Thank You Jewel-Osco

European American Association
A Not-For-Profit Organization
“Helping People Survive Today and Prepare For Tomorrow”
NEWSLETTER
www.eaachicago.org
A Special Thank You to
Contributors of
EAA’s Community
Development Program
I am thrilled to announce that we
recently
received
several
generous
donations
from
businesses that share our
objectives and are helping to
further
our
Community
Development Program.
We are committed to programs
and services that strengthen our community. Our
Community Development Program is one that I
am especially passionate about because it
creates jobs; it helps stop the destruction of our
neighborhoods and stimulates growth while
generating affordable housing for low-middle
income families and individuals. It also gives us
the opportunity to breathe new life into neglected
and abandoned properties for many generations
to come.
In addition to these property donations we are
excited to be working with other businesses who
have so graciously added their inspiration to our
program. Gifts in Kind and Home Depot have
donated supplies, construction materials and
other equipment while Sherwin Williams has
donated paint and painting supplies to further the
renovation process. To all we say a great big
Thank You and
May God Bless You.
John Herman, Founder/Executive Director
Spring 2009
Chase Bank puts back
into the neighborhood
Chase Bank has energized our Community Development Program by
generously donating two residential properties, which will be renovated by
EAA workers, dedicated volunteers and/or local contractors. They will then
be made available to low-middle income families and individuals or
possibility offered to assist the homeless or those who are in danger of
becoming homeless.
Pictured above: The single family homes donated by Chase Bank
to help further the Community Development Program.
TMR Harvey LLC and Mr. Michael Rubino
of Ameifund Commercial Corporation
contribute to our community program
An incredible donation came to us from
TMR Harvey LLC, and Mr. Michael Rubino
of Ameifund Commercial Corporation
located in Bannockburn, Illinois. Two
commercial buildings and a vacant lot were
donated from Mr. Rubino while EAA
purchased the two connecting buildings.
We hope, in the future this may house
another not-for-profit office to help the
Harvey community.
Pictured above: The donated and
purchased properties located in
downtown Harvey IL.
If you have or know of someone who has a distressed or other property,
please consider donating to a worthy cause and contact our office.
2827 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622-2703 Tel: 773-342-5868 Fax: 773-342-5533
Your Support Made a Difference
2009 LIHEAP SUMMER PROGRAM
We would like to extend a great big
Thank You to all the families and
individuals who made their voices heard
during our recent crisis. Your calls and
letters made a difference and we are truly
grateful. Support not only comes in the form
of a donation, contribution or a volunteer
project, it also comes in the form of a voice.
We are happy to say, for now, we are out of
our critical situation and look forward to
continuing to serve those in need of our
programs. We look forward to seeing you
in our office!
Stay tuned for details regarding the 2009 Summer LIHEAP program. The
only piece of information that has been released at this time is that the
program may begin in early July and the first to apply are usually,
seniors over 60, Disabled Households and Families with kids under
three. If you would like to apply, please call late June and we will have
more information.
The following papers
will be necessary:
Pictured above: Olivia and Elena
processing applications
Social security cards for
all household members,
last 30 days of income for
the household,
your current electric bill,
Medical eligibility card
if applicable
Serving the Needs of the Community through our Food Pantry
For the last 18 years, EAA has been serving the needs of the
hungry in our community. With the current unemployment
rate rising almost every day, our pantry numbers are also
rising. We are currently serving over 600 individuals monthly.
Today our food partners include, The Greater Chicago Food
Depository, Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation, FEMA, USDA
and Panera Bread. Not to mention individual food donations
we receive throughout the year. The food pantry is open
every Thursday from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm. Our boundaries
are North Avenue to Augusta (north to south) and Rockwell to
Kedzie (east to west).
We also participate in food projects at the food depository
th
throughout the year. The next one is scheduled for the 29 of
April. Another will take place in May. If you are interested in
donating 3 hours of your time for a great cause, call Christina
at 773-342-5868. Read on for more ways to donate!!!!
Thank You Jewel-Osco
EAA was the recipient of a Jewel- Osco
Hunger Relief Grant and would like to
extend a great big thank you to Jewel
Food Store and Greater Chicago Food
Depository. The grant was used to
purchase shelving units to hold the food
products during distribution.
The Greater Chicago Food Depository
announces the 24th Annual
Hunger Walk, Saturday June 20, 2009
Come join Team EAA at this years walk and help support our
pantry. All money raised will help EAA purchase food for the
coming year. Without each and every dollar raised, some pantries
would not be able to exist. The 2.5 mile walk will take place at
Montrose Harbor beginning at 9:30 am on the 20th.
We have arranged for a beautiful hot and sunny day at the lake
front so come and join the festivities. If you would like to join our
team, please call Christina at 773-342-5868.
All are welcome to join.
It’s Time to Clean out those Closets
and Kitchen Cabinets.
EAA will hold our annual rummage sale this
coming spring/summer. To donate items,
Please call Christina at 773-486-5566, or drop
off your items at the office Monday thru Friday
from 8:30am – 5:00pm. All donations raised, will
help fund our Community Food Pantry.
EAA AND EASTER SEALS
Senior Community Service
Employment Program
EAA is proud to be a partner in
the SCSEP program which
offers valuable training to
participants who are 55
and older. The objective
is to have the participant
gain knowledge and
additional experience in
today’s working world.
