Note from the Executive Director
I recently asked Jenna, one of our young adults, "What does working in the community mean to you?" She said, "Working makes me feel like my voice is being heard. Like people are listening." My heart stopped. I couldn't help but think about my own experiences. When I feel heard, I feel safe, understood, and that my values and needs are considered.
I thought about all the talking I'd recently done about the big question - Would TotalLink offer Fall programs virtually, face-to-face or a hybrid? Then I thought, thank you Jenna, for reminding me to listen. Only the voice of our community could hold the answers.
Jenna told me why TotalLink is important to her. She said, "I love TotalLink2 Community because it offers incredible programs. Every week, I am learning something new like Yoga Nidra, a meditation that I highly recommend. I do a dance fitness class called WerQ, ArtLab, Karaoke, Girlfriends' Group, and participate in the Netflix Watch Party. The programs are wonderful and keep me busy. I like that there are so many, and it's a fun way to meet new friends."
Through a recent survey we heard more voices. We learned and understood the needs of our young adults and their families. We considered their wants and needs in our Fall program development and are offering a hybrid of programs. We are #MeetingYouWhereYouAre.
To all of our young adults, their families, and the community,
you are our WHY... We Hear You.
Emily Raming | Executive Director
eraming@totallink2.org | 847-975-6573
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Fall Programs Begin September 8th |
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Registration is now available for TotalLink's Fall programming which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Check out the full array of learning labs and social connections on our website at www.totallink2.org.
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TotalLink Artist Work on Display at Georgie V's |
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TotalLink is proud to have our artists' work on display at Georgie V's located at 1130 Church Street in Northbrook. Make sure you stop by for breakfast or lunch and check out all of the work from the talented TotalLink artists! |
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TotalLink's Virtual Program Meets the Neighbors |
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Staff members from the Village of Northbrook's Finance, Development & Planning Services, Information Services, and Communications took turns presenting the ins and outs of their departments during the August 12th Meet Your Neighbors program. |
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This summer, participants in TotalLink's Meet Your Neighbors program had the opportunity to take virtual visits of businesses and organizations within the community to allow them to learn about the incredible people that live in their own backyard.
Special thanks to the The Grove, Glencoe Police & Fire Department, Restore, Northbrook Farmers Market, Village of Northbrook, Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy and Country Side Animal Clinic, and Carol's Cookies for inviting us in for a virtual tour.
"I liked learning about the different jobs that people work in. It was very interesting and a wonderful connection. I love to keep myself busy and programs are a great way to see your friends," said Meet Your Neighbor participant, Nina Santacrose.
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Thank You to the Northbrook Rotary Club |
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TotalLink enjoyed welcoming some special volunteers from the Northbrook Rotary this summer. Our Happy Mail and Accountability Check-In Programs welcomed five Rotarians to their weekly Zoom calls and as pen pals.
It was a great opportunity to welcome members of the community into our programs. "The young adults brought me joy and excitement with their progress over the six weeks," said Rotarian Mitch Portugal. Mitch volunteered in the six-week Accountability Check-In program and provided his insights into goal setting and accountability with the class participants.
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Rotarians, Gary Moriello, Denis Pollina and Marvin Feig participated in the weekly Happy Mail Zoom sessions. Not pictured, Rotarian Helen Rivkin also participated in our Pen Pal program. |
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TotalLink Spotlight:
Levi Davishoff - heART Words
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“Words and hearts should be handled with care, for words like hearts are meant to share.”
TotalLink's heART Word program is an inclusive community for writers of all abilities. The program encourages self-expression of emotions, courage, imagination, experience and heart. Recently, our heART Word writers created poems about who they are.
We are so excited to share Levi's poem with you.
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TotalLink Featured Facilitator |
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TotalLink is blessed to have such a wonderful community of dedicated staff and facilitators. Each month we look forward to introducing you to one of our fabulous facilitators.
