Building Lives • Building Futures Corporate Office: 4060 McFarland Road • Rockford, IL 61111 • 815/654-6100 • www.MILESTONE-INC.org SPRING 2013 CONTENTS There’s a new way to help MILESTONE 2 Fulfilling her goals 3 Rockford Area Arts Council Program 4 Adopt a Camper 5 Special Olympics Update 6 Help with MILESTONE’S Ongoing Projects 7 Burja Memorial Scholarship 8 MATTERS Newsletter For The Friends & Supporters of MILESTONE, Inc. TWO VERY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS MAKING A DIFFERENCE ILESTONE industries began a “Technology Upgrade Project”, last year funded by generous grants from the C.W. B. Foundation, and Alpine Kiwanis. The results have surpassed all expectations. Since iPads became part of the training at MILESTONE Industries the number of Individuals who are able to work independently on a task related to a job has increased by 25%. Currently over 200 individuals are receiving a pay check for their work at MILESTONE Industries. The use of the various iPad applications allows the individuals at MILESTONE Industries to learn new skills in a fun way and at their own pace. Currently iPads are being used in the training programs for 3 of the major jobs at MILESTONE Industries and for card production. While we currently have some iPads in use in some of the Group Homes, the next phase of the Technology upgrade project is to expand their use which will allow for the learning of life skills in all settings. The use of iPads at RocVale Children’s Home has also been successful. Staff has seen significant improvements in many of the non-verbal children’s communication skills of many of the children who are non verbal. The iPads have also helped many children with autism learn appropriate social skills and facial/emotion recognition. Sensory Therapy Program continues to have an Impact Sensory Integration involves the seven senses of hearing, sight, smell, taste, touch, balance and position. Many of the Individuals served by MILESTONE cannot properly receive or process what they see, taste, smell or feel, and often this results in behavioral problems including aggression, property damage, and self injurious behaviors. But an expanding Sensory Therapy program is making a difference in the lives of these Individuals. Several assessment tools are used when designing a program for a person, including an assessment by MILESTONE’s Occupational Therapist, the goals for each person are established by the Interdisciplinary Team, with specialized sensory equipment being an essential part of the program. MILESTONE’s Sensory Integration program continues to exceed expectations. Approximately 21% of the individuals at MILESTONE’s Elmwood Heights and Elmwood East facilities have experienced a reduction in problematic behaviors since the program began. Five individuals have been taken off of behavior modification medication as a result of the program. The staff at RocVale Children’s Home has also seen a statistically significant reduction in problematic behaviors since the program was expanded, and 10 children have had their medications reduced. Many of the children are motivated by access to the iPads to self-regulate their maladaptive behaviors. The goal is to keep expanding these programs. To find out how you can help please call the Resource Development Department at (815) 639-2965. M iPads increase opportunities at Milestone Industries
M A T T E R SNewsletter For The Friends & Supporters of MILESTONE, Inc.
TWO VERY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
ILESTONE industries began a “Technology Upgrade Project”, last year funded by generousgrants from the C.W. B. Foundation, and Alpine Kiwanis. The results have surpassed allexpectations. Since iPads became part of the training at MILESTONE Industries the number of
Individuals who are able to work independently on a task related to a job has increased by 25%. Currentlyover 200 individuals are receiving a pay check for their work at MILESTONE Industries. The use of thevarious iPad applications allows the individuals at MILESTONE Industries to learn new skills in a fun wayand at their own pace. Currently iPads are being used in the training programs for 3 of the major jobs atMILESTONE Industries and for card production. While we currently have some iPads in use in some of theGroup Homes, the next phase of the Technology upgrade project is to expand their use which will allowfor the learning of life skills in all settings. The use of iPads at RocVale Children’s Home has also beensuccessful. Staff has seen significant improvements in many of the non-verbal children’s communicationskills of many of the children who are non verbal. The iPads have also helped manychildren with autism learn appropriate social skills and facial/emotion recognition.
