From office opening to positive partnerships
1700 Newton Place
Morris, IL 60450
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With the basketball season heating up, seems that the timing is right to consider pro hockey player Wayne Gretzky’s words: You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.
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www.morrisdailyherald.com
Thursday March 15th from 4 pm to 7 pm
January 28, 2011, Morris, IL
In an effort to expand availability of its programs and services throughout Grundy County, the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living announced it has opened an office in Morris. The office space is located in Saratoga Tower, at 1700 Newton Place, and is open to people with disabilities of all types and all ages. The office will be open on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and will be staffed by Independent Living Advocate Debbie Tarrant. A resident of Morris who has worked for years with youth, adults, seniors and veterans in Grundy County on behalf of the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living, Tarrant is excited for the opportunity and eager to meet and serve an expanded consumer base.
“We are exhilarated to be opening an office in Saratoga Tower,” said Pam Heavens, Executive Director of the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living, a Coal City native. She added, “We realize that it is often difficult for Grundy County residents with disabilities to travel to Joliet. The Center's presence in Morris will make accessing our unique services much easier for people with disabilities throughout the County.” She thanked WGCIL Board Member Brent Newman for his help in securing the space.
Housing Authority C.E.O. Brent Newman said, "After discussion with the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, we have determined the physical presence of a WGCIL Morris Office will add significantly to the quality of life for people with disabilities in Grundy County.”
He added, “For that reason, our Board extended an offer that will cover the expenses of the Housing Authority to provide such an office, and help to preserve the assets of the Center. We are very pleased to reach this compromise which can benefit all parties involved."
WGCIL Board Members and staff are enthused with the potential to expand collaboration with residents of Saratoga Tower. Most importantly, however, is the opportunity to be available locally to support the ever-expanding population of youth and adults with disabilities who can benefit from the wide range of programs and services the WGCIL offers. The Center will also continue to partner with related service organizations, including Illinois Valley Industries and Narvick House resident, members of the Grundy County Interagency Council and local school districts.
Key services of the Center are: information and referral; independent living skills; peer support; and systems and individual advocacy. The most popular specialized programs are the free amplified telephones for hearing impaired persons, assistive technology and IEP assistance for school-aged youth, a low vision loan program, Circuit Breaker and Medicare Part D application help, and financial education. The Will-Grundy CIL is a proud partner agency of the United Way of Grundy County, and active member in the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living.
Grundy County residents with disabilities, local partnering agencies, schools, healthcare providers, businesses and municipalities are encouraged to learn more about the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living by visiting the new office, calling 815/ 416-6460 (Voice/TTY), or logging onto its website.
Dear Pam:
As you know, my name is Lauren Galloway, and over the past year I have had the pleasure of getting to know you. I have been inspired by your drive and determination to make unprecedented strides in regards to accessibility standards in the local communities. Your example has been a guide for me to break down an accessibility barrier in my own community. At the beginning of last year, I started working on a service project to put railings on stairs leading up to the stage in my high school's auditorium.
To go about this project, I requested the help of my principal, Mr. Kelly Hussey, the head of maintenance at the High School, Mr. Steve Lutz, Mr. Brian Sheaffer, of Crown Concepts, and my grandfather, Bob Narvick. I also appealed to 100 community members vying for their support and $5 each to account for the cost of this endeavor. All of them were so cooperative and accommodating, and now, due to all their hard work, two brand new railings stand proudly in the high school auditorium. Mr. Sheaffer has expressed a desire that the cost of the railing should not be paid to him, but that the money should be used to make a donation to a charity of my choice in his name.
The goal of this project was to make accessibility a higher priority in my community. And seeing as you reach this goal every day, it seemed only fitting that the donation be used to assist the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living on its daily work. I have enclosed a $500 cashier's check in Mr. Sheaffer's name. And I know that it will be used to continue the life changing work you do every day.
Sincerely,
Lauren Galloway
1700 Newton Place
Morris, IL 60450
815-416-6460 (V/TTY)
