Bridge Communities Speaks Out

Melini, Bridge Communities client;
Karen Stewart, Program Director;
and Joyce Hothan, Executive Director 

Joyce Hothan speaks to ALCW members 

Thank you to Melini, Karen and Joyce for coming to our February Chapter Meeting and educating us about how Bridge Communities serves people throughout our community.  Melini told us her story, which includes a difficult divorce.  She was living with family, trying to go to school and trying to support her daughter.  Now she has a place of her own and her kitchen is fully equipped, thanks to our Operation New Start Program.  Individuals who participate in the Bridge Community program receive strong support toward their goal of becoming self-sufficient.  Participants are in the program for two years and in that time they receive subsidized housing, mentoring on budgeting, help with car repairs, counseling, and tutoring.  Melini’s story was truly inspiring and it is a pleasure to know that we can support her, as she works hard to achieve her goals.
--- Meg Cooper, VP Philanthropy

From Joyce Hothan, Executive Director of Bridge Communities after her visit with us at the February chapter meeting:

Dear Carla,
Please extend my thanks on behalf of Bridge Communities for the gracious invitation to speak before your membership.  We appreciate your warm hospitality and strong interest in the work of Bridge Communities on behalf of homeless families.
We are most grateful for the partnership with Assistance League's wonderful Operation New Start which provides such essential items for our moms.  We look forward to a continual deepening of our relationship.  Please call on us anytime if we can be of assistance.

Members engaged in break-out sessions following the Bridge Communities presentation. 

All members are invited to attend impromptu lunches after the monthly chapter meetings. This one was a good bye lunch for JoAnn Slezak who is moving out of state. 

JoAnn Slezak, Meg Cooper, Marie Raffl,
Carla Feinkind, Heather Laughman, Diane Mrozek and Ricki Lessig

Operation Early Reading Reads "Too Many Pears!"

Overnight snow and frigid daytime temperatures couldn't stop Operation Early Reading volunteers from trekking to two La Grange Head Start schools on Tuesday, February 8. 

Readers included Carla Feinkind, Linda Legner, Marie Raffl, Susan Rusk (non member), Paula Whitelaw, Diane Mrozek, Pat Mrozek, Heather Laughman and current OER co-chairs Maria Kim and Carol Yee. 

The ladies read "Too Many Pears!" to a total of 62 pre-kindergarten students ranging from 3 - 5 years old in the morning and afternoon sessions at Congress Park School in Brookfield and Ideal School in Countryside. After listening to the story of a cow who loved pears, the youngsters participated in a coloring and counting activity. 

"At Ideal School, one of the children recognized us from last year and said to the teacher, very excitedly, 'they are here!'," Maria Kim reported. 

Linda Legner

Paula Whitelaw

   

Heather Laughman

 "I am so glad I got to participate with OER and reading to the kids!" said Heather, who has agree to take over Maria's position as Carol's co-chair. "They were so adorable and seemed really happy to have us there. What a great "hands on" experience that was fun too!" 

Carla Feinkind

Pat Mrozek

Maria Kim 

Maria is fluent in Spanish and a huge asset to the Operation Early Reading program. "There was an increase in the number of Spanish-speaking children," Maria said.  "Last year, I think there was a total of 5-6. This year, there were 9 children who were in the Spanish only category, although they are learning English in class, and appear to know their numbers in English. Each time we counted the pears, we took turns counting in Spanish and English."

The carefully-selected books always open up a dialogue with the children, who love to tell stories of their own.

"Before I read the book, we talked about the snowstorm and many said their dad's or a relative's car had gotten stuck in the snow," Maria said. "Also, a couple children told me that they didn't like pears, but oranges or apples." 

"All in all," Maria added, "the children were glad to see us, as well as being excited about getting a copy of the book and taking it home to share with their family."