2011-2012

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Dear friends of Independent Living:

We are pleased to provide you with the Center's annual report for program year2012. Once again, our Center experienced growth and continued to serve peoplewith disabilities in their desire to live independently.

The Center was proud to serve over 2,000 children and adults with all types ofdisabilities. Examples of these services included peer counseling, independentliving skills, advocacy, legislative internship, disability law series, amplifiedtelephone program, children's assistive technology program, and more. Inaddition, 18 people with disabilities were moved out of nursing homes and nowlive in their own residences. This program, which we call CommunityReintegration, allows people with disabilities to enjoy life outside of an institutionand is an economic boon to our community.

All of our successes would not be possible without your generosity. We mostsincerely thank you for your ongoing support. Your time, talents, and treasureshave truly made our Center the key organization for people with disabilities.

Please enjoy this report and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Pam Heavens John StantonExecutive Director Board President

Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living

Annual Report

Mark your calendar for thesetwo important dates:

April 17, 2013 - Annual MeetingNovember 7, 2013 - Empowerment Event

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The Consumers We ServeOur staff prides itself on being a reliable, widelyrespected resource to people with disabilities.

Staff Program Hours of Service Independent Living Skills 866.75Information and Referral 2,172.5Advocacy 843.0Peer Counseling 549.5Reintegration 3,233.0Total Program Hours 7,664.75

AgeUnder 5 years old 3Ages 5-19 11Ages 20-24 21Ages 25-59 106Ages 60 and over 16

EthnicityBlack or African American 39White 107Hispanic/Latino only 7Multiracial 4GenderFemales 86Males 71DisabilityCognitive 26Mental/Emotional 30Physical 51Hearing 8Vision 4Multiple Disabilities 38

Individual ServicesAssistive Technology 301Independent Living Skills Training 78Peer Counseling Services 12Personal Assistant Services 29Information and Referral 1,785

Board of DirectorsJohn Stanton, PresidentVal Rand, Vice-PresidentDonald Cordano, TreasurerLeslie Sutton, Secretary

Linda Thompson, Delegate-at-LargeDenise Winfrey, Past President

Brent NewmanNancy PohlmanCharles FuquaSteve Hicks

Mary Ann PinkeyPaul LagomarcinoRhonda PriceVincent FosterJen Nocco

James AlbrittonBob Smith

Diane Seiler-Zigrossi

StaffPam Heavens, Executive Director

Missy Martin, Administrative AssistantSteve Miller, Development Director

Kelly McKenzie, Personal Assistant AdvocateMary Tisdale, Independent Living AdvocateDebbie Tarrant, Independent Living Advocate

Heidi Litchfield, Community Reintegration AdvocateOlivia Cruickshank, Community Reintegration Advocate

Marie Malfatti, Clerical Aide

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Consumer HighlightsFour high school Legislative Interns who went to

Springfield in November, 2011 learned the importance of

speaking up about their issues, who to talk to when the

legislator is not available in their office. One of the students

stood out as a natural leader. Anthony has exercised his

knowledge and skills as a young man who is genuinely

interested in the governmental process. During our

Legislative Internship Class, Anthony led a presentation on

the Branches of Government after hearing one of our

legislators present the workshop in one of our classes. For

our Springfield visit, Anthony eagerly led the way. Anthony

always took the initiative to introduce himself to legislators,

explained the issue when we met with legislators and gave the other Interns the opportunity to speak.

Anthony spoke from a personal perspective regarding the many services and programs he has participated

in as a young adult with disabilities. Anthony patiently mentored the other Interns to keep them on the right

track. Anthony was a great positive influence and a very reliable participant.

Robert moved out of a nursing home to his own apartment.

After receiving a donated scooter, Robert became less reliant

on his personal assistant. He soon discovered that a

sidewalk was needed in order for him and other residents to

travel to a store located near the apartment complex. After

the store denied his request, Robert met with the store

management and informed them that there were 95 people

with disabilities in the apartment complex who were ready to

picket outside the store and contact the media. Soon

thereafter, a sidewalk was installed. He is now co-chair of

the resident council for the apartment complex. He has also

opened an E-Bay account and recently designed his own

website where he sells guitars.

Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD)

Provides GrantThe CCHD has provided the Center a grant to enhance its capacity for community organizing as a means

to build alliances and awareness within key target groups (persons with disabilities, government partners,

social service allies, Catholic churches and other religious entities, those living in poverty and civic leaders

who can advance our cause). This grant will help the Center to create the capacity for community

organizing by allowing us to hire a community organizer, train the board, staff, and membership in the skills

of organizing; increasing our power in the wider community; and engaging in issue work that can advance

Applying advocacy where it counts - in Springfield. Ruth Cheesman, staffer for State Rep. Renee Kosel, welcomedCIL staff and board members, as well as Grundy County residentsof Narvick House during a Spring visit.

Robert O'Keefe outside his home.

Picture Front Row L-R Chris Cornoyer, Tim JoyceBack Row L-R Anthony Cornoyer, State RepresentativeRenee Kosel, Terry Moore and Mary Tisdale

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Additional Highlights40 students with disabilities participated in

a successful Disability Mentoring Day. This

day gave students with disabilities an

opportunity to learn more about their fields of

interest. It also provided mentors with the

chance to interact with students who have

disabilities and realize the potential of each

student.

The Center trained its Board and staff

members on community organizing. Staff

and board members conducted numerous

one on one relational meetings in order to

meet leaders and potential leaders in the

community. The Center is committed to continuing to make community organizing as a major part of

how it conducts business. During FY 2012, we received a grant that allowed us to hire a Community

Organizer. This person will begin employment in December 2012. We believe that his efforts, along with

the board and staff, will result in more people knowing about the Center and our services.

