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Vol. 7 No. 4 November 2001 Accreditation with Distinction from the Council (1997-2003) A Publication of Resources for Community Living __________ From the Executive Director's Desk Dear Participants, Families & Friends, Certainly our lives have changed dramatically since RCL’s last newsletter. For those of you who are interested, I have posted some of my thoughts regarding September 11th, on the RCL website www.RCL2BINDEPENDENT.ORG. in our the new Discussion Forum section. These thoughts are editorial in nature and reflect only my opinions and concerns. On the home front, I’m happy to say that RCL has successfully made the transition to a new office space in Rolling Meadows. There were, of course, a few bumps along the way, and there is still some decorating to do, but that’s to be expected. I want to thank all the volunteers whose time and strong backs made a big difference. We hope to have an open house in January to welcome all of you to our new space and enjoy some refreshments. Despite the disruption of terrorism, our government grant funds have continued on schedule and a number of grantors are planning site inspections in the next few weeks. We continue to focus on fundraising events and private donations as a source of much needed new income to support our growth. Although our Bloomimgdales’ Campaign was not quite as successful as we hoped (raising $1,230 of the budgeted $2,000 dollars), our 2nd annual Fall Fashion Show was a big success, far surpassing expectations. Special thanks to Geanie Kuehnau, event chairperson, volunteers and models for making the fashion show such a success. In order to recoup some shortfall from the Bloomingdales’ Campaign we have elected to participate in Carson’s Community Day Sale November 17. Tickets for this event have been enclosed with your newsletter for your consideration. It is our hope that Carson/Bergner stores may be more appealing and accessible to families. Information about RCL was featured October 14th on the 8am Channel 7 News. This broadcast featured a report by Karen Meyer on services received by two RCL participants living in Park Ridge. Since this report we have received many more calls requesting information about our services. We hope to evaluate a number of these potential participants for our services in the upcoming weeks. Future goals for RCL center on increasing and diversifying our fundraising program, increasing community collaborations and consciousness raising. The backbone of these efforts is improved organization and communication within the agency and with you. I encourage all of you to contact us with your ideas and volunteer capabilities. Feel free to give us your input so we can learn from our mistakes, build upon our successes and seize opportunity. You can also visit us and leave your thoughts and comments at www.RCL2BINDEPENDENT.ORG – or E-mail us at rescoliv@aol.com. Be sure to have a safe and enjoyable holiday season. Robert Walsh, Psy.D. __________ Notes from the Board’s President………… As I look back and reflect over my term in office, RCL has gone through many changes. I am confident that our new year will bring good fortune throughout our organization. I want to take this opportunity to thank our excellent staff, Executive Director, Dr. Robert Walsh, volunteers, families and clients who have stuck tightly with this organization and helped make it what it is today.
WISHING EVERYONE HAPPY HOLIDAYS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
__________ Fundraising News RCL has been involved in a number of fundraising activities since our last newsletter, in August. __________ Bloomingdales’ Benefit RCL participated with 60 other Chicagoland non-profit organizations at the 6th Annual Bloomingdales’ Shopping Benefit. On August 29th, at the Old Orchard’s site, six of our volunteers took time out of their busy schedules to help that day and they are: Erika Burch, Geanie Kuehnau, Anita Morse, Margarita Rubio, Bonnie Raff and Shirley Raff. __________ Second Fashion Show Annual On October 14TH, 109 people, ladies and a handful of gentlemen, attended “Around the World in Fashion” at the Barn of Barrington. Everyone who attended appeared to have a good time, including Laurie Sagan, RCL Board Treasurer. This event was coordinated by Geanie Kuehnau, and with the help of many volunteers raised $7,300. A big THANK YOU is in order to all those volunteers that made our fashion show such a success; Erika Burch, Barbara Cornwell, Carol Ann Coyle, Dorothy Heitman, Al Lifchults, Ken Kuehnau, Anita Morse, Elizabeth and Nick McGrath, Betty McMillan, Eileen Steward, Irene Troth and Evette Thurman. RCL would also like to thank all fifteen models: Erika Burch, Carol Ann Coyle, Barbara Cornwell, Susan Glatt, Arianna Heitman, Anita and Maya Herr, Lyn Lazzaro, Elizabeth McGrath, Julie Rahr, Rhonda Schubert, Sabrina and Sohni Singh, Irene Troth and Cathy Zukaukas. Also, we would like to thank Barbara Cornwell, Barbara Fry, Patricia Toole and Irene Troth for sharing their treasured collectibles for display. A special thank you to Jon Reinhard for the musical arrangement for the fashion show. Patricia Yarc, of“Fabric-Kations” (847-362-7336) donated 30% of her proceeds from the sale of holiday crafts at the fashion show. Thank You, Patty. __________ Carson Pirie Scott Community Day Sale RCL has been invited to participate in Carson’s Community Day Sale on Saturday, November 17th. Lynn Lipke, Board member, has graciously volunteered to coordinate this campaign. RCL receives the entire proceeds of the $5.00 ticket coupons that are sold. The tickets include five $10.00 coupons good towards merchandise (in excess of $50.00) bought November 17. Also, by providing volunteers from our organization, RCL will be included in a percentage of the proceeds from ticket sales that day. Please call Lynn at 847-541-1491 to volunteer one to two hours that day. Two ticket coupons are included in this newsletter. For additional coupon tickets, you can stop by RCL’s offices. Please return proceeds from any ticket sales along with completed registry for your chance to win a free trip as well as any unsold tickets to the RCL office __________ Parent to Parent... Been there done that!!! We have all heard and/or said this before. Being parents/family of person’s with special needs we all understand the importance of being there when needed. It is not easy, but it is something we do out of care and love. Resources for Community Living is an extension of this care. The organization has been assisting my daughter, Margarita, for about ten years. The first three years were with Shared Senior Housing and seven years with RCL, which branched out of the former agency. If it wasn’t for RCL, Margarita would not be as independent and confident. She has her own apartment, pays her own expenses and works hard for all she has, be it material, social or self-esteem. Margarita and her family are proud of her accomplishments. Thank you RCL for being here for us with all your support. Anita Morse “Parent to Parent” is a new addition to our newsletter. If you would like to submit an article regarding any news about your family or your special person, or your feelings about what is happening with RCL, please either email to Geanie Kuehnau, LaGrandam@home.com or fax to Geanie at 847-202-8351(please call 847-202-8321 to inform of fax). __________ Mark your Calendar... November 7th-Parent/Family Association meeting at RCL’s office at 7:30 pm. It is opened to all family members of RCL clients, including siblings. November 14th-Gala fundraising meeting to be held at RCL’s offices at 7:00 pm. Any questions, please call Chairperson Dorothy Heitman at 847-895-5477. March 9th-is our annual Gala Benefit __________ Social Activity Marge Olszewski, owner of Mar Ray Costumes Shop 154 N. Northwest Highway, Palatine, Il, 60067, donated Halloween decorations for RCL’s Halloween party on October 25th. __________ Donations Acknowledged The Baxter Foundation Grant procured by Ken Kuehnau $500 __________ Happy Birthdays!!!
Amy Miller - August 14 __________ Deadline for January’s Newsletter, 2002, is December 10. |
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