Illinois
Valley Center for Independent Living
Window-CIL
Volume
11, Issue 3, Summer 2010
A Quarterly Newsletter
IVCIL’s 2010
Wheel-A-Thon a Success!
By Donna M. Joerger
IVCIL’s 5th Annual
Wheel-A-Thon Fundraiser at Baker Lake in Peru once again turned out to be a
success. To those of you of you who participated, worked, or were there, we
thank you for your support and efforts to make our big day another great one
for us. This was the most successful Wheel-A-Thon Fundraiser we have had!
The goals
of the IVCIL Wheel-A-Thon are to raise needed funds for IVCIL and to raise
community awareness of the issues involved when using a wheelchair for mobility
and the importance of accessibility. People with and without
disabilities are encouraged to participate in the Wheel-A-Thon and use a
wheelchair to negotiate an approximate one-mile route around Baker Lake.
IVCIL’s goal
was to have 100 participants in the event, and we reached this goal by having
an estimated 150 community members of all ages participating. There were quite
a few teams from local businesses to participate in the event. Advantage
Logistics, our largest contributor, participated and raised over $8,200 for
IVCIL. Because of this, we are happy to have netted over $22,000! Through the
support of the local community in the five-county area served by the Center,
IVCIL is appreciative of funds raised through corporate charitable donations
and pledges raised by participants!
IVCIL would like to thank the many businesses
who have made the IVCIL 2010 Wheel-A-Thon a big success! As a beneficiary of
these businesses’ generosity and caring for their community, IVCIL asks you to
patronize them as often as possible!!!
Platinum Wheel Sponsor – $250 and
above
Advantage Logistics
Ameren IP
E.L.A. Security, Inc.
First Federal Savings
Bank of Ottawa & Peru
Illinois Retina
Institute, S.C.
Illinois Valley
Community Hospital
Kohl's Department
Store #168
Miller Group
Charitable Trust
Senator Dahl 38th
District Charity Fund
State Representative
Careen M. Gordon
St. Margaret's Health
Students of Peru
Washington School
Gold Wheel Sponsor – $125-$249.99
Beck’s
Convenience Store
Connecting
Point Computer Center
Eureka
Savings Bank
Financial
Plus Credit Union Ottawa-Peru-Mendota
First
Federal Savings Bank
Michael
F. Gulo, Attorney at Law
Hometown
National Bank
Hueneburg
Financial Group
Kathy,
Ray, Donna, Tom Joerger
LaSalle
Township
Machinery
Maintenance
Mautino
Distributing Company
McDonald’s
of Ottawa & Utica
Mendota
Community Hospital
Anthony
C. Raccuglia & Associates, P.C.
Schweickert
& Ganassin, Attorneys for the Injured
Sherman’s,
Inc.
C. A. Smith
Builders, Inc.
Silver Wheel Sponsor – $25-$124.99
74th
District State Representative Don Moffitt
Bernabei,
Balestri, Fiocchi
Chamlin
and Associates, Inc.
City of
Peru
Clover
Technologies Group
Mario
Cote, M.D., and Bharat Puchakayala, M.D.
Dayton
Township Town Fund
Debo Ace
Hardware, Inc.
Double D
Express
Jeff
Grove, Mayor, LaSalle
Hammer's
Hearing Care Center
Hoover's
Manufacturing Company
Illinois
Valley Business Equipment, Inc.
Illinois
Valley Eye Care
Illinois Valley Fence and Pool, Inc
Won Kim,
M.D.
LaSalle
State Bank
LPL
Financial
Mason
Accounting Group, LLC
Mueller
Funeral Home
North
Central Behavioral Health Systems
John
Pohar & Sons
Pohl's
Office Supply & Equipment
Quality
Care Cleaning
Spring
Valley City Bank
Starved
Rock Harley-Davidson
State
Bank of Cherry
State
Representative Robert Pritchard
State
Senator Dale Risinger
Steinberg’s
Furniture
Fran
Szott's Carpet & Flooring Outlet
United
Physical Therapy, LLC
Village
of Hennepin
Village
of Ladd
Village
of North Utica
Village
of Tonica Board of Trustees
Woodland Path Investors, LLC
Media Sponsors
AM 1220
WLPO – 99.3 WAJK – 96.5 The Wolf
The Radio
Group
Wheelchair Suppliers
Family
Home Medical Equipment
Illinois
Valley Community Hospital
Independent
for Life, Inc.
