2008 Telethon a Success!

$105,000 raised and counting...

AID hosted their 9th Annual Telethon at Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove Campus on Saturday, March 1. The telethon was an all-day event that raised $105,000 towards programs and services for children and adults with disabilities and mental illness - and hopes to raise more in the coming weeks as pledges continue to roll in. The broadcast featured local talent and interviews with AID clients, family and staff.

The telethon aired on local Comcast channels 99 and 17, and Mediacom channel 15. The public was also in attendance for the telethon’s live broadcast.

AID would like to thank the hundreds of volunteers, sponsors, hosts, backstage crew and talent that made this event possible. Be sure to check out photos of the event (Flash plugin required).

Bowl-a-thon

AID is hosting a Bowl-a-thon at Parkside Lanes of Aurora on January 20, at 6:30 pm. This fundraiser costs $25 and includes 3 games, shoe rental, pizza and pop. Proceeds will benefit children and adults with developmental disabilities. There will be door prizes, 50/50 raffle and a strike-pot. Contact MaryAnn at 630-966-4252 for tickets or more information.

Don’t bowl? Donate a ticket for a client. Parkside Lanes is located at 34W185 Montgomery Road in Aurora. The deadline for ticket sales is January 13.

Project SEARCH

AID & MVSEC Look for a Partner

AID and Mid-Valley Special Education have joined together to seek a business partner to assist in the employment of students with disabilities. This mission, known as "Project Search" is based on the original, successful Project Search implemented at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

While many individuals with developmental disabilities have skills to offer to the work place, many employers do not offer positions to this population. Project Search aims to alleviate this growing concern.

By partnering with a large business that has a variety of employment opportunities, together AID and Mid-Valley will focus on a school-to-work transitional program. The business partner could potentially be a hospital, a large bank, or other entity - preferably one that employs approximately 200 employees. The program will place 12 students in an intern-like position, where they will work closely with a job coach. The business will then have the opportunity to hire on any of the students at their discretion.

If you work for or know of a business that would be willing to take on this kind of project, please contact Janet McAlpin at 630-207-8553.

Sherman Apartments

Open House & Grand Opening

The beautiful, new apartment building that is home to 16 individuals with behavioral health needs has officially opened. An open house was held on Friday, November 9 from 11:30am - 2:30pm.

The 16 unit building, dubbed Sherman Apartments, serves as home to residents who each have their own apartment, provided with supervision and guidance on an as-need basis.

Residents, who are part of AID's Behavioral Health program, will have the opportunity to experience independence and self-reliance. Each apartment has its own functional kitchen, as well as a centrally located kitchen where residents can learn cooking skills as a group and dine together. An AID Behavioral Health employee is present at all times.

Most residents work in the community and some participate in AID Behavioral Health day program.

This project would not have been possible without the hard work and support of several key entities: DuPage County Home Funds, Aurora Community Development Block Grant, U.S. HUD Department and Jim Hamilton, Project Manager.

Pedersen Place

Open House & Grand Opening

Nearly a year ago, The Association for Individual Development (AID) successfully purchased a beautiful house at 3N370 Bonnie Lane in St. Charles. The evening of November 1 was one of celebration as residents, family, neighbors and supporters joined together for a house warming and grand opening.

Pastor Carl Gray gave a blessing over the house, with a message about how a mother eagle must teach her young to fly on their own, drawing comparisons to the residents of the home and their own independence. Guests also enjoyed refreshments and a tour of the fully furnished, accessible home.

There were delays in opening the home as there were several renovations which needed to be made in order to make the home fully compliant with the American Disabilities Act. Key among the renovations was installing fire extinguishing sprinklers and redoing the back deck to make it safer. The house is currently home to 5 individuals with developmental disabilities.

