Impact Through Partnerships
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Serving Neighbors in the Community Page 5
Neighbors were able to meet with over two dozen employers and job resource providers at the 9th Annual Career Fair.
At PRC we often reflect on the question, “What Makes A Neighbor?” PRC was founded on a vision of neighbor-to-neighbor services where all are invited to offer their time and contributions, and where community members are warmly received when they seek assistance.
Even in times of rapid change, we are deliberate to listen and stay connected to what our neighbors are experiencing and how we can help.
The late Mr. Fred Rogers (one of my heroes) once said, “The best thing we can do for each other is to listen with our ears and our hearts, and to be assured that our questions are just as important as our answers.” Recently, the PRC team took time to seek feedback from volunteers as well as neighbors seeking services.
We learned that volunteers feel strongly connected to PRC’s mission, the programs are well-run, and volunteers feel welcome and appreciated when they come to lend a hand. Time spent with PRC is a rewarding experience, and volunteers see how the community is helped by their efforts!
In conversations with PRC clients, we learned about changes in the needs of families, as well as insights to help connect neighbors with multiple services. Our clients affirmed that being welcomed and taking the time to talk with them matters and increases what they learn about our programs.
The connection to our neighbors is why PRC is committed to listening. With nearly 50 years of service, PRC is still learning and growing with our entire community.
We remain focused on meeting current needs and planning for the future. Last year, the number of food pantry visits increased, and PRC’s cost to fill a grocery cart increased by 67%! With your involvement and encouragement, we will listen and respond together.
I am grateful for each one of you who allows PRC to transform listening into action, and compassion into impact, every single day. Thank you for being extraordinary neighbors.
With gratitude,
Jeni Fabian Chief Executive Officer
We are pleased to share updates about our Wheaton Campus Expansion! This impactful project will improve PRC’s space and welcome to neighbors and will relieve local parking constraints. Construction began in January and is anticipated to be complete in Fall 2024. The new building will feature an expanded food pantry as well as expanded space for Empowerment Services. Both PRC buildings in Wheaton will offer direct services, meeting rooms, and offices. The photo shows masonry enclosures for stairwells and an elevator, plus some structural steel in place. We look forward to sharing more updates as the project proceeds!
People’s Resource Center
Board and Staff
President
Erin Keyser Norton
Vice President
Ingrid Becton
Treasurer
Bill Delbridge
Secretary Sue Winkler Board Members
Jack Baldermann
Ophelia Barsketis
Cheryl Blum
Consuelo Cabral
John Dalby, Jr.
Laura Desmarais
Brent Loebig
Marsha Villanueva McDermott
Shayne Purdue
Leanne Sardiga
Lina Valdez
Kunal Vora
John Wallerius
Dr. Leatha Ware
Jeff Zidell
Chief Executive Officer
Jenifer Fabian
Vice President, Human Resources
Sue Bultman
Vice President, Finance & Operations
Linda Cheatham
Vice President of Advancement
Michelle B. Clegg
Vice President of Programs
Christina LePage
Manager of Marketing & Communications
Carl Alston
People’s Resource Center (PRC) is excited to announce a new partnership with Endeavor Health, formerly NorthShore – EdwardElmhurst Health, through their Community Investment Fund. Endeavor Health established the fund to partner with organizations to promote community health, well-being, and economic security. Endeavor Health is a philanthropic leader in DuPage and the surrounding counties, and is dedicated to enhancing community health and well-being, advancing health equity across diverse communities, and supporting local economic growth.
In January 2024, Endeavor Health awarded PRC a two-year grant totaling $627,000 through the Community Investment Fund. This grant will be used to assist in creating a comprehensive Wheaton Campus, featuring an expanded food pantry and increased education and Empowerment Program space.
