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The Goods:
Kenneth Young Center Newsletter
The Goods: something of value - the inside story - what we promised to deliver
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UPCOMING EVENTS
June 23
Join us on Thursday, June 23, 2011 for our Talent Show Fundraiser at Kenneth Young Center. This is a fun opportunity to show your talent, have fun, be entertained and help a good cause all at once. View Details.
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August 4
Help make a difference and join us in a round of golf at Kenneth Young Center's annual golf outing!
Breakfast, lunch, raffles, split-the-pot, goody bags, golfing, socializing, fun and more!
Proceeds from this event will benefit mental health and senior services at KYC. Contact Fran
Kirk with any questions about sponsorship benefits, contests, etc. at 847.524.8800 x103 or
frank@kennethyoung.org. You can also learn additional information by visiting our website.
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FUN ANNOUNCEMENTS
#1
Kenneth Young Center has started a blog. We would love for you to
check it out and interact with us. We would also like suggestions for topics to share with the online community.
#2
We have put up pictures and posted videos of this year's WALK for the
Mental Health of It! Visit the "Photo Gallery" on our website for photos, and view our videos on YouTube.
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SUPPORT GROUPS & EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Health and Wellness for Adolescents Program
Adolescent participants will learn how proper nutrition, exercise and sleep will help with mood management, stress and anger. More Details
Parent Power Program
Learn positive parenting techniques instead of punishment to bring about, and increase positive behaviors. More Details
Support Groups for Children, Teens and Parents
Kenneth Young Center has a selection of support groups and programs available for children, teens and parents experiencing troublesome behaviors, depressive thoughts, ADHD and more. Additionally, there are teen mentoring, parent mentoring and group therapy programs available. To see a comprehensive list of programs and groups, check out the Child and Adolescent Section of our website.
Take Charge of Your Health
This is a six-week program for adults with chronic health conditions. In these workshops, you will learn chronic disease self-management, and learn how to cope with fatigue, frustration, pain and isolation. More Details
Caregiver Support Group
If you provide care for a family member or a relative who depends on you for help with shopping, driving, personal care, medicines, finances, etc., please attend this support group. More Details
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group
In this support group, grandparents will receive support from other grandparents, share ideas and experiences about raising grandchildren, get information and resources, and discuss how to cope with the challenges. More Details
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
An educational program designed to help you - the caregiver - take care of yourself while taking care of your loved one. Learn more.
Legal and Financial Problem Solving for Caregiver
Are you a caregiver who cares for a loved one? If so, this educational seminar will provide you the necessary tools and resources needed for understanding and navigating Advanced Directives. Learn more.
Assistive Devices = An Easier Life with Independence
As technology advances, new devices are being developed to help seniors maintain independence by utilizing creative solutions, modifications and adaptions. Learn more.
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VOLUNTEER HELP NEEDED
Kenneth Young Center collaborates with individual and group volunteers to provide direct service and support on many levels. Our volunteers are an essential component of the Kenneth Young Center team. We always have a broad selection of volunteer opportunities available. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Colette Young, at colettey@kennethyoung.org or at 847.524.8800 x182 if you are interested.
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SUPPORT
We need your financial help too, and now there are several ways you can make a difference:
 Using isearch.igive.com
When searching the internet use www.isearch.igive.com. Its a search engine that makes a one cent donation to your favorite not-for-profit every time you use it. Register to make Kenneth Young Center your charity of choice.
OR
Making an online donation has never been easier, just click here and make a one-time or monthly donation to Kenneth Young Center. We will send you a donation tax receipt with our thank you message in return. Please know, KYC clients and staff are truly grateful for your support!
ALSO Please keep Kenneth Young Center's Resale Shop in mind for all estate/down-sizing, in-kind donations before selling or holding auctions. All donations benefit our services and are greatly appreciated.
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LETTER FROM A CLIENT
I wanted to say how much I appreciate everything you have done for me. After my mom passed away, I had so much trouble feeling anything - I was numb inside. I didn't want to care about anyone or anything. I thought I was going to feel that way for the rest of my life, but Kenneth
Young Center has been so helpful and wonderful.
The staff at Kenneth Young Center taught me how to move past everything and take care of myself. I thought I knew everything, and I blamed all my bad work experiences on everyone else. I learned that I was doing things the wrong way, and that if I changed my attitude, good things could happen.
I am so much happier now, more independent, and more capable than I was before. The vocational program helped me find a wonderful job, and I will always be grateful. The vocational program staff taught me how to understand work expectations, how to talk to my boss, and how to be a good employee. I just love my job! The people there are so wonderful and friendly. I feel like I am part of a family.
Kenneth Young Center has taught me how to deal with my depression and the numb feelings I had. My therapist works with me so that I don't let my anxiety prevent me from living my life anymore. I am so lucky that I found this place and I just hope that somehow I am able to help others in the same way.