St.
Margaret’s Hospital
In-Kind Contributors
Platinum Wheel Level
AM 1220 WLPO – 99.3
WAJK – 96.5 The Wolf
Bergner’s
Key Outdoor, Inc.
The Radio Group
Target, Peru
Gold Wheel Level
Badge-A-Minit/Best
Impressions
Camp Tuckabatchee
& Kelly Bunnell
Illinois Valley YMCA
Jumer’s Casino &
Hotel
LKCS
Walmart Distribution
Center #6092
Silver Wheel Level
7 Up/Snapple Group
Anne's Hide-A-Way
Cajun Connection
Casey’s General
Store, LaSalle
Central State
Coca-Cola Company
Cracker Barrel Old Country
Store, Ottawa
Designs & Signs
by Anderson
Frito Lay
Goslin Drug Store,
Inc.
Graphics Electronics
Hank's Farm
Restaurant
Hy-Vee Food Store,
Peru
Illinois Valley
Community College
Jerry's Flower Barn
Machelle’s BackStreet
McNatt Learning
Center, Inc.
Oak State Products
Paramount Catering
Club
Red Lobster, Peru
State Senator Chris
Lauzen
Uptown Grill
IVCIL extends appreciation to all of
the participants, sponsors, donors, volunteers, staff, and board directors who
made this event successful. IVCIL hopes that an understanding of accessibility
took place along with recognizing many of the challenges that people with
physical disabilities face. Join us next year in supporting IVCIL’s 2010
Wheel-A-Thon at Illinois Valley YMCA!
IVCIL
Resources
By Brian
M. Szuda
New Healthcare Insurance Web Site
Launched
****Excerpted from email from White
House
HealthCare.gov <http://www.healthcare.gov/>
will help take some of the mystery out of shopping for health insurance. For
too long, it was confusing to identify your options and compare plans.
HealthCare.gov makes comparison shopping easier with a new insurance finder
that allows users to answer a few basic questions and receive information about
insurance options that could work for them. The site makes a system that
thrived on complication and confusion easier to understand. This kind of
transparency helps create informed consumers which increases competition,
reduces prices and improves quality.
Here are just some of the basics
about what you can find when you visit:
* Approximately
500 pages of content
* Data
for more than 1,000 insurance carriers and 5,561 open products (2,030 in the
individual health insurance market and 3,531 in the small employer health
insurance market)
* Information
on every Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program in the country
* Information
on the Pre-Existing Condition Plan in every state
* Billions
of choices.
Answer a few basic questions, and
the site’s insurance finder automatically sorts through a huge catalog of
public and private coverage options to help you identify the ones that are
right for you (with billions of potential personal scenarios
supported).
Security for Seniors
Benefits Check Up has added three
federal food assistance programs for seniors with low or limited income to its
growing list of online benefits resources. The additional programs include the
Commodity Supplemental Food Program, the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and
the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.
These programs will be combined with
SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly the Food Stamp
program), that is currently provided on Benefits Check Up, to create a more
comprehensive listing of food benefits.
Seniors can access the free online
database of more than 2,000 benefits programs at www.benefitscheckup.org.
This expanded offering of food
assistance programs helps seniors struggling to meet their basic needs. A 2008
report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that
approximately 17% of U.S. households with an elderly member were categorized as
food insecure. This means these households were uncertain of having, or
unable to acquire, enough food to meet the needs of all their members due to
insufficient money or other resources for food.
Make Medicare Work
Coalition (MMA) Update
****Excerpted from email from Make Medicare
Work Coalition
Regarding how Illinois Cares Rx
members entering the Donut Hole will incur a $250 deductible during 2010,
Illinois Cares Rx (ICRx) members will pay the first $250 worth of drug costs in
the donut hole.
