2021 Fall Edition
People’s Resource Center Meeting Our Community’s Needs - Neighbor to Neighbor
Frida Kahlo and PRC
Read about our community’s connection to this empowering artist Spotlight on DuPage Foundation Page 1
Congratulations to WSPN Award Winners Page 4
Clockwise top left and right, and bottom right– student’s share their art work from PRC workshop, “Create Along: Frida Inspired Portrait” Bottom right, Diana Martinez from COD speaks to PRC Wheaton audience about Frida Kahlo:Timeless
Partner Spotlight:
DuPage Foundation
Board of Directors President – Jeff Zidell Vice President – Erin Norton Secretary – Prashant Parikh Treasurer – Brent Loebig
As a philanthropic leader in our community, DuPage Foundation brings residents, organizations and notfor-profits together around a common goal: to raise the quality of life throughout DuPage County.
Anjali Alva
People’s Resource Center (PRC) has partnered with the Foundation for more than 30 years. Through strategic grant making and special initiatives, the Foundation and its donors have invested more than $1 million in our mission to create a future of hope and opportunity for all DuPage residents.
Consuelo Cabral
Jack Baldermann Ophelia Barsketis Mary Constantino John Dalby, Jr. Marsha McDermott Sr. Pat Norton, OSF
“Everyone at the Foundation admires the great work and dedication of PRC,” said Dave McGowan, president & CEO of DuPage Foundation. “While both of our organizations have grown over the years, we have stayed connected, celebrated each other’s milestones and worked together on critical issues facing our community.” The Foundation helps area residents and organizations realize their unique charitable goals and provides impactful support to our community’s not-for-profits.
Kathy O’Malley James Orel Kimberly VanderSchaaf John Wallerius Sue Winkler
PRC Office Expansion at 209 Naperville Road
The Foundation promptly created the COVID-19 Response Fund, which has awarded $1.8 million to 97 organizations to respond to needs. As the wide-reaching effects of the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded across the County, DuPage Foundation recognized the human services sector was facing a surge in demand for essential services. PRC received $35,000 from the COVID-19 Relief Fund in 2020 to keep our Food Pantry Services open in this time of crisis. With this support, DuPage neighbors could be assured emergency food was available while they also managed taking care of loved ones and themselves. “Dave and the DuPage Foundation team serve the community with wisdom, collaboration and caring,” said Jeni Fabian, executive director of PRC. “Last year, their rapid support helped PRC pivot at the start of the COVID-19 crisis allowed us to meet the growing need without interruption.” In the spring of 2021, the Foundation reached another milestone. Their signature Community Needs Grant Program awarded a record $702,860 in grants to 37 area not-for-profit organizations, including PRC.
Founder Dorothy McIntyre Executive Director Jenifer Fabian Director of Operations Linda Cheatham Director of Development Michelle B. Clegg Senior Director of Programs Christina LePage Manager of Marketing & Communications Carl Alston
“By offering a wide variety of programs, PRC helps many DuPage County families,” said Laura Ernst, program officer at DuPage Foundation. “PRC is strategic with grant requests aimed at growing and strengthening its long-term capacity.”
People’s Resource Center 201 S. Naperville Road Wheaton, IL 60187
Funding from the Community Needs Grant Program has helped PRC update and expand our new office space at 209 Naperville Road. The Foundation’s support gives PRC more room to anticipate and address residents’ future needs, especially as more families look to heal from trauma, engage with others, and seek new opportunities.
104 Chestnut Avenue Westmont, IL 60559
“We are so grateful to DuPage Foundation for the many ways they foster impactful connections and improve quality of life for all our neighbors,” Fabian said.
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Phone: (630) 682-5402 Fax: (630) 682-5412 Peoplesrc.org
A Message from PRC Diversity Dialogue
Neighbors Helping Neighbors! If I had to choose one word to sum up People’s Resource Center’s experience with COVID-19 so far, it would be “more.” More uncertainty and more need— absolutely. But also: more generosity, more grit, and more gratitude.
