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Vol. 12 No. 1 September 2007 Accreditation with Distinction from the Council (1997-2006) A Publication of Resources for Community Living
For over 13 years RCL has been working to make the dream of independent living a reality for adults with disabilities. For many, this means leaving their family home and moving into their own apartment, often with a roommate. Some of our participants choose to live alone and still others make their dream of homeownership a reality. This year RCL takes a page from our participants' struggle for increasing independence by taking steps to purchase our own home. The RCL board recognized the opportunity of a buyer's market, the State Treasurer's Opportunity Illinois Community Development Loan Program, the conversion of our current office space to business condominiums, the tax savings as a nonprofit and our need for more space. Thanks to the efforts of many, and particularly of Liana Mirea, RCL Board Member and Commercial Real Estate Agent/ Broker, RCL was able to purchase our current office (Suite K) and the office next to it (Suite J). The advantages are many: we do not have to find and move to another rental space; we have doubled our office space; we have insured ourselves storage/design space for our various fundraisers; RCL now truly has a “home” of our own … all with a very modest increase to what we currently pay in rent! This is an exciting time in the history of RCL as we “put down roots” in the community. And we are inviting you and the Rolling Meadows Community to celebrate with us on September 27 , when we host an Open House . Your support of RCL has made the purchase of office space possible despite decreasing government funding. I want to thank you for your increasing volunteer and financial support of our fundraising events. I also want to thank our families who participated in making 2006-07 Family Participation Program (FPP) a success. I cannot stress strongly enough how vital family support is to our agency, particularly the many volunteer hours contributed to our social and fundraising programs. There is absolutely no way this agency could operate without family and community support. It is my hope that our increased office space will further facilitate the activities of our volunteers and families. Lastly, we must sadly announce our part-time support worker Angelique Grady has left us to focus on graduate school full-time. As a result, we have an employment opportunity for someone interested in our 20-25 hours a week support worker position. This position provides direct support services as well as some administrative support to the executive director. I would like to hire someone with a passion for our mission, Microsoft Office experience and good writing skills. The hours are flexible, the work rewarding and the salary is 10-12 dollars an hour depending on experience. If you are interested please contact me. Sincerely, You can also visit us and leave your thoughts and comments at or e-mail us at rescoliv@aol.com 8th Annual Fall Benefit Luncheon RCL has a history of glorious weather on the day of our luncheons. This year should be no different. As in prior years, we will be surrounded by floor to ceiling windows and the glorious landscape of the Kemper Lakes Country Club in Long Grove. This year's theme is “Hat's ON for Independence ” … and our hope is that everyone will wear her favorite chapeau. To encourage your decision to don a favorite hat, we will have a special raffle for “hat wearers.” Join us on Sunday October 21 at 11am …for an afternoon of delicious food, stimulating conversation, beautiful raffle items and thought provoking entertainment. * * * * * * 10 th Annual GALA - April in Paris - Saturday, April 12, 2008 This is RCL's 10 th Gala…and we plan to celebrate by honoring an individual who lives his/her life in a manner consistent with RCL's Mission of promoting and supporting Independence and a track record of social contributions. The Board plans to make a decision soon, so if there is someone you believe should be considered as our honoree, please contact Dr. Bob at the RCL office. Additional details concerning this, our 10 th Gala: the Gala Planning Committee is already hard at work and would love for others to join in the planning and staging of what we hope will be our most successful gala to date. If you are interested in being a 2008 Gala Volunteer, we need help in various capacities. Volunteers are needed to: solicit donation items; assist in setting up the raffle items; greet and sign in guests at reception tables; and sell raffle tickets both before the Gala and during the Gala. As in years past, we are asking all families to participate by buying a family ad in the Gala Brochure, donating an item for the Auction or donating cash so that we may purchase an Auction item on your behalf. Arrangements for volunteering or donation pick up can be made by calling: Anita Morse 847.533.3895 or Elizabeth McGrath 312.590.6693 In the meantime, mark your calendar: Saturday Evening April 12, 2008 at Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling .
4th Annual Poker Run And speaking of glorious weather… RCL's Poker Run benefited from Sunday August 26 being a perfect late summer day. The day began at Jesse Oak's in Gages Lake , IL , with the first vehicle going out at 9am . With such wonderful weather and our traditional great route with stops at 4 diverse and welcoming restaurants/bars, the ride couldn't have been more enjoyable. At the end of the run, lunch was provided for all participants, volunteers and observers back at Jesse Oak's, From the inception of RCL's Poker Runs, Jesse Oak's has proven to be a great supporter of RCL. They are helpful and generous hosts with equally friendly and helpful staff. The location couldn't be more inviting and they always help us design a great ride. What a great way to spend a Summer Sunday afternoon: Split-the-Pot Raffle, prizes for best Poker Hands, good food and plenty of it, participant “Goodie Bags” and an array of great raffle items. For the first time, RCL offered people the opportunity to drop their raffle tickets in bags accompanying the prizes that piqued their interest. 2008's date has not yet been set – but it will probably be near the end of August. Make plans now to participate – either as a rider or a volunteer. Remember: the Poker Run is open to any street legal vehicle – which includes motorcycles and any form of sports car or sedate family car. No matter the vehicle, the ride is great! Kiwanis Peanut Days Again this year, RCL will help Kiwanis raise money for charity by selling sell peanuts. This year's dates are Friday, September 28, from 9am to 7pm and Saturday, the 29 th, , from 9am to 5pm . Our location will again be in front of Eurofresh Grocery Store, 130 Northwest Highway in Palatine . The Palatine Kiwanis split the donations with the other not-for-profit organizations that volunteer their time. Last year, RCL received $300 for our participation. If you would like to volunteer for any portion of the times above, please call the office.
