Look out, here I come!

Fall 2015
Serving the family and friends of Trinity Services, Inc.
A Message from the Director
In Brief
2
CSA harvest celebration
2
Frightful fun
3
Concert gala returns
3
New playground delights kids
4
Holiday events coming up
5
New learning at The Branch
7
Community Support Team
7
Don’t miss...
Trinity
Horticultural
Program
Annual Holiday Sale
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5
Poinsettias. Fresh balsam wreaths, garlands
& ropes. Hand-crafted
gifts and holiday decor.
100 N. Gougar Road, Joliet
Mission
To be a leader in providing the
highest quality, socially responsible
and cost-effective services and
supports to persons with disabilities,
so that they might achieve their full
potential and have the opportunity to
live full and abundant lives.
Facing the challenges
Dear Friends:
First of all, I would like to wish you a joyous and wonderful holiday season. It is hard to believe we are already at that time of the year but we truly
have much to be grateful for.
I trust that by now you have received an invitation to the Family and
Friends meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9th, in the Community Room
at 301 Veterans Pkwy. in New Lenox. We are also making the meeting available through “Go To Webinar” for those of you who will not be able to join
us in person. If you wish to join the webinar remotely, please send your email
address to my secretary, Debra Lynn, at [email protected] so
that I can share the link to the meeting with you.
My hope for that meeting is to more fully bring you up to date as to what
is happening at Trinity but also to share some of the current challenges and to
make some suggestions for action as we face the future.
In this correspondence, I would like to share one of the significant issues
facing Trinity—and for that matter, all other providers who are providing
residential services. That issue is our increased difficulty in recruiting direct
support staff primarily because of the low level of the entry wage.
(continued on pg. 2)
Look out,
here I come!
Mitchell, who is in fourth
grade at Trinity School, tries
out the new slide on the
school playground. Donations
from various sources made
this new equipment possible.
See more on page 4.
Message from the Director (continued)
Please know that providers such as Trinity have not had a rate
increase—which would fund a higher wage—in nine years. We are
now at the point where a wage increase less than $1 an hour is insignificant in recruiting new staff. As you know from experience, costs have
gone up in those nine years. I will talk more about that on Dec. 9th.
Apart from increased costs, funding reductions and, in some instances, program elimination, other factors are in play. For example, in
Will County alone during the past year, 326 additional jobs have been
created in the category of personal care and service occupations. These
new jobs have significantly reduced the pool of potential applicants.
Much of this growth follows an increase in the aging population.
Generally speaking, Trinity employs 640 direct support staff—
our ILCs (Independent Living Counselors). At the present time, we
have 160 vacancies in these positions—25% of this workforce. We
are working aggressively to address the situation but it is truly a challenge. Our ILC workforce provides the backbone for what we do.
Not only do we need high quality individuals, but we need them in
sufficient numbers.
I believe this issue has to be brought to the attention of our
elected officials with greater urgency and intensity. Therefore, I am
asking for your increased involvement as we seek to confront this
very real challenge.
I share this information not to discourage you but rather to
communicate a very real concern that needs to be addressed. I hope
to see many of you on Dec. 9.
Creative spirit
Members of The Branch practice the craft of
ceramics at Pots and Paints in Mokena, IL.
Above left: Kara shows her project, a piggy
bank dog. Above right: Mike and Samantha
paint their ceramics.
Yours truly,
Art Dykstra
In Brief
Holiday dance set
The Trinity Family and Friends will host its annual
holiday party from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at Lincoln-Way East
High School in Frankfort. A catered dinner will be followed
by DJ music and a visit from Santa with his bag of goodies.
Bake sale concludes successful season
The ALFA Foundation ended its inaugural CSA (community-supported agriculture) season with a party Nov. 6
in Mascoutah. The event celebrated a CSA season (Community Supported Agriculture) that delivered fresh produce
to participants from late May to the end of October.
