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www.otrassn.com

Rainbow at RaviniaPlease join

For the Joy of Jazz, Latin Style

WATCH THE MAIL FOR YOUR INVITATION OR CALL 847-328-1607 TO ORDER TICKETS.

OVER THE RAINBOWASSOCIATIONA Not-For-ProfitOrganization

BUILDINGTO HELP PEOPLE

WITH PHYSICALDISABILITIES

HELP THEMSELVES

Dear Friends:This Report reconnects you directly

with the people Rainbow serves. You willlearn about some residents of Rainbow’sHill Arboretum—how they function, growand triumph.

Most Rainbow residents depend day today on personal care attendants. WhilePCAs are actual employees of residents,strong bonds of friendship and mutualrespect are at the core of the mostsuccessful relationships.

We are proud ofthe community spiritthat grounds Rainbowresidents. And we arecommitted toenlarging thatcommunity to includenew locales in whichthe housing needs ofmen and women with

physical challenges are either substandardor nonexistent.

Through its affiliate network, Over TheRainbow has contacted dozens oforganizations, municipalities, rehabilitationcenters and other groups seeking to providebarrier-free housing. Inside is a mapidentifying locations where other groupsare studying possible affiliation withRainbow. More news on this initiative willfollow soon.

In the meantime, we invite you to meetsome very special PCAs.

Ed BjorncrantzRainbow Board Chairman

Ed Bjorncrantz

On a recent spring day several personalcare attendants who serve clients atRainbow’s Hill Arboretum Apartmentsagreed, with a good deal of modesty, todiscuss both their work and theirrelationships with Rainbow residents.

PCAs provide a huge reservoir ofsupport for a population whose very limitedmotor skills anddependence onwheelchairsotherwise wouldgreatly inhibitquality of life.

In fact, PCAs area vital part of therationale forRainbow’s conceptof independent livingin barrier-freehousing designedspecifically foradults with severephysical disabilities.

A significantaspect the PCA/client relationship is thatresidents hire their own caregivers. PCAsare not employed by nor under the auspicesof Rainbow. Most, however, become a partof the Rainbow family of people who wishto help those with disabilities to helpthemselves.

PCA Marilyn Brauer-McCarthy wasamong the first PCAs hired by a Rainbow

resident in the early nineties.“As an LPN candidate, I had seen a lot

of illness and there came a time when Iwent through a burnout,” recalls Marilyn.“But there are many rewards here thatrenewed my vigor.”

Marilyn works or is on call seven days aweek for her clients at Hill Arboretum. She

and her husbandMike McCarthy—who headsArboretum BusinessCenter where manyresidents work eachday—even bought ahouse next door, justto be close in case ofemergency. Early on,when Marilyn metMike throughRainbow, it was hewho helped herregain herenthusiasm forcaregiving.

Every day Marilyn assists four residentswith rising and retiring, grooming,medications, and other personal needs. Whatkeeps her going?

“They do,” she explains. “Just knowingthat they can function, seeing them smile,sharing their enthusiasm for jobs in thebusiness center. My reward is seeing the

RAINBOW SALUTES PCAs FORCONSTANT CARING, CAMARADERIE

(continued inside)

A. Richard BusscherThirty years ago, Brian Busscher and

Bob Gustafson met at school on Chicago’sNorth Shore, where both thrived despite

cerebral palsy and fullhearing impairment.The boys’ parents soonmet and thus beganthe long friendship ofMarilyn and DickBusscher and Don andSue Gustafson.

Now retired fromA. Richard BusscherConstruction, Dick

was a third-generation residential contractorwhose expertise will be valuable toRainbow’s national affiliate expansion andthe strategic planning committee.

Marilyn passed away last September.

Both Dick and she had volunteered theirtime to civic and charitable work. Dick builtthe model apartment for Rainbow’s HillArboretum.

Today Brian Busscher, who is quitemobile, lives in a high-rise apartmentbuilding near Chicago’s Loop and works ata major bank. Bob Gustafson lives andworks at Hill Arboretum.

Dick joins son Brad, the newly appointedchief legal counsel of Mesirow Financial, onthe Rainbow board.Ian McPheron

As an Assistant General Counsel andAssistant Secretary with Van KampenInvestment Inc., a Morgan Stanley DeanWitter subsidiary, Ian McPheron is theprimary Legal Counsel for the world’slargest Unit Investment Trust and for VanKampen’s Senior Loan and Closed-End

Fund businesses.Previously, he was an associate with a

major Chicago-based law firm concentratingon securities and commercial andintellectual property litigation. He hassubstantial experience in the U.S. Appeals

and Illinois Appellatecourts.

Ian has beeninvolved in numerouscharitableorganizations,including the Habitatfor Humanity forwhich he traveled toGhana, Misericordia,the American Heart

Association and United Way.Ian is a valuable addition to the Rainbow

board and its Strategic Planning Committee.

