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Around the CircleSummer 2012
A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FROM COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, INC.
MAKE A DONATION ONLINE ATwww.communitysupportservices.org/
donate.html
A Message from the President... Our Spring Newsletter is filled with CSS successes as a result of our dedicated Board of Directors, funders and staff partnering with over 700 individuals and families we serve – yes 700 and growing! During this stressful financial environment we are seeing the need now more than ever to deliver high quality services to the intellectual/developmental disability population in our 57 communities. CSS pride stems from the desire to meet the needs of I/DD individuals and their entire family as well.
Our expansive and most requested service is Respite, which by the dictionary definition is a temporary relief. Over 500 of our individuals and families receive Respite, or some form of in-home care, by a trained person who comes into their homes and provides short term care in the least restrictive environment. What this means is that families can receive some “relief” during the week so that they can continue to be the best care giver possible for their loved one. Our Respite services are individualized to meet their requested needs. As you can imagine, our employees form exceptional bonds with many of the families we serve. This is why for the past several years during the State budget process CSS staff together with our families advocates so strongly to keep Respite in budget. Cuts in this service would be devastating to the people we serve. Our Respite service keeps families together, in their community and in their home! For most families that have a member with an I/DD, thoughts about the future and worrying about options can be a constant reminder that the time will come for reliance on others. CSS has, and will continue to support the individual and family through their various stages in life. Families can be assured that the CSS mission and quality of innovative supports stay in place. Please continue to support CSS to ensure a sound future of providing services to the communities we serve.
continued on the next page...
Diane Farina White President and CEO
“Beat the Odds” Casino Night Recap Our April 13th fundraiser was aptly named “Beat the Odds” as it underscored our efforts to continue to serve our mission during the past year. Once again over 300 guests came together at Bella Banquet Hall in Countryside to celebrate and support CSS. Everyone enjoyed the music, delicious food, playing the games, bidding on great silent and live auction items -- all to add their financial support for the continuation of the CSS programs and services. The commitment to beating the odds spirit helped us to raise more than $10,000 over last year’s event.
WINE TASTING BENEFIT
Join us Thursday, June 7th for a Wine Tasting to
benefit CSS.
Visit our website for more information.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers needed for
the Brookfield 5K, please contact Anna Marie
MacDonald at
708-354-4547 x112 to volunteer.
MAKE A DONATION ONLINE ATwww.communitysupportservices.org/
donate.html
Around the CircleSummer 2012
A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FROM COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, INC.
BROOKFIELD 5K TO BENEFIT CSS
Visit insantiyrun.com to sign up for the run on
Saturday, June 23.
“Beat the Odds” Casino Night Recap cont... Our April 13th fundraiser was aptly named “Beat the Odds” as it underscored our efforts to continue to serve our mission during the past year. Once again over 300 guests came together at Bella Banquet Hall in Countryside to celebrate and support CSS. Everyone enjoyed the music, delicious food, playing the games, bidding on great silent and live auction items -- all to add their financial support for the continuation of the CSS programs and services. The commitment to beating the odds spirit helped us to raise more than $10,000 over last year’s event. The emcee, Orion Samuelson, entertained the audience with stories and humor. Countryside Mayor, Ed Kreminski, congratulated CSS on it’s over 30 years of success, the Brookfield Zoo mascot, BZ Bear, even made a special appearance, and now two lucky families will be enjoying very special behind the scenes tours at the Zoo this summer. Special guest Cathy Bedard and her daughter, shared their stories of hope and triumph having been associated with CSS for many years. The Bedard Family is a courageous, loving family which has opened up their home to children with developmental disabilities. The other highlight of the evening again this year was viewing the inspiring paintings made by the participants in the CSS Art Program. Many of the guests also made donations to CSS by pledging monetary contributions to support the continuation of our art program, which we could not continue without additional support. Thank you to everyone that came out to support CSS and to all the volunteers who made the event so successful. The volunteers served on the Event Committee, assembled the VIP gift bags, set up the awesome table displays, volunteered as dealers and Bingo callers, generously donated auction items, managed the cash cube, sold drawing tickets, and assisted with all the other behind the scene tasks. Our generous donors have our deepest gratitude as they continue to bridge the gap caused by State funding deficits while families’ needs continue to require our support.
GET IN TOUCH Community Support Services 9021 Ogden Avenue Brookfield, IL 60513 Ph: 708.354.4547 Fax: 708.354.7412 www.communitysupportservices.org
www.facebook.com/pages/Community-Support- Services/90774419624
Around the CircleSummer 2012
A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FROM COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, INC.
Thanks to the Sponsors of the “Beat the Odds” Casino Night
Around the CircleSummer 2012
A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FROM COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, INC.
“Beat the Odds” Casino Night Photos
Emcee, Orion Samuelson BTO cake, donated by Pastry So Tasty Alexandra Bedard
Group at black jack table Diane Farina White, Kaye Masters, Cathy Bedard
Paul, HD, and Mayra Volunteers, April and Kristen
Around the CircleSummer 2012
A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FROM COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, INC.