Trinity Gardens and Farmstead co-hosted the event,
which featured a bake sale, raffle and free samples of lateseason produce. The public was invited and several people
Trinity Services, Inc.
301 Veterans Parkway
New Lenox, IL 60451
phone 815-485-6197
fax 815-485-5975
www.trinity-services.org
signed up for next year’s CSA at half off the membership
price, a $150 value.
The event featured fresh homemade specialties, barn
quilts, artwork and Christmas wrapping paper made by program participants. Visitors got an early start on Christmas
shopping, with proceeds benefitting Trinity programs.
This season, participants enjoyed a range of fresh, organically grown produce—strawberries, radishes, spinach,
carrots, green beans, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, squash,
sweet corn, cantaloupe and others. No chemical herbicides
or pesticides are used.
ALFA Foundation (Abundant Living for All) raises
funds to support Trinity’s Southwest Illinois program. For
details, go to www.alfafoundation.info or visit the ALFA/
Trinity Gardens & Farmstead Facebook page.
Board of Directors
Raymond McShane,
Chairperson
Jan Agazzi
Scott Creech
Barbara Hall
Bob Libman
Barbara McGoldrick
Ken Stromsland
Rolf Troha
Art Dykstra, Executive Director
Trinity Northwest
Halloween party
Above: Chang “the pirate” dances with “Chef Bonnie” and “tornado Lydia.”
Right: Matthew
“the athlete”
hangs out
with James
“the clown”.
Left: Darryl
tries not to
scare Legertha
too much.
Above: Justin entertains
the partygoers with his impression of Tom Brady of
the 1970s TV show, The
Brady Bunch.
Concert gala adds show choir
Please join us Saturday, Nov. 28,
for An Evening of Holiday Music, our
second annual concert gala to benefit
people with disabilities and mental illness who are served by Trinity.
This showcase of holiday music is
a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season. It will be held at Butterfield
Country Club, 2800 Midwest Road,
Oak Brook.
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New this year will be a performance
from select vocalists of the WheatonWarrenville South Classics Show Choir
(shown in photo at right).
This year’s event will bring back
the talented pianist Pauline Angelini,
and the Allegro!!! violin ensemble from
Western Springs School of Talent Education (in photo below, right).
A cocktail hour with appetizers will
begin at 6 p.m. Dinner at 7 p.m. will be
followed by entertainment.
For tickets and information, contact Sherry in the Development office
by phone at 815-717-3750 or by email at
[email protected].
3
Fall
Fall 2015
2015
A Chicago gem
Matt (left), Beata and
Samantha (right) view
the “Great Train Story” exhibit at the Museum of Science and
Industry in Chicago.
These members of
The Branch and their
friends enjoyed the
museum’s many exhibits during the visit.
New play equipment brings new thrills
New playground equipment installed in October is proving a big hit with the students at Trinity School. Funding for the slides, swings, climbing structures and ground surfacing came from the
generous donations of many individuals and the
Barnes Foundation. Thank you for your part in
this two-year effort to provide age-appropriate, fun
and stimulating play equipment.
Amazon donates when you
shop at smile.amazon.com.
It’s super easy! When you shop with Amazon, choose
this option to help persons who are served by Trinity.
Amazon Smile will automatically direct a donation to
Trinity with all of your Amazon purchases.
To participate, go to: smile.amazon.com and
select Trinity Services, Inc. as your charity.
Trinity Family
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Trinity
44
Fall
Fall 2015
2015
ORDER INFORMATION
Item #
www.ohfudge.org
www.ohfudge.org
Quantity
Flavor
Price ea.
