Fall Newsletter | October 2019

Strengthening Families

Supporting Therapy Outcomes: How Social Work & Counseling Can Help

The start of a new school year brings anticipation and excitement. But for some children, feelings of anxiety or low self-esteem may take their place. Big routine changes can be particularly stressful children with developmental delays and disabilities, and that stress can impact the whole family. With the school year in full swing, it’s important to recognize if a child is still struggling. The Family Services program at Easterseals provides social work and behavioral supports that can help even before a child reaches school age.

Our licensed social workers and a behavior specialist complete a comprehensive assessment to pinpoint the support a child needs to succeed at home, school and in other environments. They work with the entire family to identify each child’s unique strengths and challenges and then tailor a treatment plan to meet those needs. They teach and transfer the skills and strategies to empower parents to enact behavioral change at home.

Social work and counseling services can address:

Behavior issues · Anxiety · Low Self-Esteem · Sibling Conflict · Panic Attacks

Transition Planning · Grief · Parental Separation · Self Advocacy

Stress Management · Social Skills · Problem Solving · School Challenges

Our social work and counseling services help families tackle a wide range of issues. Our staff understands the complex and unique set of challenges that may come from raising a child with a disability, and how a diagnosis can impact a family. Social work, counseling services and behavior therapy helps children and their families learn and grow together.

Social work and behavior therapy have proven particularly effective for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD.

The CDC states that many behaviors tied to ADHD can be addressed through counseling and behavior therapy. They recommend parents and children (under age six) try behavior therapy first before introducing medication.

For children over the age of six with ADHD, behavior therapy is a strong complement to other interventions that curb inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Contact us at socialservices@eastersealsdfvr.org

"The things you’ve taught him and worked on have made him a stronger child."

- Mother of a child with anxiety

100 Reasons to Cheer on the Bears!The Chicago Bears named Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley one of 10 Community All-Pro partner organizations in honor of the team’s 100th season. Selected from more than 500 applications, this honor included a $100,000 grant which was presented at the Bears’ August 29th pre-season game. President & CEO, Theresa Forthofer, and client, Charlie Krupka, served as Honorary Captains and assisted with the pre-game coin toss.

The $100,000 grant will help fund a new accessible playground that will be an integral part of our therapy services and inclusive child care center. We are very grateful to the Chicago Bears for helping children of all abilities learn and explore through play.

830 S. Addison AvenueVilla Park, IL 60181

Services

Call 630.282.2022 for evaluations or to schedule

an appointment.

Donate

Call 630.261.6240 or visit eastersealsdfvr.org/donate

Volunteer

Call 630.282.2030 for individual, corporate and

group opportunities

Villa Park | Naperville | Elgin 630.620.4433 | 630.357.9699 | 847.742.3264

eastersealsdfvr.org

info@eastersealsdfvr.org

� � � � �@eastersealsdfvr

eastersealsdfvr.org

Emma, Age 3Featured photo of the 20th Annual Photography Exhibition in partnership with the College of DuPage Photography Department.View the gallery at eastersealsdfvr.org/photo.

Upcoming Events

Trunk or TreatOctober 24, 2019Easterseals, Villa Park

Santa PartyDecember 1, 2019Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard

Giving TuesdayDecember 3, 2019eastersealsdfvr.org

Associate Board SocialJanuary 21, 2019Lagunitas Chicago Taproom

12th Annual R-Game for Chair-ityFebruary 2019Seigle’s Cabinet Center, Elgin

41st Annual Benefit GalaMarch 21, 2020Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago

eastersealsdfvr.org/events

To register or for more information, contact Jen Price at jprice@eastersealsfvr.org

Cycling for a CauseOn September 8, the 4th Annual Bike for the Kids sponsors, donors, fundraisers and participants raised more than $16,000 to support services at Easterseals! And, an additional $7,000+ was raised to purchase adapted bikes for kids! Cyclists rode distances ranging from 12 – 100 miles and spectators cheered children of all abilities in the Kid’s Ride.

Photos © Rich Howe Photography

Photos © Allison Klein

Sue Diver, MSW, LSW · Yvonne D. Anderson, LCSW, CADC, MISA II Jessica Schultz, MA, LCPC, Behavior Specialist

Social Work and Couseling Team

Dick and Annette Day get the first look at the therapy room they named in honor of their daughter, Mary Jo.

The Associate Board celebrated at their 4th Annual Signature Event, Uncorked, on September 21 in Chicago.

HERE’S HOW:

Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley Associate Board

Catie AlvitiVictoria AndrosCaroline Brown

Ellen CorlettSara Connor

Grace EisenbergJoe Gardner

Molly GardnerMatt GaughanDavid LennieDavid Merry

Lyndsey MorfordDerek OniskJoe Quick

Elsa RemakRyan SchuringLuke Skertich

Meredith Wolff

Growing HomeA core group of donors were recognized for their generous contributions to the Growing Home Campaign at a reception earlier this month. Therapy room names were unveiled in their honor, marking their lasting commitment to children andfamilies at Easterseals.