MMEEET OET OUUR NR NEEW BOW BOAARRD MD MEEMMBBEERRSS

Dick Busscher

Ian McPheron

Donald GustafsonChairman EmeritusEduard BjorncrantzChairmanJoe DunnSandy HerbstMatthew HowardEdward WittensteinVice PresidentsArthur BerlinTreasurerLita PassenSecretaryGerry BooneA. Brad BusscherA. Richard Busscher

John CammelotGeorge ElderRobert FallonMark GruenSusan GustafsonSandy HerbstMary Ann KingLeo KirwanJames KleebergSteven KrollIrene LandauIan McPheronWilliam MonahanEdward SchmelzerMarv SternThomas Wiegand

Eric HuffmanExecutive Director

Dennis BreitholtzDirector of Affiliate Development

Lynne GreeneDirector of Operations

Michael McCarthyAssistant Director, ABC

Theresa PhillipsDevelopment Associate

Martha RolandAdministrative Assistant

Josefina ScanlonBookkeeper

Charlene HallNight Supervisor

Teresa CollinsHill Arboretum Maintenance

Sheila SmithKitchen Supervisor

Leon MitchellSecurity

David ZimmermanBelden Apartments Engineer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS RAINBOW STAFF

Over The Rainbow Association2040 Brown AvenueEvanston,IL 60201

www.otrassn.com

Not-For-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PaidEvanston,IllinoisPermit No. 300

Summertime Fund-raiser

Saturday, June 16, 2001

Reception and buffet dinner at 5 PM

Pavilion seating

$125 per person

Presenting

the Grammy-award-winning PONCHO SANCHEZ

master of contemporary salsa and traditional repertoire

Brazil’s hottest singer BEBEL GILBERTO

and trumpeter extraordinaire ROY HARGROVE

Non-stop for 10 years, PCA Marilyn Brauer-McCarthy has assisted Rainbow residents.Here she assists Bob Gustafson withbrushing his teeth.

A TIP OF THE HAT TO DONORS, PRIVATEAND PUBLIC, LARGE AND SMALLGovernmental and private funds together have provided the

backbone of support for Rainbow activities. Every dollar helps.Just look at the amazing results that donors of all sizes have made

possible in recent months! Our deepest thanks.

cohesion in their personal and workexperiences, knowing that their lives aregoing smoothly.”

Marilyn and Mike have a daughterKaliee, 8, and Marilyn has an olderdaughter Sylvia, 22, a certified nursingassistant. Another daughter Amber, nowdeceased, was a CNA candidate. She callsthe residents of Hill Arboretum herextended family.

As in all walks of life, “there areoccasional ruffles,” Marilyn admits, “but welook at any obstacle together, try to put thesituation in a positive light and aim for agood result.”

Marilyn adds that to be a PCA, “youmust be unconditionally receptive tomeeting people’s needs, to giving your heartand soul, and being prepared for bothemotional and physical demands. I makesure that I spend quality time with each

person I care for, because their emotionalneeds must be met.”

Mrs. Eileen Riley, personal careattendant for three Hill Arboretum residents,also lives nearby and works seven days aweek, because her clients depend on her.

Originally from Jamaica, Mrs. Riley hasenjoyed other jobs that have includedpersonal care assistance. Before coming toHill Arboretum 10 years ago, she was acaregiver for an elderly Evanstonian. Shenotes that she likes to work with kids too.

“The PCAs here help each other all thetime,” says Mrs. Riley. “If I pass a tenantwho needs my help, even if they are theclient of another PCA, I am happy to help.”

That thread of compassion and teamworkextends throughout the Rainbow system.Visitors to Hill Arboretum, for example,will see any number of instances whereneighbors come to the assistance of theirneighbors, where a visitor is asked to help aresident put on a jacket, or a staff memberchecks in on a resident who has not yetmade an appearance on a given day.

Ben Minued has been a PCA at HillArboretum since 1995. He followed hismother, Margo Jones, into the job. He has

three male clients, Leo Kirwan, Ron Taoneand John Cammelot, who appreciate Ben’sstrength.

That would include physical strength andstrength of character. A graduate of HarperHigh School on Chicago’s south side, Benonce worked at a Wendy’s restaurant.

“Then I realized that I like to help peoplein need,” says Ben. “I’m God-fearing andwilling to work seven days a week.”

It can be tiring to help with showers,bathroom programs, dressing, feeding,cleaning apartments, washing clothes, andmore. But Ben doesn’t mind.

“These people need me, and I’m goingto be there for them,” he says. “They let meknow I’m doing a good job, they share theirdeepest thoughts with me, and that’s all Ineed,” he adds.

Also a native of Jamaica, PCA BeverlyFowler has been in the U.S. for almost 11years. Beverly learned about Hill Arboretumfrom a newspaper ad run by a residentseeking a PCA; she responded on aMonday, and her new client said, “Couldyou start Wednesday?” That was 1996, andBeverly has been working non-stop at HillArboretum ever since.

“I just feel good working here,” sheobserves. She has several clients, all withvery different needs and personalities.

Beverly took a short break to speak froma resident’s apartment about her work andexperiences. The resident was eager to make

a statement herself.“Beverly is very reliable, and I am very

appreciative,” said Lisa Frehling. Sevendays a week, Beverly walks from her homejust a block from Hill Arboretum to be surethat life runs well for the people whodepend on her.

