Spring 2012

G UA R D I A N A N G E L
C O M M U N I T Y S E RV I C E S
Our Mission is to improve the quality of people’s lives so that they
become empowered to realize their God-given potential.
Spring 2012
From the Desk of our CEO
Dear Friends,
Our Angelica 2012 Event “Dancing With Our Local Stars”
was a huge success again this year and I want to thank our
amazing dancers, sponsors, donors, and everyone who
came out to celebrate and support the work we do. We
are so very proud of all that you have accomplished! We
also thank all of the wonderful groups that came out and
did projects at Guardian Angel. All of you have touched
the lives of those we serve, and for that, and you, we are
truly grateful!
GACS Goes to Washington DC
Rockdale Walk for Family Peace
Inspired by student experiences, Ms.
Barwa’s 8th graders took a writing assignment to a whole new level! Encouraged by Dr. Espinoza, Rockdale School Superintendent and one of our dancing stars, students designed, planned, promoted and delivered an event to encourage positive family
relationships. On May 20, 2012 families took
a peace pledge and Ms. Barwa’s 8th graders
lead their first walk for family peace. They
raised $1,300 for GACS! Thank you for your
Senior Program Director, April Balzhiser, and Suzy’s Caring Place Program Supervisor,
Shirley Reilly, recently attended the World Conference of Women’s Shelters in
Washington D.C. that takes place once every four years, and is often described as a
truly life changing experience. It is amazing how so many people can come together
from all over the world in one shared voice for the rights of others, especially those who
have been victimized by violence. April, and Shirley took part in the Global Network of
Women’s Shelters at the conference. Ms. Susan Murphy-Milano, Intimate Partner
Violence and Cold-Case Crime Expert, invited April to share her
impressions of the conference on her online “blog”! Ms. MurphyMilano is praised as one of the most dynamic and engaging
speakers of our day in the domestic-violence field, she has
created specific tools and procedures the abused can use to
safely leave a violent relationship. Congratulations to April for
this wonderful invitation and for doing such a great job!
Congresswoman Biggert Visits GACS
GACS was honored to host a roundtable discussion on the Violence
Against Women Act reauthorization on February 23 with Congresswoman Judy Biggert. A great discussion was held with staff from GACS,
Mutual Ground, Crisis Center for South Suburbia, and Family Shelter
Services. Thank you to all who attended!
“Make Your Move”...
and fulfill your dream! A special member of our community entered the “Make Your Move”
contest through the WBGL radio station. She was chosen because her dream was unique in
that she wanted to do something for someone else, namely the clients of GACS. The radio
station dropped off a really generous donation of diapers, formula, cleaning supplies and
two high chairs!
Visit us on Facebook!
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
 M A Y
IS
CHILD
AWARENESS MONTH
ABUSE
 CONGRATULATIONS
TO SUSAN
PRITZ-BORNHOFEN, AWARDED
ZONTA’S 2012 WOMAN OF
DISTINCTION!
 GRUNDY COUNTY CHAMBER
C OMMERCE
CELEBRATES
OF
65
YEARS
 ZONTA
HELD ITS ANNUAL FUND-
VINETASTIC EVENT AT THE
JACOB HENERY MANSION ON
MARCH 3, 2012. MONEY
RAISER
RAISED THROUGH THE EVENT AND
FROM
GENEROUS
COMMUNITY
MEMBERS WILL BENEFIT
GACS,
ZONTA
RECIPIENT.
SERVICE
THE
2012
Spring 2012
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
May
National Foster Parent
Appreciation Month!
April was Sexual Assault Awareness month. GACS
provided several community awareness activities
including an informational movie night, a candlelight
vigil featuring artwork of survivors and of course,
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, to increase awareness
about sexual violence. Over 200 people
participated in activities throughout the month.
Remember to thank a
foster parent for their hard
work and commitment. Call
us to support the GACS
Prom N Aide a BIG Success!
foster care program.
Ask for Nick - 815-729-0930 Every spring students are excited about the warm
THE SEXUAL
ASSAULT SERVICE
CENTER HAS SERVED
MORE THAN 4,200
VICTIMS OF SEXUAL
ASSAULT RIGHT
HERE IN OUR
COMMUNITY
weather, the approaching summer break and of course,
Prom! Prom is one of the best memories from high school
and GACS works to help make those memories happen
OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE:
for today’s students. This year 94 local students
GROUNDWORK
participated in dating safety classes and
Assists victims of domestic violence
upon completing the class, students were offered the opportunity to
to break the cycle of violence
“shop” for a free prom dress and accessories donated by local indiEXCHANGE CLUB
viduals. Male students were offered a discounted tuxedo rental at
Men’s Warehouse. This program addresses how to identify unhealthy
CENTER
situations and promotes positive relationship skills to keep teens safe
For the prevention of child
on Prom Night and throughout their future relationships.