This month we would like to introduce you to Kasey Ockerlund. Kasey is a certified special education teacher and has been a facilitator at TotalLink for three years.
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Q. How did you get involved with TotalLink?
A. The Weinstein family told me about TotalLink when they needed a new Girlfriends' Group facilitator. I was excited to take the position.
Q. What programs are you currently facilitating? What have you facilitated in the past?
A. Currently I am facilitating Dinner with Friends. In the past I have facilitated Healthy Supper Club, Next Chapter Book Club, and Girlfriends' Group.
Q. What is your favorite part about being involved with TotalLink?
A. My favorite part about TotalLink is having FUN! I have made so many friends and always look forward to seeing everyone at programs.
Q. Tell us a little bit more about yourself.
A. I grew up in Northbrook, and now I teach at Greenbriar School in Northbrook. I am obsessed with my dog Balnche, who will be my flower dog at my wedding next June. My fiance, Connor, and I love to hike, cook, and spend time with our families. We also love to travel and explore new places.
Q. What is a fun fact about you that not many people know?
A. I love to scuba dive!
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TotalLink Young Adults Head Back to Work |
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Recently, several of our TotalLink young adults headed back to work after being off for several months due to the pandemic.
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For more information about TotalLink's Customized Employment Program or hiring a TotalLink job seeker, please contact Emily Raming at eraming@totallink2.org. |
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Virtual Family Game Night Fun |
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On August 27th, TotalLink welcomed over 20 families for a Virtual Family Game Night emceed by DJ Ryan from 4Sure Entertainment. It was a fun event that helped to create awareness about TotalLink2 Community and all proceeds from the event benefited TotalLink's programs.
Special thank you to our Virtual Family Game Night Committee: Christa Bolt, Christie Caceras, Paal Joshi, Maureen Kogen and Kate Mueller.
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TotalLink2 Community
2nd Annual Golf Outing
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Thursday, September 17, 2020
Stonewall Orchard Country Club, Grayslake
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City Barbeque Fundraiser Day |
Thursday, October 1, 2020 - Dine-in, Pick Up or get delivery from City Barbeque in Deerfield or Park Ridge and 20% of your purchase will come back to TotalLink2 Community. Just mention TotalLink when you place your order and present this flyer. |
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You Can Make A Difference |
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HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT TOTALINK?
Partner
• Employ a TotalLink Job Seeker
• Sponsor an Event or Program
• Host a Total Goodness Pop-up Shop or ArtLab Gallery Showing
Participate
• Join us for a TotalLink Community Event
• Become a Member of our Corporate Advisory Committee
Donate
• Support our Annual Fund by visiting our website at totallink2.org
• Host your own Facebook Fundraiser for TotalLink
• Make an In-Kind Donation
Volunteer
• Volunteer for a TotalLink Program
• Join a Committee
Connect
• Do you know someone that could help us further our mission - a potential employer, sponsor, or community connection?
Be an Ambassador
• Help spread the word about TotalLink and encourage others to support our mission.
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For more information about how
you can get involved with TotalLink,
contact Alisa Martorano at
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SUPPORT TOTALLINK AS A SPONSOR OR DONOR
NOVEMBER 2020
The Revelry
Our largest fundraising event of the year. This year's in-person event has been cancelled but the need is greater than ever. We hope to have you join us for our virtual silent auction, raffles and as a donor or sponsor. More details coming soon.
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YOUR DONATION MAKES
A DIFFERENCE
$5000 - Supports six weeks of our virtual programming providing educational and social programs for young adults with disabilities.
$3000 - Provides a young adult with job coaching services for three months.
$1000 - Underwrites one 12-week session of an educational or social program.
$500 - Supports one year of technology services and platforms to provide the vital connections between our programs and our young adults.
$300 - Provides the PPE and additional supplies needed to implement our face-to-face programming.
$100 - Provides art supplies for our ArtLab for EveryONE programs.
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1200 Shermer Road, Suite 109 | Northbrook, Illinois 60062 | 224-412-4718
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