Family







In This Issue
Staff & Volunteer News
College Scholarships Available
TCRCF 2012 Recycling Totals
Planning For Competitive Funding Applications
Home Modification Program
Energy Efficiency Program

Staff & Volunteer News 

 

There were a few milestones that took place in the past year that are very noteworthy.

 

ANNIVERSARIES

It is with congratulations to the following staff that celebrated special employment anniversaries in 2012:

 

Five Years

Gene Frakes (April) -  

Recycling Facility Assistant

 

Ten Years

Marta Clugston (August) -  

CAA Secretary/Receptionist

            

Thirty Years

 Jane Evans (December) - Outreach/Intake Worker

 

Staff Departures

We are sorry to note that there were a few staff departures in the 2012 year, after many years of fine service to the Agency and its mission:

 

Anne Dixon (July - Homeless Case/Food Pantry Manager) left employment after 11 years of service to return to the university to complete her Master's degree

 

Conny Calomiris(October - Outreach/Intake Worker) retired just short of her 30th anniversary.

 

 

We wish Conny and Anne much success and some relaxation as they leave for new roads to travel.

 

VOLUNTEER SERVICE 

We are happy to recognize several volunteers who have served the WIRC and the WIRC-CAA for 15 or more years, and continue to do so:

 

Fifteen Years

            

David Walker (Hancock County) - serving on the WIRC-CAA Board of Directors

 

Twenty Years

            

Chuck Gilbert (Hancock County) - serving on the WIRC Board of Directors

             

Mike Kirby (Roseville) - serving on the WIRC Board Directors 

  

Thirty Years

Nancy Jameson

(McDonough County)-
Coalition Against Domestic Violence Advisory Board and the WIRC-CAA Board of Directors 
  
 
College Scholarships Available Through the WIRC-CAA Globe

The WIRC-CAA will have four - $2,000 scholarships for individuals desiring to further their educational training through an Illinois community college, vocational school, college or university. Applicants should be pursuing employment in a high need field and must be a resident of Hancock, Henderson, McDonough, or Warren counties. Scholarship recipients may apply the $2,000 towards tuition and fees, textbooks and supplies, or campus room and board.  

Read more... 

TCR&WMC

Tri-County Resource &

Waste Management Council

  

2012 Recycling Totals 
From the TCRCF

monitors

TCRCF Paint  Report The Tri-County Regional Collection Facility (TCRCF) is operated by the TCR&WMC  and reports record amounts of paint and electronics received.

The TCRCF opened its doors in September 2005.  The following is an abbreviated collection history of the facility.  This report may be an indicator for those who just started collecting electronics what the possibilities are for such recycling.

ELECTRONICS
  • 611,259 pounds of recycled electronics is up
    182% over  last year's total of 334,471 pounds  
  • 611,259 pounds is approximately twice as much as the facility's yearly (7.333 yrs) average of 305,843 pounds  
  • The yearly average increased by more than 48,200 pounds in 2012
  • It took 4.5 years to collect the facility's first  million pounds of electronics; 2.5 years to collect the second million; and at the present pace an estimated third million will be generated in 1.75 years.
  • Total to date e-collection is 2,242,852 pounds equaling 1,121.43 tons.
  • The paint collection is at 962,678 pounds and should break the million pound collection mark in April or May of this year.

In 2012, the TCRCF shipped 22 semi truck loads of electronics for recycling.  The staff is one full time and one half time employee.    


PAINT

  

In 2012, the TCRCF recycled 151,959 pounds of paint from 2,637 households.  The IEPA "Partners for Waste Solutions", the Department  of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) grant funding and dollars from Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox,  Mercer, McDonough and Warren counties and Aledo, Carthage, Fyre Lake, Galesburg, Monmouth, Sherrard and Rushville through their support make the paint program a successful enterprise.

  

While collecting electronics and paint the TCRCF also collected:   

  • Household batteries - 290 pounds 
  • Unwanted medications - 800.85 pounds
  • Cardboard: On hand - 10 bales totaling 13,000 pounds
  • Bales of plastic - 110 pounds (7,425 bags and shrink wrap, 365 pounds)
  • Several hundred CFLs
  • Thermostats
  • Holiday tree lights   
 

DIRECTIONS - Suzan Nash, Executive Director 


Suzan 30

 

 

"Project Santa always provides my staff and me with heartwarming stories and I have one that I'd like to share."

 

This year, the Project Santa Program was able to provide a merrier holiday to 170 families and over 390 children in the four Community Action Agency counties. Through many generous donations, sponsorships and staff/volunteer hours, the program had a very busy and successful season. We expected the need to be great due to the current economy, and all of our donors, sponsors and volunteers came through, helping us to complete the season. Read more...  



Planning

Undoubtedly one of the biggest issues that holds back communities from participating in development projects is lack of planning.