“Our Community Investment Fund has made a remarkable impact since its launch in 2022, touching over 211,000 lives and supporting a significant expansion of behavioral health counseling, bilingual health education, and mobile medical services in our communities,” said Kristen Murtos, Chief Innovation & Transformation Officer at Endeavor Health. “At Endeavor Health, we are not just funders but conveners, bringing together diverse groups to cultivate collaboration and innovation. We are thrilled to grow and deepen the impact of our Community Investment Fund this year, marking a significant step forward in our commitment to enhancing health and wellness across the communities we serve.”
With Endeavor Health’s generous grant and partnership, PRC will be able to better meet the changing and growing needs of our community.
People’s Resource Center’s CEO, Jeni Fabian, was pleased to be appointed as incoming Co-Chair of the multisector collaborative Impact DuPage. Impact DuPage works to increase visibility of community needs, provide useful data resources, and collaboratively address priorities to benefit neighbors across DuPage County. Christina LePage, PRC’s Vice President of Programs, helped establish Impact DuPage in 2013. Jeni shares, “When PRC comes together with other organizations
to discuss local needs, we can make a real impact for our neighbors. I am thrilled to deepen our relationship with crosssector partnerships through the efforts of Impact DuPage.”
Jeni will co-chair the Steering Committee along with Adam Forker, Director of the DuPage County Health Department.
To find out more information about Impact DuPage, please visit https://www.impactdupage.org.
MoniKea Hattan first connected with PRC back in 2010 when she was referred by a friend who had heard about the variety of programs offered. She was 19 years old, homeless, and had a four-year-old son. MoniKea came at the perfect time to become part of a program PRC was offering called Learn and Experience to Advance your Potential (LEAP).
“The LEAP program was designed to assist out-of-school youth ages 17-21,” said Tonya Latson, PRC’s Social Services Director. “Its goal was to help participants continue to learn, gain experience using technology, volunteerism, and positive group interactions to advance their personal and career potential.”
MoniKea was able to utilize many other PRC services and was connected to additional resources within the county. She secured housing and counseling, continued her studies at College of DuPage, and earned a Microsoft Office Certification. Monikea then went on to obtain a job as a legal secretary, which started her on the road to becoming a paralegal.
She is a wonderful example of how much can be achieved with hard work, perseverance, and access to helpful resources along the way. MoniKea says, “Having the right resources available to you is huge. You can be the most intelligent, driven individual in the world but if you don’t have the support to navigate and execute, it could take triple the time to get from point A to point B.”
MoniKea has earned four associate degrees and one bachelor’s degree. She is now a successful insurance business co-owner, as well as co-owner of several other businesses, including a paralegal firm and a vending machine company.
She is not the only family member who has benefitted from PRC. Her mother-in-law, Paula Robinson, had been a successful agent
at a large insurance firm. Later in her career, she was offered an early-retirement package. However, a series of unexpected circumstances resulted in Paula needing some assistance, and MoniKea told her about PRC.
Paula says, “All of a sudden, I found myself, a woman over 50, between jobs, losing my home. I had no knowledge of financial skills that may have been common for many, but that were not necessarily taught in the community in which I grew up. I was embarrassed by what I didn’t know, and it took me some time to ask for help. PRC was kind to me and provided the financial literacy help I needed. It has also allowed me to use my experience in the insurance industry to help other neighbors.”
With new skills in financial literacy and added confidence, Paula was able to build on her existing talents and start a new insurance business. She also hired her daughter-inlaw to work for her and over time, promoted Monikea to partner! Today, the Robinson Insurance Group is a thriving business in Westchester, IL.
Paula and MoniKea came to PRC at a time in their lives when they were seeking some assistance and guidance. With a lot of hard work and determination, they leveraged the resources and information provided by PRC to thrive, individually and as partners. “I learned valuable, new skills at PRC, and was then able to teach my neighbors what I learned as a PRC volunteer. It is never too late to start over and continue growing,” Paula said. Monikea recently completed another computer course at PRC. “I’m very lucky that I am in DuPage County, and I KNOW that I would not be where I am now without the help of PRC all those years ago and now.”
