A good article about the International Sibs Conference.  Having a sibling with a disability has a pretty unique impact on a person's life.  This ranges from childhood to school years to the current generation of siblings with aging parents who will be assuming responsibilities for their brother or sister, and of course siblings who have already done so.

There is an Illinois group for siblings.  It has an active and useful message board through Yahoo groups.

We all had a great time at Chords for Careers this past Saturday.  The event raised over $1,500 to support our services to adults with developmental disabilities. People are already expressing interest in doing it again next  year.  We're grateful to everyone who helped make the day so pleasant and to the musicians for donating their talents.  For our part, we were thrilled the way the decorations and t-shirts came out and had a great time making them.

Last week we planted our new vegetable garden here at the main building.  This was the culmination of more than a year's work of planning, seeking donations and preparation of the area.

We extend many thank you's:  Ralph Feken for the donation of soil; Streator High School for plants; Ball Seeds for, well, seeds; The SU Foundation for funds for equipment and other needs; our intrepid team of planters; project coordinator Melanie Ensign; Mike Cinnamon for tilling and more; donations of plants and tools from people in the community and board members of both the SU and SU Foundation Boards of Directors.

This will be a learning year for us as we see how well different things grow for us.  We'll be providing training opportunities for our consumers and will discover their interests as well.  In the future we hope to continue to take this messy, unused area and create a beautiful green space, with some wheel-chair accessible garden beds, shelter and outdoor furniture, and flower beds.

Chords for Careers

Here is the SU Foundation's fundraiser letter. If you need a paper copy, donation slip, or anything else just reply to this email.   Checks can be made out to   Streator Unlimited Foundation Inc. PO Box 706 Streator, IL 61364

Dear Streator Unlimited Supporters,

The Streator Unlimited Foundation provides opportunities to Streator Unlimited’s consumers above and beyond everyday needs. Your voluntary contribution makes a huge difference. Please give generously to achieve our annual fund drive goal of $15,000!

We have frequently been asked the question, “How is SU doing?”  Perhaps you have the same question.  Here’s the good news and the bad news:

Good News:  We have maintained our dedicated and loyal staff.  Keeping good staff means offering stability and understanding for people with disabilities.  We have not had any employee layoffs.

Bad News:  We have not provided any raises for two years, have doubled the employee insurance contribution, reduced the 401k match from 3% to 1%, reduced staff hours (and thus wages), and eliminated our Christmas gift to staff.

Good News:  Charitable gifts and fundraisers have helped cover expenses in spite of state-funding cuts and late payments.

Bad News:  The state-funding situation isn’t changing and could be worse next year.  The proposed budget includes elimination of all workshop program funding and a 2.5% cut to everything else.  The state also plans to wait even 1.5 months longer than they are now to pay us.

Good News:  We remain committed to our mission of excellence in service to people with disabilities.

Bad news:  We cannot continue with business as usual.  The current economic and state funding conditions have impacted how we provide needed services.  We have a growing waiting list for our workshop program.  All paid time off for consumers was eliminated.  The residential food budget was cut 20%.  Recreational and community outings have been sharply curtailed.

Good News:  Your help is more important than ever!  There are many ways you can support our services to people with disabilities:  a generous gift to this fund drive, including SU in your will, donating stocks or other property which have appreciated in value.

Please support our continued services during this fund drive.

Sincerely,

The SU Foundation Board of Trustees:

Anthony Enno Jr

Janet Spies

Dorothy Black

Jan Fitzsimmons

Jamie Middleton

Ralph Hermann

Attorney Mike Gulo will present on guardianship and special needs trusts at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, March 24, here at Streator Unlimited.  Any family member of a child or adult with a developmental disability is welcome to attend.  There is no charge.

Here's an article from the Times on the beginning of Phase 2 of our Customized Employment Project.  We're working in collaboration with Horizon House of Peru and Friendship House of Ottawa.

At today's meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Streator Executive Director John Mallaney presented SU's Annual Report and gave a brief update.  Stephanie Harcharik then spoke about customized employment and how it can be a positive thing for both businesses in Streator and people with disabilities.