2020 Fall Edition
People’s Resource Center Meeting Our Community’s Needs - Neighbor to Neighbor
Covid-19 and the PRC Response Look Inside to See How We’re Stepping Up! Meet Sarah, John and Reem Page 3
Introducing New Board Members Page 6
Thank You
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A Message from PRC Neighbors Helping Neighbors!
Board of Directors President - Jeff Zidell
As the weather begins to change, we are reminded of some traditional fall events – school days, football, trick or treating – which are not happening as usual. As we appreciate tree leaves changing to brilliant colors, families on walks in their neighborhoods, and apples from a fall harvest, we realize many important things have still stayed the same. The COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed our way of life, and despite all this – the PRC community has been resilient and stayed strong, making sure that the best things about us still remain.
Vice President – Erin Norton
When the Covid-19 crisis broke, PRC rapidly modified operations. We adapted our emergency food and social services to safely care for our work teams and those seeking help. Jobs, Literacy and Art have moved online during this time of social distancing. We are still meeting vital needs, every day.
Mary Constantino
Since March 17, we have reached 3,426 families with emergency services and filled an astounding 18,000 car trunks with nutritious food!
Sr. Pat Norton, OSF
We plan to continue with safety precautions, social distancing and outdoor food distribution until it is safe to work differently. The kindness and encouragement of our community has truly made it possible to continue living out PRC’s mission of neighbors helping neighbors.
Thomas G. Paulick
I am grateful for the community’s tremendous support to sustain PRC’s mission. This newsletter includes many examples of hope and inspiration. We have been humbled by these though there are many more. From volunteers responding to the call to help during a pandemic, to tutors in the art and literacy programs, to the tremendous generosity we’ve seen from our donors and supporters – we’ve worked together and I know we will get through the challenges of this time. With gratitude, from all of us at PRC,
Jeni Fabian Executive Director
PRC Champion, Bob Russo Our dear friend Bob Russo passed away in August. Bob was part of the REC (Religious Education Community) which included many of PRC’s early volunteers and founding leaders. He served on our board for many years, and worked in many volunteer capacities including as a literacy tutor through last year. He was 91 years old. It’s impossible to overstate all that Bob meant to PRC. In 2016, the West Suburban Philanthropic Network honored Bob with the Humanitarian of the Year award. Upon hearing this, Bob, with characteristic humility, said, “I feel humbled and honored about receiving this award. I am motivated to volunteer because it is a good thing to do.” The PRC Family is better for knowing and serving alongside Bob Russo, and his presence will be truly missed.
Secretary – Prashant Parikh Treasurer – Brent Loebig Jack Baldermann Ophelia Barsketis Consuelo Cabral John Dalby, Jr. Henry Davis, Jr. Kathy O’Malley Kimberly VanderSchaaf John Wallerius Sue Winkler Founder Dorothy McIntyre Executive Director Jenifer Fabian Director of Operations Linda Cheatham Director of Development Michelle B. Clegg Senior Director of Programs Christina LePage PR and Marketing Susan Bax Manning People’s Resource Center 201 S. Naperville Road Wheaton, IL 60187 104 Chestnut Avenue Westmont, IL 60559 Phone: (630) 682-5402 Fax: (630) 682-5412 Peoplesrc.org
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A New World The similarities between PRC literacy clients Reem and Sarah are impossible to ignore.
her home in Wheaton. “When I first came here in 2017, I was happy because I met friendly tutors.
Both women hail from “I really like coming here because I can practice English and find Sudan, are Muslim, and tutors to edit my writing.” have a total of seven Sarah is also a Thursday afternoon Food Pantry volunteer at kids and two husbands PRC’s Wheaton location. “I will continue to be a part of this between them. They organization,” she stated. studied together at Reem, a Glen Ellyn resident, also remembers her first time at Khartoum University PRC. “I felt so welcomed,” she recalled. “I come here whenever and came to the United I have someone watching my kids.” States to find a better Like Sarah, she added, “I like coming to PRC very, very much. life. Both heard about PRC from a friend. And when they are I have gained confidence which is essential in improving my together, they giggle a lot, like good friends do, but also become English skills. In addition, I have learned how to write and speak quite serious when talking about their studies. effectively for the TOEFL exam.” They are at PRC learning English– which they speak very well – John was their primary tutor as they learned English and studied in its Adult Learning and Literacy program and studying for the for the citizenship test. “I admire and respect him very much,” Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam. Once said Reem. Sarah agreed. “John became my friend.” they pass TOEFL, they have completed the first of many steps necessary to become a pharmacist in America, a job they both John replied, “It has never been difficult to teach Sarah held in their home country. and Reem. My greatest Their tutor, PRC volunteer John Hammond, had this to say, “Reem challenge has been to be and Sarah are remarkable women. In addition to their studies, the best tutor that I can be they are busy moms taking advantage of every opportunity to for them. enrich their children’s lives. I believe their experiences in the “For many of our student PRC community have added to their confidence and helped clients, PRC is a refuge and them understand the new culture in which they find themselves.” safe place to learn. It allows With John’s help, Reem and Sarah also passed the citizenship them to see the best in exam and now are American citizens. “PRC is a really great Americans,” he continued. place” said Sarah, who comes to PRC three times a week from “I am proud of what we do.”