Early in the pandemic, we faced new challenges almost every week. It wasn’t safe to meet face to face, and we worried about those we couldn’t connect with. However, we were able to rapidly adapt our food pantry with our drive-through model as well as adjust our Empowerment programs to be provided online. Over the past year and a half, we have filled over 66,000 cars with food and reached an estimated 8,500 neighbors with online programming during the pandemic. This is a direct result of the tremendous collective efforts by the whole PRC community. In this time of extraordinary need, this caring community has demonstrated PRC’s mission of neighbors helping neighbors. You have stepped up to share inspiring messages of support as well as financial contributions. Friends like you made it possible to respond and meet our neighbors needs every single time. Looking ahead, we know the impact of this crisis will be felt for a long time. With your continued support, PRC will continue to be here for our all our neighbors in DuPage. PRC is honored to be a part of the lives of all in the communities of DuPage county. With gratitude, from all of us at PRC,
Jeni Fabian Executive Director
In June 2020, PRC was in the early weeks of emergency changes due to the Covid pandemic. As we worked to adapt our services and safely care for one another, we also grieved with our neighbors in watching the tragic death of George Floyd. We further understood that to live PRC’s mission and values requires us to deepen our focus on racism and challenge ourselves to be better as an organization. We know that we are committed to being neighbors. That means listening more deeply, being more present, and being open to new understanding of how to build a better future for all. A small team of staff has worked on ways to celebrate diversity and work against racism. The Diversity Dialogue group has provided several opportunities for employees to engage and learn. We hosted On The Table discussions about Racism, and about the history of Juneteenth. We held a workshop to learn from neighbors from the Muslim community, and are planning additional workshops focused on diversity. We drafted a statement of How PRC Creates Community, to emphasize welcoming and inclusion. We launched a Heritage & Celebration Calendar to promote visibility and honor diversity across the PRC community. As we go forward in our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we look forward to inviting the wider PRC community to join in the conversations. We will share these opportunities in future newsletters. Just as it was when PRC was founded in 1975, the right question is still “What can we do to make a difference for and with our neighbors, to promote healing and justice for all?” We hope you will consider being involved in upcoming opportunities.
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The PRC Community Reflects on Frida Kahlo: Timeless during Latino Heritage Month PRC Art Instructor Rhonda Levi spent most of her 33-year career admiring Frida Kahlo and her work. “I saw a Frida exhibit a long time ago,” Rhonda recalled. “I read a few books about her, and thereafter incorporated her work and story into my curriculum on non-traditional portraiture.” Throughout her art teaching career, Rhonda says, she would frequent art shows to learn more about Frida and add to her curriculum. The famed Mexican artist died in 1954, but her artwork continues to resonate with audiences around the globe. When the Cleve Carney Museum of Art at College of DuPage announced that the “Frida Kahlo: Timeless” exhibit would feature 26 works of her art, Rhonda was impressed. “I don’t know if people understand the uniqueness or rarity of COD hosting an exhibit of this caliber,” she said. “A Frida exhibit is more likely to be hosted by the Art institute or Museum of Contemporary Art.” As the DuPage community prepared for Frida, PRC’s Art Director Lesley Gena reached out to Rhonda to plan an art workshop that would bring the community together and raise awareness of PRC’s Art Program. The workshop would follow a presentation by Diane Martinez from the McAninch Arts Center about Frida. “I thought it could be a great way to get more involved with something going on in the County,” Lesley said. “A lot of people were really excited about Frida. They could come check out this event at a place they had never been to and learn more about PRC.” In February 2020, a group gathered at PRC’s Megan Bradshaw Literacy Room. Some of the attendees were students in María de Jesus Rodriguez’ Intermediate Spanish class at PRC. María has volunteered at PRC for 17 years teaching Spanish classes. She knew she wanted to bring her students to the exhibit, and thought the event would be a great introduction to Frida and topic of conversation for the class.
This image was created by Nancy Miner, a PRC art class student who participated in our Zoom workshop called “Create Along: Frida Inspired Portrait”. The project directive was to embellish a photograph of a person with different materials like collaged magazine photos and colored pencils.
For Gaby Hernandez Chico, a community organizer with Immigrant Solidarity DuPage, a PRC partner that promotes cross-cultural understanding, “Timeless” reminds us of the painful human experiences that inspired Frida’s beautiful works.
