JACIL Connections for July 2017

Article 1:

Happy Birthday JACIL!

by Becky McGinnis

JACIL is 20 years old now!  Following many months of work in the mid-1990's, JACIL  received our first State of Illinois Independent Living Unit funding for the year that started October 1996. Our service area is Morgan, Scott, Cass and Mason Counties.

Our first employee was hired to begin the new year, 1997. Since then, 72 individuals have served on the Board, 49 have served as paid staff members, and a "cast of thousands" have served as volunteers in various roles.

We have expanded the number and variety of programs and services we make available to people with disabilities and have endured cuts to some of those programs and expansion of others. We have had two office locations in Jacksonville, and two sites in Havana.

There are currently 10 JACIL staff members working from our current office at 15 Permac Road in Jacksonville. 

We are proud of the many ways in which we can help people with disabilities gain or maintain effective control of their own lives, whether that be in the home, in the workplace or in the community.

Please join us at our Birthday Party Open House on July 27, 4: 30 - 6:30, when we will be holding a celebratory Business After Hours, with displays, refreshments, and door prizes.

Article 2:

JACIL’s eleventh annual Wheelathon

raises record funds in challenging times

JACIL’s 11th annual Wheelathon was another terrific day helping us raise more than $10,000.00.

On Saturday, June 10, teams walked and wheeled their way around the Community Park road.  Prior to the big day these wonderful folks recruited sponsors who contributed thousands of dollars.

Participants enjoyed our Happy Birthday JACIL exhibits and a free lunch.

Final proceeds will be announced in the near future.

WHEELATHON RESULTS

We are still receiving contributions but at press time this has turned out to be one of our most successful wheelathons!  Congratulations to all involved on a superb effort.

Prizes were awarded in these categories:

TEAM RAISING THE MOST MONEY

Kiwanis Beauties & the Beast

$1,365.00

Kiwanis Club Members Dorthy Brooks,

Roger Deem, Konnie Trace & Heather Wardlow

Joined by the Joe Nance Family

INDIVIDUAL RAISING THE MOST MONEY

Konnie Trace - $360.00

50/50 DRAWING WINNER

389.00 - susan nolls

Susan donated the prize money back!

birthday basket WINNER

kim speckman

door prize wINNER

janet pyers

BEST TEAM SPIRIT AWARD

the patriots

Tyler Charlesworth, Jody Rees, Mark Peters & Connie Lewis

OUR WHEELATHON SPONSORS:

GOLD WHEEL SPONSOR - $1000.00

WAL-MART

illinois communications

access corporation

silver WHEEL SPONSOR - $500.00

ameren illinois

Bound to Stay Bound Books

The Farmers State Bank and Trust Co.

health alliance

Illinois electric cooperative

JACIL Board

JACIL staff

lions club of jacksonville

WJIL - WJVO

WLDS - WEAI

bronze WHEEL SPONSOR - $250.00

Law offices of Robert Bonjean

JBS Swift

Passavant hospital

Personal Mobility

international Eyecare center

Sunrise rotary

Lehmkuhl Accounting, Tax and consulting

Jacksonville Savings bank

Jacksonville Kiwanis

westown ford

Thanks to all those who also helped support this year’s Wheelathon:

City of Jacksonville

Dorothy's market

Wendy's

Marco's

Taco bell

McDonalds

dairy queen

US Bank

county market

grace united methodist men

aire serv hri

village of south jacksonville

town & country bank

hertzberg new method

fundraising teams and volunteers

Article 3:

KIP Cafe

TOOLBOX FOR EMPLOYMENT: 

Building social capital to support customized employment

JACIL's Knowledge Is Power KIP Café set for July 20 is a special Toolbox For Employment workshop.

Learn more about creative employment options, building social capital and how different scenarios may affect benefits.

This will be a longer session than usual.  It will be held at our JACIL office at 15 Permac Road and begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 1:30 p.m.  A light lunch will be served.

Our speakers will be Marsie Frawley of Griffin-Hammis Associates and Cindi Swanson, SILC Member and Parent of an Adult with a Disability.

Topics Include:

1. Encouraging the use of local contacts through friendships, relationships, business contacts and places where individuals do business.

2. Utilizing customized employment and potential opportunities for self-employment.

3. To dispel the myth that if individuals with disabilities work they will lose their SSI or SSDI benefits and they will lose their health insurance.

There is no charge to attend this event but you must register by Ju;y 13.  Please call (217) 245-8371 if you have any questions.  An ASL Interpreter will be present. 

lArticle 4:

Startegic Planning for our future

While the words "Strategic Planning" bring forth groans from many, JACIL is excited to be starting a strategic planning process as the new fiscal year FY18 starts. 

We will be asking for input in a variety of ways as we gather information that will help us make the best plans for carrying JACIL into the future .

In these times of uncertainty at both the State and Federal levels, as we celebrate our history of 20 years.  Please say "yes" when we invite you to be a part of the process over the next several months.

Article 5:

Farewell daryl Darnell

We bid a sad and affectionate farewell to our past Board President and dedicated Volunteer Daryl Darnell.

Daryl is moving to Urbana in July where he will become a full-time babysitter to his grandchild Iris!

Thank you Daryl for your many years of faithful service to JACIL and our best wishes for a great future.

Article 6:

Eat Better, Feel Better concludes with gardening session

by Lisa Viles

JACIL’s four-month workshop featuring healthy eating education concluded in late May with a session on gardening.

We would like to thank all the participants, presenters, volunteers and staff that worked so hard to make our healthy eating workshop a success.  We hope those who came will follow through with the recommendations by Karen Sibert (Passavant Hospital) and Melissa Vortman (Morgan County Extension Office). 