 

With the new year upon us, this is a great time to think about all of the community development related projects you and your community would like to see accomplished. In the coming months, several agencies will announce (or may have already announced) new grant cycles and accompanying deadlines. Undoubtedly one of the biggest issues that holds back communities from participating in development projects is lack of planning. WIRC staff receive many calls requesting assistance in the submission of an application too close to a submission deadline. When that happens,staff always suggest that the community call the agency several months forward, giving enough time to submit a strong and competitive application. Read more...   

Light Bulb   

The Western Illinois Regional Council is currently accepting projects to submit to the Illinois Energy Now public sector energy efficiency rebate program. This program is administered by the State of Illinois and provides rebates for energy efficient upgrades to electric and natural gas systems. Upgrades can be lighting, heating and cooling, motors and kitchen appliances.  Eligible applicants include local governments, counties, townships, special units of government, public schools, colleges, universities and state and federal agencies. Under last year's program, successful rebates were awarded to several local communities including the City of Macomb receiving $1,600 for lighting upgrades to the water treatment plant and the City of Monmouth receiving $12,894 to replace the lighting in its city hall. The City of Havana was awarded a $1,500 rebate to replace the furnace in their city hall. Rebates are eligible for equipment purchased or installed after May 31, 2012 and before June 1, 2013. Please contact Nathan Cobb at (309) 837-3941 or [email protected] to apply.     


Home Modification Program Helps Disabled  

Remain in Their Homes 


house  

WIRC will be partnering with the Illinois Housing Development Authority - Housing Trust Fund this year to offer the Home Modification Program to residents of McDonough and Hancock counties. This is a two-year program that will serve approximately ten households. Assistance will be available for accessibility related repairs and other minor improvements. Participants are required to be over 62 or physically disabled and must be income eligible. A recapture agreement will be filed against the property. Applications are being accepted at this time. Individuals interested in applying can call (309) 837-2997 for more information.    

    

Teen Dating Violence - Let's Start the Conversation

Couple  

 

Callie is 15 and has never had a boyfriend. She recently started dating Jason. She thinks he is so cute. Her friends all tell her how lucky she is because she has a boyfriend. At first, Callie thought it was sweet that Jason began calling her all the time. He always wants to know whom she is with, where she is, and when she'll be home. He has told her that she was meant to be with him and him only, forever.

  

Recently, Jason has started belittling her in front of his friends, insulting her, and telling her she is fat. He doesn't want her to spend time with certain of her friends - he thinks they are a bad influence. He threatens to break up with her if she won't do what he says, and that no one else will ever want her. Callie wants to make Jason happy. In fact, she'll do anything to keep her boyfriend. She thinks this is what being in a relationship is all about.

  

Above describes a typical dating relationship in many  junior and senior high schools today. Relationship violence often starts as verbal or emotional abuse and can quickly escalate into physical and/or sexual violence. Often teens think when someone wants to be with them all the time, it means he/she cares for them. As adults we know this is what jealousy looks like and that it is a huge red flag in a relationship.

  

Sadly, however, most adults, whether parents, teachers, counselors, coaches or mentors, have no idea about the amount of violence that is occurring in teen relationships. Nor are they prepared to discuss it with the teens in their lives. There is no perfect way to begin the discussion with teens. Starting the conversation before violence begins is important because we know that the majority of teens do not report the violence. If they talk to anyone, it's usually a friend, not an adult. Below are some facts and statistics that might help to start a conversation.

 

 Relationship violence is...

  •  A pattern of behavior used by someone to maintain control over his or her partner.
  • It can take the form of verbal, physical, emotional, or even sexual abuse. 

How often does relationship violence occur?

  • Relationship violence is the number one cause of injury to women between the ages of 15-44.
  • 70% of pregnant teenagers are abused by their partners.    

  Who is involved?

  • Relationship violence occurs between two people who are currently or formerly involved in a dating relationship.
  • The abuse can begin at a very young age, as young as 11 or 12 years old.
  • Friends of the couple are usually aware of the abuse and may be drawn into the situation. 
 Where can it happen?
  • Relationship violence can occur at school - in the hall, classroom, in the parking lot, on the bus, at after-school activities, at as student's workplace, at a school dance, or at a student's home.
  • In teenage dating relationships, the abuse is often public with peers witnessing the abuse; however, the abuse can also occur in private.  

With this information, Victim Services hopes it can help open up a dialogue between teens and their parents or caregivers.  

                 -Diane Mayfield, WIRC-CAA Victim Services Director 

 

 

 

TopNetWIRC Newsletter - Volume 21/Issue 1
Western Illinois Regional Council
223 South Randolph St.
Macomb, IL 61455
(309) 837-3941
[email protected]
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Western Illinois Regional Council
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Macomb, Illinois 61455
309-837-3941