

In2014,AHKmetanamazinglygenerouscompany:MagellanCorporation.YouhavelikelyseentheirfamiliarlogoasyouwatchtheBulls,Blackhawks,Bears,Fire,WhiteSoxorCubsgames.MagellanCorpisaglobaldistributorofspecialtysteelproductsandasubsidiaryofcargoshipmanagementconglomerateSeatradeTransportInternationalInc.,whichownsandoperatesdrybulkcargoshipsaswellasmarineterminals.Magellanoperatesstrictlyinthebusiness-to-businessarenawithsteelconsumerslocatedthroughoutNorthAmerica.Magellan’sheavyfocusonsportssponsorshipsisintendedtoincreasetheirvisibilityoverseas.

BobArthur,Magellanpresident,willproudlytellyouthatthecompanydonatesabout10%ofitsprofitstocharity.MagellanemployeeshaveaplaceintheirheartsforchildrenwithspecialhealthcareneedsandtheyarequicktosupportavarietyofcausesthroughoutChicago.AlmostHomeKidsispleasedtocountMagellanamongstitscircleoffriends.ThisyearMagellanistheplatinumsponsorfortheSharetheCareBallandhasalsodonatedauniqueexperienceatanupcomingChicagoBlackhawksgame.

Corporate Spotlight: Magellan Corp

AHK launches Medical Education Program

Bob Latchford and his daughter Cassidy

“No other program exists to teach the outpatient management of this type of complex child out in the real world, where most physicians will practice,” says Peter J. Smith, M.D., Medical Director at AHK Chicago. “This educational program will greatly support AHK’s advocacy goals for children with medical complexities and their families.”

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Upcoming Events

March 2015Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle

April 24, 2015 Naperville Gala – Esplanade Lakes

June 5, 2015 Golf Marathon Challenge

Our Events

Needsomepracticeonyourgolfswing?WorkonyourshortgameANDsupporttheamazingchildrenatAHKatthesametime…it’sawin-win!TheAlmostHomeKidsGolfMarathonChallengeisauniquewaytoraisefundsandawarenessforourChicagoandNapervillehomes.Toparticipate,allyouneedisapassionforourcauseandadesiretogetfriends,familiesandassociatesinvolvedinsupportingourcommunity’smostvulnerablechildrenandfamilies.

OurpastGolfMarathonshaveraisedmorethan$200,000forAlmostHomeKids.Weaskthateachgolfercommittoplaying100holesandraising$2,500onlineviaourFriendsAskingFriendswebsite.Whetheryou’reapro,anovice,orevenifyou’vebarelyheldagolfclub,theGolfMarathoncaterstoalllevelsandisarelaxed,funwaytogivebackwhilespendinganafternoononthegolfcourse.RegistrationisFREE,youjustneedtoencourageyourfriendsandfamilytosupportourcause!

TheDetails:

Date:Friday,June5,2015

Time:12:00PM:BoxedLunchessponsoredbyShanahan’sFood&Spirits12:30PM:ShotgunStart5:00–5:30PM:Golfingends5:30PM:BarbecueDinnerandAwards

Place:ZigfieldTroyPar3GolfCourse(1535W.75thSt,Darien,IL60561)

Interested?Emailelarsen@almosthomekids.orgorcall630.786.1763andwe’llmakesureyou’reincludedincorrespondenceandkick-offeventsfortheMarathon!

Share the Care BallOnOctober24,2014,TheDrakeHotelonceagainsetthesceneforaneveningofeleganceandfestivityinsupportofAHKChicago.PresentedbyMagellanCorporation,ASeaTradecompany,andflawlesslyexecutedbyJuliaChappellandCommittee,ourthirdannualSharetheCareBallfeaturedanexcitingsilentandliveauctionanddancingtotheincomparableKenArlenorchestra.Thetruespiritofthenightwascapturedinthewordsofourhonorees:KarenAtwood(BlueCrossBlueShieldofIL),JoeMonahan(MonahanLawGroup)andStateRepresentativeGregHarris(13thDistrict),andCarolynJohnson,AHKParentandProgramCommitteeChair,whopassionatelydescribedtheimpactAHKhashadonherfamilyandthecommunity.Eachoneofthe350guestsinattendanceleftknowingthattheirsupportofAHKmakesatremendousdifferenceinthelivesofchildrenwithchronicmedicalcomplexitiesandtheirfamilies.

