Download - 691048 AHK Summer2016-SK
www.almosthomekids.org Summer20161
CaityandMaryPat(AHK’sPhysicalTherapist)arehardatworkonthetherapymatinthekitcheninNaperville.ThereareplentyoftoysaroundtokeepCaityfocusedonthefunsideoftherapy,butit’salotofeffortforthisvivaciousandcuriousseventeen-monthold.Caitycancombatcrawl,sitwithminimalsupportandisadeptatbringingherfoottohermouth-allnewlyacquiredskillsthatmakethesessionlookmorelikeplay-timethantherapydespitethehardwork.TwomonthsagothiswouldhavebeendifficultandbarelytolerableforCaity.HertransformationhasbeenthanksinparttothetherapistsatAlmostHomeKidsgradualandregularPTsessionsandherpersonalizedcareschedulethatwascarefullycreatedbyhersubspecialistsatAnn&RobertH.LurieChildren’sHospitalofChicago,theclinicalteamatAlmostHomeKidsandherprimarycarephysician.
Caityspentagreatdealofherfirstyearinandoutofthehospital,andwhileseekingasecondopinionatLurieChildren’sherparentslearnedaboutAlmostHomeKids.ItwasanepiphanyforherparentswhoknewfromthefirstmomenttheycameforatourofAlmostHomeKidsinNaperville,thatthiswastheperfectplaceforCaitywhiletheypreparedtheirnearbyLockporthomeforherreturn.
Caity’s Journey
HomeNewsSummer 2016
IN THIS ISSUE
Thecloseproximityhasmeantthatmom,dad,grandmaandbigbrotherDrewallgettovisitfrequently,andduringthetimesherfamilycan’tbewithher,Caitylovestospendtimewiththevolunteersandthechildlifespecialistreading,dancingandplayinggames.
ThecasemanagementandsocialworkteamatAlmostHomeKidsalsohelpedtoenrollthefamilywiththeDivisionofSpecializedCareforChildren(DSCC),apartnershipbetweentheUniversityofIllinoisatChicagoandtheStateofIllinoiswhichhelpsfamiliesofchildrenwithchronicmedicalcomplexities.DSCChelpstomakethetransitionhomesafeforCaityandherfamily,butalsofor“Sally”,thenameCaity’sbrothergavetoherbrandnewventilator!Ittrulytakesavillagetocareforachildwithcomplexmedicalneeds,andweareproudtobeapartofthatvillageforCaity.
Caity loves visits with her brother and grandmother!
Caity and AHK’s Physical Therapist, Mary Pat
OurEventsHealing Garden Summer Soirée
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OurEventsParis in Springtime No Place Like Home Golf Marathon
6CoverStoryCaity’s Journey
OurSupportersSharing the Care... Matching Gifts
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OurCommunity National Nurses Week
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OurCommunity Volunteers of the Quarter Wish List
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Our Supporters
Sharing the Care... Respite For When It’s Needed Mostby Teresa Pedroza, Mother of Danny and Gabriel, Member, AHK Naperville President’s Council
Forseveralyearsnow,AlmostHomeKidshasbeenapartofmanymomentsinmyfamily’slife.Ittookawhileforustosharethecareofoursonwithanyoneoutsideofourfamily,butitwasclearfromhisveryfirststay,thatAHKwasthemostqualifiedandmostcaringplacethatIcouldentrustDanny’scaretoinmyabsence.He’s17yearsoldnow,butIcanstillcountthenumberofnightshehasspentawayfrommealtogether-that’showfewtheyhavebeen.
TherespitecareprogramhasallowedmetoshareexcitingmomentswithmyyoungestsonGabrielatfarawaysoccerevents.Afewyearsago,IwasblessedtotraveltoTexastocelebratemyaunt’s90thbirthdaywithher.MyhusbandCarlosandIhadtheopportunitytotraveltoUtahwherehereceivedanawardfromworkandweenjoyedamini-vacationatthesametime.InJanuaryofthisyear,weenjoyedajam-packedweekendoffunindowntownChicagowherewegottoenjoyeachother’scompanylikewehadn’tinalongtime.NoneoftheseHAPPYmomentswouldhavebeenpossiblewithoutAlmostHomeKids.
