Newsletter- January English - West Suburban Senior Services

4 0 T H
A N N I V E R S A R Y
E D I T I O N
WEST SUBURBAN
THE
SENIOR SERVICES
SENIOR CHRONICLE
SPECIAL
POINTS
OF INTEREST:
V O L U M E
X X V I ,
1
J A N U A R Y
2 0 1 3
Here’s to 40 Years and Counting...
West Suburban
Senior Services
is proud to announce that
January marks
• Remember- not only the beginning of a new
ing Past
Anniversa- year, but also the
beginning of our
ries
special 40th Anniversary year.
• WSSS 40th
West Suburban
AnniverSenior Services
sary Gala!
was founded in
1973 as Proviso
Council on AgINSIDE
ing. The agency
was originally a
THIS
small storefront
ISSUE:
and only provided services
4
Significant
such as home
Developdelivered meals, transportaments
tion, chore assistance, and
case management in Proviso
A Momento
Township. The agency has
6 since expanded to serve more
from the
Past
areas throughout Chicago’s
western suburbs resulting in
our new name “West Subur-
•
I S S U E
The Evolution of
WSSS
ban Senior Services.” WSSS
has grown from a single office to four campuses each
providing a variety of services. Between the four campuses, our organization has
developed into an agency
that now serves over 9,000
senior citizens
and their families throughout
the western suburbs of Chicago.
WSSS has
greatly expanded the variety of services
and programs
that are now
available to senior citizens in
the area.
It’s hard to believe that the
West Suburban
Senior Services
team has been
around for 40
years already.
May we raise
our glasses to 40 years of
great memories and a Happy
New Year from the West
Suburban Senior Services
family!
Robert Strnad, M.D.
President, Board of Directors
10,000 Card 7
Games
Senior Jour- 7
nalists
2013
PAGE
2
The Evolution of WSSS
My memories of West Suburban Senior
Services, formerly Proviso Council on Aging:
When I started my employment at Proviso
Council on Aging in 1980, as the agency
was called, we were located at 1006 Bellwood Avenue in Bellwood. The office was
a store front with nine large desks around
the outer walls, and one desk was in the
middle of the large room. All the furniture
that we had at this office was donated to us
by the local Social Security Administration
Office. Our telephone system was one to
behold. It was on the old party line; this
meant someone in the office could be on
the line that you wanted to use. The person
who needed to make a telephone call would
have to check to make sure no other person
was on your line. We had two volunteers
who called over one hundred clients daily
to make sure that they were okay. I can tell
you that we heard a lot of dialing while we
were on a telephone call. It was not uncommon to say, “Excuse me! Excuse me! I’m
on that line.” But that was easy since our
desks were in the big circle, and we could
see and hear each other.
I was the only case manager when hired. It
was not unusual to receive a call in the
morning and make the visit that afternoon.
We actually were waiting for our turn to
answer the telephone so we could take the
next call.
We did not have computers. We had to
keep statistics by hand.
Budgets and agency invoices were kept that
way. You could always
hear the adding machine counting and see
the tape getting longer. When the first
computer came into the agency, the staff
stared at it. Today there is a computer at
every desk. In addition, the Social Services Department workers have laptops
that are taken on home-visits and to hospitals. This allows for a more efficient system.
When the building at 439 Bohland was
purchased and the existing staff moved in,
we didn’t know what to do! We had our
own offices, phones and many things one
would take for granted today. The building
at 8300 West Roosevelt Road in Forest
Park was purchased, and we now owned
the building at 712 East Elm Avenue in
LaGrange. The three sites were used for
adult daycare services. All sites continue
being used for various services. Boy, have
we grown from the store front on Bellwood Avenue.
The wonderful thing is that West Suburban Senior Services has continually assisted many participants in the community.
Our established agency has been in existence since 1973. We have grown and
added many programs and personnel since
the beginning. I am proud to be a part of
West Suburban Senior Services.
Elizabeth Szilagyi
Associate Director of Social Services
1986 Newsletter
1998 Newsletter announcing the
new format of the publication
SENIOR
CHRONICLE
VOLUME
XXVI,
ISSUE
PAGE
1
3
Remembering Past Anniversaries
After searching through the West Suburban Senior Services archives, an old article from January/February of
1998 was found commemorating the 25th Anniversary
celebration of WSSS, which was then known as Proviso
Council on Aging. The article reads as follows:
“Proviso Council on Aging, on September 12,
1997 celebrated its 25th or
Silver Anniversary with a
week long series of events.
