Wednesday

November 3, 2010

Francesca Fiore HHW Fundraiser

Thursday 

November 4, 2010 

New Members Open House 

Eat and Earn at Francesca's Fiore  

in support of the

Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society

The Clinic is both happy and grateful for the generous grants from:

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

VNA Foundation

Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation

Westlake Foundation

This year The Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society is excited to introduce the 2010 Holiday Housewalk Signature Plate.  Beautifully crafted with recycled glass, the plate is a stunning piece with the etching of the Holiday Housewalk tree.  The plate will be available for purchase for $45 at the Holiday Housewalk Market with a portion of the proceeds to support The Children's Clinic.  

This summer, the Clinic's dental staff was joined by four of the 13 new dental students from University of Illinois Chicago who will all complete a five-week training rotation at the Clinic.  All of the dental students are in their final year of dental school.  Tariq Riyal, a current student noted, "This rotation has been an amazing experience.  Prior to this training, I was unsure if I wanted to treat children.  I've learned so many new techniques from the doctors in working with pediatric patients.  And, in fact, my outlook has changed as I plan to open my practice in public health dentistry with a focus on children."   

Greetings ~

During the month of October, we  have made the rounds to Circle meetings to update all members on the status of the grant for the Clinic to become a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).  The final grant will be submitted to the federal government on November 17.  Many thanks to all who submitted letters of support for this important initiative and to those that spent hours in helping determining a future site for the Clinic.  Special thanks to members of the building committee, Carolyn DelConte, Chair; Chatka Ruggiero, Nancy Wohlford, John Secker, and Diane Menza.  And also to real estate broker, David King, who spent many hours showing the committee various real estate sites. The support of the membership has been incredible and gives our proposal a strong edge in the eyes of the reviewers.

In August of 2011, the Clinic will be notified if it will receive federal funding.  The competition for these federal funds is stiff - the Clinic has a 50 percent chance this round of receiving funding.  We will keep the membership abreast of any news or updates we receive over the next several months.  If the Clinic is funded, the new name of the Clinic will be The Child and Family Health Center, sponsored by the Oak Park and River Forest Infant Welfare Society.  To the entire membership, thank you for your dedication and support of this important effort.  Happy Thanksgiving!