May 2011

Our Newest Home

This summer we will complete our newest Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) home located in the LaGrange Highlands.  This home will be a fully accessible ranch home for eight adults with developmental disabilities.  This is a very exciting time for these families and Helping Hand!  And you can be a part of it!  We are looking for members of our community who may be interested in discussing how they or their company can help and be involved in our exciting project. If you, a family member, neighbor, or friend would be interested in discussing how to help please call Beth Patterson at 708-352-3580 ext. 228. Below is a list of needed goods and services:

Fencing

Landscape plants and trees                                                                                                                                             

Light fixtures                                                                                                                                        

Appliances                                                                                     

Insulation                                                                                                                                                                                 

Countertops

Drywall

Hardwood flooring

Painting

Bathroom and kitchen tile

Thank you for considering being a partner with us for this exciting project. 

Employment for Clients

Our Employment Services staff are doing a great job - we've helped place over 30 people in jobs in the community since January!  You may see some of our clients working at Home Depot, McDonalds , Old Navy, Eli's Cheesecake Company, Burger King, Elwood Train Yard, Goodwill,  and  Bread for the Heart.

Special Olympics

Key to the City of Countryside.  At the April 13 Countryside City Council meeting, Mayor Robert Conrad presented a special recognition to the Wildcats Special Olympics basketball team for there many accomplishments of their season including competing in the statewide tournament!  Congratulations Wildcats!  Now on to the Spring season of

Track and Field.  On Sunday, May 1st, The Helping Hand Wildcats Track and Field Team competed in their first ever Area 5 Spring Games. Here are the results from all the team members.

• Linda Chopp- Gold Medal in Standing Long Jump, Bronze Medal in 50m Dash
• Kevin Dahmer- Gold Medal in Standing Long Jump, 4th Place in 50m Dash
• David DeVeno- Gold Medal in 50m Dash, Silver Medal in Softball Throw, 5th Place in 4x100m Relay
• David Ferris- Bronze Medal in 50m Dash, Bronze Medal in Softball Throw
• Kevin Finch- Gold Medal in 50m Dash, Silver Medal in Softball Throw, 5th Place in 4x100m Relay
• John Finger- Silver Medal in Standing Long Jump, Bronze Medal in 50m Dash, 5th Place in 4x100m Relay
• Josef Habercross- Silver Medal in 50m Dash, Bronze Medal in Standing Long Jump
• John Hansen- Silver Medal in 50m Dash Matt Hoffman- Silver Medal in Standing Long Jump, Bronze Medal in 50m Dash
• Lisa Manata- Gold Medal in 50m Dash, Bronze Medal in Standing Long Jump
• Peggy Jean Neiweem- Silver Medal in 50m Dash, 4th Place in Softball Throw
• Chris Novak- Gold Medal in Softball Throw, 5th Place in 50m Dash
• Joe Shaughnessy- Silver Medal in Standing Long Jump, 4th Place in 50m Dash
• Deon Sims- Gold Medal in 50m Dash, Gold Medal in Standing Long Jump, 5th Place in 4x100m Relay
• Kim Thomas- Gold Medal in 50m Dash, Silver Medal in Softball Throw
• Mary Beth Webster- Gold Medal in 100m Walk

All in all, The Wildcats took home 10 gold medals, 9 silver medals, and 7 bronze medals. All of the Gold Medal winner will compete in the State Summer Games from June 10-12 at Illinois State University.

Volunteer Happenings

St. John of the Cross (Western Springs) spent their recent Adullt Service Day with Helping Hand Center!   The bad weather moved the service project indoors and the  volunteers helped with some interior painting at the Countryside location.  Thanks so much for your help!  In addition, two St. John of the Cross members are offering their time and talent by providing interior design and kitchen planning expertise to help us design and plan renovations for one of our group homes.  

Also this past month, the Highlands Middle School  provided students and supplies for a very successful landscaping project  at one of our homes!   The students also gave art supplies to our Wellness Center and our clients have been enjoying the se  art project donations.

The LaGrange Highlands Women’s Club donated beautiful and bountiful Easter baskets to each house for our residents.  Thanks for your thoughtfulness and generosity!

Spring Helping Hand Newsletter

The Spring 2011 Newsletter is being mailed to all of our families this week. It's filled with excellent stories, highlighting several clients achievements great highlights of volunteers, children's successes and  upcoming events.  You can also check it out online at: http://www.hhcenter.org/newsletters/2011.newsletter.spring.pdf 

Golf Outing

Mark your calendars for the 27th Annual Helping Hand Golf Outing - July 18 at the Riverside Golf Course (2520 Des Plaines Ave., North Riverside).  We hope you can make it! 

Agenda:

9am         Registration, Eye-Opener & Continental Breakfast

10:30am  Shotgun Start, Scramble Format

11am       Lunch at Halfway House

3:30pm    Cocktails and Appetizers

5pm         Dinner Reception

Golfing Fees:

$1,000 - Foursome

$300 - Individual

$75 - Cocktails & Dinner Only

To register, become a sponsor or make inquiries, please contact: Mike Cusick at 708.352.3580 x224 or e-mail mike.cusick@hhcenter.org

Helping Hand Center 2012 Gala

Mark your calendars for our 13th Annual Helping Hand Gala scheduled for March 10, 2012 at the Burr Ridge Marriott.   More details to come!

Helping Hand Spring Fundraiser

Our clients are working to make these garden markers - they make a great Mother's Day Gift...or just a sweet token for a friend...On Sale Now at Helping Hand Center and also at Vern Goers Greenhouse in Hinsdale.

Mary Beth Hepp
Helping Hand Center Executive Director