abuse & neglect
PARTNER ABUSE
INTERVENTION PROGRAM
The DHEC basketball team ended the season as League Champions! Basketball
Helps individuals develop healthy, provides students the motivation to succeed in class as well as valuable lessons in
mutually supportive & non–abusive teamwork and leadership. Please join us in congratulating our league champs and
our graduates! On June 5, 2012 DHEC held graduation for junior high and high
relationships
school students. We had 13 graduates in 2012. We are very proud of all that our
SEXUAL ASSAULT
students have accomplished! DHEC was selected as a School of Excellence for the 5th
SERVICE CENTER
year and Megan Geiss was honored as Outstanding Special Education Teacher by
Provides help to survivors of
NASET! GO BULLDOGS!
sexual violence
DILLARD HARRIS
Lewis University’s chapter of Theta Kappa Pi Sorority held a Domestic Violence Awareness
EDUCATIONAL CENTER
Week in March. They also provided Valentine’s and St. Patrick’s Day Parties in the shelter.
Improves academic success of
Twenty one Social Work students from local universities will begin internships within the
at-risk students
Groundwork and Suzy’s Caring Place programs this summer and fall.
FOSTER CARE PROGRAM
Sanctuary Church provided a spa night for shelter. Clients received haircuts, chair massages
Licenses nurturing homes for abused and manicures while the children were treated to games, prizes and treats.
and neglected children
St. Anthony’s Church donated 63 Easter baskets for kids in shelter and
CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
foster care.
Offers summer camp for children Christian, a six year old boy from our community, wanted to help others
less fortunate. He donated ALL of his birthday presents! WOW!
4-12 years of age
Julie Crouse, Mary Kay Consultant, and 22 members of the community
SUZY’S CARING PLACE
came together to offer our clients a special gift for Valentine’s Day!
Provides transitional housing for
Shorewood & Joliet Exchange Clubs generously donated to the GACS
victims of domestic violence
Bulldogs Crowned League Champs!
GACS Partners with the Community
ECC program for the prevention of neglect and abuse of children.
Zonta Movie Night Clients watched movies, had healthy snacks, and a
Page 2
ANGELICA Gala 2012
“Dancing With Our Local Stars”
Congratulations
to our stars!
Winner: David Nelson
Runner Up: Suzanne Hart
Barbara DeLaney
Ricardo Espinoza
Gordon Hinckle
Karyn McCarthy
A Special thank you to our dance studios!
Heart & Sole Dance Studio, Fred Astaire Dance Studio
of Mokena, and Sterba’s DanceSport
To view a list of all Angelica Sponsors and donors go to:
www.guardianangelhome.org
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
TO OUR DONORS!
Hollywood Casino Joliet
Bill and Sheila Schmitz
Harrah’s Joliet Casino & Hotel
J.L. Adler Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc.
Northern Illinois Steel Supply Co.
Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital
Blackburn, Giegerich, Sonntag Funeral Home
D’Arcy Motors
David Nelson Exquisite Jewelry
Kiwanis Club of Joliet
Kutlesa Hernandez Architects
Northern Insurance Services
Old Plank Trail Community Bank
Provena St. Joseph Medical Center
RJK Solutions
Wermer, Roger, Doran, & Ruzon, LLC
Page 3
GUARDIAN ANGEL COMMUNITY SERVICES
WWW.GUARDIANANGELHOME.ORG
1550 Plainfield Road
Joliet, IL 60435
Phone (815) 729-0930
Fax (815) 744-6087
For donation information,
please call the main number.
Ines Kutlesa, M.A., LCPC
Chief Executive Officer
James Ruzon
Board President
Mary E. Mikrut
Editor
Board of Directors
Chairperson - James Ruzon
Vice-Chairperson - Larry Wiers
Immediate Past Chairperson - Theodore Jarz
Treasurer - Ann Caneva
Secretary - Kathryn Giegerich
Lori Bergman
Charles Jones
Sue Bornhofen
Anne O’Neill
Jack Daly
Clare Pfotenhauer
Cindy Fiocca-Bloom
Kenneth Plante
Sandra Fleck
Amanda Quinn
Paul Gantzert
Michael Trafton
Our greatest contributions to society are the ones we leave behind. The lives
we have touched, inspired, mentored and educated who will one day show to
someone else the love and compassion which was bestowed upon them. Give a gift
that will help someone to realize their life’s potential, sowing a seed of giving that
your community can reap for generations to come...
When you decide to include Guardian Angel Community Services in your estate
planning the following wording is suggested: “ I give, devise and bequest to
Guardian Angel Community Services, an Illinois non-for-profit organization located
administratively at 1550 Plainfield Road, Joliet, Illinois, the sum of $______ (or
specifically describe property).
Allow us to thank you now and for years to come!