www.almosthomekids.org Fall/Winter20131

AthomeinChicago,AidenQuinteyisgettingreadytocrawl!

It’sbeenalongjourneytogetthereforthislittlebundleofenergy.Aidenwasbornwithcongenitalanomaliesandrespiratoryissuesrequiringtracheostomyandconstantcare.Whenhewasjust2½monthsold,AidenwastransferredtoAlmostHomeKidsfromAnn&RobertH.LurieChildren’sHospitalofChicago.AtAHK,Aiden’smotherNailahcouldseethathewasstartingtobecomemoremobileandadventurous.NailahwaspleasedwithhowquicklyAidenwouldpickupnewskillsatAHK.Hewouldlearnsomethingnewoneweekandmasteritthenext.ThisprogresswasinpartthankstotheJohnR.HoulsbyFoundationwhichprovidesfundingforthechildlifetherapyprogramatAHK.NailahwashappytocomeandvisitherbabyboyeverynightatAHK,howevershecouldn’twaittogethimhome.

Now9monthsold,Aidenspendshisdaysathomescooting,climbing,anddoingforwardrolls.TheonlychallengeforNailahsincehe’sbeenhomeisgettingusedtothosemiddle-of-the-nightfeedingsthatlittlebundlesofenergyneedtogrowbigandstrong.We’resoproudtobeapartofahappyhomecomingforNailahandAiden.

Welcome Home, Aiden!

HomeNewsFall/Winter 2013

IN THIS ISSUE

CoverStory 1Welcome Home, Aiden!

OurSupporters 2Community Memorial Foundation Corey Willis

OurEvents 4Share the Care Ball Anchors Aweigh for AHK DreamHome Upcoming Events

OurCommunity 6Civic Group UPS Logistics! Volunteers of the Quarter Our Needs: Wish List

Aiden and his mom

2

Our Supporters

Breaking Down Access Barriers

CommunityMemorialFoundation(CMF)awardedAlmostHomeKidsa$20,000grantforitsRespiteTransportationProgram.ThepurposeofthegrantistoallowAHKtosafelytransportchildrenfrom27communitiesinthewesternsuburbstoandfromAHKfortemporaryrelieffromcaregivingtolettingAHKtakeoverthe24/7medicalcareenablingthechild’sparentsamuchneededrest.The27communitiesincludedinthegrantareaare:Bridgeview,Broadview,Brookfield,BurrRidge,ClarendonHills,Countryside,Darien,DownersGrove,HickoryHills,Hinsdale,Hodgkins,IndianHeadPark,Justice,LaGrange,LaGrangePark,Lyons,McCook,NorthRiverside,OakBrook,Riverside,Stickney,Summit,Westchester,WesternSprings,Westmont,WillowSprings,Willowbrook.

ThereareamyriadofreasonsthesechildrenandtheirfamilieshavenottakenadvantageoftheRespiteProgramatAHK;transportationisdeemedtobethenumberoneobstacle.Childrenthatareventilatordependentforexamplerequirespecializedtransportationandhelpfromamedicalprofessional.Thisgrantwillhelpbreakdownthishealthcarebarrierandallowaccesstothiscriticalprogram.

TheRespiteProgramatAHKoffersashorttermstaytoachildwhoismedicallyfragileand/ormaybetechnologydependent.Froma24hourstaytoonelastingupto14days,achildisprovidedwithmedical/nursingcareandrecreationalactivitiesinasecureandtherapeuticenvironment.Familiesmaychoosethisprogramfora

varietyofcircumstances:temporaryabsenceofprivatedutynursingcareathome,parentillness,vacations,familyemergenciesormuchneededrest.

“WeareabsolutelythrilledtoreceivethisgrantfromCMF”enthusedDeborahGrisko,AHK’sPresident&CEO,“Itisnotunusualforthefamiliesofthesechildrentogoyearswithouttakingabreakfromthe24/7stressfulcareandworryofraisingachildwithmedicalcomplexities,itisimportantforthefamilytorechargeeverysooften—plusthechildrenhaveawonderfultimeatAHK,it’slikeavacationforthem”.

