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April 2011

Helping Hand Center Gala
The Helping Hand Center Annual Gala and Silent Auction was held on March 12, 2011 and was a HUGE success!  Thank you all so very much for your participation and support.  We raised $146,000!  This went well beyond exceeding our expectations!  It was also in the paper - here is the link to the article in the LaGrange Doings:

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/evanston/lifestyles/trend/3126666,doings-helphands-033111-s1.article

Client Achievement Awards
At the Gala we awarded the first Helping Hand Center Client Achievement Awards!  These new awards were designed to recognize individuals who have exhibited an overall desire to develop their life skills and have shown significant progress in their development. Our clients deserve a great deal of recognition for all their hard work.  Every step, big or little, towards meeting the next developmental milestone is worthy to be commemorated. And while we recognize all our 500 clients work hard everyday and all achieve a great deal, these awards just highlight just a few very special people.

 

In Children Services we celebrate the progress made by all our clients in the pediatric clinic and our students in the therapeutic day school for children with autism.  Therefore we choose to acknowledge the entire collaborative teams that Children’s Services nurtures.  These teams include the children we serve, the devoted and caring parents or guardians, and our very skilled and experienced therapists and educators.

 

In Adults Services we have 2 winners of this award. One winner is Mark Grant!  What stands out about Mark are his efforts in a group called the “Leadership Training Peer Facilitator” group.  As part of this group, he assists staff in choosing group activities and helps his peers engage in these activities.  Through this program, not only has he developed himself, but he has made a significant impact on others. 

 

Our winner is Keith Kujawa.  Keith had the highest overall score in the area of attitude.  Whether this individual is meeting a new person, trying something new, or even dealing with a difficult situation, he does it with a genuine smile on his face.  He is a reminder to us all to keep in perspective, that despite the difficulties one may experience, happiness can be achieved. 

Family Association Fashion Show

Last Saturday, April 9th, the Family Association conducted a very successful Fashion Show to benefit Helping Hand Center.  Thank you to all who participated and helped with this event.  Our staff and client models were beautiful!  Our Family Association does a great deal to support Helping Hand Center – thank you!

Grants
This past month we have received the following grants from the following organizations:

  • LaGrange Kiwanis Club for our Special Olympics program
  • Y Mens Club of the LaGrange YMCA for IPads to run programs
  • First Congregational Church of Western Springs
  • Home Depot

New Video

If you have not seen it already check it out!  It is now on the front page of hhcenter.org. 

Volunteer Projects

This month we had 2 service projects going on in the community; the LaGrange Highlands Middle School has approximately 30 students who are donating art supplies as well as working on landscaping one of our homes including providing plants and supplies.  In addition St. John of the Cross in Western Springs had people at some of our homes doing exterior work such as painting, washing windows, and providing yard work to get ready for spring.  If you know anyone at either organization please help pass along our thanks!

Job Placements

This past month our Employment Services staff placed several clients in jobs at the local Home Depot.  Please support the Countryside Home Depot to show your appreciation for them being such a wonderful partner in the community..

Family Support
Perspectives, a professional counseling and referrals resource, is still available to all Helping Hand Center families. Perspectives has been available to our staff as a human resources benefit and is now being expanded for our families. Here is the contact information: Your EAP can help: 800-456-6327.
www.perspectivesltd.com

Important Dates to Remember
There is always something going on at Helping Hand Center! Please keep the following in mind and on your calendars:

  • June 10 - Staff in-service training day – Agency closed
  • July 30 - Family Association Ice Cream Social at Helping Hand
  • July 18 - Annual Golf Outing / Fundraiser – Riverside Golf Course
  • September 10 - Donation / “Tag” Day


Mary Beth Hepp
Helping Hand Center Executive Director