Thank you!
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RECOGNITION  Walkers, Supporters and Volunteers Thank you to the 300+ walkers, which included individuals, pets, families, companies and special groups, who came out to our WALK for the Mental Health of It on May 7. The event was a success and helped raise money to support services at Kenneth Young Center. Walkers and volunteers received free t-shirts, prizes, free food and drinks, and treats for the dogs. "It was so much fun," said Cheri Seley, Resource Development Manger at Kenneth Young Center. "The rain held out so the weather was perfect for a morning walk and run. We hope to see everyone again (and then some) next year." A special thank you to Koz from WTMX 101.9 fm, The Mix, for making the event fun; Pepsi for supplying all the water and for being the event's premier sponsor; GFS Foods of Schaumburg for the free breakfast; DoggieDogTreats.com for providing special treats for our canine participants; and Stan Blanco for the free airplane ride prize. Also, a BIG thank you to our other sponsors: Alexian Brothers Health System, Barrie & Associates, Northwest Community Hospital, K&M Printing, and Meadows Credit Union for all of your support. Last, but certainly not least, a HUGE thank you to all the volunteers who came out and helped the event to run smoothly, and to the KYC Volunteer Committee for all of their hard work. "We wouldn't be able to do it without all of our wonderful volunteers and the hard work of the committee," said Cheri. "We can't thank them enough." Donations for the WALK can still be made, just visit our website. Photos of the event can also be seen on our website. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you Bob Kaminiski and Bob Pearson Twelve years ago Bob Kaminski became acquainted with Kenneth Young Center when his daughter was referred to KYC for services. Over the course of two years, Bob saw remarkable changes in his daughter. "She went from being a non-participant in the household, to being an active member in the house and community," Kaminski said. "It was amazing what transpired during her recovery." Bob began talking about his positive experiences to others including former KYC Board of Director, Bill Kelly. "I was playing golf with Bill and I told him how greatly impressed I was with the services and personal attention my family received," Kaminski said. "It wasn't long after that, that Bill got me involved with the Golf Committee." Ten years later, Bob Kaminski is still a member of our Golf Committee and has co-chaired the event for the past five years. Bob says he isn't sure how much longer he can be involved with the committee, but he will for sure attend every outing as long as God is willing. "I love the people that you meet (volunteers, staff, business professionals and others)," He said. "I enjoy the excitement of handing out raffle prizes, and awards for accomplishments. The golf outing makes a difference in the community and in lives." Bob has even recruited as many as 40 friends and colleagues to play in his foursomes over the years, as well as his good friend, Bob Pearson, who has been supporting the golf outing for five years. Not only has Bob Pearson supported our event personally, but he has also reached out to his employer, Illinois Stock Transfer. Bob Pearson has been responsible for bringing three of his own foursomes every year, and we can tell you that his 12 friends/colleagues are certainly some of the most gregarious and entertaining participants. "I love going to the golf outing," said Bob Pearson. "It is a wonderful opportunity to socialize with friends and colleagues outside of work. There are networking opportunities on the golf course, but I prefer to make the event about supporting a great cause. The golf outing is always so fantastic - the people are wonderful, the food is excellent, but the reward from helping a great cause is the best." Thank you to the two Bobs, Bob Kaminski and Bob Pearson, for their commitment to making the golf outing a success and a good time from year to year!
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Did You Know
Did you know there is a crisis in Illinois that has an impact right here?
The State of Illinois has been cutting funding for community mental health services. This means a large population of those in need will go un-served.
"Imagine the devastating effects if community mental health centers were extinct and only private treatment centers remained," proposed Mitch Bruski, CEO of Kenneth Young Center. "More than one million Illinoisans diagnosed with serious mental disorders would go without necessary, and oftentimes, life-saving treatment. The State is compromising our organization's core values, one of which is to 'employ the least restrictive approach.'"
"To make matters worse, the State is increasingly delayed in reimbursement for services," explained Bruski. This leaves safety net services like Kenneth Young Center with no choice but to limit, and even eliminate, services until funding is available and change is made.
There is something you can do to help! Contact your legislators and tell them to stop budget cuts and stop delaying payments for mental health services. By speaking out and being the voice for those who suffer from mental illness, you are making a difference. If we all take action, then legislators are left with no choice but to listen.
Here is a glimpse into an approaching grim future:
- As mental health services are reduced, other community channels are overburdened. Hospital
emergency rooms and the police, who are already at maximum capacity, will have to deal with an
increasing number of people suffering from untreated mental illness.
- As those with mental illness are left untreated, they will slip into the darkness of their illness and
will no longer be productive members of the community. You will see them on your street,
many more will become homeless or they will end up in expensive institutional care.
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