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ELM CITY
CENTER NEWS LETTER
FEBRUARY, 2004
Vol 1, Issue 2 |
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ELM CITY BOARD HAS THREE NEW
MEMBERS AND SAYS THANKS TWO LONG TERM DIRECTORS
On January 20, 2003 ECC held it’s annual
meeting at Cumming’s Hall on the Illinois College campus. We were able to
welcome three new board members:
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Jim Chafee (Director of Information
Systems at Illinois College),
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Jill Briggs (a founding member of
BUDS, “Bringing up Down Syndrome”)
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Jon Hurst (Assistant State’s Attorney
for Morgan County)
All three are terrific people that we look
forward to working with. At the same time we were able to thank two
retiring Board members who have done so much for ECC:
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Dick Cody (Cody and Sons Funeral
Home)- What has Dick has not done for Jacksonville? He generously opens
his home at Christmas for a wonderful consumer party, many years with
Kiwanis, his work for ECC Financial and Personnel committee, and 12 years
with ECC’s Board. A salute to the hot sauce master!
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Edith Rees – Edith is the reason we
have a golf tournament and developed many marketing activities. She
grabbed hold of projects and just made them happen. Her willingness to do
what ever a task needed was endless. Her involvement in numerous ECC
committees has been tremendous asset to ECC. She also served on the ECC
Board for 12 years.
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DHS TO RELEASE THE
2% RESERVE
ECC has received notice that the 2% revenue
reserve option has been dropped. Early in the FY 2004 budget process,
Governor Blagojevich had requested that all state agencies develop a
reserve option that could hold back some percentage of funding based on
how well the state’s financial situation was doing.
Community agencies had received a 4% funding
increase for 2004 only to see 2% be held back as part of the reserve. Many
people from all over Illinois worked together as part of the “Do the Right
Thing” coalition to get these monies restored. At a time when health
insurance, worker comp, utilities, and many other cost are climbing at
10%-25% rates, this comes as good news
Much of this success comes from the letter
writing and meetings with State Senators and Representatives across
Illinois. If you wrote a letter or spoke to your local state rep, thank
you. If you did not, well, a new year is coming and we will need your
help. |
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WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE STATE?
Based on recent reports from Rich Miller’s Capital
Fax and Steve Schnorff’s (Gov. Ryan’s Budget Director) review of the state’s
current budget at an IARF membership meeting, Illinois remains in a tough
financial situation, just like many other states. Revenue figures are
falling below projections. Steve discussed that while the state brings in
$750M, it spends $1B. That equation does not balance out in any area. Both
Rich and Steve feel it will take several years for the economy to catch up.
In the mean time, they both predict some very tough financial
decision-making is coming. Education is already getting ready for a strong
lobby effort. Hold on, because the roller coaster ride is not over!
HOW
IS ECC DOING?
So far, so good. Production stays up. The
York Social Center remains busy. We have 5 people holding community jobs.
Compared to the community workshops in Rockford and Galesburg who have seen
their major contract work move to China and Mexico, we are doing OK.
Question:
How many CDs did ECC package in 2003? Answer
on last page.
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ECC STARTING BUILDING EXPANSION
After over a year of planning and
discussion, ECC has decided to move ahead with a 12,000 ft expansion to
the Hanback building. The ECC Facility Committee has been working with
Jacksonville’s Benton and Associates (engineering/surveying) and
Goldasich-Audo (architects) to develop a building plan that will meet our
needs. This free span, metal building will more than double the current
production space in Hanback, add 3 docks, 2 ADA restrooms, and create a
quieter class area. Construction should start late in March when the
weather breaks. This move will also greatly improve the congestion that
was caused when our program on the JDC campus was closed due to mold and
asbestos. |
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ELM CITY CENTER 2004 Annual Review
Strategic Plan Survey
This next section included the
survey. It is available if you want to see it by clicking here:2004
Strategic Plan Survey or on the menu option at the top of the left
column. We left it as a separate file so this newsletter can load faster.
