"I knew I could do it."

That's what Bill said, proudly, as we were leaving the Cook County Court House at Daley Plaza a couple of weeks ago.  No, he didn't beat a traffic ticket or report for jury duty--he was emancipated!

What does that mean?  It means that he was found to be "no longer in need of a guardian."

Why would we want to tell you this story?  This is a pretty big deal for Bill who, at 57, has finally been determined capable of making his own decisions, being responsible for his own health, his own finances, his own life!

After both of his parents had passed away, he asked me who his guardian was going to be.  I asked him if he wanted to be his own guardian and he said "I kind of already am, right?" and I knew what he meant.  For over 30 years, with the help of various people at Avenues and in his community at large, Bill has been gaining the skills and knowledge that he needed to be independent as he could possibly be.

Bill came to Avenues in 1980 and he will tell you that, at age 21, "I was a lot different than I am now. I didn't know how to make decisions.  I needed my mother & father to help with everything."  He remembers when they became his legal guardians a few years later.  He says that, at the time, this was the best thing for him "because I couldn't do a lot of things on my own."  As the years went by, Bill learned more about taking care of his home, managing his finances, and being responsible for his healthcare.  He learned how to get around town on his own and made a ton of friends in Park Ridge along the way.  When his mother was sick, he even pitched in to help care for her.  He has held a job at Jewel for almost 25 years and is one of their most trusted employees.

To hear all of these things said aloud in court and hear the judge tell Bill that she felt there was no question that he was capable of being his own guardian and that he should be proud of himself for what he has accomplished, well, this face says it all...

Bill holding the official court order.

Avenues' Very Own Cubs vs. Pirates Game

Before the Cubs beat the Pirates last week, Avenues' Fitness Club had their own Cubs vs. Pirates game, followed by a healthy Celery Boat Snack!

 This is one of the many fun activities the Fitness Club has been doing since June.  The residents have enjoyed various activities such as Zumba, soccer, and walks!  Following each session, residents learn how to make a healthy snack that they can easily prepare in their own homes. 

Also check out Lenore's Celery Boat Song!

‘Tis The Season of Giving!

Here at Avenues to Independence, we have the opportunity to meet and work with many generous individuals.  We are grateful to have many stories of how individuals in our community give and impact the lives of the clients we serve. 

This is the story of David, and how his giving spirit impacts the lives of others.  David has been working at Avenues to Independence Wheeling Work Center for almost 6 years.  He is an excellent and dedicated worker.  There is much more to David than what meets the eye!

David with a couple of his handmade scarves.

When you meet David, you might not guess he is a skilled knitter!  David’s mother began teaching him to knit many years ago, hoping the repetitive nature of the activity would be soothing for David, as it is for many others who take up the craft.  Sure enough, David took to knitting like a fish to water!  Soon he was starting and finishing knitting projects on his own, without any assistance from his mom.  He regularly attends a knitting group with his mother and a group of fellow knitters. David hauls his knitting supplies with him nearly everywhere he goes! If you walk past him in the Avenues work center, you will either find him diligently working on a work project, or knitting.  David knits beautiful scarves of all colors and patterns.  With so many beautiful scarves being made, David’s family soon realized they could be benefiting those in need!

Initially, a woman’s shelter received donations of David’s scarves to keep them warm and comfortable through the cold winter months.  Since 2011, David has donated the scarves he works on all year to the children at Green Bay Elementary School.  This helps the school keep warm scarves on hand for children who come to school with-out.    Last year, David was able to give 94 scarves to the school to keep the children warm in the winter months.  This year, his goal was 100 scarves for the children.  

Green Bay Elementary School

When David gets a goal in mind, he does not let anything stop him until that goal is accomplished.  In fact, David was working on a beautiful scarf, his grandmother commented that she really liked it, and would like to have one just like it for herself.  David politely told her she would have to wait for her scarf, as he had not yet finished the scarves for the children. 

He finished his 100^th scarf in late November and was able to take the scarves to the school.  The impressive haul of hand-made cozy scarves was delivered to the school personally by David and his mother.  These beautiful scarves will keep needy children warm through the harsh Illinois winter, and the school is ever so thankful for such a wonderful gift!

The 100 beautiful knit scarves David made throughout this year for the students at Green Bay Elementary.

So this Christmas, think of David's commitment to Green Bay Elementary and do something for someone in need. No matter how big or small the gesture it is sure to make a difference! Way to go David for embracing the spirit of giving and making such an wonderful and warm impact on the lives of the children at Green Bay Elementary!

Happy Thanksgiving from Avenues!!

The Avenues Wheeling Work Center held their annual Thanksgiving lunch last Friday with food by Corky's Catering--turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, veggies, rolls, mashed potatoes & gravy, and of course pumpkin pie.  Avenues staff pitched-in to help serve the food.  Here's some pictures from the day--Enjoy!!

                                    

Update: Coaster sales!

From a masterpiece on canvas to an item everyone could use at work or home the Avenues Art Program continues to make and sell their original coasters.

Many of you have seen them out for sale at various Avenues events or may have even purchased your own.

It all starts with a painting like this one below.  Jim worked hard on his Worhal inspired "pop art hearts."

From there the paintings are shrunken down and sealed and a set of four coasters is created.  Every single photo on a coaster is an Avenues original painting and the themes vary from pop art (above and below), Chicago buildings, and Monet paintings. 

Packaged and ready for purchase.

At this year's Spotlight On Wine Event in October the Avenues Art Program raised over $700 between painting and coaster sales which goes back to the clients for ongoing art classes and activities.

The clients continue working on paintings for the coasters and they sell for $20 per set of 4.  Keep an eye out for them at upcoming Avenues events or feel free to email Elaina Kray if interested in learning more.

ekray@avenuestoindependence.org 

Great for home, work, or gifts!

150,000 Stuffed Animals and Counting!!!

150,000 stuffed animals? Huh? Sold per year in the US? No!  This is the amount of stuffed animals that the amazing staff of the Avenues Work Center has labeled and repackaged in only the last 4 months!

 There aren't many things that these clients enjoy doing more than showing up to work every day and furthering their growth and independence, while earning their own income.

Of course it doesn't hurt when your job involves working with possibly the cutest stuffed animals ever made.

It is safe to say that the Claire’s Boutique Stores across the country will be full of these wonderful holiday gifts in great part to the hardworking and dedicated clients that work here.  

The next 150,000 is on its way!

Avenues Beyond the Runway Fashion Show

On Sunday, October 27, more than 200 guests came out to support Avenues at the 2^nd annual Beyond the Runway Fashion Show held at the Cotillion Banquets in Palatine. 

Among the guests were some of Avenues participants...

Avenues resident Lori, enjoying the show!

Nadine enjoyed the show with her mom and sister.

Avenues participant and thrift shop employee, John, took in the show with his mom, Mary.  Mary was also part of the committee who helped make the fashion show a great success.

Guests enjoyed an afternoon tea while watching 13 Avenues participants and volunteers model several outfits for sale from the Thrift Shoppe.

Nora walking the runway

Thrift Shoppe volunteer Amanda said that walking down the runway made her feel “like a professional model!” 

Not only did Avenues participants and volunteers model at the fashion show, they also sold their handmade ornaments, note cards, painted glassware, dolls, floral arrangements and pillows.

Laurel proudly holding her floral arrangements

Lenore showing off her hand sewn pillows

Thank you to all those who made the Thrift Shoppe Fashion Show a great success!  We hope to see you all next year!