Dubbed “Pedersen Place” because of the generous funding from the Pedersen Foundation (many of whom were present that evening). The project also would not have been a possibility without the support of the following contributors: The Kane County Board, Kane County Community Development Block Grant, St. Charles Parent Fundraising Group, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, EFS Foundation, Trust Company of Illinois, St. Charles 708 Mental Health Board, Dellora A. & Lester J. Norris Foundation, Hansen-Furnas Foundation, Unity Masonic Lodge #48, National Knights of Columbus, and The Community Foundation of Fox Valley.

AID is a nonprofit, community-based organization that serves 3,800 individuals throughout Kane, Kendall, DeKalb, DuPage, suburban Cook, and Will Counties offering over 20 programs for individuals with physical or developmental disabilities, and those in need of behavioral health services or crisis intervention.

AID Telethon 2008

Making a Difference One Step at a Time

We are once again preparing for our annual telethon, slated for March 1, 2008. This will be AID's 9th telethon, and we're planning on making this our most exciting one yet!

Our theme this year is "Making a Difference, One Step at a Time," and our goal is to raise $125,000. Hosted at Waubonsee Commmunity College Sugar Grove Campus, the telethon is an all-day event that aims to raise funds for our programs and services, all while exhibiting exciting local entertainment and talent, and featuring interviews with AID clients, family and staff.

We are currently seeking sponsors, talent and volunteers. If you or your company would like to help with any of these areas, please contact us and let us know what you're interested in.

Website Update

The website has undergone some design changes. Hopefully, things are easier to read and find. There may be a need to tweak some things still, so if you notice something not working the way it used to, or if something is missing altogether, please let us know. This form goes straight to the web developer. We hope you like the look!

United Way Employee Campaign

Giving back is part of what we do

October is United Way employee campaign month. AID receives significant support for its programs and services throughout the year from community United Ways. As a service organization, it is important for us to show our support in return, to this generous charity. The funds we receive are related to the success of the United Way campaign in the Fall, so it is important that we each give what we can.

Thank you to all of the employees who participate in this campaign. To learn more about United Way, follow this link.

AID Benefit Auction an Evening to Remember

Harvest Moon Magic

The Association for Individual Development’s (AID) annual benefit auction, Harvest Moon Magic, was magical! There were gourmet baskets of delectable goodies and baskets filled with fine wines and liqueurs and a garden wagon stuffed with stepping stones, bird feeders and more. And those were just some of the raffle prizes.

Between cocktails and dinner, guests browsed the hundred some silent auction items, which included dazzling jewelry, framed and autographed pictures of sport stars, wine tastings, furniture and such unique items as a Build a Bike: Chopper Boot Camp certificate and a one-on-one training session with a former NBA player. Those present also enjoyed some humor when Geneva’s Mayor Kevin Burns took center stage as our auctioneer. The bidding got intense over such items as 2008 Cubs Tickets, a pig roast party, trips to Galena, Florida and Arizona, and a beautiful electric guitar and amplifier. Not to mention a flight in a real WWII plane! The Dutch auction segment helped raise much needed funds for dentistry, medication support, and recreational therapy.

The auction could not have been the success it was without the help of its committee, volunteers and financial supporters. Planning for the 2008 auction will begin in early spring. Anyone who is interested in working on the committee should call Wendy Bialek at 847-931-2294.

Motorcycle Run: Mobility for Ability

Rain!

Our first bike run was held this Sunday, and despite our request for sunshine, it turned out to be a very rainy day.

Many supporters came out to enjoy the pancake breakfast that was held at our Elgin Area Services building, and we even had a few riders who insisted on braving the elements. Although more or less drenched, the riders seemed to have a good time.

AID would like to thank the following people for helping make this event possible: our volunteers, Moose International (particularly Chris Ecker for his ride-knowledge), the Fair family, Hoss's Roadhouse, Knucklehead's Tavern, Mott's Lounge, Outpost Tavern, Last Shot Bar & Grill and all of the individuals who brought in their generous pledges.

We hope to see a sunnier day for next year's ride!