Summer SoiréeThispastJune,thefabulousLakeshaRosehostedoursecondannualSummerSoiréeaboardtheColumbiaYachtClub.Despitealowlyingfogthatcoveredmuchoftheview,themorethan200attendeesreallyenjoyedthefun,foodandfestivityincludingaspectacularraffleandwinegrab.TheSoiréecommitteeonceagainleftnostoneunturnedandensuredamemorableandenjoyableeveningonLakeMichiganforaveryimportantcause.

2014 Share the Care Ball Event Committee: MaryBeth Smith, Theresa Danko, Suzi Bramson, Helen Brown, Carley Sorentino, Rosemary Jones, Julia Chappell Event Chair, Bill Neustadt, AHK Chairman, Lakesha Rose, Whitney Gillespie, Ken Ludwig, Sarah Tromans, Judith McLean, Jen Horsley

2014 Share the Care Ball: Bill Neustadt AHK Chairman, Joe Monahan, Karen Atwood, State Representative Greg Harris and Debbie Grisko, AHK President & Executive Director

2014 Summer Soirée Event Committee: Karin Prangley, Jen Horsley, Sarah Tromans, Susan Schwartz, Carley Sorentino, Lakesha Rose Event Chair, Julia Chappell

2014 AHK Chicago & Naperville Golf Marathon Teams

Golf Marathon

New Ways to Give

#GivingTuesdayisamovementthathasinspiredanationaldayofphilanthropicgivingtokickofftheholidayseason.FallingontheTuesdayafterconsumer-focused“BlackFriday”and“CyberMonday,”the3rdannual#GivingTuesdaywillbeonDecember2,2014.Pleasedon’tmissthisopportunitytoparticipateinoneofourfavoriteeventsoftheyear!Thisyear,TheColemanFoundationwillbematchinggifts–dollarfordollar–forcontributionsmadeorreceivedonDecember2ndonly.Ifyouwanttodoubletheimpactofyouryear-endgift,pleasevisitourwebsiteonDecember2nd.

almosthomekids.kintera.org/GivingTuesday2014

6 www.almosthomekids.org Fall20147

Hehasevenhelpedusoutwithoccasionalyardwork!Thenurseslookforwardtohisfriendlypersonalityeverytimehecomes!

BothMelissaandJosephhaveaspecialkindheartednessforthechildrenandweareveryfortunatetohavethemonourNapervilleVolunteerteamandlookforwardtoalongrelationship!

Volunteer,Carol Steinfeld,wasrecognizedasourVolunteeroftheQuarterfromourChicagoteamofvolunteersbecauseofherenthusiasmandcompassiontowardseverysingleoneofourchildren.WerelyonhundredsofvolunteersonanannualbasisastheyareanintegralpartofthedailyfunctioningofAHKbyprovidingabetterqualityoflifeforthechildrenweserve.Wecouldn’tdoitwithoutvolunteerslikeCarolwhoconsistentlyvolunteersatourChicagolocationandenrichesthelivesofthechildreneverydaysheisthere-whichisusuallytwiceaweek!

AHKisdelightedtoacknowledgethesethreevolunteersandweknoweveryvolunteerbringsauniquecontributiontoAlmostHomeKidsandwearethankfulforeveryoneofthemforhelpingus‘SharetheCare’.