ThispastSpring,myhusbandacceptedanewpositionathiscompanyinOrlando,Florida.Whiletheprospectofmovingtoawarmerclimatewasextremelyappealing,I
wasalsosadknowingthatIwouldbeleavingfamilyandfriendsbehind,includingourrelationshipwithAlmostHomeKids.HemoveddowninAprilandtheboysandIstayedbehindwaitingfortheschoolyeartoend.ThiswasaBITTERSWEETmoment.
OnMay2nd,IwasdrivingtopickupGabrielfromschool,whenthephonerang.IansweredandCarlossaid,inashakyvoice,“Here,talktothedoctor.”HehadgonetotheEmergencyRoomearlierthatdayforaverybadstomachache(remember,he’sinFlorida,theboysandIarestillinIllinois).Appendicitis?Gallstones?Thenewswasmuchmoreseverethanthat.ThedoctortoldmethataCTScanrevealedaverysuspiciousmassonCarlos’kidneyandthattheyweregoingtotransferhimtoanotherhospitalforasurgicalconsultation.ThiswasaSHOCKINGmoment.
IknewIhadtogetdowntoFloridaimmediatelybuthow?Thereweresomanyquestions,somanydecisionsthatneededtobemadeinamatterofhours.TheveryfirstphonecallImadewastoAlmostHomeKids.Amazingly,theywereabletoaccommodateDannyforanemergencyrespitecarevisitstartingtheverynextday.Gabrielwouldbecaredforbyclosefriends.IfeltlikeaTREMENDOUSweighthadbeenliftedoffofourshoulders.Ihadnever,EVER,neededAHKasmuchasIneededthematthat
Danny especially enjoyed art therapy with Rita at one of his recent respite stays
www.almosthomekids.org Summer20163
Double Your Impact With Matching Gifts
moment.Within24hoursafterthatfirstphonecallfromFlorida,DannywasbeingcaredforbythededicatedstaffatAHKandIwasatmyhusband’sbedsidediscussingsurgicaloptions.ThiswasaGRATEFULmoment.
IthasbeenalmosttwomonthssinceCarloshadhishealthscareandIamhappytoreportthatheisrecoveringwell.Ihadtobetherewithhimtohelpmakelife-changingdecisionsregardinghishealthandtosupporthimduringthismostdifficulttime.ItwouldhavebeenIMPOSSIBLEtobethereforhimifAlmostHomeKidswasnotthereforus.WhenyouaretheparentofachildlikeDanny,youcan’trelyonthekindnessoffriendsandfamilyaloneintimesofcrisis.IttakesthespecializedcareofferedbythestaffatAlmostHomeKidstotakecareofchildrenwithspecialmedicalneedsintheabsenceoftheirregularcaregivers.Dannytakesmedicationseveraltimesaday,isfedbyafeedingtube,needstobemonitoredforseizures,hastobesuctionedonoccasiontohelpclearhisairway-theseandsomanyotherthingsarepartofhiseverydayneedsthatcannotbecarriedoutbyjustanyoneaswillingastheymaybetohelp.AHKhasbeenthereforfamilieslikeoursinthegoodtimes—andthebad.AHK’srespitecareprogramisanessential,crucial,andlifechangingprograminourcommunityandhasproventimeandtimeagaintobeavitalpartofmyfamily’slife.WewillforeverbegratefulfortheseFORTUNATEmoments.
ACTION ALERT:Duetothestatenotpassingacompletebudget,respitecareforfamilieslikethePedroza’shasnotbeenfunded.Now,morethanever,AlmostHomeKidsneedsyoursupporttocontinuetoprovidethiscriticalneedforsomanyfamilies.Pleasegiveasgenerouslyasyoucan;visitwww.AlmostHomeKids.organdclickDonateorusetheenvelopeprovided.