Every village in the Proviso area, Proviso Township, the State of Illinois
through a resolution made
by State Senator Thomas
Walsh, the Suburban Area
Agency on Aging and
State Representative
Eugene Moore made and
presented proclamations
honoring Proviso Council
on Aging for its 25 years
of dedicatetd services to thousands of senior citizens and
hundreds of thousands of their family members. Numerous elected officials, mayors, village trustees and staff
from villages and other governments attended tha ffair in
addition to senior citizens, families and friends. One honored guest was William Bensen, Acting U.S. Secretary
for Aging. He toured the Senior Center, had dinner with
us and made a brief speech. His kind words and support
were appreciated by staff, volunteers, members of the
Board of Directors and clients alike.
All events were under the “big top”, a 60 by 100 foot tent
erected in the agency’s parking lot. The weather was
brisk for early September but
no one seemed to mind. The
celebration lasted for the entrie week beginning with the
Adult Day Health Care pot
luck dinner, continuing the
next day with a luncheon for
senior citizens (and a few
bees), a breakfast for professionals in the community
and cumulating with village
presentations and proclama-
tions during an early evening presentation. Well over
1,000 different individuals, family members, and
friends participated and attended one of the ceremonies. A celebration toast was made by the President of
the Board of Directors, Hannelore Alajoki. Past members of the Board of Directors, spouses of deceased
members, clients, family members, friends and others
celebrated with the toast, cake and wonderful memories of the earlier days.
While honoring the agency for its past 25 years was
important, the agency re-dedicated its mission for the
next 25 years striving to assist area senior citizens with
a multitude of services and helping services. The
Board, staff and volunteers continue to assist those in
ened while providing quality services.”
fifteen years later, we are proud to recognize that our
organization has come a long way. Primarily an Adult
Day Services provider, WSSS now offers Adult Day
Health Care, Caregiver Support, Case Management,
Chore/Housekeeping, Congregate Meals, Home Delivered Meals, Emergency Food, Friendly Visiting, Geriatric Mental Health Services, Elder Abuse Forensic
Clinic, Health Screens, Information and Assistance,
LGBT Seniors Program, Quality Assurance, Senior
Centers, Telephone Reassurance, Transportation Services, and various volunteer opportunities. The agency
is continuing to hold true to its promise to assist area
senior citizens as shown in our recently renewed mission statement:
WSSS encourages independence and personal
choices through a continuum of supportive services
designed to meet the needs of a diverse community
while recognizing each individual’s goals, dignity,
and ability to achieve his or her own quality of life.
To recognize the progress
that WSSS has made
since our last anniversary
celebration, the organization will be celebrating
40 years of service with
the 40th Anniversary
Gala, a huge fundraiser
scheduled in the Spring.
More information can be
found in the WSSS 40th
Anniversary Gala! article
on page 6.
Previous newsletter format, publication name is changed to The
Senior Chronicle
Brand new Senior Chronicle
format printed in color
PAGE
4
Significant Developments Over the Years
West Suburban Senior Services has undergone many
positive changes throughout its forty-year history. For
example, the agency’s efforts to promote an awareness of available senior services have expanded dramatically. Marketing tools have evolved from a onecolor Senior Chronicle newsletter to the current multidimensional document. Also, our neighbors have
learned about the agency through press releases, posters on Pace buses, stuffers in bank mailers, participation in various health fairs and other community
events, public service announcements on cable television and Chicago radio stations, “robo” telephone
calls, visits to senior clubs, grocery bag stuffers, meet
and greet events at area businesses, and community art
shows… to name just a few.
In addition, agency staff and senior clients have dined with
mayors, and police and fire personnel; we’ve hosted community forums where state and federal officials have learned
about our services and heard about our concerns; and we’ve
hosted similar town hall forums to present our client’s suggestions about program expansion and improvement to
AgeOptions. This month, we are launching the area’s first
Mobile Senior Center that will routinely bring health screenings/information, nutritious lunches, recreational activities,
and benefits/service information to Leyden Township and
Proviso Township older adults who reside in senior apartment buildings.
Throughout the years, West Suburban Senior Services has
also expanded community partnerships that have resulted in more
services for our clients. There have been senior job fairs. Grandparents have been honored at an annual weekend
Grandparents’ Day, and annually, our veterans
have been recognized for their service. Also, the
agency co-sponsored successful Hispanic Family
Health Fairs, and Community and Back to School
Fairs. Students from area schools have partnered
with our clients in various activities. And who
could ever forget the large communitywide parade
and picnic that launched the 2012 celebration of
Older Americans Month, or the many, many community professionals and residents who volunteered their expertise and time in Senior Center
programs!