Our Community

AHKisfortunatetohavemanywonderfulvolunteersatbothlocationsandsometimesitishardtochoosejustoneVolunteeroftheQuarterforeachsite.Thisquarter,CommunityOutreachCoordinatorLisaSnowhasdecidedtonominatetwoofourcollege-agevolunteersfortheNapervilleawardbecausebothdonatedsomanyhourstovolunteeringwithourchildrenoverthesummer.

Melissa KtenaschosetovolunteeratAlmostHomeKidsasapartoftheCollegeofDuPageServiceLearningProgramandweareveryhappyshedid!Herdedicationtothechildrenhasbeenremarkable;sometimescomingasoftenas4daysaweekifherschoolandworkscheduleallowed.Atonepoint,Ikiddedhernotto‘burnherselfout’andherreplywas“Thesechildrenaretheonesthatkeepmehumble”.Melissanotonlyvolunteerswiththechildren,butsheisalwayswillingtohelpoutwitheventssuchasRibFestandactivelyrecruitsadditionalvolunteersforourhome.

OurotherNapervillevolunteerselectedisJoseph Espositowhojustcan’tseemtogetenoughofourchildrenandvolunteeredforalmost100hoursjustoverthesummer.Heissmilingeverytimehecomesandisalwaysflexiblewithwhateverthenursesaskhimtodowhilevolunteering.Hisattitudeisremarkable.

Volunteer Highlight WeareexcitedtohighlightvolunteerBethany KeownwhohasbeenapartoftheAlmostHomeKidsfamilyforfouryearsandhadpassionatelycontributedtoourmissioninverybigway.Ourbehindthescenesvolunteersaresoimportanttooursuccessinmakingadifferenceinthelivesofthechildrenandfamiliesweserve.Bethany’sconnectiontoAHKstartedfouryearsagowhenshecontactedLisaSnow,CommunityOutreachCoordinator,toletusknowthatherfamilywantedtochooseAlmostHomeKidstobethebeneficiaryofgiftsforthechildreninlieuofher2olderchildrenreceivingbirthdaypresents.Thatyear,Bethanyandherfamilybroughtover$600worthofgames,sensorytoys,movies&booksforourchildrenandtheyhavecontinuedthattraditioneveryyearsince.BethanyandherhusbandBradbelieveitisimportanttoinstillintheyoungmindsoftheirchildrenhowimportanttheideaofgivingbackis.Eachyearherchildrenmakethetriptodropoffthegiftswithbigsmilesontheirfacesastheyaresohappytosharetheirgiftswithourchildren.

Bethany’sgivingspiritdidnotendwithdonatingbirthdaygifts,asshequicklybecameinvolvedwithourfundraisingeffortsandin2012sharedintheefforts

Babywipesunscentedorforsensitiveskin(weuseabout1,000boxesannually)

Johnson&JohnsonBabyLotion&BabyWash

�Diapers(sizes2,3,4,and5.NoPull-Ups)

�iLEXSkinProtectantPaste�Destin

Children’s Supplies Wish List: (items�must�be�new�please)

PaperTowels(30-40rollsareusedmonthly)

GiftCardsinanyamounttohelppurchasesupplies(Sam’sClub,Target,Walmart,Walgreens,OfficeMax&HomeDepot)

�Laundrydetergent–‘AllUltraFreeClearliquid’brand

�K-CupCoffeepacks(forclinicalstaff,familymembers&guests)

�Gladrectangle8Cups/64ozcontainerswithlids)

�RubbermaidStorageBins(18gallon,forstorageofclothes,blankets,etc.)