Total
815-355-4512
815-355-4512
Name: ____________________________________________________
Address : __________________________________________________
City/State/ZIP: _____________________________________________
Phone: ______________________(home) ____________________(cell)
E-mail: ____________________________________________________
2015 Pricing Information
#1 - 2 oz. Thank-You Box (green imprint)
$ 1.50
#2 - 2 oz. Polka Dot (assorted colors)
$ 2.00
#3 - 4 oz. Clear Plastic
$ 3.00
#4 - 4 oz. Business Card Box (bright red)
$ 3.00
#5 - 8 oz. Clear Plastic
$ 6.00
#6 - 12 oz. Small Plastic Trio (6 oz. Fudge, Candy, Nuts) $12.00
#7 – Seasonal Shapes (pumpkin, turkey)
$ 3.50
 Customized box – additional $20 with your
minimum order of 50 pieces.
 Add your logo or non-stock image – price varies.
Standard Flavors
C=Chocolate, CN= Chocolate Nut,
CM= Chocolate Mint, CA= Chocolate Amaretto,
CP= Chocolate Peanut Butter, MM = Chocolate M&M,
DC=Dark Chocolate
Seasonal Flavors
P=Pumpkin, PN=Pumpkin Nut, M=Maple, MN=Maple
Nut, CAP=Cappuccino, CS=Choc. Cheesecake
To order by phone, call:
815-722-3923
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Or, mail your payment and this form to:
2306 E. Washington St.
Joliet, IL 60433
Oh Fudge! is a support business of Trinity Services, Inc.,
a public benefit organization. Your purchase provides
financial support to Trinity and job opportunities for
individuals who have intellectual disabilities.
Tax 8%
Total
Calculate tax by multiplying total by .08.
METHOD OF PAYMENT
 Cash: $ ______________
 Check: $ ______________
www.trinity-services.org
Credit Card:  Visa
 MasterCard  Discover
Card Number: ______________________________________
Exp: ________ VCode (3 numbers on back of card): _______
Signature:__________________________________________
Once your order arrives, it will be processed within two
business days.
THANK YOU for your support!
“Like” us on Facebook today!
Sweet Dreams
Raffle
to benefit people with disabilities and mental illness who are served by Trinity
Serta iSeries,15-inch, queen, memory foam hybrid mattress – combines exclusive Cool
Action gel memory foam with Duet Coil, individually wrapped coil-in-coil support system.
Also includes Serta Motion II Adjustable Foundation with wireless remote. Donated by
Mike’s Furniture, Joliet. Free delivery and set-up in Illinois. Retail value $3,000.
Raffle tickets
only $10 each
Tickets available at: Trinity Services, 301 Veterans Pkwy., New Lenox; and
Petals & Twigs, 427 W. Francis Road, New Lenox; or call 815-717-3750.
Drawing held when 500 tickets have been sold.
Numbers Tell Stories
Nov. 28
“An Evening of Holiday Music”
Concert Gala and Dinner
Dec. 5
Petals & Twigs Holiday Open House
Nov. 15 – Dec. 24
Trinity Horticultural Program
poinsettia and fresh balsam sale
Dec. 13
Barkery Pictures with Santa
Holiday Office Closings
Dec. 25
Christmas Day
Jan. 1
New Year’s Day
Friends of Trinity NW
Friends of Trinity Northwest meets
twice a year, in spring and in fall.
Meetings cover topics such as communication, supporting staff, hosting
events, and budgetary issues. Group
meetings also provide social opportunities. The group encourages new
members. For details, call Trinity’s
Des Plaines office at 847-299-2200.
57
Team Leaders at Trinity
Did you know there are more
Team Leaders employed at Trinity
than in any other staff position except
for our Independent Living Counselors?
Team Leaders are the backbone of
Trinity’s residential services and serve
as the first-line supervisors for all of
our community homes.
Since most of our homes are operated on the basis of three eight-hour
shifts, Team Leaders have 24-hour responsibility for the individuals under
their care. Generally speaking, Team
Leaders have responsibility for two
homes within the same network.
Trinity’s Team Leaders participate in the hiring process for the direct
support staff, provide their on-the-job
training and are responsible for their
monthly performance reviews.
As a result, they set the tone for
the home and are responsible for ensuring a positive culture so that the
residents of the home can flourish.
