Welcome, New Members!
Laura Gaston
Rosecrance 
Tyler Heaton
Presence Health
Aaron Miller
Rockford Memorial Hospital

Sarah Pfluger
Hiawatha High School

Member Spotlight

Member Name: Jess Rielly


 

Short Bio: I am a Mortgage Lender at Stillman Bank in Rockford.  I have been with Stillman Bank since 2008 and focus on residential lending for first time homebuyers.  My pride and joy is my seven year old daughter who pushes me to be better every day.  I am currently working on my Master's Degree from Lewis University and will be done with that program in May of 2015.  In my spare time, I love to run and Crossfit, hike, ride bikes, and spend time with friends and family. 


 

Active in the community through: Currently, I am on the board of Rockford MELD which is a non-profit organization in the Rockford community that is char

ged with the mission of guiding young parents to build a strong family and lead a responsible life by providing shelter, education, and life training skills.  I am also a part of the newly formed Young Professional Council for the Rockford Area Association of Realtors.  This organization was formed to encourage young or newly established real estate professionals become involved in various associations as well as the community.  


 

How long you have been involved: I have been on the Board of Rockford MELD since Jan 2013 and I have been involved with the Young Professional Council since it was formed in August 2014.


 

What has you pursue these community interests? I enjoy working with MELD because I am a young mother myself.  I love to give back to other young parents, like myself, that strive to further their education and/or establish a successful career.

Being asked to be a part of the Rockford Area Association of Real

tor's YP Council was a huge honor because this group of young professionals is some of the best and brightest in Rockford real estate.  I get to work with my peers and friends in the business which allows me to make connections and encourage others in our field. 


 

How can others get involved in the items they have mentioned? MELD is always looking for volunteers to help out with various events including the Sports Celebrity Event (shameless plug, we are bringing Tony Dungy to Rockford in February!), the run on the 4th of July, a golf outing in August, and a new event called MELD on the Rock in September.  MELD is also always accepting donations for the moms and children at the shelters, so please check out rockfordmeld.org for more info.  The YP Council is limited to those in the real estate field, but if you know someone in this area please encourage them to attend the Boo Bash, the kickoff of the Young Professional Network, on 10/23 at the Briggs Mansion. 


 

Why do you remain in Rockford? I remain in Rockford because I LOVE Rockford. The city offers great parks and recreational activities, a fun downtown environment, and kid-friendly places like the Discovery Center.  I also enjoy working with driven and motived YPs that believe in Rockford like I do.  


Cool Stuff
Cellphone Request
Remedies in Rockford

Remedies in Rockford is looking for any and all used cell phones! 

Working cell phones are given to victims to enable them to connect with 911 operators when they are in immediate danger.  Cell phones that are not in working order are recycled and the organization is paid a set amount for each phone.  This process generates much-needed funds for the organization's programs.

Donations can be dropped off at the reception desk located at 516 Green Street in Rockford (use the entrance closest to Winnebago St.).

Donation drop-off hours are Monday-Thursday: 6:30am-5:30pm
Friday: 6:30am-1:00pm

Under 25?  Get in free!

Friends of the Coronado Foundation announces project "Reach for the stars 25," an access initiative for younger audiences at the Coronado Performing Arts Center.

50 tickets will be available free-of-charge to individuals 25 years or younger for music performances, musicals and dance performances at the Coronado

To qualify for free tickets, you must be 25 years of age or younger. Free-of-charge performance tickets are available at the Coronado Box Office the day of the performance. Tickets are available in-person only


Festival of Fantasy

Oct. 25 | 11:00am
Edgebrook

 

This 9th annual costume contest and parade is FREE to the public. The Festival of Fantasy features lots of live kid-friendly entertainment, activities, and awards given out for best costume in different categories. Children's treat bags will be available for little ghouls and goblins, while supplies last. Homemade costumes are preferred, but not required.

 

This event is FREE to the public and features lots of family-friendly entertainment and activities including face painting, storytelling, a pumpkin carving display, balloon art, raffle prizes, crafts, and more. 

 

More info here!