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Interviews took place before the Coronavirus pandemic
Partner Spotlight:
Adtalem Global Education
Adtalem employees with the results of a holiday food drive for PRC.
Adtalem Global Education operates both Chamberlain University, which focuses on healthcare education, and Becker Professional Education, which offers educational resources for accounting and finance professionals. Over the last few years, Adtalem has partnered with PRC to run food and supply drives, advanced our nutrition education, sponsor adult literacy and encourage employees to volunteer. “Adtalem Global Education is committed to serving as a responsible corporate citizen and giving back to the communities in which we work, live and teach,” said Lauren Rengel, Adtalem’s senior manager of community relations and public affairs. “We encourage Adtalem students, faculty and employees to participate in philanthropic opportunities throughout the year at corporate and campus-supported events.” Becker has been running food, school supply and toy drives for PRC since 2014. In 2019, Becker partnered with us to coordinate a large school supply drive for employees in their Downers Grove office. The company purchased backpacks and encouraged associates in their Downers Grove office to fill them with notebooks, writing utensils, folders, crayons, highlighters and more.
In 2019, PRC welcomed our first public health interns from Chamberlain University to help expand our nutrition education as part of National Nutrition Month. During their time with PRC, the students helped with our client survey, developed our nutrition commitment, and researched new models for food access while learning food pantry operations. They were also invaluable in the launch of PRC Meal Recipe Kits, which creatively highlighted healthy items available in the food pantry. “The kits included healthy recipes, nutrition benefit information, and main ingredients,” said Ken Madden, director of food pantry services. “Chamberlain interns put in the work to really get the program going” Adtalem also supports PRC’s Adult Learning and Literacy Program. “The skill-building resources offered through PRC’s Adult Learning and Literacy Program aligns well with Adtalem’s values and our mission to provide global access to knowledge that transforms lives and enables careers.” Rengel said. “We are proud to help PRC equip individuals in our community with the skills they need to communicate well and find sustaining careers.”
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Thanks to the Clarendon Hills Lions We Have a New Truck!
Our New House
PRC has purchased a new refrigerated box truck thanks to the generosity of the Clarendon Hills Lions. The truck will allow our Food Pantry to rescue fresh, healthy food items from community businesses and keep it fresh until we distribute it to DuPage families. The Clarendon Hills Lions Club learned that a refrigerated truck would expand PRC’s capacity to provide fresh, healthy items for DuPage families, and is thrilled to have helped make it happen. Front
We are excited to share that PRC purchased the property at 209 S. Naperville Road which sits two-doors down from our Wheaton location. “A year ago we did a study of PRC’s space needs in Wheaton,” said Jeni Fabian, our Executive Director. Our classrooms and meeting spaces were almost always full, and we didn’t have room to grow. Offices were also full. Space was cramped everywhere.” The plan to expand space was set in early 2020, and funds were set aside for a future purchase. The new property includes two separate buildings (pictured). The 2-story house facing Naperville Road will be used for offices, to open additional space for client programs in PRC’s Wheaton building. The one-story building on the alley side will be used for future expansion of client services. During the pandemic, both buildings will be used to support PRC’s adjusted services. Small group tours have been offered in Fall 2020, and there will be future opportunities to visit the property. Jeni continued, “We are thrilled to purchase a building so close to our Wheaton location. The timing of purchasing the building in a pandemic was not what we expected, but the ability to find a space two doors away certainly feels like a PRC miracle!”
“Currently, PRC did not have a refrigerated vehicle, which creates limitations for safe food transportation, especially in the hot summer months,” said Jeni Fabian, PRC’s Executive Director. “This vehicle will be a game-changer for PRC in expanding our reach of food pickups.” Jon Arendt, president of the Clarendon Hills Lions Club said, “Our neighbors have been blessed to be able to tap into PRC for the food pantry, job assistance, and more, and we’re pleased to help ensure they can continue to get the help they need.” PRC is extremely grateful for the Clarendon Hills Lions generosity.
Volunteer Spotlight
Job Search Volunteer Cathy Kuczynski is pragmatic about moving to Buffalo, NY.
“When I came to volunteer 10 years ago, I had just retired. It was a perfect time for me to get involved at PRC.” In the past decade, Cathy volunteered as a Job Coach and then held an administrative role returning job phone calls three days a week. She was the first point of contact with clients looking for new career opportunities and some guidance in their search. “The contact with a diverse range of clients was my favorite part of the job,” she said. “One phone call might be someone looking to sit for the GED exam while others are clients with a doctorate degree.” Cathy has good words for the program. “The Jobs Program continues to empower people to reach their potential, support their families, pay their bills, be a productive member of our community and give them self-esteem,” she continued. “They have been given hope where there was despair. “I am very proud of my ten year association with PRC. It has been time well spent. I worked with a group of very professional people who had the same vision of helping people to find employment.”
Back
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We wish Cathy all the best and commend her for making a difference in so many lives.
