March 2011
Successful Department of Human Services Visits
Last month we have had 2 different areas of the Department of Human Services in (Bureau of Quality Management and Bureau of Licensure and Accreditation) show to complete their yearly reviews. These review processes this year have been the most extensive that Helping Hand has been through. The review team did a complete review of the organization. We are so pleased that overall the reviewers were extremely complimentary of the organization and quality of work that was presented. Helping Hand Center received very high marks; 92% - 97% throughout all areas. This is really impressive and the reviewers all said we have a very high quality program and superior staff here at Helping Hand!
Fashion Show
Hop into Spring fashion with the 23rd annual Helping Hand Center Family Association fashion show! Saturday April 9, 2011, 11:00am - 3:00pm. All proceeds benefit Helping Hand Center. Join this fun event of food and fun with chances to win raffles and door prizes. Not to mention purchasing some beautiful items such as jewelry, purses, and clothes. Hope you can make it! Ashton Place at 341 75th Street in Willowbrook.
Helping Hand Wildcats take 3rd in state basketball tournament
March 12th and 13th, the Helping Hand Wildcats traveled to Illinois State University to compete in the Special Olympics State Basketball Tournament. The Wildcats played by far their best games of the season but ran into some very tough competition. They ended up taking home the bronze medal.
The team also had a great time participating in opening ceremonies and the victory dance. We could not be more proud of the improvements they have made and the effort they have given this season. Thank you to all who came out to support the team this season at our games, pep rally, and tournaments. The support has been incredible in our first season and it is definitely appreciated.
The team will now focus its energy into competing in Track and Field events. Their district meet will be on Saturday, May 7th. More details to follow!
New Hot Lunch Fridays
Just an FYI that the Family Association has done an amazing job to change the monthly "hot dog day" to "sloppy joe day". The change in menu items allows us to have a healthier lunch while still offering a fun lunch for purchase that our clients have been use to for years. This is the first Friday of every month. Thank you to all the wonderful Family Association volunteers and to all our clients who are the customers!
12 Annual Helping Hand Center Gala and Auction
On March 12th we held a very successful Gala and Auction fundraiser for the organization. Thank you to all the families who participated either in donations, raffle ticket sales, and/or attending this event. It was a great evening and we exceeded our fundraising goals! We will post the final numbers on our website in the next couple of week. Another wonderful part of the evening was the awarding of new Client Achievement Awards. The following provide more information about this important recognition.
Client Achievement Awards
Helping Hand Center is pleased to announce our new Client Achievement Awards! These new awards will be given annually and 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. What stands out about our first adult winner 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. This person is Mark Grant!
Our second adult winner 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. This individual is a reminder to us all to keep in perspective, that despite the difficulties one may experience, happiness can be achieved. This person is Keith Kujawa! These awards will be given to clients at the annual Gala and recognized at other Helping Hand events throughout the year.
New Video - March 14
Check out our website at hhcenter.org for our newest video about Helping Hand Center. You will probably see some people you recognize!
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
Tag Day 2011
This year's "tag day" is September 10, 2011. This is a fundraising event where volunteers are stationed outside stores in the community to collect change as people are shopping. We will be at a number of stores in the area. Let us know if you are interested in volunteering. More to come - so "save the date"!
Swing Fore The Hand 2011 Golf Classic
The annual Helping Hand Golf Classic will be held Monday, July 18th at Riverside Golf Club. Save the date!
Closed June 10
Just a reminder that we will be closed on June 10 for an in-service training day.
Important Dates to Remember
There is always something going on at Helping Hand Center! Please keep the following in mind and on your calendars:
- Family Association meetings: April 2nd, 10:00am
- Family Association Fashion Show: April 9th, 11:00-3:30, Ashton Place 341 75th Street, Willowbrook
- Helping Hand Annual Golf Classic: Monday, July 18, Riverside Golf Club
- Tag Day: September 10
Mary Beth Hepp
Helping Hand Center Executive Director
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