March Family Newsletter

Hello Mary,

Happy Spring! We hope you and your family are enjoying these first days of spring and more daylight. Our individuals served have been busy learning new skills, exploring possible jobs, doing crafts, and celebrating St. Patrick's Day, thanks to you!

As you know, we appreciate ANY donation that you give to Shore! Every dollar makes a huge difference. Thank you in advance for your generous support!

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Shore's Ready For Work Program Delivers

Than Than receives vocational training at the Joseph Koenig, Sr. Training Center. She recently attended the center’s new Ready For Work Certificate Program, which offers a 12-week curriculum on topics such as self-discovery of skills/interests, how to apply for jobs, how to use public transportation, appropriate behaviors, and more. Than Than was inspired to use her new knowledge to obtain a job in the community.

With help from Diana Stachura, a Shore Job Developer, Than Than began to look for a job. She started by searching the internet for possible job opportunities, then she completed job applications. Finally, Than Than participated in a mock interview before her real one at Potbelly in Norridge. She got the job!

Than Than’s successful completion of Shore's Ready For Work Program, along with her positive and outgoing personality, helped her land her first job as a Potbelly's Associate this past December. She is responsible for cleaning tables, dishwashing, and re-stocking food. Her favorite activity is interacting with the customers.

Anni Braverman, Senior Director of Vocational Services stated, “We are very proud of Than Than and her eagerness to learn will lead to a more fulfilling life. She embraced the certificate program and now she is an inspiration to her peers."

This month, we now have a new group of Ready For Work Certificate holders and are so proud of their hard work! We can't wait to see what they will do next.

Left Top and Left Middle: Than Than loves her job at Potbelly's.

Below: Ready To Work Certificate-holders; Standing left to right: Vincent, Tony, Dimitry, Joshua, Fred, Patrick

Sitting: Doris, Richard, Carol, Joyce, Priscilla

Not pictured: Allen

Celebrating February and March Birthdays at the Koenig Center

Individuals served at the Joseph Koenig, Sr. Training Center had a wonderful time celebrating February and March Birthdays together - 7 in total so there was fun to be had!

l. to r. Janie and Deborah are all smailes

Out and About with Shore Clients

Brian Catches Up With The Fonz!

Brian attended the World of Wheels in Rosemont earlier this month and was lucky enough to run into the one and only Arthur Fonzarelli (actor Henry Winkler). We are so happy Brian captured it in this photo. He told is it was so much fun!

Shopping & Snacking at Lincolnwood Mall

March is a great time to get out and about! Jeff, Patrick, and Sam spent a lovely day together shopping and eating at Lincolnwood Mall.

Visit to Morton Grove Library

Left, Liz and Paula and below, Barry, Angela, and Anu had a busy day checking out magazines at the Morton Grove Library.

We Hope You'll "Like" Us

Shore is on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn

We are promoting Shore by sharing pictures and stories of our wonderful clients, community, and happenings more regularly on social media. Please follow Shore Community Services and be sure to "like" and make comments if you are so inclined. The more "likes" and comments we get, the more attention and visibility our posts receive. Thank you for the support.

Good Times in March at The Lois Lloyd Center

Above: Tehran and James enjoy a chilly March morning inside together watching a movie.

Above: Mika gets help from Khiyona Winfert, Direct Service Professional, DSP, making delicious snacks at the Lois Lloyd Center.

Above: Doug has fun socializing with friends.

Top: Janakan works hard to stir the mini Trix dessert.

Middle: Larry, Holly, Lorraine, and Emilie having a great time making dessert together.

Bottom: Kinatrous works hard to do his part in the preparation of the St. Patrick's Day sweets.

Top: David is excited to take his turn preparing our St. Patrick's Day treat.

Middle: James is happy to help with our treat in his festive t-shirt.

Bottom: The final product! Mini Trix with melted marshmallows and butter is so good - something to try at home!

We were lucky to have (left) Isabel and (right) Robin come by the Lois Lloyd Center for a brief visit this month. Robin told us some great stories and that she will have her column ready for April. Isabel made some beautiful artwork with her coloring pencils.

Volunteering at Vineyard Clothes Closet

Several Shore clients from the Koenig Center came out this month to volunteer at Vineyard Clothes Closet in Evanston. They lent a hand by sorting, separating, and hanging donated clothes. Spring cleaning fortunately results in many new donations so it was a huge help having Allen, Priscilla, and Anu assist!

Above: Anu helps to hang some bright colored clothing.

Left: Allen, Priscilla, and Anu keep busy sorting the many new donations.

A Friendly Reminder from Kevin

ComEd Update From Kevin

Hi!

My name is Kevin and I am a ComEd Ambassador. Here is my energy saving tip of the month.

As we are hopping into spring, now is the time to check your central air or window unit before it gets hot. Change or clean your filter, rinse the coils off with water or call in a professional to check your system. A clean air conditioner runs more efficiently so it saves energy and it will save you money.

Happy Spring!

St. Patrick's Party at the Koenig Center

Above: Dara tosses the rings while John bowls and Diane patiently awaits her turn.

Above: l. to r. Michael, Vincent, Patrick and Sabina wait to play table top bowling.

Right: l. to r. Sabina, Allen, and Mary have fun dancing together.

Save The Dates for Shore's Spring Benefit and Golf Outing

Here's a friendly reminder that Shore's annual Spring Benefit and Online Auction is Thursday, May 18th, at the North Shore Country Club in Glenview. We are honoring Natalie Romano, President of Shore's Board of Directors, for her many years of service to Shore. Our theme is Transformations as Shore transforms to support our clients into their futures. Our Golf Outing is Friday, June 23rd at the Deerfield Golf Club in Riverwoods.

We continue to seek donations for our Online Auction such as unique experiences, stays at a vacation home, sporting event/concert tickets, restaurant or retail gift certificates or any connections you have to people who could provide these types of items; we are extremely grateful for your support. Please contact Tracy Portnoy with any ideas, questions or contacts at tportnoy@shoreservices.org or 847-982-2030 x 218. We thank you for your ideas and generosity!