· They will
continue to receive ICRx benefits during the initial coverage period (up to
$2,830 worth of drugs).
· If they enter
the donut hole, they will pay the first $250 in covered drug costs out of
pocket (like a donut hole deductible).
· If they have
additional costs in the donut hole after the $250, they will receive ICRx
benefits (paying 20% plus co-pays) until they reach catastrophic coverage.
· Everyone who is
impacted by this change should receive a $250 check from Medicare within 45
days after entering the donut hole.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Peer Support Group
The IVCIL’s peer
support group
meets the second
Monday of the month from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at IVCIL.
Consumers of IVCIL,
their family, friends, and people with disabilities
are welcome to join
us for an evening of fun, friendship, and sharing.
Upcoming peer support
groups are:
August 9th
September 13th
October 11th
RSVP is needed by
noon on the day of the meeting.
If you need a
reasonable accommodation, please contact us two business days in advance.
Youth Services Events
Quarterly Teen Social
“Back to School Game Night”
Friday, August 20, 2010 from 6-8 p.m.
IVCIL Conference Room
RSVP required by August 13, 2010.
Quarterly “Evening
Out for Parents” Support Group
For parents who have children with any type of disability.
Thursday, August 19, 2010 from 6-8 p.m.
We will be playing board games and sharing information
IVCIL Conference Room
RSVP required by August
13, 2010.
Parent &
Community Training
“Invigorated Educated
Parents: IEP’s”
Thursday, September
30, 2010 from 6-8 p.m.
In English in the
IVCIL Conference Room.
In Spanish at the
Centennial Courts Housing Office Community Room.
Presented by Stacy
Yusim from Equip for Equality and Consuelo Puente from Family
Matters Parent Training & Information Center.
RSVP required by
September 23, 2010.
Quarterly Training:
Illinois Assistive Technology Program Seminar
Wednesday, August 25th at 10:00 a.m.
IVCIL
Are you looking for
equipment or technology to assist you in your daily living activities or in
your workplace but aren’t sure of exactly what you need? Do you need to
purchase equipment or an automobile or make your home accessible? The Illinois
Assistive Technology Program can help with their equipment loan program and/or
their low-interest loan program.
RSVP and reasonable
accommodations by Monday, August 23rd by calling 1-800-822-3246.
Social Gatherings
We hope to see you at
the following events for friendship and fun!!
RSVP requested the
day before each social event by calling 1-800-822-3246.
El Zarape Mexican
Restaurant
Route 251
Mendota, IL
Wednesday, September
22, 2010
5:00 p.m.
Cabin Fever
5220 Trompeter Rd
Peru, IL
Wednesday, October
20, 2010
5:00 p.m.
Verucchi’s Ristorante
600 N. Greenwood St.
Spring Valley, IL
Wednesday, November
17, 2010
5:00 p.m.
Senica’s Oak Ridge
Restaurant
Route 6
LaSalle, IL
Wednesday, December,
15, 2010
5:00 p.m.
Money Management
Needs?
By Alberta Wimberly
All My Money is a FREE program
for learning money management and consumer skills for people with limited
resources. Money management and consumer skills are important for all
households but are critical for people with limited resources. All My Money
contains 8 lessons, which include the following:
1. Making spending choices.
2. Making a budget.
3. Planning your spending.
4. Understanding credit.
5. Handling credit problems.
6. Danger signals; what to do when you can’t pay
your bills.
7. Consumer rights and responsibilities.
8. Checks and checking accounts.
If you think you can learn from the
“All My Money” program, please call us at 815-224-3126.
Community
Reintegration Program - Another Successful Year!
By Rachael Mellen
The past year has been a very busy
and successful one for the community reintegration program. Seven individuals
have been assisted with transitioning out of nursing homes in LaSalle,
Whiteside, and Marshall Counties, and back to their home communities in Stark
and LaSalle counties. The process is very time consuming and can take up to a
year. The main barrier at the moment is the size of the waiting list for
subsidized housing, but hopefully as the economy improves, that will become
rebalanced. We already have three consumers waiting to move out in the new
fiscal year!