Thanks to the program,
EAA was quick to hire our
own participant Olivia Barrera
pictured to the right.
Mayor Daley’s “Clean and Green”
and Community Gardens
Every year EAA participates in the Mayor Daley’s Clean and Green with
the local community. A group of volunteers will go into the community to
make our neighborhood a little cleaner and greener. We will work in teams
covering the area around our office. This year’s project will take place on
the 25th of April at 10:00am. Our group will meet in the EAA office. If you
are interested in helping out, please call the office. All supplies will be
provided. If you miss the one in the spring don’t worry, we will do it again
in the fall. EAA also maintains our community gardens which consist of
our window boxes and the grounds around the office.
Community Care Program
EAA has been part of the Community
Care Program since 1993. We are
excited to serve over 800 + seniors in
the Chicago area and employ 400+
homemakers. Our staff and clients speak
up to 13 different languages and
represent over 20 countries. For more
information call 773-342- 5868.
Pictured above: Executive Director, John Herman, and International Housing
Manager, Daniel Lela, work with volunteers to beautify the community.
Pictured clockwise: Homemaker,
Liliya Kohutiak and Nadezhda
Ingerman. Clients Sara Kurakina
and Yadya Turovskaya and Olha
with Inna Sokolskaya
Introducing, Homemaker Supervisor,
Iryna Podolyanyuk
Pictured Above:
Supervisors Olha and
Iryna working on files.
Hello, my name is Iryna. I was born in the
Ukraine. I graduated high school and a
Financial Institute of Accounting as a
bookkeeper. I came to the states in 2003. I am
married and have a son and daughter and a
daughter in law. My son and his family live in
the Ukraine. I came to EAA in January of 2009.
I speak Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, Bulgarian,
Hebrew and English. I will be assisting
homemakers and clients that speak these
languages. I feel very happy when I can help
someone who really needs help.
Thank You
to our
Homemaker of
the Quarter
Every quarter the homemakers gather together for
the quarterly training session. In December, we
recognized our Homemaker of the Quarter and
Elida Pelaez was given the honor. Elida has been
a member of the EAA team for the past three years
and is an asset to have on our team.
Congratulations to EAA Dallas Managing Director, Samuel Bistrian on his book,
GOODBYE TRANSYLVANIA Young Man's Journey to Freedom
The book GOODBYE TRANSYLVANIA, subtitled A Young Man's Journey to Freedom is due for
release in April 2009. A young boy who lives in a communist village dares to dream beyond the
horizons of a limited world to a world with limitless opportunities. This book chronicles the fight that
hungry citizens pursue for the God-given right of freedom and the struggles most immigrants face in
their transition to the New World. It is a glimpse into what made America great and what continues to
make it the greatest nation in the world; the opportunity to become anything you want.
Goodbye Transylvania
is now available at any
online book store
including amazon.com
and target.com. For
more information
about the book go to
www.goodbyetransylvania.com
SAMUEL BISTRIAN was born in Romania. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, he is the founder of
the Light House Cultural Center in Dallas, Texas. Through his job, he travels around the world and is
involved in various humanitarian and missions projects. He and his wife Alejandra currently reside in
Dallas with their two daughters, Ilona and Emma. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Light
House Cultural Center, “Arts & Orphans”, a charity that supports cultural art orphanages around the
world. For more information about Samuel and EAA Dallas, go to www.eaadallas.org.
European American Association
2827 W. Division St.
Chicago, Illinois 60622-2703
www.eaachicago.org
Non Profit
Organization
US Postage Paid
Chicago, IL
Permit # 1418
Pictured above: Ricardo Romero
works with EAA as part of The
Chicago Academy High School
Mentorship Program.
Medicare Fraud
Twelve Tips to Preventing Health Care Fraud
Every year our nation loses billions of dollars due to Medicare Fraud. Illinois alone lost $1.3 billion dollars. That’s
about $56,000 lost every minute because of health care fraud and abuse! Don’t be a victim! Keep these tips in
mind when dealing with your medical expenses.
1. Get medical help only from your doctor, hospital or clinic, only they should make referrals for special equipment, services or medicine.
2. Talk first to your doctor or pharmacist before showing anyone your medical or prescription records.
3. Hang up the phone if someone calls and tries to pressure you into providing medical information or buying medical equipment.
4. Shut the door on anyone who comes to your home and says they are from Medicare or some other health care company.
5. Check with your health care provider before buying or investing in Internet “cure-all” or “miracle” products or services.
6. Collect your mail regularly. Don’t keep mail in your mailbox. People steal personal information from your bills and correspondence.
7. Rip up or shred your papers and important documents before throwing them away. Thieves go through the trash to steal your identity.
8. Treat your Medicare and Social Security Numbers like credit cards. If someone offers to buy your numbers, don’t do it!
9. Remember that Medicare does not sell anything.
10. Follow your instincts – if it seems too good to be true, it usually is!
11. ALWAYS check your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or health care billing statement for accuracy.
Look for three things on your billing statement: Charges for special equipment, services or medicine that you did not get
Billing for the same service twice
Services that were not ordered by the Doctor
12. If you suspect an error or fraud, gather the facts and report it. Call CLESE (312) 461-0812 AgeOptions (708) 383-0528 for help.
Information provided by AgeOptions and CLESE
EAA is a not-for-profit organization, "Helping People Survive Today and Prepare for Tomorrow"