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A New Year Means New Opportunities
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In 2015, Beacon Place will experience the excitement of moving into a freshly renovated community center and having programs on-site in a new space. We have impressive plans underway for expanding our programming for both kids and parents alike, that will include:
- Nutrition and cooking classes in our brand new teaching kitchen
- Continuation of our Summer Lunch Bunch Program - one of the largest youth summer nutrition programs in Illinois
- Expansion of our Summer Tutoring Program for elementary students, providing up to four hours per week of focused remediation and enrichment in reading and math
- Expansion of our summer programs for 'tweens and teens'
- Continued growth in our MOMS programs with new focuses on overall health, early childhood development screenings, language and financial workshops, and on-site yoga
- Continued expansion of our children's food gardening Beacon Green Program
And to think it all started with a community that became increasingly connected to the "big blue house" on the corner, a beacon of guidance to those looking for support.
Why not make a difference in 2015? Become a part of a group that is directly influencing the lives of your neighbors nearby. You can find our latest volunteering opportunities below.
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Holiday Fun for Kids and Parents of Waukegan Community
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Saturday, December 13th, 2014 was a day filled with holiday cheer for mo
re than 80 children and their parents at the Beacon Place Christmas Party. Thank you to all the generous groups and individuals who donated new toys and games for our community.
During the holiday celebration, kids enjoyed games,
crafts, and snacks, as well as the opportunity to select gifts for their moms and dads to share on Christmas. This chance didn't come easy though! The children earned these gifts for their parents through their hard work in our Afterschool Homework Club.
The Beacon Place Christmas 'shop' gave parents the opportunity
to select something special for each of their children. They were also able to select something
for their families, such as a crock pot, a blanket, or a space heater.
The money that the parents donated through their purchases directly supported the programs at Beacon Place and provided a way for them to give back to a community center
that continues to be important to their entire family.
More than 40 volunteers made this wonderful
day happen. The joy of the season was felt by everyone in the smiles, hugs and tears of both parents and kids alike, happy in knowing that they would have gifts to share this season.
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Beacon Place continues its amazing transformation under the guidance of our general contractor, Mike Krinninger, and his team! By the end of 2014, the exterior of Beacon Place shined
with all new siding and repaired entry ways with new steps and supports. Inside, all new mechanicals encased in commercial grade insulation provide exceptional warmth and increased soundproofing, an important feature for group meetings and simultaneous programming. All walls, trim and doors are up,
primed and painted.
New vinyl flooring and tile is being installed and bathroom fixtures are in.
In February, we will complete the installation of cabinets, counters and appliances in the anticipated teaching kitchen, as well as various other finishing touches.
Beacon Place board members Linda Benge, Linda Malouf, Gene Sekel and executive director, Barb Karacic, oversee the renovation and ensure the interior is
fresh, safe and functional for the community members.
Plans are underway for a grand re-opening this spring and we cannot wait to show our friends, neighbors and supporters the 'new' Beacon Place!
Many thanks to all donors and supporters who have made this transformation possible. Plan to stop by and see us at 603 S. McAlister in Waukegan. |
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Are you looking to make a difference in someone's life this year?
Whether we are helping kids with their homework, providing nutritious snacks and lunches, making crafts, playing games or working with adults on language, parenting, technology or other life skills, Beacon Place volunteers are making a difference every day by offering support that allows others to make changes for themselves.
We are looking for adult and teen volunteers to support our programs. Below is a short list of current needs but we know everyone has talents and skills to share that we can put to good use! Fill out our volunteer interest form and we will be happy to chat further with you about how to become involved.
VOLUNTEER TUTORS FOR AFTERSCHOOL HOMEWORK CLUB - Adults and teens are needed to help students in kindergarten through 8th grade with their homework and enrichment work in subjects like math and reading. Tutors are needed 3:30-5:00 pm Monday and Wednesday at Carman Buckner Elementary School across from Beacon Place. email [email protected]
LUNCH PREP - As a part of our Afterschool Homework Club, we provide a sack lunch for each student to take home. We need volunteers to prepare sack lunches and deliver them to Beacon Place each Monday or Wednesday. A total of 45 lunches are needed each day. Volunteer groups or individuals can choose to make all or a few of the lunches needed for any Monday or Wednesday. email [email protected]
DATABASE DEVELOPER - Do you have experience with CRM systems, ACCESS or other database services? We would like to enhance the efficiency of our donor, volunteer and client tracking and reporting systems. Volunteers are needed to provide initial development assistance, as well as ongoing technical support. email [email protected]
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR -
As we prepare for our busy summer programs, we are seeking someone who could help us recruit, organize and schedule volunteers for all our activities. email [email protected]
Do you have another interest or talent to share?
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We'd like to extend a special thanks to all of the groups and individuals who donated adult, children and family gifts to the Beacon Place
Christmas Party:
Abbvie Compensation Team (Mary Rohan)
Abbvie Internal Digital Operations Group Community Church of Lake Forest and Lake Bluff House of Restoration (Esmeralda Jarencio) Discover (Stacy White) Allison Carollo and friends at Mickey Finn's
...Community Church of Lake Forest and Lake Bluff for the use of church offices for storage space and sorting gifts.
.
..all the awesome volunteers who worked at the Beacon Place Christmas Party.
...to St.
Patrick's
in Lake Forest for the donations from their Christmas Sharing Tree.
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..Mrs. Vanessa Campos, Principal at Carman Buckner Elementary School, for use of the school space for the Beacon Place Christmas Party.
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..the MOMS Group for organizing
and leading the craft activities at the Beacon Place Christmas Party.
...to St. Joseph Church in Libertyville for the donation of new backpacks, hats, gloves and scarves.
..
.the Burden Family
for making delicious snacks for the kids at the Beacon Place Christmas Party.
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A Message from Barb, Beacon Place Executive Director
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Dear Friends,
Socrates once said, "The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new." And in 2014, that's exactly what we've done at Beacon Place.
The total renovation of "Big Blue" - a once scary structure on the corner of South and McAlister in Waukegan - is nearly completed. We can happily report that the old days of boarded-up windows, cold winters, and dysfunctional toilets are gone! After a year-long, top-to-bottom restoration, Big Blue is shiny and new. Cars slow down as they pass the house to gaze upon its new frame, as if it is a pleasant surprise and blessing. Children and community members share huge smiles as they pass the house and ask us, "When will it be done?"
While we're so pleased that Beacon Place has become a bright light on the corner in the neighborhood, we're especially proud of all the changes that are happening inside. After two years of successful programming that focuses on providing neighbors with a hand up (not a handout), we're seeing incremental shifts every day that the work we're doing is making a difference. Children are finding more success in school thanks to tutoring help provided by Beacon Place volunteers. Neighborhood moms are discussing nutrition, emotional wellness and other issues that are important to them. And neighbors are taking care of each other and building pride in their neighborhood.
The real changes happening at Beacon Place cannot be seen from the outside. The real transformation is occurring each and every day, and within each person who comes to our door.
2015 will bring even more good news to our neighborhood, as we continue the very successful programming that we started two years ago, and fill up our beautiful new rooms with friends and hope for a brighter future. We look forward to adding and expanding our programs over the upcoming year, and thank those who have helped us every step of the way - the families, volunteers, and organizations who are committed to being true partners with Beacon Place.
We are planning a Grand Reopening of Beacon Place in April, and hope that you will join us for this celebration. More information to come.
With great gratitude for another blessed year, and to all who have made and continue to make Beacon Place a ray of light in the world, we thank you.
Barb Karacic
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Beacon Place
603 S. McAlister
Waukegan, IL 60085
224-572-9330
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