Wouldn’titbegreatifeachtimeyoumadeacharitablegiftitwasmagicallymultipliedby2,oreven3?Itcanbe!Over65%ofFortune500companiesoffermatchinggiftprogramsforemployeecharitabledonations.Andit’snotjustthelargecompanies,manysmalltomid-sizeemployersarealsojumpingonthematchinggiftsbandwagon.
AskyourHRdepartmentifyouareunsureofwhetherornotyourcompanyhasamatchinggiftprogram.AlmostHomeKidsishappytoworkwithyourcompanyandsubmittheappropriatedocumentationforyourgifts…youjustneedtoletthemknowwhenyoumakeacontribution,andwetakeitfromthere!
The Pedroza Family pose with one of their donation drives of essential items for the children at AHK
Dom and his father, Karl, playing the guitar together
“My wife and I take full advantage of the matching gift program at Merrill Lynch so our donations can have twice the impact! While it does require some extra steps to apply for the match, most companies have automated the process to make it easy and efficient. It’s a pleasure to support Almost Home Kids, which plays a vital role in the healthcare system, and in the lives of so many families, like ours, who benefit from their services” — Karl Maurer, Father of Dom
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Our Events
Healing Garden DedicationBoardandPresident’sCouncilMembersaswellasGardendonorsof$1,000ormorejoinedtheCurranFamilyonMay24,2016fortheofficialdedicationoftheMargaretM.andThomasM.Curran,Sr.HealingGardenatAlmostHomeKidsNaperville.ItwasabeautifuleveningcelebratingthememoryandlegacyofMargaretandThomasCurran,Sr.GuestsadmiredthelandscapeanduniqueartisticelementsthatpromotehealingandsolaceforchildrenandfamiliesatAHKNaperville.Duetospaceconstraints,wewereunabletoinviteeveryonewhosupportedtheGardentotheDedicationceremony;pleasecontactJudithMcLean([email protected])ifyouandyourfamilywouldlikeapersonaltouroftheGarden.
Three generations of the Curran family
Scott, Judy, Sophia and Ella Johnson at the fountain named in Celebration of Euan McLean (donated by Jim English and JoAnn Crowe)
Whimsical sculptures and tribute brick pavers and plaques define the space in the Healing Garden
www.almosthomekids.org Summer20165
Summer Soirée
TheFourthtimewasacharmfortheannualSummerSoiréeonJune16,2016.ClearskiesandcoolsummerbreezeswelcomedguestsaboardtheiconicColumbiaYachtClubforanightofblues,funandfundraisingforthechildrenofAlmostHomeKidsChicago.Inadditiontoouramazingandaccomplishedeventcommittee,we’dliketogivespecialshout-outstoWGN’sPattiVasquezwhoservedasourhostandkeptthecrowdlaughing,toDJMorganandtheStreetJaxksonBandfortop-shelfentertainment,andtoCarlyDiedrich,whowasawardedourinauguralYABLeadershipAward.MassesofthankstoCSMagazineandtheDesignCenteratTheMartfortheirsponsorshipsupport,andtoTahanyYassinfromChitownPhotography.
Emcee Patti Vasquez (WGN Radio) Swoon Technology Resources volunteer group
Carley Diedrich, YAB Leadership Award recipient
Summer Soirée Committee
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Our Events
Paris In SpringtimeEsplanadeLakesinDownersGrovewastransformedinto“ParisinSpringtime”foranightonFriday,April22,2016.Guestsmingledoverchampagnecocktailstothevintagesoundsofastrollingaccordionist,enjoyinggreatcompanyforagreatcause:theannualgalasupportingAlmostHomeKids’Napervillehome.