We also hope that your container gardens are doing well - remember, you may have to water them daily in this heat!  Big thanks to Ken Johnson (Horticulturist/Extension Office), Martha Vaché and Rhonda Allen (Master Gardeners) for showing us how to get the most out of our container gardens.

We are excited to hear that our sponsor, Wal-Mart, and the Extension Office are willing to work with us again in the future, and for that we are grateful. 

Article 7:

Ask Kathy by Kathy Price

Each issue Kathy will answer your questions about anything--from household hints to the price of tea in China. 

Please e-mail your question to her at kathy@jacil.org.

This Month’s Question:  I am afraid some of the stonger cleaners might damage my laminate flooring.  Do you have a recommendation about what to use on this kind of floor?

Kathy says: I have found out, that when you have laminated flooring, you should use vinegar water to clean.

Article 8:

The Meaning Behind Folding the United States Flag

Courtesy of The American Legion

The flag-folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our great country was originally founded.

The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing the 50 states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted only when draped at a funeral as a pall on the casket of a veteran who has served our country honorably in uniform.

In the U.S. Armed Forces, at the ceremony of retreat, the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation’s honored dead. The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of the belief in the resurrection of the body.

The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

The second fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.

The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.

The fourth fold represents our weaker nature; as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace, as well as in times of war, for His divine guidance.

The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.”

The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces, for it is through the armed forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.

The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.

The 10th fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born.

The 11th fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The 12th fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it has the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under Gen. George Washington and the sailors and Marines who served under Capt. John Paul Jones and were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the U.S. Armed Forces, preserving for us the rights, privileges and freedoms we enjoy today.

The source and the date of origin of this method of folding the U.S. Flag and of this Flag Folding Procedure are unknown.  Some sources attribute it to the Gold Star Mothers of America while others to an Air Force chaplain stationed at the United States Air Force Academy. Others consider it to be an urban legend. It is provided as a patriotic service to all. 

Article 9:

ASL Training for Deaf Volunteers: A Recipe for Success

       Five committee members + 300 hours  + one hospice provider giving encouragement + Many eager deaf volunteers:  Mix together to develop an ASL-based curriculum for deaf people who want to be hospice volunteers.

Obtain commitment from the volunteers.  Solicit acceptance of local hospice providers.  Provide 4 training sessions in July 2017.

The five committee members -- DeDe Summers, Paul Pyers, Paula Chance, Ted Huber and Becky McGinnis have logged nearly 300 hours working to create all aspects of volunteer training which will be provided in American Sign Language.

The curriculum was the topic of a presentation at the Illinois Association of the Deaf (IAD) conference in June.  It is a real landmark in the availability of services to the deaf community -- training created by deaf volunteers for deaf volunteers, presented in ASL by deaf instructors.  The training scheduled in July will prepare deaf volunteers to provide services for deaf hospice patients when requested by the hospice providers.

The training sessions are scheduled July 10, 17, 24 and 31.  Attendance at all sessions required.  Contact DeDe Summers for more information.

Article 10:

APP-HAPPY Smart Phone Services

by Roger Deem

Bathroom Scout

This app will read your location and identify public rest rooms in your vicinity. 

Tapping on any of the locations displayed will bring up a name and/or description of the facility, its address and links to both navigation tools and Google Street View.

Article 11:

July 4 - Independence day - JACIL offices closed.

Article 12:

Did you know?

Did you know that the UNICEF organization estimates that 30% of young people who live on the street have a disability?

July Calendar of Events

Tue   4   Independence Day - JACIL office closed

Mon      10   ASL Hospice Training for Deaf Volunteer

             6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Thu 13   VisAbility Support Group - 10:30 a.m. to Noon

Mon      17   ASL Hospice Training for Deaf Volunteers

             6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Tue 18   Cass County Vision Support Group - 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Wed      19   Visions Support Group in Havana - 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Wed      19   People First Aktion Club - 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Thu 20   KIP Café - 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

             Topic: Toolbox For Employment (see article on page 5)

             Advance registrations required to (217) 245-8371

Mon      24   ASL Hospice Training for Deaf Volunteers

             6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Thu 27   JACIL 20th Anniversary Open House - 4:30 to 6:30 p.m

             Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - 4:15 p.m.

Mon      31   ASL Hospice Training for Deaf Volunteers

             6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

“JACIL Connections” is published by the Jacksonville Area Center for Independent Living.  JACIL is organized to serve people with disabilities in Morgan, Scott, Cass and Mason Counties.  JACIL is committed to serving persons with disabilities to gain control and direction of their lives in the home, workplace and community.  JACIL’s goal is to stimulate and promote a growing sense of personal dignity through individualized services designed to provide the tools necessary for maximum independence and community participation.  We invite your comments and suggestions.

 

JACIL is a Prairieland United Way Agency and a proud member of the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce.

 

Jacksonville Area Center for Independent Living

15 Permac Road, Jacksonville, IL 62650

Office Hours:  Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

217-245-8371 Voice/TTY  l  217-245-1872 Fax  l  888-317-3287 Toll Free

217-408-0567 Deaf Advocate’s Toll Free Videophone Line

E-mail:  info@jacil.org  l  Website:  www.jacil.org

 

JACIL - Mason County Office

220 West Main Street, Havana, IL 62644

Office Hours:  Tuesdays 12:30 to 4:30 & Thursdays 8:00 a.m. to noon

309-543-6680 Voice/TTY, 309-543-6711 Fax, 877-759-2187 Toll Free

E-mail:  jacil@casscomm.com