Their gifts, and others, made it possible to purchase the therapy wing of our Villa Park building, securing our future and ensuring our services are available for many years to come.

Room names honor the generous leadership gifts of:

Jim & Jane Miller, Lisa & Fred Barbara, James & Pam Crouthamel, Carmen & Ray Boroughf, Cairy & Thomas Brown, Exelon Generation, Topfer Family Foundation, Anonymous, Brian and Jeanie Claire, Gerald A. and Karen A. Kolschowsky Foundation, The Richard Day Family, Dr. Vivek Mohan & Soundarya Chandran, Bob & Teri Jank, John & Beth Jostrand, The T. Naccarato Family

Young Professionals Making an ImpactMeet the Associate Board

In 2011, a core group of volunteers were launching their careers and looking for opportunities to blend their professional development with their personal connection to Easterseals. They became the founding members of the Associate Board – a group of young professionals who raise awareness and funds for Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley.

Since then, this group of young leaders has become a crucial part of the organization’s fundraising and service efforts. The board is made up of young professionals (ages 21 – 35) with a range of professional experience. The board was established by Lily Garden alumni, therapy graduates and client siblings, but soon grew to include other young philanthropists. They represent a range of industries including finance, healthcare, education, insurance and marketing. But the common thread is their commitment to the children and families at Easterseals.

Their annual events fund the family-friendly post party at the Run for the Kids as well as the Summer Siblings Program that provides crafts, games and activities to brothers and sisters of therapy clients throughout the summer. Additional money raised provides fee assistance for uninsured and underinsured families, and most recently the group contributed toward the adaptive renovation of the Lily Garden playground.

For Associate Board chair, David Lennie, the group has helped him develop new skills, network with new people and have fun. He is proud of the example the board is setting for other millennials who feel empowered to make a difference, and he’s motivated by the people he’s met at Easterseals.

“Everyone I have met has a sense of pride and compassion for their work that is

contagious. It is something that always amazes me and makes me proud of my

role on the Associate Board.”

- David Lennie, Associate Board Chair

For more information about

Associate Board membership and events visit

eastersealsdfvr.org/associateboard.

Help us by rallying behind this global day of giving and raise

$115,000 in 24 hoursto provide the therapies children need

Each year our families, volunteers, Board of Directors, staff and donors come together to spread the word about Easterseals on Giving Tuesday. The results have been staggering! Every dollar raised directly supports our therapy programs and the children who need them.

We have a BIG goal for 2019 that will make a BIG impact, but we need your help!

The Lechner Family has embraced Giving Tuesday as an opportunity to share the impact of Easterseals and motivate others to give. They’ve signed on as Giving Tuesday champions and are building on last year’s success by engaging their employers, setting up an online fundraiser and empowering their six-year-old daughter, Evie, to be a messenger for Easterseals. Kim says,

“We were thrilled to see first time donors contribute on Giving Tuesday and we

were also so grateful for the donors who have supported our fundraising efforts

in the past. Easterseals works hard to develop corporate partnerships who help

match donations. This added another element of excitement because we knew

that our dollars would go twice as far to support kids and families.”

Kick off the holiday giving season on Tuesday, December 3 along with individuals, communities and organizations worldwide.

Sign on now to

pledge your support

and add your voice

as a Giving Tuesday

champion.

Share Your StoryEvie Lechner works hard in physical therapy to increase her stability, strength and balance. This year, her biggest transformations came from being able to confidently ride a scooter and safely navigate the playground at school. It’s an experience she’s proud to share. The Lechners plan to use Giving Tuesday as a platform to celebrate Evie’s success and motivate others to support Easterseals. Share in your own words why Easterseals is important to you, and encourage your friends and family to make a gift on Giving Tuesday.

Make a Match

Introduce your employer to Easterseals and you could help double donations on Giving Tuesday!

Last year, corporate partners pledged matching donations that helped drive more than $100,000 in contributions on Giving Tuesday. Ask about your company’s charitable initiatives and identify opportunities to team up with Easterseals. Businesses can provide a donation match, host an event, volunteer or fundraise as a team.

Spread the Word

It’s quick and easy to get the word out about Giving Tuesday through email, Facebook and other social media channels. Gifts made our website and Facebook on December 3 will all count toward our Giving Tuesday total. Use posts, photos and hashtags throughout the day to show your network how you’re participating in this global day of giving. #GivingTuesday

Contact Kelly at kmoreland@eastersealsdfvr.org to learn more, pledge your support and request a Giving Tuesday fundraiser toolkit.

Mark Your Calendar

Thanksgiving

GIVE THANKS

Black Friday

SHOP

Shop Local Saturday

SHOP

Cyber Monday

SHOP

Tuesday, December 3

Giving TuesdayGIVE!

Join the Lechner Family on Giving Tuesday

Be a part of the largest single day of giving at Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley!

Photo © Molly Gardner Media

Photo © Rich Howe Photography

Photos left to right © Helena Joergenrud, Ohee Tahrim, Petra Ford