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([email protected])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.”
4 www.almosthomekids.org Fall20145
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
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