August was mighty rainy this Summer. And the Summer rains had a major impact of the annual Picnic on the Fox River , hosted by Board Member Elizabeth McGrath and her husband Nick Bizony. Although the weather was beautiful on both Thursday August 8 and Saturday August 11… …we were unable to enjoy our traditional boat rides because the “ Lower Fox River ” was closed to all boats. Tom Collen , RCL's official “First Mate,” arrived on both days with his First Mate cap and Flotation Jacket…only to be told his services would not be necessary. Tom was not deterred…he led visits to see Elizabeth's new deck boat and helped people onboard and offboard, with assurances that “next Summer we'll be boating…don't you worry." Thank goodness the food was delicious and the Bingo Prizes interesting. RCL Participants, families and friends contributed to a glorious repast that included burgers, brats, salads and desserts. Susan Steward again donated a candy-filled piñata for each picnic… Monthly social opportunities – such as bowling, going to the movies or the theatre, pizza and miniature golf, or holiday shopping – are great fun for RCL participants…and great fun for anyone else who decides to join us. On occasion, drivers are needed, so contact the office if you think that would be a way for you to spend an enjoyable evening and/or contribute to RCL.
RCL Volunteers have begun collecting used ink cartridges and cell phones for recycling. We have placed a box in the RCL office for depositing the cartridges and phones. If you are unable to drop them off, please call Eileen Steward at 847.985.7899 to arrange for a pickup. The funds from this project will be donated to RCL.
Carolyn Matthew is over the moon! After many months of résumé-sending and interview-going, she landed the job she was looking for. After 15 years with the same organization, Carolyn was ready for new challenges. Despite the highs and lows of job seeking, she kept her eye on the prize. Carolyn's talents and persistence paid off. Congratulations, Carolyn…you go, girl!! Susan Steward has lots of news: she had the good fortune to do a “drive along” with the Schaumburg Police on the 4 th of July; she marched in the “Disabled Pride” Parade in downtown Chicago on Saturday July 21 st …and she has a new job working for a Marathon gas station on Plum Grove road in Rolling Meadows . She says she's “really pumped” and that her job is “a real gas.” And lastly, Susan realized one of her life's greatest desires. She attended a concert at the Apollo Theatre in Lincoln Park : she heard Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman) sing…and she and Lynda chatted a bit after the show! The Special Olympics gets some of RCL's best talent. It was at the downstate meet at Normal Illinois this past June that Denise Hacke tied for 1 st in the 100 meter Walk Race and Kathy Maloney won 3 rd place in the Shot Put. Linda Troth has been nominated (by her boss!!) to be a member of The Gate Gourmet Pride Team. The team meets every Wednesday to work on ways to improve Safety and correct Safety problems. It's quite an honor to be a member of this elite 12-person team and Linda is very excited about this opportunity to contribute to workplace safety. Linda also competed in the NWSRA (Northwest Special Recreation Association) bowling tournament held at the Elk Grove Bowl in August. Margarita Rubio celebrated 15 years with Jewel Food Stores. As her award, she chose an MP3. She plans to download her favorite music, which includes Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow and Billy Joel. The weekend of July 13 th Margarita attended her 20 th Reunion , commemorating her graduation from National Louis University . The weekend was filled with activities: a picnic at Grant Park, miniature golfing…and class work!! Margarita chose to attend two seminars, one dealing with banking management and the second with computers.
…to Chris Murphy. He was named Target's Employee of the Month this past May! At RCL's Annual Open Board Meeting this past June, James Farruggia talked about his experiences as an RCL Client. His presentation was both informative and clever. Several times his comments were interrupted by applause and other times laughter. Thanks, James...your presentation was a highpoint of the Annual Meeting. Due to our irregular Newsletter schedule, we are ‘a bit' or ‘way' late on some birthday wishes:
There are always a number of specific items that would be very welcome indeed. The office needs or participants have requested the following:
If you wish to donate these or other items, please contact the RCL office.
Volunteers are the heartbeat of not for profit organizations and RCL is no exception. We have a core of volunteers comprised of families, clients and friends that have worked tirelessly over the years to make RCL what it is – an organization that truly makes a difference in the lives of challenged adults. That's the good news; the bad news is that many of those volunteers are getting plum tuckered. Please consider this an appeal to all the families and friends – our RCL Community – take a more active role in this very worthwhile organization. One hour of participation is a wonderful contribution, as is 100 hours. There are many opportunities for volunteering. So please call Anita Morse, our Volunteer Coordinator, at 847.533.3895 with an offer of whatever time you can devote. Together we can make a difference and help RCL continue its vital work. So call Anito Morse, our Volunteer Coordinator, at 81847.533.3895 with whatever time you can devote.
Liana Mirea, RCL Board Member, donated the Real Estate Commission due her for her role in the RCL Office Purchase. Thanks to the efforts of Board Member Jon Kinney and Katie Thomason, we have the opportunity to thank Illinois Tool Works for their donation of $6,588. We would also like to thank the First Congregational Church of Des Plaines, the Park Ridge Community Church Women's Circle, and Memorials for Kathleen Brokamp and Wilma Peters, whose families suggested donations to RCL rather than flowers. Making RCL a part of your Birthday Celebration Maybe you already have enough “stuff” and would like to suggest that your birthday celebrants honor you with a donation to RCL. In July an anonymous donor did just that and RCL was fortunate to receive over $2,000 in contributions. Happy Birthday!
Monthly meetings are held at Miner School in Arlington Heights. Meetings are typically held the first Tuesday of each month. Everyone who cares about RCL and/or RCL participants is welcome. Call the RCL office for details.
Contact RCL by: Voice: 847.701.1554 Fax: 847.701.1560 E-mail: rescoliv@aol.com Check out the Website:
Carolyn Matthew
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