Chair Excercises
WSSS Patio before remodel
VOLUME
XXVI,
ISSUE
1
PAGE
5
Significant Developments Over the Years Cont’d
New partnerships continue to bring financial assistance
to families in need, services to the previously underserved LGBT seniors, affordable and nutritious congregate meals to seniors in southern Cook County, no-cost
mental health counseling for older adults, assistance to
help seniors coping with self-neglect behaviors, and
comprehensive services to older adults who need and
prosper in our Adult Day Health Care program.
Lastly, daily Senior Center programming has changed significantly
throughout the years. For example,
Home Delivered Meal clients and
lunch participants at the Bellwood
and Hodgkins sites now have Stateapproved menu options. There have
THEN (Line Dance)
also been Senior Center opportunities for evening and weekend meals
and activities; enough dessert
NOW (Line Dance)
choices to rival any sweet shop; programs involving horses, wildlife,
military equipment, clowns, elves, Santa and the Easter Bunny; fashion shows; yoga and line dancing classes;
Watermelon, Chicken and Turkey Trot Festivals; marriage vow renewal ceremonies; speakers on almost any
conceivable health topic; talent shows, legal workshops; coat and food drives, and holiday Sharing Gift Trees;
Triton dinner outings; Black History Month and Women’s History Month programs----to name only a few.
The agency changed its name from Proviso Council on Aging to West Suburban Senior Services after it acquired its LaGrange site. However, what has not changed is the agency’s ongoing commitment to providing
the best services to older adults in Leyden and Proviso Townships. We thank our funders, volunteers and clients for their support, and invite them to join us in new endeavors not only in 2013, but in the many years to
come.
THEN (Volunteers)
NOW (Volunteers)
PAGE
WSSS 40th Anniversary Gala!
6
This year, West Suburban Senior Services
is proud to celebrate 40 years of service in
the community
with a huge fundraiser. On Saturday, April 27th,
2013, WSSS will
be holding its 40th
Anniversary Gala
at Brookfield Zoo
with entertainment
Cocktail Hour to be provided by The
held in the Great
Bear Wilderness
Matt Stedman Band. Our agency is hoping to raise funds to help keep our programs and services top
-notch. WSSS is currently looking for
charitable donors to
help sponsor the fundraiser. For more information, please contact
Ms. Nicole Ripple at
(708) 547-5600 ext.
261 or
[email protected].
Agency renamed West Suburban
Senior Services
Founded as Proviso Council on Aging
New WSSS Logo
A MOMENTO FROM THE PAST
BY: ELAINE RENO
I started working with West Suburban Senior Services sometime during the 1980’s as a
volunteer. I would bring my dog in to visit with the Adult Day Services clients as sort of
an informal pet therapy for the people there. On other occasions,I would do some clerical
work or speak on behalf of the organization at various events. About 20 or so years ago,
West Suburban Senior Services was working out of a rented or donated space at what
was then called the Berwyn Cicero Council on Aging in Cicero Township. You might
know it now as “Solutions for Care.” We then moved to temporary quarters in LaGrange
and finally to the current LaGrange location. Back then, clients were primarily Adult Day
Services clients. Around 2005 I started working part-time with WSSS, and I was recently
hired in a full-time position at the Bellwood location assisting wherever I am needed. I
also work mornings at the Hodgkin’s Meal Site helping to serve meals. It’s always such a great time! They
have the best staff, and the food is excellent.
Since I have become involved with WSSS, I feel that our agency is now offering more diverse and top quality
services to the clients. The clients are kept busy all day, and are always stimulated and active. All of the work
that is done here is really beneficial to the clients’ families. The staff are very professional and experienced.
The work that is done at WSSS is always very enjoyable and fulfilling. Since the beginning, West Suburban
Senior Services has put a great deal of emphasis on helping the families.
SENIOR
CHRONICLE
VOLUME
XXVI,
ISSUE
1
PAGE
TEN THOUSAND CARD GAMES
BY: ART SEAGREN
My wife Carol and I have been coming to the
West Suburban Senior Center for just about 18
or 20 years. In all those years, we have known
many people, many who have passed away. At
one time there were as many men as there were
women. There were pictures in the hall of us at
our table playing cards. We are still in the same
chairs after all these years. We must have
played about ten thousand card games. We have
had many interesting speakers on flowers and
cooking, etc. Also, there have been
many military programs for the Veterans. We had a contest for naming our
services, and I’m proud that my suggestion was chosen, namely WSSS,
“West Suburban Senior Services.”