Here are some of the highlights of
the year:
Working in
cooperation with NICIL in Sterling, IVCIL staff helped Kathy locate an
apartment in her home area of Ottawa. Kathy was very pro-active in the process,
setting goals and attaining them independently or with minimal support from
staff.
On October 6, 2009, Kathy moved into
her apartment, which she now shares with her kitten. Kathy signed up for the
meal plan in her building, where she has made many friends. Kathy particularly
enjoys crafts and Bunko. She appreciates the support her personal assistants
provide in activities of daily living.
Kathy also participated in the 2010
Wheel-A-Thon Fundraiser, raising over $900 for IVCIL and winning the individual
plaque. She said it was her way of thanking IVCIL, which had done so much for
her. The pleasure is all ours, Kathy!
After six months in a nursing home
following several strokes, John was able to move back to his own home with the
help of the community reintegration program. IVCIL staff wrote a service plan
which enabled John to hire personal assistants to assist his wife Connie with
his daily needs. A lifter and wheelchair were also purchased. John now enjoys
his morning cup of coffee on his porch, visiting with family and especially the
grandkids.
Paul had been in a
Streator nursing home for over two years before he was referred by the State of
Illinois for the Money Follows the Person program. This new program, which is
partially federally funded, provides extra supports for the consumer. While
waiting for an offer of housing, Paul worked on improving his independent
living skills such as budgeting, money management, and organization.
Paul was offered a cozy apartment in
LaSalle-Peru, just right for one person. Through his service plan, he was able
to hire his personal assistant, Julie, who checks on him each weekday, makes
sure the apartment is clean, helps with shopping, and keeps Paul on track
generally. He also gets a hot meal each day through VAC. IVCIL was also able to
purchase furniture and furnishings for the apartment.
Because Paul is a participant in the
Money Follows the Person program, he gets a follow-up visit at least once a
week. As this photo shows, he is more than happy to be in a home of his own
once again.
Advocacy Updates
By Cynthia Panizzi
Illinois Valley YMCA
In May of this year, IVCIL
received a complaint that a toilet in an accessible stall in one of the ladies’
restrooms at the Illinois Valley YMCA was not high enough. After learning that
the toilet needed to be higher, I wrote a letter to the CEO and suggested
installing a higher, thicker toilet seat to raise the toilet to meet
accessibility requirements. A few days after I mailed my letter, I received a
fax from the CEO saying they have installed the needed toilet seat.
Because the Illinois Valley YMCA
meets the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the
Illinois Accessibility Code and is accessible to people with disabilities, they
received an Accessibility Award from IVCIL. The IVCIL extends a heart-felt
“thank you” to the Illinois Valley YMCA.
First State Bank of
Van Orin
As you may remember, in March, 2008,
IVCIL received a complaint that the entrance of the First State Bank of Van
Orin was not accessible. I informed the president of the bank that the bank was
required to be accessible according to the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 and the Illinois Accessibility Code. Subsequently, the Board of Trustees
voted to have work done to make the entrance accessible.
I am very happy to let you know that
in May of 2010, the bank’s attorney emailed me pictures of the new ramp and
accessible parking space that have been installed. The IVCIL extends a
heart-felt “thank you” to the First State Bank of Van Orin for their efforts to
increase accessibility. Because of their hard work and dedication, they
received an Accessibility Award from IVCIL.
Sapp Brothers Illini,
Inc. in Peru
In June, 2010 it was brought to my
attention that the accessible parking spaces at Sapp Brothers Illini, Inc. in
Peru did not have the required signs in the large parking lot, and the accessible
parking space for Burger King needed to be updated with a $250 fine sign.
Therefore, I wrote a letter to the general manager of Sapp Brothers Illini,
Inc. letting him know the requirements of the Illinois Accessibility Code and
including resources. He called a few days later and informed me that he ordered
the signs and will install them when they arrive.