New Board Members John Dalby
John Dalby, one of our newest Board Members, has already been involved with PRC for over 11 years.
“At that time, my church, Hope Presbyterian in Wheaton, was selecting an organization where we could invest money and sweat equity,” he recalled. “We found out that PRC in Wheaton needed help to stay open on Wednesday nights. Our church members chose to provide 10 or more volunteers every Wednesday evening to PRC. I have been one of those volunteers over the last 11 years helping in the food pantry and checking-in clients.” “Feeling blessed, I like to be involved and active in helping my neighbors and my community,” he said. “Whether giving time to my church and community groups, coaching youth or supporting local charities, I find satisfaction and emotional rewards when giving back to others.”
Sister Patricia Norton
We are happy to welcome Sister Patricia Norton, OSF, to our Board. A long-time supporter, Sister Pat was volunteering for PRC back in the 1970’s when founder Dorothy McIntyre was first starting the non-profit. “I feel I’ve always been related to PRC in one way or another,” she said. “I met with Dorothy and then later tutored or watched children there. “All through my life I have worked with programs that support people. That is in large part why I am a Wheaton Franciscan– our mission is to meet the needs of the time.” Sister Pat is currently serving on the Wheaton Franciscan Ministry Fund Committee, but before that was created she served as Chairperson of Wheaton Franciscan Services health care and housing system. At PRC, Sister Pat hopes to support the work of the Board and contribute to the good work we are already doing.
As a PRC Board Member, John hopes to provide strategic direction We are lucky to have her. Welcome to our Board! and assist in the acquisition of additional resources for PRC. We thank him for his service and look forward to his time on the Board.
Consuelo Cabral Bensenville resident Consuelo Cabral has always been involved with issues related to social justice. “What brought me to PRC is a deep desire to further the mission of working for the welfare and dignity of all people,” she stated. A teacher for over 20 years, Consuelo became a covenant member with the Wheaton Franciscans in 2008 and has volunteered with PADS and her church ministries. “Teaching has afforded the me the opportunity to interact with students, families and community simultaneously,” she said. “Those interactions have revealed the positive impact that institutions and organizations can have on families and the community.”
Sue Winkler
Our newest Board Member, Sue Winkler, brings over 30 years of experience in Human Resources and Safety to PRC. In her current role, Sue is the Director of EngageHR and leads a team of HR professionals who provide on-site HR support, partner on special projects and provide recruiting assistance. A previous business owner and executive of a manufacturing company, she brings her unique perspective to all aspects of her business. As a Board Member, Sue will use her knowledge of strategic planning, workforce planning, mentoring and coaching, long range planning, policy development and implementation, employee communication and recruiting to help PRC move forward during these unprecedented times.
Consuelo’s motivation for volunteering also furthers PRC’s mission.
“My life and work experiences lined up with some of the key programming PRC offers and I hope to be able to bring a new perspective to the Board and learn from them,” said Sue. “PRC has an outstanding reputation and I am proud to be a small part of the good work the organization does.
“As a PRC Board Member, I hope to contribute to the expansion of programs that address the needs of all clients.”
Sue is a long-time resident of Glen Ellyn, where she lives with her husband, Jay.
We look forward to her insights and contributions on the Board.
Welcome to PRC!
If you are interested in joining the People’s Resource Center’s Team, please go to our website to view current openings. www.peoplesrc.org/employment-opportunities REPORTING A CORRECTION People’s Resource Center welcomes comments and suggestions, or concerns about errors that warrant correction. Messages regarding a correction can be emailed to prc1@peoplesrc.org or you can call our marketing department at 630-682-5402.
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People’s Resource Center 201 S. Naperville Road Wheaton, IL 60187 630-682-5402 peoplesrc.org
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Sanjuana
Long-time receptionist, Sanjuana Rodriguez, retired in July. Sanjuana has truly been a special member of the PRC team. In March 1998, Sanjuana joined PRC as our first receptionist, greeting our guests in the Wheaton building on Roosevelt Road.
Delivering “Hope”
Tom Buhmann, Wheaton resident, cusd200 dad, and owner of Mypalletwall.com, spent the spring and summer giving back to the community via his woodworking business. “I’m motivated because I know we’re trying to spread hope and do something for a good cause,” Buhmann had said, adding, “It’s just a feel good kind of thing.” Tom’s motivation came from creating the “Hope” signs decorating front lawns throughout the area. His kids, who helped make the signs, were “thrilled to be part of something, using the quarantine time to turn a negative into a positive.” The family also donated 20% of its profits to PRC. Since March, PRC received $5,500. Signs are displayed on lawns as close as DuPage County and as far as Louisiana and Kansas. Thanks to the Buhmann family for spreading hope this summer and supporting PRC!
With over 22 years of service to the PRC community, Sanjuana has witnessed much of our history and growth. In the past two decades, Sanjuana was a steady presence as PRC changed to a choice food pantry, created empowerment programs, changed leadership, expanded the number of employees and volunteers, and moved to several locations. Her dedication to service was evident in her welcome to all neighbors. Sanjuana was always willing to go the extra mile when help was needed. We wish her good luck!