“Everything Frida captures is an imperfect life,” María said. “She “Oftentimes, we want to just see the artist, but then we forget was a strong woman, and is a symbol for me.” what made her human,” she explained. “Frida was a woman who When the pandemic forced COD to suspend the exhibit until suffered in love, experienced health challenges and who, from 2021, Lesley continued to think of ways to spread awareness of childhood, had a somewhat tragic life.” Frida and PRC’s art program. This past May, she and Rhonda “Her suffering connects us as immigrant women,” Gaby said. replicated their workshop from February 2020 virtually, thanks “There is suffering in our lives, but we continue creating every day.” Wheaton Library, a long-time PRC partner. Frida’s art remains relevant and relatable, especially for women, “Last summer, the woman in charge of adult programming got in because of how radically open she was about her life experiences, touch with me about doing an art workshop for adults,” she said. Lesley says. “Awareness was building back up for Frida, and I thought it would “Frida is a very empowering artist for a lot of people. And it’s be a great opportunity to replicate the workshop over Zoom.” important for people to see Frida’s work and recognize that Art leagues and organizations across DuPage hosted their own Frida-inspired exhibitions and encouraged artists of all ages to submit their work.
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the issues that affected her life can be things that affect other people’s lives, too.”
PRC Proudly Congratulates Award Winners Peoples Resource Center celebrates the achievements of several employees, volunteers and supporters acknowledged at the West Suburban Philanthropic Network’s (WSPN) 19th Annual Philanthropy Awards. Each year WSPN recognizes outstanding individuals, businesses, foundations, and corporations that work to make our community better. PRC congratulates the following individuals:
PRC Grant Writer Morgan Abate Nonprofit Rising Star of the Year Award. Morgan coordinates the robust grants program at PRC, managing a portfolio of corporate, foundation, and community donors. Since she joined the organization, the total number of grants received has increased significantly.
PRC Friend Karen Ayala of the DuPage County Health Department Humanitarian of the Year Award. Karen has led the DuPage Health Department and our entire community through the uncharted waters of the COVID-19 pandemic with competence, calm and an unwavering commitment to the health and safety of all our neighbors.
PRC Partner Tom Fuechtmann of the Community Memorial Foundation Grant Maker of the Year Award. As a program officer with Community Memorial Foundation, Tom has led opportunities for nonprofit capacity building, from collaborative projects to leadership development and financial resilience. As an agency that has proudly partnered with CMF for more than 15 years, PRC has benefitted deeply from Tom’s insight, thoughtfulness and advocacy.
PRC Volunteer Sarah Huesing Nonprofit Volunteer of the Year Award. When a DuPage resident experiencing a crisis reaches out to PRC, the volunteer on PRC’s phone is likely Sarah Huesing. This year, Sarah has answered more than 1,300 calls and since becoming an intake volunteer in 2007, she has responded to an astounding 9,000 of them. Sarah has volunteered more than 3,737 hours, making her 11th among all volunteers in the number of hours dedicated to PRC programs. Sarah is a dedicated and passionate neighbor … a volunteer who truly cares and has a big heart.
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Hinsdale Rotary Garden PRC neighbors will continue to benefit from fresh produce from the community garden managed by the Rotary Club of Hinsdale. Produce like peppers, summer squash and tomatoes are included in DuPage County neighbor’s grocery carts, thanks to the yield of the Hinsdale Rotary Garden and the hard work of harvesting by Rotary members. Rotary Club of Hinsdale President-Elect Carolyn Snyder saw a story in the local newspaper about community garden boxes being available and was inspired to take action. the Club has volunteered at PRC, so are acutely aware of the food insecurity that impacts our neighbors. An avid gardener, Carolyn approached the Club with the idea to rent the garden boxes for the season. Carolyn enlisted other gardeners in the Club. Together they planted three raised boxes of vegetables in June of this year. Their goal is to donate all produce harvested from the garden to PRC.
Rotary Club of Hinsdale members Ingrid Raiser, Carolyn Snyder and Virgil Oostendorp stand next to one of the garden boxes. The produce from the Hinsdale Rotary Garden is donated to PRC.
never touched by pesticides or fungicides. Already two harvests have been donated at PRC’s Westmont location.
“The vegetables that we get from Hinsdale Rotary Garden are “The motto of Rotary International is Service above self,” Carolyn amazing,” said PRC Food Services Coordinator Ashley Frank. said. “We buy into that not only as members but also in our home “When a cart full of beautiful, fresh produce arrives from them, lives. We know our efforts barely scratch the surface of the need it completes several orders. We want to give our neighbors as for food in DuPage County. We’re happy to do what we can.” much produce as we can and they have helped us fulfill our goal.” The raised beds measure three feet wide and about 4 feet long. The Rotary Club of Hinsdale plans to rent the garden boxes The vegetables are planted, cared for and harvested by hand, again next season.
