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Around 360 Youth Services - June 2017
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Message from the CEO
Graduation season is in full swing. The hope, the anticipation that comes with graduation and transitions can bring about a wide range of emotions. At 360, we see growth opportunities, a chance to stretch and use what we've learned to grow.
This month, we have clients celebrating academic graduations as well as program graduations. In each of their success stories, you, our volunteers and staff, provide the cheering section. Your cheers are heard loudly each time you advocate for healthy environments for our kids, each time you volunteer your time and expertise, each time you generously give of yourselves and engage your friends to do the same. Your support makes our collective cheering section louder and stronger.
In addition to our client successes this month, we are celebrating a number of our staff. From following their hearts, to expanding their families, to completing grueling Master's Degree Programs, to fighting their way back to health, to supporting transitions - we are all stronger for having been on this journey together. To each of you, you know who you are, congratulations! We are thrilled to celebrate you and all that is ahead!
Take good care,
Katy Leclair
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360 Hosts Unity Partnership BBQ
Nearly 50 people came together for an ol' fashioned BBQ, featuring hot dogs, hamburgers, desserts and plenty of smiles. The BBQ was the result of a collaboration that included Unity Partnership, which is a local volunteer organization, as well as 360 Youth Services residents/staff and local law enforcement officials including Lisle Police Chief Dave Anderson and Naperville Police Chief Bob Marshall.
Regina Brent of Aurora is the president of Unity Partnership and it was her vision that
local citizens come together to build positive relationships between police and youth. The go
al of these
exchanges is to create opportunities from which both parties can participate in relaxed settings to
learn more about each other. Residents from 360's housing programs were on hand for the fellowship. Despite the intermittent rainfall, the event was hailed as a success and organizers are looking forward to hosting additional programs in the future.
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Farewell to Damir
The month of June represents a passing of the torch as 360 says goodbye to Damir Djidic, a long- time 360 employee and a friend to many. Damir plans to move to Milwaukee and his last day with 360 will be Tuesday, June 27.
Damir started as an intern more than six years ago and he has held various positions within 360, most recently as senior program manager for 360's Transitional Housing Program. "Damir has always been helpful throughout the organization with events, establishing relationships in the community as well as co-leading our Youth Council." says Deb Robertson, Executive Director for 360's Transitional Housing Program. "He has kept in contact with many of the youth who have gone through the program...They know that no matter how they life the program that he will always be there to support them." While he will be missed, 360 staff wish Damir all the best as he transitions into a new role and into a new city.
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Support in Abundance this Spring!
360 is grateful to Jake, Will, Kayla, Beckett, Addy and all their friends and family for organizing a hugely successful Spring Cleaning Drive that provided hundreds of items for our transition housing program. The children organized the collection efforts with their Ss. Peter & Paul classmates over a three-week period in May and they teamed up with their parents to present the items to the agency at the end of the month.
In related news, more than a dozen representatives from an all-volunteer, support organization, Samaritan Network, painted, vacuumed and cleaned two sets of LGBTQ+ apartments over one weekend in May to the delight of the residents. The agency also collected 15 sets of new and/or gently used area rugs that will be housed in all four, apartment complexes as well. Finally, 360 Board member and past-president John Norman and his wife Beth were instrumental in teaming up with two local Rotary Clubs to provide a large assortment of donated supplies like amenity kits, socks and pillowcases from the Airline Surplus Project. We are grateful to our caring and compassionate volunteers, representing all ages, who carve out time in their busy schedules to provide us with resources.
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Rotary Festiville
The Rotary Club of Naperville identified 360 as one of four Charity Partners for their inaugural fundraising event called Festiville that took place at TopGolf Naperville last October. 360 CEO Katy Leclair was recently invited to come to a Rotary meeting to receive the second and final installment of the donated funds, which collectively totaled $14,627. Katy was accompanied at the check presentation by 360 Past-President John Norman who is the President-Elect for the Rotary Club of Naperville. Event organizers have started working on planning efforts for the second annual event that will take on Sunday, October 15. Please stay tuned for more details in the coming months
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2017 Annual Gala - Radiance
360's signature event is the Annual Gala that takes place in November. Subcommittees such as the décor committee, sponsorship committee and the acquisitions committee have already started the planning efforts for what event organizers believe will be the largest event in the history of the organization. This year's theme centers on radiance that can be identified by everybody who encounters our agency.
Our Operation Snowball students radiate with joy as they attend their weekend retreats. Our residents experiencing homelessness radiate with confidence when they secure a path toward self-sufficiency. Our students receiving counseling and resources in our schools radiate with enthusiasm as they become more equipped for how to address the realities of life as students, and our donors and volunteers radiate with hope how their investments of time and resources are making a difference in the lives from which we come into contact every day. This year's Gala will take place on Friday, November 3 at Embassy Suites in Naperville, starting at 5:30 pm. Please mark your calendars as this is one event you will not want to miss.
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360 Youth Services provides life-changing services for youth
through substance abuse prevention education, counseling, and housing.
360 Youth Services is a 501(c)3 organization and is grateful for contributions.
360youthservices.org | 630.961.2992
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