People’s Resource Center hosted our 9th annual Career Fair on March 14, 2024 at the Wheaton Public Library. We had a record turnout with 377 neighbors attending the career fair looking to make connections with the 25 employers there. The event also featured fiv community organizations providing employment support resources such as job coaching and training, education,
professional clothing styling, and disability support. We are pleased to announce that five attendees secured immediate employment at the Career Fair!
“I’m incredibly grateful for the diverse turnout at our event, fostering connections within our community. It was truly fulfilling to provide numerous opportunities through employers, workshops, and community partners,” said Nicole Tochalauski, PRC’s Job Assistance Manager.
We have already received such positive feedback about our largest Career Fair yet. Nicole says, “During the fair, I had the pleasure of meeting a woman who had overcome homelessness and a criminal history. Through her skills, she connected with an employer who saw her potential and arranged an interview for a high-paying job.”
Job Assistance support can be found on PRC’s website at https:// www.peoplesrc.org/job-assistance/.
One of the keys to PRC’s ability to provide its depth and breadth of services is joining with community partners to reach our neighbors. These affiliations help to bring familiarity, convenience, and a feeling of community for everyone involved.
PRC is proud to work with The Mecca Center in Willowbrook and Immanuel Residences in Downers Grove to offer Adult Learning and Literacy Programs to people in a setting close to home.
As is often the case, PRC became connected with The Mecca Center through a volunteer, Kate Martin, who tutors English and Citizenship classes. During the time that discussions were happening with The Mecca Center, PRC hired Anum Abdullah as Manager of the Adult Learning and Literacy Program. A seasoned English as a Second Language (ESL) and Adult Basic Education (ABE) teacher, Anum helped to recruit students, conduct initial testing, and get classes going. A few months later, Citizenship classes were added to the curriculum there and so far, almost half a dozen neighbors have earned their citizenship through The Mecca Center partnership with PRC.
Immanuel Residences, a senior living facility, was initially a partner location for home delivery, where PRC delivers food for senior neighbors who are homebound or have no means to travel. Volunteers soon made PRC aware of residents’ desires to participate in literacy programs, and this service has really taken off. Since June of 2023, several beginner and intermediate literacy classes have been offered at Immanuel Residences. Volunteers enjoy working with these students who are dedicated and committed to learning English. Together, these neighbors commit approximately 60 hours to complete these classes.
“The partnerships with The Mecca Center and Immanuel Residences have worked out very well,” said Anum. “The volunteers enjoy tutoring as well as learning about different people and cultures. Our neighbors are grateful for the progress they make in learning English and are asking for more classes.”
PRC collaborates with many other organizations across DuPage County to provide service to clients where they are. Planning is underway to bring additional adult literacy and citizenship classes to The Mecca Center, Immanuel Residences, and other locations. Information about Adult Literacy and how to get involved as both a tutor and student, can be found on PRC’s website at peoplesrc. org/adult-learning-literacy.
This new freezer in our Westmont Food Pantry will help in keeping online orders fresh for our neighbors.
People’s Resource Center is excited to announce a new grant partnership with DuPage County through their Food Assistance Network Infrastructure Investment Program Round One. PRC was awarded $145,565 to purchase a new refrigerated truck and to start a pilot online ordering program at our Westmont location.
A new, refrigerated truck will allow PRC to collect even more fresh and frozen food items during food rescues and drives. PRC has experienced a significant increase in the number of clients seeking our Food Pantry Services, increasing the amount of food PRC needs to keep in stock. Adding an additional refrigerated truck to PRC’s fleet will help us maintain the appropriate amount of food needed to serve all of our neighbors.
PRC modifies our programs based on our clients’ needs. We have seen an increase in the need for flexibility in food access. An online ordering pilot program at our Westmont location is our response to this need for flexibility. Adding an online ordering and pickup option to our current array of Food Pantry Services will expand client choice, giving them unhindered access to healthy and nutritious groceries. Through our pilot program, PRC is hoping to make our food pantry accessible to everyone.