There are numerous other PCAs andRainbow staffers with equal levels ofdedication to their special work. Nightsupervisor Charlene Hall lives directlyacross the street, and Lynne Greene,director of operations, lives two doors away.

Rainbow salutes the entire team for thenurturing and mutual respect that enablemen and women with severe physicaldisabilities to make their own decisions andmanage their own lives.

Rainbow Salutes PCAs(continued from front cover)

To be a PCA, “you must beunconditionally receptive to

meeting people's needs, to givingyour heart and soul, and being

prepared for emotional andphysical demands.”

PCA Marilyn Brauer-McCarthy

“Beverly is very reliable,and I am very appreciative.”

Resident Lisa Frehling

John Cammelot gets shaving assistancefrom his personal assistant Ben.

RAINBOW INVITES YOU TO GIVE TO THE WILLIAM L. ARNOLD MEMORIAL FUND TO HELP RESIDENTS

PAY FOR SPECIAL AND UNUSUAL PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANCE AND EQUIPMENT.

Please make contributions payable to The William L. Arnold Fund and mail to:Over The Rainbow Association, 2040 Brown Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201

Tenant Profile:BARBARA SMITH

Since Barbara Smith moved to HillArboretum last October, she has made anindelible impression. She is well educated,hard-working, and a devoted mother. It isno surprise that she has many admirers andfriends among the staff and residents.

What brought Barbara to Hill Arboretumis something young adults rarely consider:the possibility of a grave illness or accident.

It was a series of increasingly seriousstrokes that diminished Barbara’s ability towalk, speak and care for herself. Initiallyshe lived with her father and daughter. Hedied just over a year ago, and daughterMichelle works full time as a flightattendant supervisor for a major airline.

Barbara herself had enjoyed a thrivingcareer. After returning to Chicago State

University,she landedanaccountingjob withAmtrak andworked inthat role forsix yearsuntil thestrokescurtailedheractivities.

NowBarbaraworks inArboretumBusiness

Center, attached to Hill Arboretum. “I’vemade good friends there,” she says.Michelle visits often. Barbara has twoexceptional personal care attendants. And,given the circumstances, she says, “I like ithere.” It is a privilege for Rainbow toprovide a viable housing option to Barbaraand others in challenging circumstances.

OPEN DOORS TOOPPORTUNITY!

Apartment doors at Hill Arboretum havelever handles rather than knobs. They workfine for residents with sufficient manualdexterity. But several tenants are not sofortunate and find themselves locked insideor outside their own apartments.

Six residents now need automatic dooropening and locking systems.

The cost is $1,200 each. This is achance to direct your gift to a much-needed purpose. Please call Lynne Greeneat 847-328-6633. Many thanks!

OVER THE RAINBOW AFFILIATE NETWORKREACHES ACROSS NORTH AMERICA

Rainbow identifies andassists like-minded groups,

individuals and communitiesto build accessible housing.

Rainbow is working withpotential partners in the

U.S. and Canada, as shownon the map.

SPEAKING OFCONTRIBUTORS

Donations to Over The RainbowAssociation—in the form of check, probono professional services, in-kind con-tributions, memorials and volunteerism—arrive year-round, from near and far.

There are many examples of generositythat we cite from time to time, innewsletters and in a listing in the programbook for Rainbow’s major fund-raiser,CELEBRATION.

At this time, it is a pleasure toacknowledge these generous givers.

Sares-Regis GroupAn Irvine, California-based real estate

developer, owner/investor andproperty manager.

For gifts exceeding $5,000The Women’s Club of Evanston

Charitable FoundationEvanston, Illinois

For a recent gift of $1,500

CARING IS KEY TOTENANT ADVOCACY

Since joining the Rainbow board twoyears ago, Joe Dunn has hit his stride, andthere are many residents at Rainbow’s HillArboretum Apartments who are gratefulindeed.

John Cammelot, president of the TenantAssociation, calls Joe “just a great guy. Hespends hours on end here and really getsto know us.”

Joe is a former Evanston Township HighSchool history teacher and summertimeswimming instructor who taught swimmingto teenagers, some with physicaldisabilities.

As head of the board’s ResidentRelationsCommittee, Joe wasinstrumental, alongwith John Cammelot,in recognizing theneed for andfacilitating thepurchase of thebuilding’s newbackup generator.

Joe and Johnalso organized a tenant outing to a Bullsgame. Joe ran the outing’s volunteers—board member George Elder and his wifeBeth, Pat Hughes of the not-for-profitNatural Ties, and several PCAs. Joe himselfdrove a van that accommodated two extraresidents and their wheelchairs.

Joe Dunn is an exemplary, hands-onparticipant in helping to assure a better lifefor people with disabilities. His good worksare truly working.

Standing from left are PCAs Beverly Fowler,Mrs. Eileen Riley and Marilyn Brauer-McCarthy; seated are Hill Arboretumresidents Lisa Frehling and Bob Gustafson.

Joe Dunn