A Partnership in Building Advocacy & Independence
TotalLink has had the pleasure of partnering with Karate Can Do during our Next Chapter Book Club+ program, where they teach self-defense skills to our young adults. The Karate Can Do Foundation underwrites a portion of the cost that allows our participants to access skill development in independence and safety.
Karate Can Do is a Northbrook non-profit dedicated to helping children and adults with learning differences and physical challenges reach their full potential through the teachings and techniques of karate. This martial arts discipline improves physical, cognitive, and emotional health.
Sensei Kohn, the self-defense instructor, does an incredible job supporting our young adults in learning skills such as advocacy, teamwork, ways to keep themselves safe, and much more. Check out Sensei Kohn’s biography below.
Sensei Jeff Kohn has been the director and head instructor of North Shore Dojo since its inception in 1979. In February 2010, he was officially appointed Chairman of the USA Karate Disabled Program by the United States Olympic Committee. In addition, he was invited by the World Karate Federation to bring a US National Team to compete in the 2012 World Championships in Paris, France. Sensei Kohn graduated with a degree in Physical Education from Illinois State University and is a 7th Degree Black Belt and Master Instructor.
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A Shift on the TotalLink Team
Stephanie Galindez, a TotalLink staff member, is transitioning from Employment Specialist to full-time mom.
Stephanie joined the TotalLink2 Community team as an Employment Specialist in August 2018 and has helped to successfully place over twenty adults in jobs over the course of her career with TotalLink.
Stephanie’s biggest takeaway from her time with TotalLink is “learning a lot about the disability community, how accepting it is, and how willing they are to help others...There’s still a lot the greater community doesn’t understand about the work we do, and that’s why it’s so important that organizations like ours exist.”
While it’s hard to say goodbye (Stephanie’s last day was February 11th), she will now focus her time on another very worthy cause - caring for her four-month-old son, DJ. Special thank you to Stephanie from everyone at TotalLink2 Community for her impact on countless members of our community. She will be missed.
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A TotalLink Success Story: From Job Seeker to Independent Employee
Levi, a TotalLink job seeker who worked with Employment Specialist Stephanie Galindez, landed a great job at Meadowbrook Elementary in 2019.
After a long break due to COVID, Levi went back to working at Meadowbrook Elementary’s after-school program, KidCare, in September. Since then, Levi has become independent and is now working as a member of the staff without the need for any coaching support.
His boss, Kelly, shared, “The safety protocols we have in place due to COVID make our work fairly tricky. Forty young children are already a handful. Add COVID, winter weather, and several staff changes; sometimes, it can be a lot. Levi has adapted really well to the changes we’ve experienced and added value to our team. It’s been so nice to have him here.”
TotalLink is so proud of Levi’s commitment and independence in his work at Meadowbrook Elementary. He is making a difference in the lives of children and his colleagues.
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Facilitator Spotlight:
Kathleen Gallo
I started at TotalLink at the end of the Summer of 2020, teaching the Wednesday and Thursday ArtLab. I now facilitate ArtLab, TotalFitness, and Saturday Socials. I am so lucky to spend a couple of days of my week painting, drawing, and laughing with the TotalLink community. My favorite part about being involved with TotalLink is watching participants' artistic abilities skyrocket!
As a professional fine artist, I paint, draw, sculpt, teach anatomy lessons, give lectures, give workshops, and last but not least, I make anthropological and forensic art! One of my forensic/bones-based artwork even helped to solve a missing person case!
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Faces of the Community
ON DISPLAY THROUGH FEBRUARY
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We are excited to have our ArtLab for Everyone artist's exhibit, Faces of the Community, on display at the First Bank of Highland Park Northbrook branch through the end of the month. Faces of the Community features the self-portraits of nine TotalLink's ArtLab for Everyone participants.
"We are honored to partner with First Bank of Highland Park to have our Faces of the Community exhibit showcased on their Northbrook Art Wall. Our artists' self-portraits are so beautiful and representative of our communities. The exhibit is a wonderful opportunity to share their gifts and talents with our community," said, TotalLink's Executive Director, Emily Raming.
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Pictured in front of the Faces of the Community Exhibit are First Bank of Highland Park Executive Vice President / Operations & IT, Adam Brook, and TotalLink Executive Director, Emily Raming. Adam serves as the Vice President on the TotalLink Board of Directors. First Bank of Highland Park has been a loyal supporter and long-time employment partner of TotalLink.
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Junior Board Rise & Raise Yoga Class A Success
Thank you to everyone who joined TotalLink's Junior Board for their Rise & Raise Yoga class on Sunday, February 6. Participants enjoyed a great class led by Erin from Sweat Cause. Sweat Cause is a non-profit, donation-based yoga and fitness company. For the rest of February, all of Sweat Cause's classes will support TotalLink.
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Support TotalLink2 Community
Help to continue to provide vital programs to young adults with disabilities.
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1200 Shermer Road, Suite 109 | Northbrook, Illinois 60062 | 224-412-4718
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