Ashley Frank, Manager of Food Acquisition and Logistics, says “The online ordering pilot will make food access more equitable. We want to eliminate any barriers our clients may face to getting food, and the flexibility and convenience of online ordering is another step to eliminating those barriers.”
The information and feedback we gather from our pilot program in Westmont will allow PRC to better understand how we can expand this program to our Wheaton location in the future.
Additional information regarding the online ordering pilot at our Westmont location will be available soon.
Kunal Vora is the Director of Administrative Operations at UIC College of Medicine where he is responsible for finance, operations and administration of the Department of Radiology and the Department of Urology. His educational background includes training as an accountant and attorney in India. He has earned an MBA and holds a CPA certification in the State of Illinois. His volunteer activities have included work at Feed My Starving Children and food access work outside of the U.S.
Kunal learned about PRC and its work from friend and current PRC Board Member, Ingrid Becton. He knew that PRC ran a food pantry but was struck by the number of additional resources PRC provides. Kunal is inspired by PRC’s work to meet basic human needs with dignity and respect.
“I really like the idea that PRC serves neighbors right in DuPage County. I’m amazed that an organization such as PRC is in my community and serving my neighbors.”
Kunal plans to use his skills to help in improving the lives of others in our community, thereby building a stronger DuPage County.
“There are a lot of good people around us, people who could benefit from PRC’s services and people who would support our work. I feel that part of my job as a volunteer is to connect people, starting in my own community. I want to use my natural ability to connect people in a way that benefits everyone.”
Kunal appreciates the level of empathy shown to everyone who comes to PRC for services. He tries to emulate that quality in the people he works with every day.
“It is hard to teach empathy to people. This is a quality that is important when working in the healthcare setting. It is hard to be empathetic all of the time, but at PRC, empathy seems so natural. I see it demonstrated among the volunteers every time I’m there.” Kuna is married with two children and lives in Naperville. He enjoys sports, being with his family, and global politics.
When you have to focus at work, do you prefer silence or noise and why?
Diana Jurgovan Front Desk Associate, Westmont
“I can work either way, but I prefer to work with some type of background noise on. If I have some soft music playing in the background, I feel more relaxed and focused.”
Shayne Purdue is the Manager of Meeting Planning and Events for the MacArthur Foundation in Chicago. She manages and mentors the meeting and events team on all aspects of internal and external meetings and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Foundation’s conference center. Shayne earned a B.A. in Organizational Management at Concordia University, Chicago. Her volunteer activities include Board membership at Cosley Zoo in Wheaton and working with Feed My Starving Children, HOPE Worldwide, Wheaton Warrenville South High School, and PRC’s Food Pantry.
Shayne started volunteering at PRC in 2020 in the food pantry. She then was invited to serve on the Development Committee as an at-large member. She continues serving on PRC’s Development Committee as a board member.
“I believe that a generous person will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. I am in a position to give, and I feel most grateful, most fulfilled, when I can serve alongside others. Service is an important part of life for me and my family.”
Shayne is passionate about organizations that work to meet basic human needs and how PRC helps to meet those needs, while also affirming the dignity and worth of every individual. She plans to use her skills to help build awareness about PRC, get younger people more involved with PRC, and build partnerships beneficial to PRC across DuPage County.
Shayne is married with two sons and lives in Wheaton. She enjoys being in nature and spending time with family and friends.
Thank you to the following charitable funding organizations for helping PRC achieve our mission in support of our neighbors.
Endeavor HealthCommunity Impact Fund
Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation
The Kline Family Foundation
Nicor Gas
George M. Eisenberg Foundation for Charities
TC Energy
Big Lots Foundation
Nordson Corporation Foundation
The Blowitz-Ridgeway Foundation
Alfred Bersted Foundation
FDC Foundation
Wesley Luehring Foundation
Northwestern Medicine – Central DuPage Hospital
Russell and Josephine Kott Memorial Charitable Trust
Wheaton Franciscan Sisters Corporation
Interns are key to our work at PRC. While they learn industryspecific skills and assess the not-for-profit environment as a career choice, they perform specific tasks in their assigned departments to help PRC provide service to our neighbors.
