A Good Time Was Had By All

Usha Swamy and new member Karen Michalczyk

President Carla Feinkind hosted the May 25th chapter meeting and end of the year luncheon at her eclectic art-filled Hinsdale home. Everywhere you look, there are interesting paintings, sculptures and pottery to behold.  Becky Moats planned a delicious Italian themed luncheon from Maggiano's with warm entrees perfect for the unseasonably cold and rainy May day. Good planning, Becky! Thirty four members attended the luncheon, including a couple new ones, Karen Michalczyk, a longtime Assistance League member in St. Louis who recently moved to Glen Ellyn and Geri Dworak, who lives in Western Springs.  Thanks to Trish Reider for photographing the event.

Barb Keller showing off diamond earrings she won
at Books and Brunch

Sally Rozak and Marguerite Spangehl

Maria Kim, Usha and Heather Laughman

Diane Mrozek

Phyllis Young, Deb Newman and Mary Parsons

Trish Reider with Karen and Barb

Maureen Hegarty and Judy Casten

Marguerite and Madelon Pearlman

Meg Cooper

Marianne Cortopassi

Ricki Lessig, Trish Reider, Meg Cooper, Carla Feinkind
Judy Casten, Marianne Cortopassi, Marie Raffl
and Laurie Cleary (in Europe)
2010-2011 Board

Trish Reider, Diane Mrozek, Ricki Lessig, Heather Laughman
Carla Feinkind, Meg Cooper, Marianne Cortopassi
and Laurie Cleary
2011-2012 Board 

Mary Parsons, Linda Gonnella, Marie Raffl

Jeanne Eber and Betty Cronin 

Madelon, Marguerite and Barb

Diane Kurtz

Heather, Phyllis and Joanna Williams

Maureen and Becky Moats

Diane and Ginny Lorenc

Pat Mrozek and Marianne

Mary McGovern and Jeanne

Judy with Roseanne Nash and new member Geri Dworak

Trish and Maureen

Maria and Diane

Barb and Becky

Kathy Motherway and Meg

Diane and Kathy

Heather and Usha

Celebrating Women Transforming Lives

Phyllis Young, Luciana Young, Jean Fargo 
and Linda Legner

Phyllis Young, outgoing Operation New Start co-chair, and a handful of members attended Bridge Communities, Inc. first annual Celebrating Women Transforming Lives luncheon on Friday, April 29 at Danada House in Wheaton.  Those of us who attended had the pleasure of meeting Phyllis' mother Luciana Young, who flew in from Walnut Creek, CA, and her good friend and equestrian buddy Jean Fargo. I didn't know Phyllis rode horses, did you? I drove there with Linda Legner and Becky Moats, which was a treat in itself - caught up with long time friend Linda and got to know Becky better. I sat next to Beth Waldo, another member I became better acquainted with over lunch.


Executive director Joyce Hothan and the entire Bridge staff were very welcoming, the setting was gorgeous, the meal with dazzling petite desserts was delicious and the speakers heartwarming. 


During the pre-luncheon reception, case manager Tom Thiltgen singled out our group and expressed his gratitude for the kitchens. He said it was like Christmas for his clients, to which Linda Legner responded, "We like to call it a shower." We had a good laugh comparing Tom's male point of view to ours. 

The afternoon reinforced the devastation faced by too many women, especially in our current economic state either through divorce or job loss, and that Hope and Help exist through organizations like Bridge Communities. Operation New Start plays a huge role in normalizing conditions for women and their families since meals are the most basic luxury that mothers can provide for their families. 

Master of Ceremony Jenniffer Weigel, a Chicago Tribune columnist, WGN contributor and author, spoke openly about her divorce, finalized the day before, and how thankful she was to have a nice home to go home to unlike the women who seek help from Bridge Communities. Karen Wells, vice president, U.S. Nutrition and Menu Strategy for McDonalds, USA shared her experiences of growing up amid challenges and how her faith and perseverance led to personal and professional happiness and success. 


Honoree Vicky Joseph, spoke about founding Families Helping Families in Naperville, a Bridge Communities program partner; while fellow honoree Jill Markussen, detailed the journey that led her to start a College of DuPage symposium, "The New Face of Homelessness".

Beth Waldo and Marianne Cortopassi 

Luciana Young and Jean Fargo

Linda Leger, Beth Waldo 
and Marianne Cortopassi

Marianne Cortopassi and Becky Moats 

ONS Kitchens Making a Difference by Barb Keller

Dear ALCW Members,

HCS Family Services sponsored an eight week workshop on parenting skills.  The six moms involved in the program were awarded with the ALCW starter kitchens for attending all meetings and doing the weekly assignments.  I am fortunate to have been one of the parent mentors in this program and also a member of Assistance League.  What a thrill it was for me to experience the excitement displayed when the kitchens were delivered.

Barb Keller's mentee

Many of the moms commented on how delighted they were to have everything matched.  The toaster oven was a big hit with my mentee as now her daughters are trying new foods in the toaster oven.

The joy that these kitchens brought to these women made me proud to be an

Assistance League member.  I was delighted to be part of an organization that had given these women a feeling of accomplishment and self worth.

Operation New Start forms new collaboration with HCS Family Services

Heather Laughman and Phyllis Young 

Operation New Start has given its first six kitchens to HCS Family Services, a compassionate not-for-profit organization which has been 
serving the residents of Southeast Dupage County since 1937. Formerly Hinsdale Community Service, its goal is to prevent homelessness and food insecurity, help low-income individuals achieve their dreams of sustained economic self-sufficiency and to create an improved quality of life for themselves and their families - a perfect fit for Operation New Start kitchens. 


"You are awesome!!" said Kim Stephens, Elites Case Manager.


Read what Stephens has to say about the Elites program and the unique way our kitchens are used. 


 The Elites Program empowers individuals and families dependent on community and government supports to achieve self-sufficiency within a three-year period. Through extensive case management, advocacy, educational workshops and support services, we provide participants with the tools that allow them to become independent from assistance. Each participant defines their goals and builds a reasonable strategy with their case manager in the following areas:  Education, Job Training, Employment, Housing, Finances, Health and Wellness. 

In meeting with our clients, I was hearing (all too often) the same thing, “I could really use some tips on how to be a better parent. It is so hard”.   

HCS Family Services, through the Elites program, fills this gap for our clients.   In January 2011, the HCS Family Services Parent Mentor program was born.  We recruited volunteers from the community to donate their time to becoming a Parent Mentor.  Six highly motivated Elites clients were selected to participate in the one-year program.  Before the volunteers were paired with their families, they attended a two-day training workshop on what their roles and responsibilities would be with their families.  The clients attended an evening discussion on what was required of them as well. 

The mentor and the client attend a mandatory eight week Nurturing Parent class together for two hours each week.  It is important for both the client and mentor to be together in this part of the journey.  It is a big commitment for both the mentor and client and is a true testament of their dedication in wanting to be better parents.  At the end of the eight week class, the clients have a graduation ceremony where they will receive their reward for attending the classes…the Kitchens that are generously donated by the Assistance League of Chicagoland West.
If you want to read more go to HCS Program works to strengthen families

Barb Keller, ALCW member and HCS Family Services
Board Member with Mentor Ann Hickey 

Mentor Karen Rooney