ReelAbilities Chicago Disabilities Film Festival The ReelAbilities Chicago Disabilities Film Festival (April 25th-29th) was a huge success. During the five day festival, just over 2,800 people attend the various venues- Lake Theater, Pilgrim Church, MOMENTA and FitzGerald’s, Oak Park Middle Schools, Julian Middle School and Roosevelt Middle School. The films were accompanied by discussions, live performance band, art gallery works by people with disabilities. MOMENTA dance troop performance at Oak Park Academy of Movement and Dance followed the film Among Giants. Actor and musician Chris Burke and Band performed Saturday night, and participated in the panel discussion.
Mr. Burke has Down syndrome and is best known for the four years he spent playing Charles “Corky” Thatcher on the hit ABC-TV show Life Goes On and his reoccurring role as Taylor, the angel of faith, on the hit CBS-TV show Touched By An Angel. On Sunday, The Arts of Life Band rocked the audience at FitzGerald. Their collaborative project between artists with and without disabilities in the Chicago area brought down the house after viewing the award-winning documentaries Crooked Beauty and Shooting Beauty.
ABC journalist, Karen Meyers interviewed various Film Festival artists, which aired on ABC Sunday April 22nd. Follow this link to view the news package: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/disability_issues&id=8630754 CSS would like to thank our partners Aspire, Oak-Leyden Developmental Services, Seguin and the sponsors for making the film festival such a successful we attended event! Now we need to start planning next year’s film festival!
Participants at the Karen Meyers interview
Chris Burke Band and the Oak Park
Mental Health Board employees
Chris Burke entertaining the audience Lake Theater, RA 4-25-2012 Participants painting, RA 009
Around the CircleSummer 2012
A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FROM COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, INC.
The LaGrange Business Associations’ Hour Town LaGrange: Time Well Spent When strolling thru downtown LaGrange this summer, don’t worry about the time, as you will find 60 beautifully painted six foot tall grandfather clocks throughout the business district. The La Grange Business Association’s Annual Summer Sidewalk Art Exhibition is back again following up last year’s “Rockin’ LaGrange” with another great theme. Beginning in June, the fully functional clocks will be on display with the theme -- Hour Town LaGrange: Time Well Spent. CSS very talented volunteer artist, Elaine Pagels, painted a beautiful design entitled, ‘Our Time to Shine.’ Last year Elaine worked with our participants painting a dog motif which sold for the highest sale price at the auction. New this year will be a special Scavenger Hunt to find hidden designs on the clocks with participants being entered into a drawing for $100 LaGrange shopping spree. These beautiful clocks would be an awesome addition to any garden or home. The auction event will be held on September 7th at the Village Hall. Once again the proceeds from our clock will benefit CSS programs.
Self-Advocacy Classes CSS is proud to introduce the self-advocacy group!! Self-advocacy refers to an individual’s ability to effectively communicate, convey, negotiate or assert his or her own interests, desires, needs, and rights. It involves making informed decisions and taking responsibility for ones decisions. “Many of the participants wanted to start an Advocacy Group. This is one more way to show that CSS is committed to the values we hold true,” said Dorelia Rivera/Director of Advocacy & Community Engagement for CSS, “It is always important to remember that an advocacy organization’s primary emphasis needs to be serving the clients each day. What better way to serve them than to hear what they have to say?”
The Advocacy Groups first session was fabulous as 19 participants attended the first meeting to hear guest speaker Tia Nelis, a nationally known and well-respected self-advocate. “Self- advocacy is being proactive, instead of reactive”, said Nelis. Self-advocacy is also about understanding strengths and needs, identifying your personal goals, knowing your legal rights and responsibilities, and communicating these to others. The group’s motto is “Nothing About Us, Without Us!” The Advocacy group’s next meeting is to define objective. Look for more to come from the Advocacy Group!
Around the CircleSummer 2012
A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FROM COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, INC.
CSS staff and families continue to travel to the state capitol in Springfield to engage with our legislators in support of funding for CSS programs:
CSS Staff with Rep Acevedo
CSS Staff with Representative FordCSS Staff with Representative Zalewski
Around the CircleSummer 2012
A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FROM COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, INC.
The Story of a Donated Oven... Recipients of last year’s Secret Santa are still benefitting from the generosity from CSS donors. EJ’s family received a gently used oven last year from some secret donors. “She was very appreciative since they have been without a stove for a year and had trouble finding even a used one they could afford. She wanted to thank everyone involved,” said Lori Williams, Autism Coordinator. This sentiment remains with us all throughout the year -- Thank you… … for giving of your treasures and time at our various events. … for giving your talent on committees that work to keep us solvent. … for designating CSS In Memoriam to honor the loss of a loved one. … for the gift of your friendship that allows you to engage your friends in support of CSS. So please remember that even though weeks and months may have passed since gifts were given in the holiday spirit, our participants are still grateful to everyone that
had chosen to embrace our families along with theirs. Every time EJ bakes cookies or makes a meal for her family, she is silently saying, ‘Thank you!’
Meet Our New Trainer The Chicago Canine Club is thrilled to announce a new partnership with dog trainer Jennifer Hack. Jennifer is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Behavior Specialist with an educational background in Clinical Psychology. Her style of training recognizes that in order to train a dog, you have to see things through the dog’s eyes. Jennifer makes a conscious effort to get dogs involved and participate actively in training with a balanced system that includes rewards, marker training and relationship. Jennifer also encourages owners to tap into their pets motivations and channel their drives. For more information on training and Chicago Canine Club services, visit our website at www.chicagocanineclub.com