AHKcollaboratedwithAngelWheelsandTheUniversityofIllinoisChicagoDivisionofSpecializedCareforChildren(DSCC)fortheCMFgrantprogram.AngelWheels,alocalambulatoryservicethatoftenassistsAHKchildrenwithtransportationneedswillprovidethemedivantosafelytransportthechildandtheirequipment,andDCSSwillhelpspreadthewordtofamilieswhoqualifyfortheprogramthatarelivinginthe27communitiestargetedbythegrant.Lastly,amemberoftheAHKnursingteamwillaccompanythechild,bothtoandfromtheirhome,sothatthechild’smedicalandpsychosocialneedsareproperlyaddressed.

For more information about accessing the Respite Transportation Program for Respite Care, please contact Layenie Anderson, RN at 630.786.1754 or landerson@almosthomekids.org.

Christian and Amari with Steve Wozniak from Angel Wheels

www.almosthomekids.org Fall/Winter20133

Everyyearsincehewas8yearsold,CoreyWillishadavacation,notattheLake,orsomeexoticdestination.Corey’svacationhomewasAlmostHomeKidsinNaperville.ForyearsCoreypleadedwithhismothertocometoAHKforsometimeawayfromhomeandachancetoserenadethestaffandvolunteersatAHKwithhisawesomesinging.Theseweeksofrespitegavehisparents,BettyandHomer,thechancetoregroupandcatchuponimportantfamilybusinessandfun.

BeforetheyfoundAHK,BettyandHomerandtheirotherchildrencouldn’tgooutoftownwithoutputtingCoreyintoahospital.WhentheyheardaboutAHKfromCorey’sDSCCcasemanager,theycouldonceagainplanavacationorattendtofamilybusinessinAlabama,knowingthatCoreywouldbeingoodhandsandnotconfinedtoahospitalbed.We are grateful to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois for supporting our respite program and helping more children and families take a much needed vacation from 24/7 care.

Corey’sfavoritepartofhis“vacations”werethepeoplehemetatAHK;herememberseveryone’snameandisalwaysahappyandlivelyadditiontothecommonarea.Corey’sloveofmusicanddancingcamefromhismother,whohasalwaysbeenasingerandoncesangwithateengospelgroup.Mrs.WillisfondlyrecallssingingtoCoreytosoothehimwhenhewasyoung.Whenhelearnedtotalk,hewouldmouthoutthewordstohisfavoritesongsandeventuallylearnedtosingaroundhistrach.Andwhat’ssingingwithoutsomedancemovestogowithit?Coreyisalwayshappytoentertain.

AsshelooksbackontheyearsthatherfamilyhasbeencomingtoourNapervillehome,Mrs.Willisrecalls“WhenIfirststartedcoming(toAHK)14yearsago,Ihadnoideaitwouldbecomewhatitisnow.It’ssuchawonderfulthingtoseeAHKstrivetomeettheneedsofourfamilies.Mysonwasinthehospitalfor2½yearsbeforehewasabletocomehome,andIknowwecouldhavebenefittedfromthetransitionalcareprogramifithadbeenaroundforhim.IjustwishmorepeopleknewaboutAlmostHomeKids.”

CoreyandAiden(frompage1)aretwoofmanyexamplesofwhyAHKthrivestoday;ourcontinuumofcareservesfamiliesneedingbriefperiodsofrespite,aswellasthosewhoneedafewmonthstogetreadytobringtheirkids

home.WithourexpansiontoChicago,nowmorethaneverwecanprovideforfamiliesfromdiversebackgroundsandgeographicalareas,andcareforchildrenfrominfancytoadulthood.We’resoproudtobethereforCorey,Aidenandthehundredsofotherchildrenandfamilieswhohavecalledus‘home’,justforwhile.

Time for Vacation!