Annual MeetingThe Center held its 22nd annual meeting on April 18, 2012. During that event, Russell Anderson was

presented with the Ed Roberts Excellence in Independent Living award. Russell has blindness yet has

moved out of a nursing home, attends college and plans on writing a cookbook.

The Accessibility Achievement

Award was presented to Harrah's

Joliet. Harrah's has been a long-time

supporter of the Center. Several

Harrah's employees have served on

our Board of Directors. The Harrah's

Foundation allowed the Center to

construct a community room, which

was named after Harrah's. "Harrah's

is pleased to support the Will-Grundy

Center for Independent Living," said

general manager Darren VanDover.

"We look forward to continuing our

partnership with them." Pictured Left to Right: John Stanton, Jen Nocco, Pam Heavens, Russell Anderson

2011 Disability Mentoring Day students with the staff of the Joliet TownshipAnimal Control Center

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The generosity of those listed below has allowed our Center to accomplish its mission during the 2011-2012 fiscal year:

Crane Fund for Widows & ChildrenDorothy C. & Richard A. Parks FoundationDresden Station EmployeesIllinois Assistive Technology ProgramJames E. Hearns Charitable FoundationJoliet Jr. Woman’s ClubKnights of ColumbusNICOR EmployeesRotary Club of JolietCoal Bin Self StorageConsumer LiquorsD’Arcy MotorsExelon Nuclear Braidwood StationExxonMobilFirst Midwest BankFor the Good of ItHarrah’s JolietKeeper ProductionsNICORNorthern IL Steel Supply CompanyPrivate Bank & TrustProvena St. Joseph Medical Center – MissionServicesRemco MedicalSenesac & Lennon, CPAs, LTDSilver Cross HospitalSkyline Disposal Co.Stanton ArchitectsChannahon TownshipFriends of Dick KopczickFriends of Toi HutchinsonJames AlbrittonRev. & Mrs. James Allen

Anthony ArellanoCynthia BassMr. & Mrs. Shawn BassJackie BeatoGeorge Beverly, Jr.Chris BookMr. & Mrs. Jack Book, Sr.Virginia BorioJulie BosmaMr. & Mrs. Laverne BrownJ.D. BrownMark BrunoMatthew ConnorDonald CordanoTerry CotterMr. & Mrs. Basil CrutchfieldRichard DeGrushAdele DevineMr. & Mrs. Art DykstraMr. & Mrs. Joseph FormhalsGreg ForsethEleanor FultonMr. & Mrs. Ralph HaldorsonJack HeavensDolores HertensteinMary HoldenMr. & Mrs. Andy JuneJoseph KinneyMr. & Mrs. Bernard KliskaMr. & Mrs. Greg LitchfieldRaymond LyonsRose MancusoMiriam Merrill

Eleanor MeyerWilliam & Evelyn MichasSteven MillerDr. & Mrs. Paul MorimotoPeter NagraMr. & Mrs. Robert NewberryMr. & Mrs. James O’BrienAnn O’NeillMr. & Mrs. W. ParadowskiMary Ann PinkneyNancy PohlmanMaria PollMr. & Mrs. Alfred RamelMr. & Mrs. Val RandJudie RothDoris SangmeisterRobert SchinderleDiane Seiler-ZigrossiJohn SheridanEddie Jean SimmonsRobert SmithJennifer TarrantMr. & Mrs. Tom ThanasMary TisdaleMark TurkLeslie WadsworthMr. & Mrs. Frank WashburnValeria WilmetteDenise WinfreyWalt ZaidaAlan Zordan

Wermer, Rogers, Doran, Ruzon LLCJo Ann BarberTim & Kathy BarkerDenise BartolottaDenise BellMary Kay BernardMary ComfortKlint & Kay DeGeusGloria FerroMerrett FrancoMargaret Honiotes

Judith JuricicBonnie CastlCarrol KlotzJudith KrumdickElizabeth LarsonSusan LeeMarilyn LonzoMarilyn McGuireClaire MillweardMary Fran MurphyDebbie OchsRosemary Ochs

Denise OlsztaJoyce O’NeilKirk ReevesJames & Kim RoolfDavid & Betsy RosensteinJ. Richard SchusterCatherine SenffnerDavid & Rita SheaRichard SmegoDebra StrahanoskiLori Tkazyk

The following individuals made donations to the Center in memory of Patricia (Patsy) Ruth.We received their gifts after our fiscal year, and thank them for their generosity.

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Non-Profit

Organization

U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 195

Joliet, IL

Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living2415-A W. Jefferson StreetJoliet, Illinois 60435

Grundy Office Now Open

Mon. Wed. & Fri. - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

1700 Newton Place (Saratoga Tower)Morris, IL 60450 Ph: 815-416-6460

www.will-grundycil.org

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Assistive Technology Program For Children With DisabilitiesThe Assistive Technology Program serves families who have a child with a disability through individual

grants to buy an assistive technology device that will enhance the child’s independence. It is sorewarding to see a child with a disability being able to communicate, play, or learn with the help of anassistive technology product. The Center orders the equipment for the child, based on therecommendation of a physical, occupational, or speech therapist. Upon receiving the equipment, theparent is notified and picks up the order. A family is eligible for up to $500 worth of equipment in a oneyear time period.

Here is how the program made a significantimpact in the lives of some of the children whoreceived assistive technology devices:A 9 year old boy with Autism now has an iPad.

He uses it both at home and at school toincrease his communication skill, improve hisvisual motor skills, and improve his ability toperform daily activities.A Theratogs suit worn by a 5 year old girl with

Spina Bifida helped her in moving and to increaseher inner strength, independence, and ability to perform activities of dailyliving independently.

Pictured Donnie La Vette

Pictured Danielle Smith

www.facebook.com/WGCIL