Big Apple Restaurant
in Peru
In
February of this year, I noticed there was no accessible parking at the Big
Apple Restaurant in Peru. When I called the restaurant to ask the name of the
owner/manager, the woman answering the phone hung up on me. Therefore, I wrote
a letter to the owner/manager
and informed him/her
of accessible parking requirements under the law and resources to become compliant.
Very shortly after I sent my letter,
I noticed the outside of the restaurant was being remodeled, so I waited to see
if accessible parking would be installed when the remodeling was completed. It
was not, so in May I wrote another letter to the owner/manager, reminding
him/her of my previous letter and stating the requirements of a resurfaced
parking lot.
As of writing this article, I have
not seen any accessible parking at the restaurant. Please watch our next
newsletter for updates.
Peru Home Depot
In June of this year, it was brought
to my attention that the accessible parking signs at Home Depot in Peru did not
have the updated $250 fine sign. I wrote a letter to the store manager and
informed him this could easily be remedied by simply applying a sticker with
the updated “$250 Fine.” I also informed him of where to purchase the stickers.
Shortly after I sent the letter, a
co-worker of mine went to Home Depot. When the operations manager found out she
worked at IVCIL, he gave her his business card and said he would count the
number of accessible spaces they have and contact me. As of writing this
article, I have called him and asked if
he would like to purchase the fine stickers from IVCIL, but he told me he has
to speak with his supervisor. Please watch our next newsletter for an update.
“Never doubt that a
small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it
is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead (1901—1978)
YOUTH CONNECTION
By Marla Michalak, Youth Advocate
May Teen Support Group/Social
On Friday, May 7, IVCIL had the teen social
"Hanging with the Horses" at the Punkin Acre Paints Horse Ranch.
Everyone was given a cowboy hat to wear and was told to come to the Teen Summit
in June and they would get to keep them then. We were shown how to care for a
horse, and everyone got to brush the horse named "Handy." All the
participants were given the chance to ride "Handy" or
"Beamer." We had a snack time using a circle of hay bales and
discussed what we learned about horses. Then, we practiced lassoing our Personal Assistant
Edmund who was dressed as the Outlaw "Bad Bart." He was a good sport
- Thanks, Edmund! Parts of this teen event were made into a DVD for our Teen
Summit. Sometime this summer I will try to post it to our website.
“Parent’s Evening Out” Support Group
Our quarterly Parent Support Group for
parents of children with any type of disability was held on Thursday, May 20 at
6:00 p.m. in the IVCIL conference
room. We spoke about difficulties and accomplishments as parents. This is a
very good opportunity to get out and connect with other parents who have
some of the same challenges and triumphs. It is also a great place to share
resources. In the past, our turnout has been low, so please take time for
yourself and come out to our next “Parent’s Evening Out!” Every parent needs an
evening out!
Parent & Community Training News
The training, "Educating Children with
Emotional Disabilities: Flexible Supports at School," was presented by Rhonda Best from Family
Matters Parent Training and Information Center, on Thursday, May 6, 2010 in the IVCIL
conference room. We discussed:
► consequences of mental
illness
► available options
► accommodations in the
classroom
► medication side effects
► consequences of isolation
► communication skills
► Illinois Children’s Mental
Health Act
► Illinois learning standards
Everyone received handouts with information
from the presentation. A snack was served and CPDU’s were offered.
School Wheel-A-Thon Winners
During the School Wheel-A-Thon at the Peru
Washington Grade School on March 22 and 25, the kids were motivated
to raise funds for IVCIL, with the goal of being the top boy or girl who would have a chance to throw a pie at their
principal. During the Wheel-A-Thon on June 5 at Baker Lake, the winners were
announced, who could then throw the pies.
The top boy fundraiser was Rylan Dellinger,
and the top girl fundraiser was Michelle Windy. Congratulations, Rylan and
Michelle!
Michelle wasn’t able to make it that day, so
the second place girl, Mary Rose Prosinski, got to throw the pie in Michelle’s
place. The second place boy was Mario Cote and the third place boy was Kevin
Chung. The third place girl was Michelle Mowbray.
