| Time to volunteer, time to write a check |
Everyone supports social services - in theory. We're glad they're around. We admire people who dedicate themselves to such work. We feel for the individuals and families who need the services these agencies offer. And, then, too many of us tune out. We assume that other people, people with more than we have, are funding the need.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
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| Digging deep makes a big difference for us all |
The strength of a community lies in each neighbor's willingness to invest, to become involved and lend their talents and resources to others - especially to those in crisis. The United Way of Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park works to ensure that neighbors are given the opportunity to strengthen our communities, daily.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
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| At Parenthesis, single mom finds real-world help |
| From career coaching to tips on potty training a boy |
| By BOB SKOLNIK |
Last winter, Katie Kelly was looking to connect with other single mothers who would understand her life. Her friends, single, married or in relationships, found it hard to understand the stresses Kelly faced.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
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| Staying active means staying young |
| West Suburban Senior Services keeps its programming lively |
| By MARTY FARMER |
Art and Carol Seagren play cards, Bea Slaughter enjoys Solitaire on the computer, while Sara Sutek and Christine McGee engage in spirited conversation and bingo. Welcome to West Suburban Senior Services where activities abound and services like health care, housekeeping and food service for those who qualify are plentiful.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
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| A life recovered |
| John Bednarz has beat long odds thanks to Maywood homeless shelter |
| By NICHOLAS MORONI |
The good folks at West Suburban PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) helped John Bednarz get to where he is today. And he is in a very good place these days - physically, mentally and emotionally. His life has been no bed of roses, though.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
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| Learning to live life on her own terms |
| Supervised homes help Seguin clients remain in the community |
| By NICHOLAS MORONI |
Her name is Maria Vanik, and hers is one of the many success stories written by the pen of Seguin Services. Vanik, 39, was born with Down syndrome. She had lived in Chicago with her late father Vaclav, mother Leonor and sister Leonor Vanik de Vazquez before joining Seguin in February 2003 to begin a less reliant life.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
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| Thoughtful play preps kids for learning |
| Oak Park and River Forest Day Nursery sees benefit in routines |
| By ANDREA MIKENAS |
Marcy King is a big believer in schedules. King especially loves that her sons D-Majhe, 5, and D-Quannus, 3, students at the Oak Park and River Forest Day Nursery, are exposed to a consistent, daily routine.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
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| Just the right amount of help |
| Pillars program helps seniors cope, avoid institutional living |
| By ANDREA MIKENAS |
Rose was having a chat with a neighbor about 10 years ago when Pillars' Adult Wrap Around Program came up in conversation. Both women were over 50, the minimum age requirement to be enrolled in the program, and in need of the type of support that family members who lived out-of-state could not provide.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
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| Independence is goal of Oak-Leyden |
| Agency says jobs program helps clients earn their pride |
| By DAVID M. McCARTHY |
"I enjoyed every bit of it," Regina Alexander said of Oak-Leyden Developmental Services's 22nd annual benefit, which she wryly renamed "her big party." "The steak, the dancing, the choir singing, and my trophy, which I put on a display."
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
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| Seniors relish creative outlet |
| Lifelong Learning Center keeps members active |
| By MARTY FARMER |
Betty Zilius will celebrate her 92nd birthday in November. In the meantime, the effervescent Oak Park resident is "having a jolly good time" at the Lifelong Learning Center of Oak Park and River Forest.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
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| Nurturing a bridge to the future |
| Kids, foster families have the support of Hephzibah Children’s Association |
| By MARTY FARMER |
Once you win their hearts, then you can win their minds. It's a simple but unquestionably tested tenet that foster parent Mildred Moore has adhered to while caring for a total of 30 foster children since 1992.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
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| Respite care a blessing for Oak Park teen |
| Community Support Services 12-year ally for local family |
| By MARTY FARMER |
From the day she was born, Christine Compasio has been a survivor. She's become an inspiration for people who meet her. She lives in Oak Park with her parents, Mark and Pam, and sisters Mary and Elizabeth. She has cerebral palsy and communicates via an augmentative device attached to her wheelchair.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
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| Counselor has walked that mile |
| At Thrive, Greg Coleman treats others with mental illness |
| By NICHOLAS MORONI |
Greg Coleman can honestly say that he relates to his pupils in the Transitional Learning Center at Thrive Counseling Center. Thrive provides therapy and counseling for people with mental disabilities, and the Transitional Learning Center helps them identify and assess life goals.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
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| Scouts give to others both near and far |
| OPRF grads earn Girl Scouts’ highest honor |
| By MARTY FARMER |
It's been a memorable summer for Christine Slowiak and Kirsten Weismantle. Along with graduating from Oak Park and River Forest High School and preparing for Kalamazoo College and the University of Iowa, respectively, the childhood friends were honored with the Girl Scout Gold Award, the organization's highest honor.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
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| Innovative therapy helps young girl find her voice |
| Programming at Aspire is vital to former orphan |
| By DAVID M. McCARTHY |
Johana Miller, 4, arrived at her Oak Park home from a Haitian orphanage in early November, and expectedly, the transition from an orphanage secluded in the mountainous Port-au-Prince presented some barriers. Her mother, Trina Bauling, recalls that most apparent was Johana's inability to engage with anyone.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
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| Care for kids regardless of insurance |
| Sincerity is hallmark of Children’s Clinic, says Giocomo family |
| By NICHOLAS MORONI |
For several months in 2008, Angelina Giocomo, 12, suffered excruciating pain from a toothache that resulted in many sleepless nights, for both her and her family. Her stepmother, Angel Flowers Giocomo, exhausted almost every imaginable option trying to find a dentist that would treat Angelina, who was without dental coverage.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
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| Treatment pays untold dividends |
| Gambling addict finds help at the Way Back Inn |
| By NICHOLAS MORONI |
The Way Back Inn addiction treatment center was a safe bet for Lola. As far back as this 61 year old can remember she was a gambler - something she believes she inherited from her mother's habitual gambling.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
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| Finding new ways to help |
| Volunteer Center pairs eager locals with grateful agencies |
| By MARTY FARMER |
Cheryl Allen and Alycemae Tretiak have truly taken to heart the Volunteer Center's tag line of "Where volunteers and opportunities meet." The two Oak Park residents and friends have collaborated with other volunteers in the TEAM program over the last 10 years on many projects helping local social service agencies.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
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| Escaping abuse |
| Sarah’s Inn gives battered women the tools to take control |
| By BOB SKOLNIK |
Six years ago, Amy was at a low point in her life. Her husband of eight years had been hitting her, pushing her against walls and slamming her head against the floor. The now 54-year-old Oak Park mother of a young son didn't know what to do or how to escape. Her self esteem was shot.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
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