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Connections . . . news that makes connections and changes lives |
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Greetings! | |
 We have so much to share since last quarter! Today we posted our Annual Report on-line and it will be in the mail next week! While containing very important facts and figures, the heart of the report is filled with three inspiring stories - the stories of people motivated to overcome adversity and courageous enough to share their struggles and victories. We hope they touch and inspire you.
We were inspired when Foxfire, our program that works with adults living with severe and persistent mental illness, received a major award from NAMI. You can read all about it here.
Pictures! Two photographers shared their talents at the 2013 Pillars Ball. Ramon Nayar of ISO Splash has provided a stunning slideshow of the evening and Greg Scaperlanda captured images of many of you looking your very best. Is your picture on-line? How about your friend's? Check here and recapture the fun and tropical warmth of our evening in Havana.
From important information about raising teens, to gratitude for holiday generosity, to exciting news about our technology initiative, this issue of our newsletter is full of "News You Can Use." Hoping that you find it informative, interesting and even a bit entertaining. I am always happy to hear from you. So, as our winter winds down (I hope), if you have ideas or questions about Pillars that you would like to share, please call or email me at (708) 995-3504 or aschreiner@pillarscommunity.org. Thank you for your support and interest in the people we serve.
Ann
Ann C. Schreiner, A.M., LCSW
President and Chief Executive Officer
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In This Winter 2013 Issue | |
Foundation Provides Lead
Helping Children and Teens
in Crisis
Pillars Ball Slideshow
Save the Date -
Party for Pillars |
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Helping Children and Youth in Crisis
By Kerry Lusignan, LCSW, Pillars Director of SASS |
Teens experience so many pressures and with a variety of emotional, social and family issues to confront, many teenagers find themselves having suicidal thoughts. Part of averting a teen suicide is being involved in your teen's life and watching for teen suicide warning signs. It is also important to note that many of the teen suicide warning signs are also indications of depression.
Teen suicide warning signs
It is important to take the warning signs of teen suicide seriously and to seek help if you think t hat you know a teenager who might be suicidal. Here are some of the things to look for:
* Disinterest in favorite extracurricular activities
* Problems at work and losing interest in a job
* Substance abuse, including alcohol and drug (illegal and legal drugs) use
* Behavioral problems
* Withdrawing from family and friends
* Sleep changes
* Changes in eating habits
* Begins to neglect hygiene and other matters of personal appearance
* Emotional distress brings on physical complaints (aches, fatigues, migraines)
* Hard time concentrating and paying attention
* Declining grades in school
* Loss of interest in schoolwork
* Risk taking behaviors
Many teenagers share their thoughts and feelings in a desperate attempt to be acknowledged. In many cases, they don't know how to deal with their feelings and problems and are looking for someone to help them find assistance. Acknowledging these warning signs, seeking help for the problem, and offering support to a teenager who is working through his or her issues is very important. Pillars can provide this support and treatment to help alleviate these symptoms. Learn more... |
Work At Pillars - Featured Job Posting - House Manager at CMH
By Joy Bruniga, Director of Employee Relations |
Are you or someone you know looking for a job? A new section in Connections will be a featured job posting. Constance Morris House, our domestic violence shelter, has an immediate job opening for a House Manager. Below is some brief text which could be sent on to your family, friends and business colleagues. We would deeply appreciate it if you would please share and/or publish this information. Other job opportunities can be found at www.pillarscommunity.org/jobs.
Pillars is seeking a candidate for the House Manager position at the Constance Morris House (Domestic Violence Shelter). The House Manager will facilitate the daily operations of the shelter in order for residents, nonresidential clients, and employees to receive and/or deliver services in a safe and hygienic environment. The House Manager will also work with contractors, perform minor house repairs, ensure cleanliness, and assist with food purchases and preparation. Experience working with women and children needed. Full time position with excellent benefits. Visit www.pillarscommunity.org/jobs to learn more. Please contact Joy Bruniga in Human Resources with any questions. (708) 995-3510 or jbruniga@pillarscommunity.org. EOE. |
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Pillars' Foxfire Receives Prestigious NAMI Award
By Kathryn Smith, Director of Individual and Major Giving |
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Staff members Chris King, Merry Beth Sheets, Carrie Parks, Diane Anionlowski, & Michael Krusinsky, celebrate
the award. |
This past fall, Pillars' Foxfire program was awarded the Agency of the Year Award from the southwest chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)! Nominated by one of our clients for the award, the Foxfire program has been providing psycho-social care for adults with serious mental health illnesses for more than 35 years in Summit, Illinois.