Team Leaders have many responsibilities that also extend outside of
the home. They make sure program
participants keep their doctor appointments, arrive at their job sites if
they are working, and attend scheduled activities within their communities. They truly serve as ambassadors
of Trinity Services.
Not only do Team Leaders have
to be good with people, they also have
to be good at paperwork. The amount
of paperwork required by the State
funding and oversight bodies is staggering.
Team Leaders are highly valued
members of Trinity’s leadership team.
In fact, the high marks Trinity’s residential program earns would not happen without the hard work of these
dedicated professionals.
If you are in the south corridor
of our Administrative Center in New
Lenox, take time to review the names
of these individuals on the Trinity
Leadership wall. They are truly an integral part of our leadership team.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Barkery, Jasmine’s keepin’ it fun for the holidays
This season offers great fun at
Trinity’s support businesses in Wilmington, where your shopping benefits
individuals Trinity serves.
Pet photo with Santa
Your pet can get a free picture
taken with Santa from 1 to 3 p.m. on
Sunday, Dec. 13 at Trinity Barkery,
240 W. Baltimore St.
Pets will receive a free treat bag
with the photo. You can decorate a
cookie and ornament to take home,
Trinity Family
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and enter a raffle for fun pet prizes at
$1 per ticket, or 6 for $5.
Shop Local event
From 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday,
Dec. 9, Jasmine’s and Trinity Barkery
5
7
will be staying open late for their shoppers’ convenience. The event will feature great deals on all Christmas gifts
and décor, as well as women’s fashions
and accessories.
Shoppers
can sample Oh
Fudge! candy,
gourmet
dips
and salsas, and
Hand-made
take home a free
pet scarves
door prize.
Fall
Fall 2015
2015
Department Contacts
Network I
Stephanie Behlke 815-485-6197
Network II
Trudy Curtis 815-476-5405
Network III
Mickey Gossen 815-485-6197
Network IV / Behavioral Health
Thane Dykstra, PhD
815-485-6197
Network V & VI
Lisa Dillon
815-485-6197
Network VII / Trinity Northwest
Jennifer Hodges 847-299-2200
Network VIII / Southwest Illinois
Mike Lowry 618-566-4200
Network IX / Staff Development
Trina Sieling 815-722-0166
Network X / North Central Illinois
Jennifer Price 815-941-1503
Enjoying the annual Halloween
dance at Lincoln-Way East High
School are, above: Corey and Margaret, and left: Janine and Tayler.
Ray Carmody 815-485-6197
Administrative Operations
Lori Hausherr
815-485-8146
Adult Learning Programs
Sherry Ladislas
Development
815-717-3750
Sharon Parker Health Services
815-485-6197
Dr. Rajani Patwari Medical Director
815-320-7326
Sally Ritchey 815-485-6197
Information Technology
Mike Sieling Financial Operations
815-485-6197
Electronic News Delivery
If you have computer access and
would like to help Trinity cut costs
by receiving the newsletter via email,
please contact Sherry Ladislas in the
Development office at: sladislas@
trinity-services.org.
WILL YOUR
EMPLOYER
MATCH A
DONATION?
Please invite
your company
or workplace to
join in on Giving Tuesday. And,
please encourage
your friends and
relatives to check
with their employers for matching
donations.
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Se
thove
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Giving T
encourag
favorite or
and Cyber
The Colem
difference
online on
Trinity Ser
received b
previously
dollar-for-
To Do
Dec. 1,
2015
To Donate:
www.trinity-services.org/GivingTuesday
6
8
Connect w
Helping peo
illness live
Giving Tuesday was created to encourage Americans to give back
to their favorite organizations after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. For previous donors, The Coleman Foundation will match the
difference between your donation made online on Dec. 1 and
your largest gift to Trinity Services, Inc. in 2014. Donations received by individuals who have not previously given to Trinity will
be matched dollar for dollar up to $20,000.