The winners from the poster contest were also
announced as follows: first place was Allison Lehn, and she received a $25.00
cash prize. Second place was the
duo of Hannah Yerly and Piper Bottomley, who split the $15.00 cash prize. Third
place was Kara Turczyn, who received a $10.00 cash prize. Congratulations and
good work!! The top 10 posters were displayed during the June 5 Wheel-A-Thon
and then at Hometown National Bank in LaSalle.
The 10th Annual Teen Summit: a Wonderful Western Day
The 10th Annual Teen Summit was held on Wednesday,
June 23, 2010 at the Illinois Valley Community College. The theme was
“Transition Western Roundup: Lassoing Your Life After High School.”
The day began with a video made from pictures
and videos of the kids (with a transition theme of "The IVCIL Gang in
Blazing a Trail to Their Future"). The participants participated in these
presentations during the day: “Corralling Your Career Interests to Get and Keep
a Job,” presented by Doris Frederick of DHS/DRS; “Rancher’s Finances 101,”
presented by Lynette Walton from Financial Plus Credit Union; “The Code of the
West,” presented by Stacy Yusim and Consuelo Puente from Equip for Equality;
and “Self-Advocacy,” presented by Donna Joerger, along with the Self-Advocacy
Rancher’s Feud game. The participants made a craft of a foam picture frame that
they needed to use sewing skills to complete.
Pizza for lunch was donated by Papa John's,
and the teens received some gifts from the presenters. During the day each participant received a t-shirt, cowboy hat, many
prizes,
a copy of the video, and snacks. The
participants’ evaluations told us that they enjoyed the day and were
generally happy with everything offered. I would like to sincerely thank
everyone who had a part in making the day such a big success, especially the
IVCIL staff, ARRA workers, & volunteers!
Thank you to these
contributors: BECK OIL, CADBURY
SCHWEPPES, CREATIONS UNLIMITED, DHS/DRS, EQUIP FOR EQUALITY, FINANCIAL PLUS
CREDIT UNION, GOODWILL, HOME DEPOT, HY-VEE, IVCC, PAPA JOHN’S PIZZA, STAPLES,
TARGET, WAL-MART, AND WESTERN FACTORY OUTLET.
IVCIL thanks the following
individuals, families, and businesses for their donations
and/or memberships...
Donations
Janet Bernard
Trust of Margaret
Grubb
Mary Jane and Kenneth
Hansen
Barbara and Dan
Hockings
Leonard Inda
Estate of Alexandra
Ossowski
Irene Powell
Patricia and Robert
Swank
Troy Grove Township
George White
Memberships
Ann Beals
Janet Bernard
Jolene Cohen
Lisa and Primo
Gonzalez
State Representative
Kay Hatcher
Bernice Hilton
Barbara and Dan
Hockings
Kathy and Ray Joerger
Janice and Fred Meyer
Chris Weygand
Membership
Drive
If you
are a member, it may be time to renew your annual membership donation, and if
you have not become a member yet, please consider doing so. The Illinois Valley
Center for Independent Living (IVCIL) is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization.
Memberships and donations are deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Please consult an accountant for more specific tax-related options and
incentives. Please make checks payable to:
Illinois
Valley Center for Independent Living (IVCIL)
Kindly
enclose your contribution in a stamped envelope and return it, along with this
completed Membership Application to:
IVCIL 18 Gunia Drive LaSalle, IL 61301
Your
willingness to provide financial assistance to the only advocacy and service
agency for persons with all types of disabilities in the five-county region is
deeply appreciated.
Application for Membership in the Illinois
Valley Center for Independent Living:
Name:___________________________________________________________
Company:________________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________
City:_____________________State:_____Zip:______________
E-Mail_________________________________Phone______________________
Permission to print your name in the IVCIL newsletter:
____________yes ____________no
Annual Membership
Individual Membership
($5.00)
Family / Household
Membership ($10.00)
Non-Profit
Organization Membership ($25.00)
Business Membership
($50.00)
Donation
$_______________________
Lifetime Membership
Individual Membership
($50.00)
Family / Household
Membership ($100.00)
Non-Profit
Organization Membership ($250.00)
Business
Membership (($500.00)
Donation
$______________________