Community Care Team News
July/August 2003

Thank You! Thank You!
My profound thanks to the many volunteers who worked so hard to prepare the West Towns Link Newsletter and Campton Township survey mailings:
  • Dan Alfrey
  • Marge & Alvin Anderson
  • Stephanie Anderson
  • Angie & Dan Bateman
  • Sara Gramley
  • Helen Johnson
  • Julie Kettelkamp
  • Lindsey Mack
  • Elaine Needham
  • Ethel Reynolds
  • Beverly Richardson
  • Natalie Richardson
  • Kay Swift
  • Helen Underwood
  • Kim Wendling
  • Lynette Werdin
Over 12,000 pieces of mail were sent out to residents in six townships over the past month. A special thanks to Kay Swift, Helen Underwood and Helen Johnson, who together worked almost 150 hours on these projects.

Other Volunteer Opportunities
Looking for hands on volunteer work? Several West Towns affiliate agencies are looking for help:
  • Elderday Center needs volunteers to participate in table games, large group games, such as shuffleboard and arts & crafts activities, help serve meals/snacks and provide social interaction for seniors. Call Micki at 262-1231.
  • Family Counseling Service is looking for adults for their Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. They are also looking for volunteers for their Friends and Neighbors program that matches adults with seniors, many of whom are homebound. Call 844-2662.
  • Suicide Prevention Services needs volunteers to "man" their Depression hotline. Call 482-9699.
  • TriCity Family Services trains volunteers to provide weekly home visits to socially isolated older adults. Volunteer WRAP teams also develop and implement plans for at-risk families. Call Trang at 232-1070.
  • R.I.T.A.S Ministry could use help with office work, building maintenance and landscaping, as well as mentors to help guide clients toward self-sufficiency. Call Linda at 966-0001.
  Agency News....

Elderday Center is moving August 11th from their current location in Geneva to Bethany Lutheran Church 8 S. Lincoln in Batavia.

Arden Courts is presenting a free family caregiver seminar on Wednesday July 30th at 6:30pm. The topic is Using Montessori programming with Seniors. Call 262-3900 for reservations.

The Kane County Health Department immunization clinics will be offered at the Elburn and Sugar Grove West Towns offices between 3 and 6:30 pm on the following days:
  • Elburn (Thursdays): July 24 August 28 September 25
  • Sugar Grove (Wednesdays): August 20 September 17
Childhood immunizations, adult Tetanus boosters and limited flu shots are available. The cost is $10 per shot, cash only. They also accept Public Aid and Kid Care of Illinois.
The Elburn office is located in the Community Center, 525 N. Main, Room 10.
The Sugar Grove office is at 76 N. Main Street across from Kaneland Elementary South.
This is NOT a walk-in clinic. Clients must call the Health Department to make an appointment at 264-7665.

Financial Help
Do you know someone struggling to make ends meet? Perhaps they've experienced a job loss, had a family medical emergency or have had hours cut at work. Here are some resources to help out when finances are tight:
  • Elburn Food Pantry: serves Kaneland area families each Thursday evening 6-7 pm at the Elburn Community Center.
  • Consumer Credit Counseling: assesses a family's financial situation and helps with debt consolidation, budgeting and general money management. Call 844-2662.
  • Good Samaritan Fund: Conley Outreach has a small benevolence fund to help area families and individuals with day to day expenses. This fund depends on donations from the community. Call COCS at 365-2880.
  • TriCity Unemployment Support Group: meets at the St. Charles Public Library on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month from 6-9 pm. The library is located at 1S 6th Avenue. For more information call Darlene at 587-2144.
  • The Public Aid office in Aurora is located at 361 W. Old Indian Trail. They provide Food Stamps, TANF support (Temporary Aid to Needy Families) and Medicaid applications. Call 844-7400.
  • Community Contacts in Geneva can help qualifying individuals and families with the high cost of utility bills through LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) and IHWAP (Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program). There are also 5 and 10 year no-interest forgivable housing rehabilitation loans available. There is currently a 1-2 year wait for the loan program. Call 232-7600 ext. 303 and ask for Lisa for information.