4

Our Events

Aneveningtorememberawaitsatthe2ndAnnualSharetheCareBall,onOctober25,2013attheDrakeHotel.Bedazzledanddelightedaswecelebratetheextraordinarycontributionsofthreechampionsforourcause:

■ SharetheCareChampion:RobertE.Deignan(Sr.Counsel,Baker&McKenzie)

■ VolunteerExtraordinaire:TimGerken(CFO,WalshConstruction)

■ DistinguishedDonor:PricewaterhouseCoopers

TheeventwillfeaturethefinestindiningandentertainmentledbythelegendaryKenArlenOrchestra,aswellasthetheatricalstylingsofRedMoonTheaterandNightBluePerformingArts.WearethrilledtohaveMaryBethSmithandthefabulousSharetheCareBallcommitteeonboardonceagaintoensureanunforgettableaffairforall.Don’tforgetyourcellphonesasthisyear’sexclusiveSilentandLiveAuctionwillfeaturemobilebiddingandpayment(iPadswillalsobeavailableforthosewhodon’thaveasmartphone).Andyoudon’thavetowaituntilOctober25th;justgotohttp://myab.co/events/91toviewtheauctionitemsandstartplacingbidstoday!

Cocktailsstartat6:30PManddinnerat8:00PM.Ticketsare$300andcanbepurchasedonlineatwww.AlmostHomeKids.org.FormoreinformationonsponsorshipoptionspleasecontactJudithMcLeanatjmclean@almosthomekids.orgor312.399.0013.AllproceedswillbenefitthechildrenandprogramsofAlmostHomeKidsChicago.

Reserve Your Spot at the Share the Care Ball

Share the Care Ball: Janet Davies 2012 Award Recipients: Senate President John Cullerton, Marcia Glenn and Gary Lee Partners

www.almosthomekids.org Fall/Winter20135

Upcoming Events

Gifts of Appreciated Stock

Date: TBDChildren’s Holiday Party AHKNaperville

April 25, 2014: A Black and White Affair at the DoubleTree Suites in Downers Grove ThemaineventforAHKNapervillethiscomingyearhasmovedtoadazzlingnewvenue!ThefabulousBethanyKeownandCommitteeareplanningaretrochiceveningofdinner,dancingandsilentandliveauctions.Ticketsare$150perperson.

MakeacontributionofmarketablesecuritiestoAlmostHomeKidsbyprovidingyourbrokerorfinancialinstitutionwiththefollowinginformation:

•TheNameofStock(i.e.Apple,Google,UPS,etc.)

•TheNumberofShares

•FortheRoutingorDTCnumber,visitourwebsite:HowtoHelp/Legacy-Giving

Yourfinancialinstitutioncanmakeatransferdirectlyintooursecureaccount.

PleasealerttheDevelopmentOfficewhenyoumakesuchatransfer.ContactRaeannJacksonat630.786.1765orrjackson@AlmostHomeKids.org.

TheColumbiaYachtClubsetthesceneforadelightfulSummerSoireéinsupportofAHKChicagothispastJune.Friends,newandold,ofAlmostHomeKidsenjoyedtheexclusiveraffleandwinegrabaswellastheunparalleledviewsofthecityandlakefront.NewtothescenewereHonoraryChairsLakeshaandJimRose,andwewerethrilledtowelcomeTown&Countryasmediasponsor,aswellasCorboy&DemetrioandBMOHarris.DespiteanimpressiveshowingbyMotherNatureatthestartoftheevening,itwasallsmilesasthesunwentdownoverLakeMichiganandmuchneededfundswereraisedforAHKChicago.

Picturethis…gourmethorsd’oeuvrespreparedbyamasterchef,finewinesandfabulouscocktails,intheincomparableeleganceoftheDreamHomeattheMerchandiseMart.Theicingonthecake?EnjoyingthisfineryinsupportthechildrenandprogramsofAlmostHomeKidsChicago.

AlmostHomeKidshaspartneredwithseveralsought-afterchefsandthefabulousDreamHometoprovideFunforaPurpose.Fordetailsortobookanevent,emailJudithMcLeanatjmclean@almosthomekids.org orcall312.399.0013.