Neighbors Find New Jobs Through the 6th Annual Career Fair More than 70 job seekers attended People’s Resource Center’s 6th Annual Career Fair in June. Held in person on June 10 and virtually on June 17, the event featured 17 employers and three community organizations, many of which attended both events. “We were thrilled to see such a positive response from the employers and job seekers who attended,” said PRC’s Director of Job Assistance Paul Lewis. “We are looking forward to planning another fair in 2022 with more employers and resources job seekers need to be successful in their job search.” The event was very successful, especially in light of the dozens of conversations that resulted between job seekers and employers. What’s more, we have heard from at least three people thus far who have landed a new job through connections made at the Career Fair. In addition, 10 neighbors registered to become PRC clients and connect with other services. School District 45 Representative Brian Gaber speaks with a potential job candidate at PRC’s 6th Annual Career Fair.
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Job Assistance support can be found on the PRC website at https://www.peoplesrc.org/job-assistance/.
New Employees:
What has been your best experience at PRC to date?? Nicole Tochalauski Office Manager
My best experience at PRC so far has been interacting with our volunteers. Our volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds with a range of ages, but all have the same positive attitude, willingness to help, and dedication to make the lives of their neighbors better. It’s been really inspiring.
Elinor Dale-Schmidt
Volunteers Reconnect at Open Houses PRC welcomed dozens of volunteers and friends at two outdoor Open House events this summer. Just as was true during the last 18 months, heat, nor humidity, nor steady rain deterred our volunteers and friends from joining us at our Open House events in Wheaton and Westmont. Volunteers mingled under large tents adorned with art created by PRC artists. Mayors from both Wheaton and Westmont attended the events as well as other community members Thank you to everyone who attended! It was great to visit in person with so many friends and supporters of PRC after so long.
Special Initiatives Coordinator
The best part of working at PRC so far has been learning about and participating in such a vast array of programs and initiatives to support our clients and community. I get to work on so many different projects and am constantly impressed with all the ways PRC is engaged in DuPage County!
Carl Alston
Manager of Marketing and Communications
The best part for me has been interacting with all of the PRC supporters in the community - donors, volunteers, community partners working together to make our community better.
(L to R) PRC Board Member John Dalby, PRC Executive Director Jeni Fabian, Westmont, Illinois Mayor Ron Gunter, PRC Board Member Consuelo Cabral, and Westmont Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Larry Forssberg at the Westmont Open House.
Rafael Arias
Wheaton Parking Lot Monitor I love helping people and assisting them with language barriers. I love to interact with the clients and brighten their day.
Paul Lewis
Director of Job Assistance
“My best experience at PRC has been working together with my great team to execute two successful job fairs in one week. It was wonderful to job seekers come to us a few weeks later to let us know they received a job through a connection they made at the fair.”
Michael Peak
Westmont Parking Lot Monitor My best experience at PRC has been working with the volunteers and employees. They have all been so friendly and really a pleasure to work with!
(L to R) PRC Past PRC Board Member and Volunteer Paul LeFort, PRC Executive Director Jeni Fabian and PRC Board Member Mary Constantino stand next to sign acknowledging the support of DuPage Foundation at the Wheaton Open House.
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People’s Resource Center 201 S. Naperville Road Wheaton, IL 60187 630-682-5402 peoplesrc.org
Save the Date • Friday December 10, 2021 – 8:00 p.m. • A Celtic Christmas with Gavin Coyle • LIVE at the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage Join us for a very special performance of seasonal classics that has become a PRC tradition during the holidays. Ticket details and information available soon.
NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID CAROL STREAM, IL PERMIT #6030
Let’s Share the Spirit Share the Spirit 2021 is under way. You can help us spread a little joy to 700 neighbors and their families this holiday season. PRC is accepting donations of books (ages 0-17), gift cards to Amazon, Jewel, Mariano’s, Target, and Walmart, family games, hats, mittens, and gloves. Details and information including wish lists can be found on the PRC website at Peoplesrc.org/share2021/. Please donate by Monday, November 29 to allow time for sorting and packing gifts.
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.