PERCEPTIONS 
Monthly e-newsletter with information for our
donors, volunteers and friends.
December (Vol. 5, Issue 6) 
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tcfs agency
TriCity Family Services
1120 Randall Ct.  
Geneva, IL 60134
630-232-1070 phone
630-232-1471 fax
  
Agency Links


 
About Us
  

TriCity Family Services is a trusted partner for counseling and other mental health services for children and teens, their families and community members across all life stages. Regardless of income level, members of the TriCity community have access to our full spectrum of services. Our unique family-centered approach seeks to involve all members of the family in treatment, and we are a local leader in engaging children and teens in early intervention and prevention programs. Through our services and support environments, our multi-dimensional approach seeks to strengthen the entire TriCity community by promoting lifelong mental health.

 

We are a certified 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that annually serves over 3,000 residents of the central Kane County townships of St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Kaneville, Blackberry, Virgil and Campton. 
 
We accept insurance, Medicaid/Kid Care, Medicare, and offer a sliding fee scale for counseling services. We also offer scholarships for our group programs. No one is ever denied services at TriCity Family Services based on an inability to pay.
Upcoming Events
Don't forget to vote for our TCFS Christmas Tree at the Geneva History Center!
Our beautiful giving tree, decorated by Friend of TCFS, Kari Bartel.

 

Voting Dates:

In Person

Until Dec.28

Online

Until Jan. 2

 

Click here to vote online now!

 

The Geneva Giving Trees program is an initiative designed to call attention to local nonprofits that benefit the community. Local charities have elected to decorate a Christmas tree to reflect their mission and area of service. The public is invited to vote for their favorite tree with their dollars, either online or by visiting the Geneva History Center.

 

The winning organization will keep 100% of the funds pledged to support their tree. The remaining organizations will split their winnings with the Geneva History Center. 

 
In This Issue
Upcoming Events
Featured Photo
Winter Programs Now Available!
Staff in the Spotlight
Thank you for Snowflake Shuffling
Thank you to our Shuffle Sponsors
Community Connections
 
  
With Christmas less than a week away, it's important to remember that the gifts that matter most aren't the ones you will find under the Christmas tree.  They do not come tied up in a pretty package topped with a bow, nor do they require you to scramble over last minute shopping.  The true gifts of the holiday seasons are the ones that are intangible.  
  
We, at TriCity Family Services, challenge you and your family to create a random acts of kindness list this holiday season. 
  
Each family member is encouraged to write down at least 3 individual acts of kindness they would like to complete. These acts should be simple and achievable in the short-term.
  
From volunteering, to giving someone a hug, to lending a listening ear to a friend in need, random acts of kindness will make your holiday season more meaningful.
  
Wishing you and your family a very merry and bright holiday season.  Please enjoy our December e-newsletter.

 

 Strengthening People, Building Community

 

   

Featured Photo of the Month

 

 

From ugly Christmas sweaters, to elf costumes, to reindeer headbands, Snowflake Shufflers were encouraged to dress festively for the race.

 

Even Santa Claus wore his best suit, buckle and boots!
 
Enroll in Winter
Programs and Support Groups 
  

  (for children 7-11)

  
  Other Programs & Dates:
  
Chick Chat by HGNA
Sat., Feb 1, 2014 
  
  
Teen Girls Retreat
Fri., Feb 28 (after school)-Sun., March 2, 2014
    
  
Staff in the Spotlight

It's always hard to say good-bye.

  
Sharon Koltis, MS, LCPC, has recently resigned from her position. Sharon has worked at TriCity Family Services for 4 years, and has a true passion for helping children and adolescents, and strengthening the family unit as a whole.
Sharon will be greatly missed, but we wish her luck in her new position and career with the Dupage Health Department.

 

 

 Julie Hipp, part-time evening receptionist has also recently resigned.  Julie is also a long-time Friend of TCFS, and the event Chair of the Snowflake Shuffle for 3 consecutive years.  
  
  
Our front desk staff are often the first point of contact for our clients, and we thank Julie for the outstanding service and compassion she demonstrated in her position.
  
We wish her the best in her future endeavors, and will be glad to have her continue to be a part of the agency as a dedicated volunteer.

             

Thank You for Kicking Off 
the Holidays with Us 
at the Snowflake Shuffle
 

 

On Saturday, Dec. 7th, we held our 5th Annual Snowflake Shuffle 5K Run/Walk in the Mill Creek Subdivision of Geneva.  Despite an extremely chilly morning, 609 participants registered for the race.   Of the 609 registrants, 462 braved the elements and participated in the Youth Mile or the 5K.   We thank all of our participants and volunteers for braving the cold to come out in support of TriCity Family Services.

 

For the second year in a row, the Colonial Ice Cream Cone truck led the race, with hundreds of festively dressed runners in close pursuit.  Participants brought holiday cheer and spirit wearing jingle bells, Christmas sweaters, elf hats and an eclectic assortment of holiday accessories.  Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns and Dolly McCarthy from the Dolly McCarthy Show helped kick off both races.  Even Santa Claus himself came out to support TriCity Family Services.  After the race, participants socialized inside the Mill Creek Clubhouse, holiday treats were provided, and awards were presented.  Both races were professionally chip timed by It's Race Time.
  