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SPECIAL OLYMPICS
POLAR PLUNGE
2 very brave or crazy staff members from Elm
City have volunteered to jump into
Moorman Lake, Upper Moorman Park in
Quincy, Saturday, March 6 at 11:30 a.m. to raise money for Special Olympics.
Everyone is welcome to come and watch Judy Leak and Mari Anna Gosnell jump
in the lake for Special Olympics.. |
SPECIAL OLYMPICS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
On  January
18, 2004 the district basketball tournament was held in Jacksonville.
This tournament determined which teams would go on to the State Tournament
in March. Congratulations to the
following Jacksonville team for placing 3rd in their division:
Wolverines. And for placing 2nd in their division: Golden Saints
and Red Storm Finally, Congratulations to the following
teams who will be going on to State: Hornets, Blue Thunder and Lady Saints.
Good Luck in March! |
RELAY FOR LIFE
The Elm City Center Relay for Life Team
raised over $11,000.00 for the American Cancer Society last year and won
awards for raising the most money, most educational campsite
and the most spirit. Overall the team raised over $30,000 in cancer related
projects for 2003.The team could not have done it without the support of the
Board of Director's, All the Elm City
Staff and the Consumers.
The Team has started their fundraising efforts for this year's Relay by
having a luncheon and they plan to continue to have 1 luncheon a month
charging $4.00 with all proceeds to go to the American Cancer Society. We
will also be holding a garage sale at the Center March 27 so if you have
anything to donate just call De Dixon or Vi Hutton at Elm City Center. |
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Things we are doing around Jacksonville.
Committees made up of people from every program within E CC
run all of these projects.
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We had several groups ringing
bells for Salvation Army at local stores. Excellent job.
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We collect many soda cans for
recycling. This year the money was used to buy presents for 2 children
from the Angel Tree.
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Elm City had a tree in
the Woodhaven Hospice Festival of Trees. The tree was created and decorated
by people in our classroom programs. The tree committee decided to donate
the hats and gloves from the tree to Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
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We have started to deliver
donated food to the Jacksonville Food Center. |
YORK SOCIAL CENTER NEWS
The holiday season was very busy with pizza
parties, gifts, and many meals.
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The Center received a massage
chair that has become so popular that appointments are needed so everyone
can use it.
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A second computer was donated
by Ron LaMontagne of Springfield. It has been loaded
with a wide variety of games and other software. Works great.
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Pathway donated a Pac-Man that
they were not using. It is a big hit.
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We are looking for a pool
table in good condition. If you have one that is taking up space, let’s talk |
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WEB PAGE UPDATE
Our webpage (www.elmcity.org)
now has a listing of over 100 community based agencies in the West Central
Illinois area. This was a project with the Jacksonville
Chamber of Commerce. Check it out! |
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ELM CITY’S VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS
VISION:
We see ourselves as:
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An organization that recognizes the capabilities of persons
with disabilities and promotes their participation in all aspects of
community life.
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An organization committed to improving the quality of life
for persons with disabilities.
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An organization that strives to provide and maintain the
highest quality services to consumers and customers.
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An organization that is governed and staffed by people who
are caring, professional, and responsive to the needs of consumers.
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A financially stable and well-managed business that is an
asset to the community.
MISSION:
To operate quality
programs and services that provide opportunities for persons with
disabilities to optimize their earnings, maximize skill levels, live in the
least restrictive environment, and actively participate in community
activities. |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS and PRESIDENT/CEO
Chair……………..Keith Bradbury
Past Chair………...James Neese
Vice Chair………..Sally Dahman
Secretary…………Harry Hall
Treasurer…………Hobart Hinderliter
At Large………….Patty Sullivan
At Large………….Reggie Benton
Mike Madsen.........Jill Briggs
Terry Jones.............Jim Chaffee
Dr. Peter Russotto..Darrel Roegge
Helen Klosterman...Jon Hurst
President/CEO……Tom Frederick.
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Illinois