NAMI Southwest Board President, Joan Kennedy stated, "Many of our members have participated in their programs and speak highly of them. Their goal is to help persons with serious mental illnesses achieve and maintain a healthier, more productive, and independent lifestyle. We thank them for all they have done over the years to help our members and our community."
Learn more about the important work happening at Pillars' Foxfire Psychosocial Rehabiliation Program. |
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Helping More People - The Impact of "Pillars 2.0" Technology Initiative
Community Memorial Foundation Provides Lead Funding
By Heather Higgins Alderman, Vice President for Advancement and General Counsel |
The Goal: helping more people.
The Barrier: severely outdated technology infrastructure decreasing the amount of time clinicians have to spend with
clients because so much time was being spent on paperwork.
The Solution: a comprehensive technology upgrade to dramatically decrease time on paper work and increase time
The Outcome: Community Memorial Foundation provides the lead major funding for the initiative, followed shortly
thereafter by an anonymous donor providing substantial support - as a result, more people will be helped.
Read more about how Communtiy Memorial Foundation is leading the way to help upgrade Pillars' technology so we can better serve more people in need of help. |
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Are You Ready to Party? For 30 Days? At 20 Sensational Parties? All for One Great Cause!
By Sam Madan, Director of Special Events and External Relations | |
We want to party with you! Our Party for Pillars Committee is finalizing plans for the fun, interesting and unique events you will not want to miss! Have fun while doing good as you particpate in our summer fundraiser!
Please mark your calendars and save these dates:
Saturday, June 1st - Check out our float in the LaGrange Pet Parade
Thursday, June 6th - Reception with Mark Suppelsa from WGN News
Sunday, June 9th - House Tour - 4 beautiful LaGrange area homes
Saturday, June 22nd - Pillars Talent Showcase at LTHS Reber Center
Sunday, June 23rd - Party for Pillars Finale Brunch
Win two free tickets for this year's house tour! Be the first to guess the address of one of the homes on the house tour this year. Here's the hint: new construction prairie style home in LaGrange Park. Email your guess to smadan@pillarscommunity.org. Good Luck!
There are more parties to come. Check back at www.partyforpillars.com. There will be something for everyone. If you are interested in hosting a party to benefit Pillars, please let us know! Contact Sam Madan at (708) 995-3512 or at smadan@pillarscommunity.org. We look forward to partying with you!
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Holiday Gift Giving Program Helps Over 350 People
By Patricia Seghers, MA, PhD, LCSW, Vice President of Professional Development |
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Pat Seghers (right) accepts gifts collected by UPS employees. Thank you to all who helped give
the gift of joy this past holiday season! |
Now that everyone has transitioned to 2013, and I hope that it was a smooth transition, I would like to reflect on the outpouring of kindness we and our clients experienced as 2012 came to a close. As the year ended, I was humbled and joyed by the caring and generosity that was shown for the people we serve through Pillars' Gift Giving Program. It was truly amazing and heartwarming! A team of elves, staff who agreed to coordinate and oversee the program, started the journey in October. By December 21st, albeit exhausted, the elf team felt overwhelmed and grateful by the outpouring of donations and offers to make this holiday special for either a child, adult or family. Over 360 individuals received either gifts, a meal or both. Toys for all ages, coats for men, women and children, shoes, food, and gift certificates were distributed. Families expressed surprise, tears of joy, kindness, and read more... |
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Portraits from our Evening in Havana
By Sam Madan, Pillars Director of Special Events and Exernal Relations |
Sharing beautiful pictures capturing the excitement, fun and tropical warmth of Greetings from Havana, the 2013 Pillars Ball, is another way to say thank you! We are so grateful to those who helped us to exceed our fundraising and attendance goals, and the mark of success can truly be seen by viewing all of the smiling faces in the portraits captured that evening!
We are excited to share with you some compelling images from the 2013 Pillars Ball. This year we were fortunate to have Ramon Nayar of ISO Splash photography and Greg Scaperlanda photographing our event.
Ramon has created an amazing slideshow with some of his portraits that captures the spirit of evening, which is accompanied by music from Blend Acoustic (the Duo that played during the cocktail hour) and Angel Meléndez & the 911 Mambo Orchestra. Click here to view the slideshow, or visit ISO Give (a division of ISO Splash Photography that centers on community based organizations) on Facebook. Click here to check out Greg's images, including those captured in the receiving line. If you were a Pillars Ball guest, see if you can find yourself and your friends. If not, see how much fun everyone had raising money for a great cause and please consider joining us next year. |
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Mission: Pillars aspires to build healthier communities by making connections and changing lives.
Philosophy: We build healthier communities by providing quality mental health services,
social services and education for people of all ages. |
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