Hallie Hudson, Development Associate for TriCity Family Services reports that the event netted over $17,000.  All proceeds raised from this event will benefit the clients that the agency serves.

 

The Youth Mile had overall first place winners Ethan Hipp, age 12, of Geneva and Alexandra Schuster, age 14, of St. Charles.
Steve Nusser, First Place Overall Male and Dolly McCarthy of The Dolly McCarthy Show
 

 

Steve Nusser, of Geneva, took First Place Overall Male in the 5K with a time of 18 minutes and 1 second.  Tera Moody, of Chicago, took First Place Overall Female in the 5K with a time of 17 minutes and 46 seconds.

 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Tera Moody is a world champion marathoner, and we were thrilled to have had her participate in this year's race.  When asked why she chose to participate in the Snowflake Shuffle this year, Tera said the following, " I knew it was going to be really cold last weekend and figured it would be more fun to do a workout with a bunch of other people than out on my own.  There were a few events going on in and near the city, but your cause is very meaningful to me and I wanted to help support it." 
 
Tera Moody, First Place Overall Female, and world champion marathoner. 
  
The entire list of Snowflake Shuffle race results and pictures are available on the TriCity Family Services website at www.tricityfamilyservices.org.

 

Save the date for next year's race: Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014
   

We thank the following 

Shuffle Sponsors for their 

Generous Support

 

$2,500 Platinum Sponsor: Comcast

 

$1,000 Gold Sponsors: A Complete Remodeling Company, BMO Harris Bank, Exelon Generation, The Dolly McCarthy Show, The Elburn Herald and The Kane County Chronicle. 

 

$500 Silver Sponsors: Cadence Health, Delnor Glen Senior Living, Dickens, Mason & Kissell, DDS, Ltd., Dr. Eric Bartel, Fox Valley Orthopedic Institute, Kenny C. Photography, Shodeen Homes, St. Charles Bank & Trust and Waddell & Reed Financial Advisors.

 

$250 Bronze Sponsors: Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers, BFC Integrated Print Management, Carlson's Floors, Dr. Charles C. Kallstrom, Euclid Beverage, Everest College, Geiken Insurance Agencies, Geneva Eye Clinic, Gerald Auto Group, K. Hollis Jewelers, Linden Oaks, Producers Chemical Company, Rejoice Lutheran Church and Zimmerman Ford.

 

$100 Friends of the Race Companies: AMG Physical Rehabilitation, Brad Carlson & Associates, CrossFit 333, DePaw University K9 Campus, E&T Glass & Mirror, EpicAir, Fromm Company, Illini Landscaping, Midwest Dental Implantology, Prairie View Orthodontics, RSA, Inc., Tony & Friends Art Studio, and Tri-Cities Surgery Center.

 

$100+ Friends of the Race Individuals: 

Mr. Rich Alford ($100)

Anonymous ($100)

Mr. and Mrs. Wink Bangs ($100)

Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Burgess ($100)

Mr. and Mrs. Walt Catlow ($250)

Mr. Jim Di Ciaula ($100)

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Fisk ($200)

Mr. Tony Gange ($100)

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Gibson ($100)

Ms. Susan Majka ($100)

Ms. Brenda Pacey ($100)

Mr. and Mrs. William Weible ($100)

 

Additionally, TriCity Family Services is grateful for the generosity of the community and thanks the following: Kenny C. Photography, the Mill Creek Clubhouse, the Geneva United Methodist Church and the Batavia High School Foods Group and Interact Club for providing trays of cookies.

Community Connections
  
An Amazing Holiday Season for the Christmas Adopt-a-Family Program

The TCFS basement was a sight of grandeur these past few weeks with the preparation of our Christmas Adopt-a-Family Program.  Presents were piled high, and baskets of gifts and goodies filled practically every square inch of floor space.

 

The spirit of giving never ceases to amaze, and always bowls us over with heart-warming gratitude.


The agency would like to recognize and thank Joanne Spitz, Christmas Adopt-a-Family Chair, along with Mary Kay Dowling, TCFS Secretary, for successfully spearheading yet another Christmas Adopt-a-Family program.   Through this program, sponsor families supplied over 70 families in need with baskets brimming with gifts and non-perishable goods. This is our largest holiday program to date, and this could not have been accomplished without the coordination and dedication between Joanne and Mary Kay.

 

Click here to read a recent article featured in the Chicago Tribune about our Christmas Adopt-a-Family Program.

  

 

BMO Harris Bank Increases Their Level of Giving

We are delighted to announce that BMO has recently increased their Corporate Partner in Caring level commitment from $5,000 to the $7,500 as a Corporate Innovator in Caring.   

 

BMO Harris Bank will receive recognition at the agency's fundraising events and receive a year of philanthropic benefits in celebration of their gifts.

 

Click here for more information on the Corporate Partners in Caring Program. 

 

 

  


Thank You to Our Corporate Leaders, Innovators, and Pacesetters in Caring
            New BMO Harris Logo  FONA logo   
TriCity Family Services, 1120 Randall Ct.  Geneva, IL 60134, 630-232-1070 phone, 630-232-1471 fax
 
United Way Logo Geneva Community Chest Logo