Anchors Aweigh for AHK

Fun (and Food!) for a Purpose at the DreamHome

Share the Care Ball: Janet Davies 2012 Award Recipients: Senate President John Cullerton, Marcia Glenn and Gary Lee Partners

Debbie A. Grisko, Laskesha and Jim Rose at the Summer Soireé

6

Civic Group

AlmostHomeKidsissoluckytobeembracedbytheNationalCharityLeague,Inc.ofgreaterNaperville.NCLisawellrespectedmother-daughtermembershiporganizationthatiscommittedtodevelopingtheirdaughtersasleadersandisdedicatedtovolunteerismandsupportingphilanthropiesthroughhands-onactivities.Foralmostayearnow,thewonderfulmothers&daughtersofNCLhavebeensupportingthemissionofAlmostHomeKidsinsomanydifferentways.TheyhavecoordinatedexcitingStory&GameHoursforthechildren,organizedaweeklyscheduleofTreatDayswheretheydropoffbakedtreatstwiceaweekforthestaffatboththeNapervilleandChicagolocations,createdawesomedecorationsforseveralholidaysandhavegatheredtohelpwithgardeningtasksatourNapervillelocation.Meri White, Karen Campbell & Shauna JameshaveorchestratedtheprojectswithLisaSnow,ourCommunityOutreachCoordinatorandtheenthusiasmandgenuinekindnessoftheseladiesisreflectedineachofthemother-daughterpairsthathavevolunteeredtheirservicestousinsomewayoranother.AHKisverygratefulforallthisgroupdoesforusandlookforwardtoalongrelationshipwiththem.Weareexcitedforwhat’stocome!

Our Community

UPS Logistics!

AHKreliesonvolunteerstoimprovethequalityoflifeforthechildrentheyserve.AteamofemployeesfromUnitedParcelServiceinHodgkins,ILdedicated150hoursofvolunteerservicetocreateasafeoutdoorvenueatourNapervillefacility.First,ateamofengineersinspectedandanalyzedthestructureofadilapidatedstorageshedandprovideduswithasolution.Second,theUPSFoundationprovided$10,000toenhancethehealingenvironmentforthechildrenandfamilies.Thegroupvolunteerprojectincludesrepairingashedandremovingtheconcreteslabbelow.Withthefinancialhelpofadditionalcommunitypartners,anewgazeboorscreenedinporchwillreplacetheshedarea,includinganewgaragedoor,shingles,guttersanddownspouts.Thenewstructurewillprotectchildrenfromthedirectsunandallowsforwheelchairaccess.Twoskylightshavebeenaddedtotheporchtobringinlightwithsouthernexposureandtwowindowsallowchildrenandfamiliestoviewthelandscapetotheeastendoftheproperty.Landscaping,treetrimmingandpaintingwerealsopartofUPS’groupproject.ThankyoutoUPSforcaringaboutthecommunitiesthatitsemployeesliveandworkin!

UPS Plant Engineering Mgrs. Charles Hoover and Charlie Blum reviewing the plans

www.almosthomekids.org Fall/Winter20137

Volunteers of the Quarter

Thedictionarydefinesvolunteerismas:the policy or practice of volunteering one’s time or talents for charitable, educational, or other worthwhile activities, especially in one’s community.

AlmostHomeKidsisveryfortunatetohavehundredsoftalentedvolunteersthatcomeforwardtoenhancethelivesofthechildren,assistuswithAdministrativetasks,contributetheirhardworkonprojectsontheinsideandoutsideofourfacilitiesorsupportusbyvolunteeringatafundraiser.Wecouldnothavethesuccesswehavewithouteachandeveryoneofourvolunteersthatvolunteertheirtimeandtalents.EachquarterwechooseaVolunteer of the Quarterwhohasgoneaboveandbeyondintheirvolunteerroleandtheyareacknowledgedwithasmallgiftcardtoshowourgratitudefortheircommitment.

