Announcements

"Summer Serenade" dinner/dance

The Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living
is thrilled to announce plans for its

14th Annual Summer Serenade
Dinner Dance Fundraising Event

to be held on

Saturday, August 16, 2008
at Harrah's Casino Joliet

Doors Open at 5:30 p.m.
Dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Enjoy the legendary tunes of the
Teddy Lee Orchestra

Tickets are $65 per person
made payable to the WGCIL

Special thanks
to our Major Sponsor:
Harrah's Casino Joliet
(as of 2/18/08)

Did you know…?
…our Center for Independent Living is serving record numbers!  Last year, more than 4,100 individuals received services.  To answer the needs of an increasing population of disabled persons -- including youth, seniors, veterans and minorities -- we expanded programs and services, and expect an even greater demand on our staff and our budget in the coming year.  Your support is extremely valuable and greatly appreciated!

Here’s How You Can Make This Year's Event Our Best Ever!

• SPONSORSHIP -- Corporate ($1,000+) or Individual ($100+) The Center operates solely on grants and contributions, and relies on Summer Serenade to support its year-round programs. Extra promotion available for sponsors confirmed.



• IN-KIND DONATIONS -- these helpful donations cover event expenses, such as music, posters, ads, mailings, postage, sign language interpreter, etc., offsetting overall costs for greater profit.



• PROGRAM BOOK ADVERTISER -- always a great promotional opportunity.  A full page ad is $100, half-page $50, as well as business card size ads for $25 are available.  Artwork and payment due by July 1.



• JOIN US FOR A FUN EVENING with friends, family or a group! Spread the word.  Pick up invitations to share with others.  It’s never too early to RSVP with payment to reserve your seat or a table.



• RAFFLE PRIZES -- wide range of items are needed (value $50+)!  Feel free to offer prizes, or join the Raffle Committee and help visit Will and Grundy County businesses for prizes, pick-up, delivery.



• VOLUNTEER -- Whether it’s for just a few hours or over the coming months, we encourage and welcome your help in many ways!

CALL OR EMAIL THE CENTER -- SOON -- TO SHARE YOUR SUPPORT OF THE 2008 SUMMER SERENADE!

Contact Pam Heavens at 815/729-0162(V), 815/729-2085 (TTY)
or by email at pamwgcil@sbcglobal.net

Special Education Conference

The Special Education Conference entitled Operation JOSE is on Saturday, May 17th. The following workshops will be offered:

9:15 AM - 10:45 AM - The New Autism Center, School and In-home Supports at Trinity Services  (English) , Sally Ritchey, Sharon Holcomb & Carl Indovina presenters.

9:15 AM - 10:45 AM - The Illinois Assistive Technology Project: Low Cost, High Impact Devices (English), Cilla Sluga presenter.

9:15 AM - 10:45 AM - Get In/Be In Compliance! Illinois' New Special Education Regulations (Spanish), Consuelo Puente of Equip for Equality, presenter.

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM - Get In/Be In Compliance! Illinois' New Special Education Regulations (English), Consuelo Puente of Equip for Equality, presenter.

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM -  Special Education Rights of Children with Disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act - IDEA (English), Lynn Betts, Family Resource Center on Disabilities, presenter.

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM -  Special Education Rights of Children with Disabilities under the IDEA (Spanish), Amarilis DeLeon, Family Resource Center on Disabilities, presenter.

Please contact us by phone to find out more information.

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors generally meets the second Wednesday of every month at 5:30 pm at the Center. The exception to this schedule is November when our annual meeting is held. Meetings are open to the public. We encourage visitors to contact the Center to make sure the regularly scheduled meeting has not been changed. Board meeting minutes are available for reading at the Center during regular business hours.

NEW*** FREE SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT TRAININGS HOSTED BY THE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER ON DISABILITIES!!!  All parents of disabled children are welcome to attend and learn about:
 
Understanding their rights under the IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehab Act, Obtaining appropriate special education services for their child, Understanding your child's IEP, accessing your child's school records, or understanding mediation, resolution meetings and due process hearings.
 
You must register prior to attending by contacting Laura or Maria Christina
 
Classes in Spanish:

Friday, February 8, 2008   10 AM - 1 PM
Friday, May 9, 2008   10 AM - 1 PM
Friday, August 8, 2008   10 AM - 1 PM
Friday, November 14, 2008   10 AM - 1 PM
 
Classes in English :

Friday, February 15, 2008  10 AM - 1 PM
Friday, May 16, 2008    10 AM - 1 PM
Friday, August 15, 2008   10 AM - 1 PM
Friday, November 21, 2008   10 AM - 1 PM

We have a brand new group!! The Youth Group is meeting every Monday at 1 PM here at the Center. This is a cross-disabilities peer support group of teens from ages 12 - 20 who plan on getting together to talk about books, engage in fun activities and to volunteer in the community. Any interested teen should contact Te'aira at the center.

The Will County Consumers In Action group will meet each Thursday starting on 1/04/07 from 10am to 11am at the Will-Grundy CIL. Please phone ahead if any special accomodations need to be provided for you.

The Men's Support Group (For men of any age with a disability) meets weekly at the Will-Grundy CIL on Thursdays from 2pm to 3pm. Please call Laura Zeiger to register and please mention if you will need any accomodations.

The Will-Grundy CIL would like to invite all men and women with disabilities to join us in a consumer driven Book Club. The club meets weekly on Thursdays from 1 to 2pm. Please call Laura Zeiger or Mary Tisdale to register and please mention if you will need any accomodations.

The Women's Support Group (For women of any age with a disability) meets weekly at the Will-Grundy CIL on Thursdays from 1pm to 2:30pm. Please call Mary Tisdale to register and please mention if you will need any accomodations.

Interested in learning more about Financial Education? Join in weekly at the Will-Grundy CIL on Thursdays from 3 to 4pm. Please call Laura Zeiger or Mary Tisdale to register and please mention if you will need any accomodations.

Questions? Please click here to contact us!