�BoxesofKleenex(30-40boxesareusedeachmonth)

�ColorfulFittedCribSheets�SolidColorfittedtwinsheets

andpillowcasesBathtowels(large)andwashclothsHandSanitizer(travelsize&12oz)Gloves(sizesmediumandlarge;mustbevinyl;freeoflatexandpowder;approximately5,500pairsareusedeachmonth)

House Supplies Wish List:

Bethany Keown and her family

Joseph Esposito with Evon Carol SteinfeldMelissa Ktenas with Ruth

ofcoordinatingtheSilentAuctionitemsforourNapervilleGala.Thenextyear,sheofferedtoChairtheentireeventandformedavolunteercommitteeof14friendstoassistherandtheresultswerefantastic!WearefortunatethatBethanyhascontinuedtoChairthepastthreeGala’sandherexpertiseandattentiontodetailhastrulybenefitedAlmostHomeKids!ThesuccessoftheNapervillegalasisadirectresultofBethany’stalentanddedication.BethanyisalsoamemberoftheResourceDevelopmentCommitteeandcontinuestonetworkonourbehalfandbringsinnewdonorstosupportus.

InarecentconversationwithBethany,shesaidtoLisa“Ifeelveryblessedwithmy3healthychildrenandfeeltheneedtogiveback.WhenIfoundAlmostHomeKids,itfeltliketheperfectfit.IwenttotheNapervillehome,metthechildren,metthestaffandtheyhadmyheart.EverytimeIgoandvisit,itfeelssogoodtoknowthatIhavehelped,evenifjustinalittleway,tomakethelivesalittlebetterforthechildren.”WeoftensaythatvolunteersaretheheartofourorganizationandweareveryfortunatethatBethanyhasaheartbigenoughtoincludeAlmostHomeKids.

PaperclipsFilefolders(1/3cut)�Pens�Post-itnotes�FirstClassPostageStamps

Office Supplies Wish List:

32”TV/DVDcomboswithswivelarmforbedrooms

HamiltonBuhlRollingFlatPanelTVStand;hold37”-55”PanelTV

�UpdatedAHKlogoflagfortheflagpoleinNaperville�

AHK General Wish List:

Volunteers of the Quarter

�Babybottles(non-breakable)�PhilipsAventSoothiePacifiers�WristrattlesandFoot/Anklerattles�CribMobilesMusicaltoysthathangoncribsNightlighttoys(Glowworm,etc.)ReceivingblanketsChildren’sDVD’s(G&PGrating)High-backedadjustableHighChairs

Affiliated�with

7South721Route53Naperville,IL60540

Board of Directors

BillNeustadt,Chair JoshPrangley,Vice Chair RonBlaustein JuliaChappellTheresaDankoDeborahA.GriskoMichaelHoffmanMathewMullarkeyPaulaNobleLakeshaRoseChristopherSchenkenbergMichelleStephensonCommittee Members

DanAultPaulBogdanskiJenCluneCatherineCorbinAdamD’AugusteAmyEgelstonMarleneFrankeJosetteGoldbergKimHylaCarolynJohnsonAnnKarchBethanyKeownMartyKoehlerRyanMurphyBillRogersLynnRogersTomRothSusanSchwartzBrianStrattaMaritaSullivanSarahTromansShawnTyrell

Our mission at Almost Home Kids is to provide transitional care in a home-like setting to children with complicated health needs, training for their families and respite care.

“Like”usonFacebookfordailyAlmostHomeKidsupdates!

Key Staff

DeborahA.Grisko,RN,President and Executive Director

Administrative:DorothyGieren,Director of FinanceRaeannOlsen-Jackson,Director of DevelopmentJudithMcLean,Director of Marketing & CommunicationsGailLinhart,Director of OperationsLisaSnow,Community Outreach CoordinatorLizaLarsen,Coordinator of Special Events and Strategic Development

Clinical: PeterJ.Smith,MD,MA,AHK Chicago, Medical Director FrancinePearce,MD,AHK Naperville, Medical DirectorCathleenShanahan,RN,MS,MBA,NE-BC Administrator of Nursing ServicesLayenieAnderson,RN,Director of Case Management

Writers, Editors and Key Contributors: LizaLarsen,RaeannOlsen-Jackson,JudithMcLean,andLisaSnow

Contactusat630.271.9155orvisitourwebsiteatwww.AlmostHomeKids.org