Thankstoabevyofnewsponsorsandsupporters,theeventraisedmorethan$130,000forAHKNaperville…ourmostsuccessfulsuburbaneventtodate!EventChair
Event Awardees Dr. Kathleen Ruroede, Lendlease and the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District
Paris in Springtime Committee Master of Ceremonies Ben Bradley and Event Chair, Kathy Wennerstrum
KathyWennerstrumandherfabulouscommitteecreatedamemorableeveningincludingluxurioussilentandliveauction,andasublimeRaffleandWineGrab.GuestswereremindedofthetruemeaningoftheirattendancebytheinspirationalwordsofTeresaPedroza,whoeloquentlysharedherfamily’sexperiencewithRespiteCareatAlmostHomeKids.GettoknowTeresaandherfamily’sjourneywithAlmostHomeKidsonthepreviouspageintheOurSupporterssection.
www.almosthomekids.org Summer20167
There’snodoubtthattheAHKYoungAssociatesBoardknowshowtothrowaparty.Morethan175youngprofessionalsfromChicagoandbeyondcameoutforthe2ndannual“NoPlaceLikeHome”eventatStudioParisonMay6,2016.DJDIOXprovidedtheambience,asall
Golf MarathonThankyoutoallourgolfersthatenduredtheextremetemperaturesatourannualGolfMarathonattheZigfieldTroyGolfCourse.100holeswasthegoal,andeveryoneonthecourseachievedthis,plusraisedalmost$30,000forAlmostHomeKidsintheprocess.MarkHoffmanwon
Committed to the Cause: 2016 Golf Marathon Participants
enjoyedsignaturecocktails,fantasticappsandadiverseassortmentofraffleprizes.Over$30,000wasraisedatthisveryfunevent.IfyouareinterestedinlearningmoreabouttheYABpleaseemailHannahathjhevans@gmail.com.
thelowscoreprizewhileMartyKoehlerwontheprizeformostmoneyraisedwithastaggeringtotalof$8,550!!GolfTime,ZeroFrictionGolfGearandShanahan’sallsupportedtheeventwithawesomedonationstomakethedayextraspecialforthegolfers.
AHK Young Associates Board’s “No Place Like Home”
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Our Community
EachyearFlorenceNightingale’sbirthdayonMay12marksthelastdayofNationalNursesWeek.Itisafittingtributetothefounderofprofessionalnursingasherworkinthemid1800’sinEnglandrevolutionizedtheprofessionandadvancedallaspectsoftheoccupation.Since1896theAmericanNursesAssociationhasfocusedontheweek(May6thtoMay12th)asawayofhighlightingtheimportanceofnursingandacknowledgingthevitalpartnursingplaysinthehealthcaresystemintheUS.
AlmostHomeKidsisthrilledtohonorthattraditionandcelebratesbytreatingournursesthroughouttheweek-providingthemwithdeliciousmeals,dessert&appetizertreats,musicalperformances,giftbagsandahouse-giftatbothlocations.Wearethankfultoourdonorsandneighborstohelpsupportusintheseeffortsandareverygratefultoeachandeveryoneofthethoughtfulpeople,groupsandcorporationsthatcontributedthisyearandinmanyyearspreviously!
OurCommunityOutreachCoordinator,LisaSnow,setsagoaleachyeartogothatextramiletopamperall61ofourclinicalstafffortheweek,andshehasalotofhelptoaccomplishthis!Therewasadeliciouslunch&cakedonatedbyPortillo’s,sandwichesdonatedfromtheStreetervillePotbelly,pizza&saladdonatedbyIndependencePlusandInTouchSolutions,HighTealunchfromTheDrakeHotel,HomemadebreadsfromlongtimevolunteerMickey,gourmetappetizers&dessertsplusa
National Nurses Week Annual Celebration
Sarah Tromans (member of the President’s Council) and Ann O’Riordan brought High Tea courtesy of The Drake
Jayme Squire with Trevon and staff
“We enjoyed all the treats and special treatment we received during Nurses week, especially the High Tea, that made us feel really appreciated” — Emily Nietz, RN
www.almosthomekids.org Summer20169
Intouch Solutions provided pizza and dessert
Independence Plus treats the AHK Clinical Staff to lunch and gifts
verygenerousmonetarydonationfortheweekfromtheMcCallionfamily,deliciousdesserts&dinnerfromNapervilleNationalCharityLeague,breakfastfromLewisUniversityStudentNursesAssociation,musicandsingingwiththeverytalentedJaymeSquire,GoRomalunchfromourfriendsatJMGFinancial,DairyQueenice-creamcakefromvolunteerMartha’sfamily,ourannualhomemadepeachcobblerfromDestinee,andlastbutnotleast...carwashesforthenursesfromourvolunteergroupwithLibertyMutual!Thenurse’sgiftbagswerefilledwithitems
fromLurieChildren’s,Illinicare,Avon,EPICHealthServices,CowlishawCareskidsclub,andourkindneighborsatWoodridgeSeniorsCraftingforaCause.Itwasafestiveweekthatthechildrenenjoyedwatchingunfold!