 

15 Things to Start Doing By The Time You're 30
By Jesse Carey | 10/21/14

Please note: This article has Christian themes, but the information really is applicable to any and all YPs regardless of religious preference/beliefs.  We hope you'll read the article from the lens of your religious beliefs or non-beliefs and alter the specifics to match.

 

yellow-bday-cake.jpg

First off, nothing magical happens when you turn 30. 

 

That sounds dumb, but it's worth mentioning. The word thirties hangs over most of us like a solemn marker of adulthood, as if you'll wake up on your 30th birthday with wizened eyes and a headful of sage wisdom.
 

The truth is, everything on this list is worth doing in your twenties (or your teens, if you're so inclined) but we talk about it like this because though nothing magical happens on your thirtieth birthday, 30 years is enough time to work out some of life's kinks and pick up on some good habits.
 

All that's to say, there's no reason you should have all this mastered by the time you're 30. But, then again, there's no reason not to try.
 

Waking Up Earlier Than You Have To

What do Twitter/Square founder Jack Dorsey, Richard Branson, Apple's Tim Cook, legendary Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, Condoleezza Rice and dozens of other successful leaders all have in common? They get out of bed before 6 a.m. every morning. Even Aristotle advocated waking up early, famously quipping, "It is well to be up before daybreak, for such habits contribute to health, wealth, and wisdom."
 

Through college and in our twenties, hitting the snooze button is a staple of Saturday mornings and workweek rushing around, but there's a reason so many influential people get started early. Waking up before you have to lets you find time to pray, exercise or just spend a few minutes alone before the craziness of the day begins.
 

Saving Money

Starting to save money not only sets you up for a more secure future, it can also help instill financial discipline as you enter into your prime earning years. And, if you start at a young enough age, it can also add up fast: According to CNN Money, if you put aside $3,000 a year from ages 25-35 in a tax-deferred retirement account, by the time you hit 65, you'll have $472,000 in the bank.
 

Actually Caring About What You Eat

Most people in their late twenties have come to the harsh realization that for reasons that are totally unfair, your metabolism has a tendency to slow down with age. Basically, we all will hit a certain age when we can no longer eat an entire pizza and drink four Dr. Peppers without feeling like garbage shortly afterwards. There's nothing wrong with enjoying life-and some junk food every now and then-but your thirties are a time to create, and sustain, healthy patterns you'll carry throughout adulthood.
 

Making Margin in Your Life

By the time you hit 30, there's a good chance the routine of family, job, bills and adulthood limits the free time that was once a part of twentysomething life. Creating margin-to read, volunteer, pray, travel or just do the things you want to do-is easy to neglect with the stresses that come along with being a thirtysomething. Do yourself a favor: Make margin in your day-to-day life, and don't try to fill every waking moment with more busyness.


Continue reading here!!
QUOTE Rockford

QUOTE Rockford - Helping support Veterans outreach efforts:


 

Part 1 (Inform): Veteran's Panel: Join us on November 5th from 6-7:15 PM for an informal and interactive panel discussion with veterans as well as the Executive Director for the Veterans Drop In Center (a not-for profit organization formed to support all Veterans with a focus on helping displaced veterans). Learn about issues Veterans face as well as the re-integration process in returning from service. Location: Veterans Drop In Center (413 North Court Street, Rockford, IL - NOTE Center is located in and parking is available in the lot associated with the Emmanuel Episcopal Church). Coffee and light refreshments to be served. If you plan to attend please rsvp to Alpa Patel.

 

Part 2 (Engage): IGNITE Team formed for 2nd annual 5K to help raise funds to support the Veterans Drop In Center (pre-registration required -register here!) November 8th at 9 am at Rock River Rec Path, 200 Y Blvd, Rockford, IL 61107


 

This organization relies heavily on charitable donations and is actively striving for expanded hours to provide to their veterans and upgrading their facility. In addition to registering, please also rsvp to Alpa Patel at adp321@gmail.com; we will coordinate getting together that morning for the 5k as a team (once we get started feel free to go at whatever pace you would like!!). 

 

If you cannot make both events - join in for one or the other if you can!