Please forward this enews to Just 1 More person. Invite them to sign up for our Enews at www.wdsra.com.
Imagine the Impact you will be a part of! |
Holiday Dinner Dance King and Queen Crowned
 Congratulations Colin Hybert and Claire Corrigan! The pair were crowned king and queen at this year's holiday dinner dance. The dance was held at St. Andrew's Golf and Country Club in West Chicago.
|
WDSRA Chats with the Mayor
 Want to learn a little more about WDSRA? Want to know what makes WDSRA special? Catch Sandy Gbur, WDSRA Executive Director, as she speaks with Mayor Mike Gresk of Wheaton on an episode of A Chat with the Mayor. Joining them is WDSRA family Liz and Samantha Rein. The Rein's talk about what WDSRA programs mean to them.
|
Programs at 95th St. Center
Starting in January, WDSRA  will offer programs at the 95th St. Center (Rt. 59 and 95th St.) including programs in their beautiful cooking facility. That means more programs in South Naperville! Choose from:
Classes for teens and adults include: Cooking 101, Creative Corner, Yoga, Zumba, and social clubs
Classes for children and teens include: Music With My Friends, Animal Interaction, and social clubs
Souper Bowl Cook-Off: a special event specifically for families 2/2/13
Complete program details can be found in our winter/spring brochure or online at www.wdsra.com.
|
|
Greg Bizzaro Receives Business Leader Award
 The many talents of WDSRA friend and owner of Jaffe Films, Inc., Greg Bizzaro, were recognized by the Education Center's annual Kids' Best Friend Awards Benefit. Bizarro was recently presented with the Business Leader Award on behalf of his work with people with disabilities. He was recognized for his dedication and creative work with WDSRA's Video Ventures program and Special Talents America, which he co-founded.
Congratulations Greg!
|
|
Carroll Sisters Receive Youth Service Award
 WDSRA volunteers Catherine and Jonel Carroll recently received the Naperville Youth Service Award, presented by the City of Naperville, Mayor A. George Pradel, and KidsMatter at the annual award celebration. The Carroll sisters were nominated by WDSRA Support Services Manager, Wendy Craven, who was especially impressed with the girls' altruistic enthusiasm.
Congratulations Catherine and Jonel!
|
|
Donations Make the Holidays Brighter for Drop In Centers
 Participants from both the Glen Ellyn and Naperville Drop In Centers came together for their annual holiday party. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) DuPage church volunteers donated the meal and got into the spirit with some caroling. Then Santa handed out personalized gifts to each of the 80+ participants thanks to both the Naperville Exchange Club and the Tom Russell Charitable Foundation. Tracey Glawe and the First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn collected food donations, through a generous food drive, especially for our Glen Ellyn Drop In Center. The food will be used to provide free meals to the Center each Wednesday. Thank you for the donations! The WDSRA Drop In Centers are weekly programs that give people with a primary diagnosis of mental illness a safe place to come together, make friends, and recreate. For more information about any of our Drop In Centers or how you can help, contact Dana at danas@wdsra.com or 630-681-0962 ext 131. |
|
Tell Us Your Dreams
 This year's auction is about making dreams come true. We want to know what your WDSRA dream is or how WDSRA can make your dream come true. Is it to go on your first overnight trip without a parent? Is it to get a gold medal at Winter Games? Is it having your child invited to a birthday party?
Has WDSRA already made your dream come true? We want to know that too.
Send your dream and name to Cindy at cindya@wdsra.com or 630-681-0962 ext 123.
WDSRA...Where Dreams Come True!
|
Annuals 101
 It is that time of year again when we ask every family to fill out a new 2013-14 Participant Annual. By filling out the Annual, it provides WDSRA with the most updated medical and contact information necessary to properly plan, staff and administer programs for your family member. This will cover the 2013-14 program year.
For your convenience, Annuals can be found in the winter/spring brochure or online at http://www.wdsra.com/Links/WDSRA-forms.htm.
We also ask you to fill out additional demographic information. WDSRA regularly seeks out grants to help offset the cost of programs. It is becoming more common for grantors to require demographic information on our participants. While we will supply general demographic information to grantors, your specific information will remain confidential.
Thank you!
|
|
Special Needs Special Events
|
2012 Special Needs Screening Series
Monsters Inc. Screening
 Especially for families raising children with special needs, we are pleased to sponsor a private screening of Monsters Inc. as part of our partnership with Studio Movie Grill (SMG).
Monsters Inc.
Saturday, December 29th
11am
301 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton
Special needs children and their siblings are FREE.
All other guests are $5/ticket. Tickets available at the box office only. Seating is limited on a first-come, first-served basis.
For complete information visit Studio Movie Grill.
|
From the Naperville Publc LIbrary
Storytime for Children with Special Needs
 The Naperville Public Library invites families to join them as they sing, dance and share books during a half-hour storytime for children with special needs. Storytimes are held the first Saturday of each month at 11am.
Naper Boulevard Library
First Saturday of each month at 11am
2035 S. Naper Blvd., Naperville
For more information visit www.naperville-lib.org.
|
Midwestern University Looking for Families to Participate in Research Study
Midwestern University is looking for families with children with developmental disabilities ages 2 to 10 years old who have a dog living within their home. The purpose of this study is to explore how dogs influence the volitional development of those children in play. The time requirement of this study will be approximately 2 hours which will include an observation within the participant's home.
Individuals interested in participating in this study should contact Susan M. Cahill, PhD, OTR/L, Assistant Professor of Midwestern University, at 630-515-6359 or schill@midwestern.edu.
|
From our partners at the Village of Carol Stream
Holiday Lights Recycling
 Elgin Recycling, in partnership with the Village, Park District and Public Library will be sponsoring a holiday light recycling program. Lights can be deposited in the recycling collection barrels located in the lobbies of any one of the following 3 drop off locations:
Carol Stream Municipal Ctr, 500 N. Gary Ave.
Simkus Recreation Center, 849 W. Lies Rd.
Carol Stream Public Library, 616 Hiawatha Dr.
Complete details can be found at www.carolstream.org.
|
COD Courses for Students with Developmental Disabilities
College of DuPage is offering classes this spring in Vocational Development through the Vocational Skills program; Independent Living Workshops (living, communications, time management, and self-advocacy skills) through the Center for Continuing Education; and even a section of Education 1110, Interpersonal Skills for Life and Work, just for students with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. This is in addition to their ongoing Autismerica social support & parent/student club which meets the second Thursday of each month.
For more information or registration contact, Michael Duggan, Ed.D, LCPC, CRC, COD Counselor/Professor at 630-942-2845.
|
Imagine the Impact!
Imagine...one more person finds a place where they feel welcome and where they belong. We invite you to make Just 1 More a regular part of your WDSRA outreach! Say YES! to Just 1 More. - Make Just 1 More donation this year
- Attend Just 1 More event
- Forward Just 1 More enews
- Tell Just 1 More person about WDSRA
For more information contact us at 630-681-0962.
|