Wearesofortunatetohavetheseverycaringsupportersrisetotheoccasionwhenweneedthemmost!Kudo’stoallinvolvedwithrecognizingtheeffortsourclinicalstaffaccomplishes24/7!
“The generosity of our volunteers is absolutely incredible. Throughout Nurses Week we received gifts, lunches and lots of sweets. It truly made all of us nurses feel so valued and even more proud of what we do” — Katie Matthews, RN
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Our Community
ThevolunteerprogramisanintegralpartofAlmostHomeKids-recreational,administrativeandevent-relatedvolunteeringmakesthedifferenceatAHKandgreatlyenhancesthelivesofthechildrenweserveandourabilitytoprovideauniqueandexceptionalhome-likesetting.Eachyearhundredsoftalentedvolunteersgenerouslygivetheirtimeandtalentsinmanydifferentways–readingtothechildrenorplayinggames,assistingourstaffwithadministrativetasks,helpingwithprojectsbothinsideandoutsideofourfacilitiesorsupportingusbyvolunteeringatourvariousfundraisers.Wewouldnotbeabletofullyachieveourmissionwithouttheircommitmentanddedication.EachquarterwerecognizeaVolunteerwhohasgoneaboveandbeyondintheirvolunteerrole.
The McCallion FamilyareourAHKNapervilleVolunteersoftheQuarterforalltheydobehindthescenestosupportAlmostHomeKids.GwenMcCallionisthemotheroftwoverycompassionateyoungwomen,Katie&Shelly.
Katieasan8thgraderchoseAlmostHomeKidsasthebeneficiaryofherBatMitzvahprojectwheresheorganizedaDonationDriveforitemsonourWishList.For3monthssheenthusiasticallyreachedouttohercommunity,congregationandfamilytoaskfordonationsandsuccessfullycollecteditemsfromourWishListvaluingover$1,100!
Shellyisasophomoreinhighschoolwithanincrediblybusyschedulebutfindstimetobakedeliciouscookies/desserts
Volunteers Of The Quarter
Gwen, Katie and Shelly McCallion Terry Gravenhorst with staff
forthefamilies,childrenandstaffatAHK.Herbakingskillsareextraordinaryfora15yearoldaswellashercompassiontosupportAlmostHomeKids.ShellyhasalsosigneduptobecomeaRecreationalvolunteerwithourchildrenandbothgirlshavevolunteeredtoregularlywatertheflowersintheNapervillegardenallsummerlong.
Totopitalloff,KatieandShelly’smomGwengraciouslyofferedtounderwritethecostoftreatsandmealsforNationalNursesWeeksothatourclinicalstaffcouldfeelappreciated!WeareveryblessedtohavethisthoughtfulfamilysupportingAHKandwearehappytorecognizetheMcCallionfamilyasourNapervilleVolunteersoftheQuarter!
Terry GravenhorstisourAHKChicagoVolunteeroftheQuarter.TerryhasbeenarecreationalvolunteeratourChicagohomefortwoyears,andmakesanimmensedifferencefortheclinicalstaffeverytimeshearrives.Terry’sfulltimejobmakesiteasierforhertovolunteerintheevening,whichisgreatforournursingstaffasthisisaverybusytimeoftheday-knowingthatTerryistheretogivethechildrensomeTLCwhiletheypreparetheirchartsforthenightstaff,helpsenormously.WearereallyappreciativethatTerryiswillingtocomeatleastonceaweekatthattime.AbighugofgratitudegoesouttoourverykindheartedvolunteerTerryandwearedelightedtorecognizeherasourAHKChicagoVolunteeroftheQuarter.