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www.trin
Fall
Fall 2015
2015
Civic participation
Al Murray, a Trinity job coach and
a volunteer with the Will County
Emergency Management Agency’s CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) teaches
Branch members about fire
and weather safety as Jessica
looks on. The Branch welcomes
volunteer teachers and trainers
on subjects related to: Designing my Future, Creative Expression, Fitness and Healthy Living,
Tackling the Everyday, and Cultural Enrichment.
Petals & Twigs
A gift shop in a Victorian home offering
home décor, candles, Oh Fudge! and
much more. 815-485-5976
www.petalsandtwigs.com
Oh Fudge!
Delicious, homemade fudge in many
flavors for all occasions. 815-722-3923
www.petalsandtwigs.com
Trinity Barkery
Home of Fritters for Critters, the yummy,
all-natural dog treats. 815-476-5104
www.frittersforcritters.com
SafeNow
Human safe, earth friendly, purposedriven cleaning products for all your
household needs. 815-723-0898
www.safenowproducts.com
Cherry Hill Bookstore
Resources for leadership and best practices in the workplace. 815-723-0898
www.cherryhillbooks.com
High Tide Press
Publications, training materials and
resources for disability and nonprofit
professionals. 815-717-3780
www.hightidepress.com
All Area Custom Designs
Custom designs for corporate, school,
sports and all other related apparel.
815-726-8323
www.trinity-services.org/about/Support_Businesses.aspx
Jasmine’s
Gift shop in downtown Wilmington offering gift baskets, hand crafts, jewelry and
Fritters for Critters. 815-476-5352
http://frittersforcritters.com
www.goodshop.com
Goodshop partners with thousands of stores like Amazon,
Expedia and Macys. You get the
best coupon codes and deals,
and donate a percentage to
Trinity at the same time. It’s all
FREE so please join in.
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New team approach aims
to improve MH outcomes
This summer, Trinity responded
to the need for an innovative, new
mental health option in the Joliet
area. Its Behavioral Health division
launched the Community Support
Team (CST) services.
This empirically supported treatment approach focuses on resilience and
recovery. The services being provided
are rehabilitative, and are designed to
meet the educational, vocational, financial, social, and other treatment
support needs of the individual.
Specifically, CST services focus
on reducing and managing symptoms,
and helping the person develop stability and independence.
Trinity’s counselors assist individuals who are struggling with mental
health issues to increase:
n their ability to thrive within their
preferred communities
n their ability to experience meaningful relationships
n their community participation.
Supports are available via telephone
24 hours a day, seven days a week for
the individual, family members, or any
identified members of the person’s natural support network.
7
9
Services and supports are provided
in natural settings, at times and locations that reasonably accommodate individual and family needs. A primary
goal is to promote resilience and decrease the number of crisis episodes and
hospitalizations.
One staff member of each team is
a person in recovery from mental illness. This team member participates in
a highly specialized training process to
become a Certified Recovery Support
Specialist (CRSS). As a fully integrated
member of the team, this person serves
as an advocate to promote recovery, resilience and self-determination.
Each member of the team takes an
active role in providing the services and
supports in order to achieve optimal individualized outcomes.
More information is available at
815-774-0327.
Fall
Fall 2015
2015
FIRST CLASS
PRESORTED
US POSTAGE
PAID
JOLIET, IL
PERMIT NO. 349
301 Veterans Parkway, New Lenox, IL 60451
www.trinity-services.org
Like Trinity
on Facebook!
Warm ‘n’ beautiful
Order
online
or stop
in today!
n
Ponchos
n
Scarves
n
Boot socks
n
Snoozies
n
Green Envy essential oils
n
Stephanie Dawn handbags
www.petalsandtwigs.com
Store hours
9 to 6 Mon. – Fri.
9 to 5 Sat.
11 to 4 Sun.
Ph: 815-485-5976
Pamper your hostess this season.