ELM CITY CENTER

1314 West Walnut, Jacksonville, Illinois 62650

Off: 217-245-9504 Fax: 217-245-2350

Email: ecc@elmcity.org Web page: www.elmcity.org

Work and Independence for people with disabilities.

In November 2003, ECC put out it's first newsletter in a long time. This is a copy. It will be published about once a quarter.

Friends, Consumers, Board and Staff of Elm City Center

Welcome to our newsletter. This will be published about every quarter. Its purpose will be to:

• Keep you informed about ECC and what we are doing,

• Provide news about events in the state of Illinois that will effect programs like ours,

• Ask for help in writing letters or contacting our state representatives.

•  Tell people where ECC is headed and ask for feedback about how we are doing.

 We hope you find this information helpful. If you have any questions or suggestions for us please feel free to contact us by phone, fax, email, letter, visit, or any other means that works for you. We look forward to hearing from you and hearing how you think we are doing.

DID YOU KNOW?

• ECC has been nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Services (CARF) since 1972. Current accreditation includes Organizational Employment Services, Personal and Social Services, Community Living Services, Case Management / Services Coordination, Community Based Rehabilitation, and Community Housing

• We provide specialty packaging and production services to companies needing quick turn around time with quality that meets and exceeds customer’s expectations. In our CD operation, we have packaged almost 4,700,000 CDs from Jan 1, 2003 to Sept 30, 2003.

• We are getting ready to add 12,000 sq ft to the Hanback Building to increase our production capability.

• In FY 2003 we provided 166,000 hours of service in the ECC day programs with satisfaction scores that average over 97%.

• The York Social Center provided over 15,000 of consumer hours of attendance with consumer satisfaction scores averaging above 93% and stakeholders (family, guardians, other social services groups) being over 97%.

THE FALL VETO SESSION IS COMING!

Last Spring many community organizations banded together as the “Do The Right Thing” Coalition. After many hours of hard work the Legislators passed a budget that included a 4% funding increase. This was the first increase most community agencies had seen in several years. Governor Blagojevich almost immediately announced a 2% reserve on that increase. Essentially the increase stayed at 4%, but the Governor wants the right to recall ½ of the increase if he feels it is needed.

Letters are needed for the Fall veto session to ask Blagojevich to exempt community agencies from the 2% reserve. This is not a simple request. The “Do the Right Thing Coalition is sponsoring several lobby days on Nov 5 and Nov 19 to push the idea to the legislative reps. Their agenda is on the next page. The 2% reserve represents a cut of over $36,000 to ECC if it is implemented. Add that to the increased cost of the minimum wage going to $6.00, work comp increasing and health insurance jumps and the crystal ball shows a $110,000 cut to ECC compared to last year. Please write a letter to Gov. Blagojevich, Rep. Watson and Sen. Demuzio and tell them how you feel. Here is a sample letter:

There is never a good time to sit back and relax when someone wants to take money away from an organization that is working hard. Remember, Elm City generates about 50% of our own income. Imagine what community groups are doing that are 90% funded by the state?

If you live in Morgan County these are the addresses you need. If you are not from Morgan County, contact your local Senator and Representative.

Please send a letter, fax, or call. Volume counts. Include consumers as letter writers. If you cannot find the time for to help, our expenses will continue to grow faster than our revenue.

Please go to the Elm City webpage at www.elmcity.org for more information about “Do the Right Thing” and this campaign.
 

ELM CITY’S VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS

VISION:    We see ourselves as:

• An organization that recognizes the capabilities of persons with disabilities and promotes their participation in all aspects of community life.

• An organization committed to improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities.

•  An organization that strives to provide and maintain the highest quality services to consumers and customers.

•  An organization that is governed and staffed by people who are caring, professional, and responsive to the needs of consumers.

•  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          Edith Rees         

Terry Jones             Richard Cody

Dr. Peter Russotto   Darrel Roegge

Helen Klosterman

President/CEO……Tom Frederick

An equal opportunity employer.

Revised - 1/15/08