AHKisbetterplaceandthelivesofthechildrenarecertainlyenhancedbecauseofvolunteersliketheMcCallionfamily
www.almosthomekids.org Summer201611
AHK General Wish List:
» GiftCardsinanyamounttohelppurchasesupplies(AmericanExpress,VisaorMastercardgiftcards)
» Metra/Ventraprepaidcardsforparents» $25GasCards(Shell,BPetc.)forparentstohelpwith
travelexpenses» FirstClassPostageStamps
Children’s Supplies Wish List: (items must be new please)
» Johnson&JohnsonBabyLotion&BabyWash» Babywipes(unscentedorforsensitiveskin)» Desitin(tubes)» PhilipsAventBPAFreeSoothiePacifiers» IlexSkinProtectantPaste» WristrattlesandFoot/Anklerattles» LightandSoundMobiles» CribLight&Soundmusicboxes» Formulacontainers–RubbermaidMixerMate/1qtand
1pintsize» Batteriesfortoys(AA,AAA,C&D)» Boppycushionsandcovers» GracoSweetSlumberSoundMachine
House Supplies Wish List:
» GiftCardsinanyamounttohelppurchasehousesupplies(Target,Walgreens,OfficeMax&HomeDepot)
» Laundrydetergent–‘AllUltraFreeClearliquid’brand» IvorySoapliquiddetergent» K-CupCoffeepacks» Gladrectangle8Cups/64ozcontainerswithlids» RubbermaidStorageBins,(18gallon,forstorageof
clothes,blankets,etc.)» FullSizedBoxesofKleenex(30-40boxesareusedeach
month)» Bathtowels(large)andwashcloths» HandSanitizer(travelsizewithcap/2ozand12oz)» Gloves(sizesmediumandlarge;mustbevinyl;freeof
latexandpowder;approximately5,500pairsareusedeachmonth)
B.I.G. Holiday Donation Drive
Bolingbrook Park District Pre-School families & staff Week of the Young Child Donation Drive
andTerry!Ifyouwouldlikemoreinformationonvolunteeringatoneofoursites;pleaseemailourCommunityOutreachCoordinator,[email protected].
Affiliated with
7South721Route53Naperville,IL60540
Board of Directors
BillNeustadt,Chair JoshPrangley,Vice Chair JuliaChappellTheresaDankoDeborahA.GriskoMichaelHoffmanMartinKoehlerRichardMarkMathewMullarkeyPaulaNobleLakeshaRoseChristopherSchenkenbergMichelleStephensonJessicaStrausbaughMaritaSullivan
President’s Council
DanAultPaulBogdanskiJenCluneJosetteGoldbergBreganHerroldJenHorsleyKimHylaCarolynJohnsonAnnKarchBethanyKeownMartyKoehlerKatieOssmanSusanSchwartzMaritaSullivanSarahTromansKathyWennerstrum
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”usonFacebookfordailyAlmost Home Kidsupdates!
Key Staff
DeborahA.Grisko,RN,President and Executive Director
Administrative:
DorothyGieren,Director of FinanceRaeannOlsen-Jackson,Director of DevelopmentJudithMcLean,Director of Marketing & Communications LoriHannon,Director of Business Development & StrategyGailLinhart,Director of OperationsLisaSnow,Community Outreach CoordinatorLizaLarsen,Special Events and Strategic Development Coordinator
Clinical:
PeterJ.Smith,MD,MA,AHK Chicago, Medical Director ChrisBender,MD,AHK Naperville, Medical Director AnnKarch,MD,Associate Medical Director MikeHoffman,MD,Associate Medical DirectorLayenieAnderson,RN,Director of Case ManagementAprilAlexander,MBA,BSN,RN,Director of Nursing
Writers, Editors and Key Contributors:
LizaLarsen,RaeannOlsen-Jackson,JudithMcLean,LisaSnowandTeresaPedroza
Contactusat630.271.9155orvisitourwebsiteatwww.AlmostHomeKids.org