One interesting trip was to the Maywood Race Track where I got to ride
on a sulky around the track. We even
had a horse at the center...outside, of
course. We have a great staff at the
center for helping people with all
kinds of legal problems. We look forward to many
more years to
NOW (Games)
come.
Art Seagren and some of the
usual suspects playing a daily
game of cards
Congregates play a game of dominoes in earlier days at West
Suburban Senior Services
CALLING ALL SENIOR JOURNALISTS!
West Suburban Senior Services is now extending the
opportunity to senior citizens to submit articles to be
published in The Senior Chronicle. For more information, please contact Nicole Ripple at (708) 547-5600 ext.
261. Articles can be sent to [email protected] or:
Nicole Ripple
439 Bohland Avenue
Bellwood, IL 60104
All articles will be reviewed but not all are guaranteed a
spot in the newsletter depending on number of submissions for the month. Submissions are due by the 15th of
each month and can be written in English or Spanish.
*Please note that all activities for the month of January are listed in
the December/January newsletter.
THEN (Games)
7
PAGE
The Senior Chronicle
8
The Senior Chronicle is pubThe agency’s new
lished by West Suburban Senwebsite is now
ior Services and is distributed
ready.
Check it
at no cost to area senior citiout!
zens. We thank those organizations and businesses where www.wsseniors.org
The Senior Chronicle is distributed. The agency, however, does not mail The Senior Chronicle due to increased
postage costs.
Board of Directors
Funding
Website
West Suburban Senior Services is supported by
AgeOptions under Title III of the Older American’s
Act, the US Department of Veteran’s Affairs, the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Illinois Department on Aging, Commonwealth Edison, Westlake Health Foundation, the 708 Mental
Health Commission of Berwyn and Proviso Townships, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, Community Foundation Memorial, Lyons and Proviso
Townships, local villages and contributions from
seniors and their families. We thank them for their
continued support and assistance.
For more information on event
updates and schedule changes:
OFFICERS
Many of the activities and events scheduled are available for no or minimum cost. In addition, please
feel free to join us for lunch as many activities are scheduled at midday. If you have suggestions for
different activities, please contact us. W attempt to provide a variety of events that are of interest to
area senior citizens. WSSS does not have a membership fee, and area senior citizens are welcome to
attend any and all events that they find interesting.
Robert Strnad, M.D.,
President
Honorable Donald K.
Sloan Vice President
Ms. Tonita LeShore,
Secretary
More information may be available in a separate article.
The Forest Park, Senior Center and LaGrange Campuses operate from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. The
Hodgkin’s Meal Site operates from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm.
Mr. Michael Vitek,
Treasurer
Administrative Offices/ La Grange Campus
Senior Citizen Center
712 East Elm Ave
439 Bohland Ave
LaGrange, IL 60525
Bellwood, IL 60104
DIRECTORS
Mrs. Janice Carter
Mrs. Kathleen Contuchio
Ms. Mildred Covelli
Rev. Dale Susan Edmonds
Dr. Terry Finn
Mr. Luigi Mazzei
Mrs. Debbie Noweder
Mrs. Tywanna Rand
Hodgkin’s Meal Site
9301 63rd St.
Hodgkin’s, IL 60525
Some of the activities are newly scheduled or require advanced reservations. Please telephone
(708) 547-5600 for costs, more information, and reservations.
West Suburban Senior Services reserves the right to cancel planned activities based on lack of
participation.
Non-Discrimination
HONORARY
DIRECTOR
Mrs. Mary Conti
The Board of Directors
elected the above individuals
as members, directors and
officers of West Suburban
Senior Services.
SENIOR
Forest Park Campus
8300 Roosevelt Rd
Forest Park, IL 60130
West Suburban Senior Services does not discriminate in the admission to programs or treatment of employment in its programs or
activities in compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act, the
U.S. Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the
Age Discrimination Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment
Act and the U.S. and Illinois Constitutions. If anyone feels that they
have been discriminated against, they have the right to file a complaint with the Illinois Department on Aging. For additional information, call (800) 252-8966, WSSS at (708) 547-5600, or our Civil Rights Coordinator at (708) 547-0219.
CHRONICLE