The interns worked in our Development and Social Services departments. Their assignments with PRC have recently ended.
Carnisha Arteberry is from Chicago and is a senior at National-Louis University majoring in Social Work. She worked in PRC’s Social Services Department.
During her internship experience, Carnisha learned about understanding the needs of those coming from diverse populations. She wants to use her case management skills to bring resources and support to our DuPage County neighbors.
“I plan to continue working in the social service field after graduation, helping in the mental health services area. Providing proper mental health services plays a crucial role in supporting individuals and communities.”
When asked about the most rewarding part of her experience at PRC, Carnisha said the following: “I think all the learning has been rewarding. Everyone at PRC has made me feel so welcome, and I love the support I get from working with this amazing group. The clients are great, and working with them has been such a pleasure.”
Tara Higgins grew up in Burbank and, after completing her undergraduate degree at University of Illinois Chicago, is now pursuing a master’s in nutrition at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois.
Tara worked to bring more nutrition information to PRC neighbors who use our food pantries. She also explored using a system to rank inventory in our food pantries to help neighbors make healthy food choices.
“I want to work as a dietitian in some sort of community setting, so this internship is exactly the type of field I would like to be in.”
Tara commented on her most rewarding experience at PRC: “I have volunteered at smaller pantries in the past and seeing how many resources PRC offers really inspires me. Also, everyone here has been so friendly and welcoming!”
Katie Hohe is completing the first year of a social work master’s program at University of Illinois Chicago. She grew up in Glen Ellyn.
“My experience at PRC has taught me so much! I learned how to provide short-and long-term case management and expanded my knowledge of what safety net programs are available to assist low-income individuals and families throughout DuPage County. I have also gained experience in working with clients from a variety of different backgrounds.”
Katie has always wanted to work in the mental health field, providing clinical and therapeutic services. She has enjoyed her work at PRC and would not rule out social services work in the future.
When asked about the most rewarding part of her experience at PRC, Katie shared the following thought: “I really enjoyed helping with the holiday Share the Spirit program in December! It was super fun being able to see it through from the start of registration all the way up until the day we distributed gifts to the families and children.”
Christine Strohmeyer is from Aurora and currently lives in Wheaton with her husband and kids. She is working to earn a Certificate in Digital and Social Media Marketing from College of DuPage.
During the internship, Christine was able to refine and adapt her business communication skills to newer, digital forms of communication and social media. She is considering a return to the workforce.
“I would like to work for a mission-based organization rather than a profit-based company,” Christine said. “I started my communications career with a major U.S.-based retailer and have steadily worked at and volunteered with smaller companies and organizations. It’s nice being able to see a direct impact from my work.”
When asked about her most rewarding experience at PRC recently, Christine said the following: “I worked at the recent Career Fair and was really interested to see people of all ages and nationalities taking advantage of the event.”
Thank you Carnisha, Tara, Katie, and Christine for the skills and talent you shared with PRC, to the benefit of our neighbors across DuPage County.
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.
Race
People’s Resource Center
201 S. Naperville Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
630-682-5402
peoplesrc.org
PRC Artists’ Exhibitions: May 1—31, Indian Lakes Public Library, Darien
PRC Artists’ Exhibitions: May 13—June 28, Westmont Public Library, Westmont
Help Nurture Hope Tulip Bulb Fundraiser: Friday, May 17, Oakbrook Center
Movies on the Lawn for PRC: Wednesday, July 17, Oakbrook Center
Holly & Hope Holiday Luncheon: Thursday, November 14
Gavin Coyle & Friends Holiday Concert: Friday, December 20