VolunteerNikola Dukic wasrecognizedinMaybyourCommunityOutreachCoordinatorbecauseofhisenthusiasmwiththechildreneachtimehecomestovolunteer,nomatterwhatchildweaskhimtoengage.Heishereforonereasonandthatistoenrichthedayofachildevenifit’sforanhourortwoatatime.Nikohasawayofbrighteningupthedayforeveryonehevolunteerswith,aswellasourstaff.HevolunteersatAHKofteneventhoughheisinhissecondyearofMedicalSchoolandPresidentofthePediatricsClubatMidwesternUniversity.Weweredelightedtorecognizehimasanoutstandingvolunteer.

“Flexibility”describesvolunteer Mickey DediwhoiswillingtodowhateverisneededofherwhenshecomestovolunteerinNapervilleeveryweek.SheassistsuswithAdministrativedutiessuchasdataentry,collatingMarketingorVolunteerpacketsororganizingfiles.Whenwedon’thaveaneedforAdministrativehelp,Mickeywilltryherluckplayingaboardgamewiththechildrenorreadingthemafavoritebook.Shehasevenbeenfoundweedinginourgardens!Eitherway–sheisveryvaluabletous!

AHKisabetterplaceandthelivesofthechildrenarecertainlyenhancedbecauseofvolunteerslikeMickey&Niko!Researchhasshownthatpeoplewhovolunteeroftenlivelonger,sowhatareyouwaitingfor?EmailourCommunityOutreachCoordinator,LisaSnowlsnow@AlmostHomeKids.org ifyouwouldlikemoreinformationonvolunteeringatAlmostHomeKidsinNapervilleorChicago.

Inadditiontodiapers,handsanitizer,papertowelsandlinensforthekidsatAHK,wealsohaveanongoingneedforadministrativeandofficesuppliestosupportourtwolocations.Belowisalistofourmostneededandrequestedsupplies:

� CopyPaper� FileFolders� PostItNotes� Pens PaperClips� HangingFiles� ForeverStamps� HeavyDutyPlasticSheetProtectors(formultiplesheets) HighCapacityStapler� DigitalCamera–CanonPowerShotG1210.0MP� ChristmasWrappingPaper

Toner Cartridges Chicago� HP-CE278A

Naperville� HP-CE278A� HP-305A(M)� HP-305A(C) � HP-305A(K)� HP-305A(Y)

Our Needs: Wish List

Nikola Dukic with Jaycen and Juan Mickey Dedi with Mykale

7South721Route53Naperville,IL60540

Executive Board

BillNeustadt,Chair/Board PresidentJoshPrangley,Vice ChairDouglasTruaxMichaelHoffman,MDTheresaDankoChristopherSchenkenbergNancyKarasek,SecretaryMarciaGlennMatthewMullarkey,TreasurerDeborahA.Grisko,RN,President & CEO

Committee Members

DanAultPaulBogdanski,ESQJuliaChappellJenCluneCatherineCorbinAdamD’AugusteAmyEgelstonMarleneFrankeJosetteGoldbergCarolynJohnsonAnnKarch,MDMartyKoehlerRyanMurphyAnnReardonBillRogersTomRothSusanSchwartz,ESQMaritaSullivanSarahTromansShawnTyrell

Our mission at Almost Home Kids is to provide transitional care in a home-like setting to children with complicated health needs, training for their families and respite care.

“Like”usonFacebookfordailyAlmostHomeKidsupdates!

Key Staff

DeborahA.Grisko,RN,President and CEO

Administrative:DorothyGieren,Chief Financial OfficerRaeannOlsen-Jackson,Chief Development OfficerJudithMcLean,Director of Marketing & CommunicationsGailLinhart,Director of OperationsLisaSnow,Community Outreach CoordinatorLizaLarsen,Coordinator of Special Events and Strategic Development

Clinical: PeterJ.Smith,MD,MA,AHK Chicago, Medical Director MaryKeen,MD,AHK Naperville, Medical DirectorKathyStegman,Chief Nursing OfficerCarrieAlden,Chief Clinical Program Development OfficerLayenieAnderson,Director of Case Management

Writers, Editors and Key Contributors: LizaLarsen,RaeannOlsen-Jackson,JudithMcLean,andLisaSnow

Contactusat630.271.9155orvisitourwebsiteatwww.AlmostHomeKids.org