Sensory Therapy Program continues to have an ImpactSensory Integration involves the seven senses of hearing, sight, smell, taste, touch, balance and position.Many of the Individuals served by MILESTONE cannot properly receive or process what they see, taste,smell or feel, and often this results in behavioral problems including aggression, property damage, andself injurious behaviors. But an expanding Sensory Therapy program is making a difference in the lives ofthese Individuals. Several assessment tools are used when designing a program for a person, including anassessment by MILESTONE’s Occupational Therapist, the goals for each person are established by theInterdisciplinary Team, with specialized sensory equipment being an essential part of the program.MILESTONE’s Sensory Integration program continues to exceed expectations. Approximately 21% of theindividuals at MILESTONE’s Elmwood Heights and Elmwood East facilities have experienced a reductionin problematic behaviors since the program began. Five individuals have been taken off of behaviormodification medication as a result of the program. The staff at RocVale Children’s Home has also seen astatistically significant reduction in problematic behaviors since the program was expanded, and 10children have had their medications reduced. Many of the children are motivated by access to the iPadsto self-regulate their maladaptive behaviors.
The goal is to keep expanding these programs. To find out how you can help please call the ResourceDevelopment Department at (815) 639-2965.
MiPads increase opportunities at Milestone Industries
It can be scary doing business with the state ofIllinois. We are owed millions of dollars todayand operate daily utilizing a bank line of credit.It shouldn’t be this way, but that’s it works in theLand of Lincoln.
We will take this expansion slowly. Our missionis to care for the individuals we serve, and toseek the ability to serve other individuals thatcan benefit from the work we do. We wish wecould expand more aggressively, to better aidthe individuals that deserve a better life. But inIllinois, we will take it slow. We will moveforward, but only at a pace we can sustain, forthe good of the individuals we care for and theemployees that serve them.
As always, I wish to thank you for your support.Our year-end campaign was our most successfulto date. On behalf of the individuals we serveand the staff that so ably serves them, thankyou!
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Friends of MILESTONE,
The old adage says “If you are not movingforward, then you’re falling back”.
At MILESTONE, despite a choppy economyand a state ranked dead last in financialsolvency, we choose to move forward. In 2011we opened our Mulford apartments and lastfall we opened Commonwealth. These two 8-unit apartment buildings helped 16 individualssignificantly improve their lot in life.
As of this writing we are preparing to purchasea duplex to better serve existing MILESTONEindividuals as well as expanding services toindividuals moving out of state-operateddevelopmental centers. The state is seekinghelp from agencies like MILESTONE to care forindividuals that up until now have been placedin expensive state-operated centers. Mostrecently Jacksonville and MurrayDevelopmental Centers have cared forhundreds of developmentally disabledindividuals. But slowly, these individuals willfind a new home, in a smaller, lessinstitutionalized setting.
Building Lives • Building Futures
FROM THE DESK OF SHAWN WAY, MILESTONE PRESIDENT AND CEO
ANNOUNCING A NEW WAY TO HELP MILESTONEMILESTONE can now accept donations of usedvehicles thanks to a new partnership withMidas. The Auto Service Experts at Midas onNorth Main will assist with the sale of the vehicle once the titleis signed. When the vehicle is sold the donor will receive adonation-tax deduction letter from MILESTONE. For moreinformation please call the Resource Development Departmentat (815) 639-2965.
MILESTONE’s
40th Anniversary Celebration November 16, 2013 at Giovanni’s
SAVE THE DATE:
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FULFILLING HER GOALS
MILESTONE MISSION STATEMENT “Everyone has the right to be treated with respect, to participate in community life, to develop and exercise
personal competence, to have family and friends, and to make decisions in their lives.” MILESTONE, Inc. exists to
ensure that persons with developmental disabilities can exercise these same rights.
If you stop by the OliveGarden in Rockford, chancesare good Sara will be there togreet you and to make sureyou get seated properly. Saraloves seeing and talking topeople and being out in thecommunity, so the job is aperfect fit. If Sara is not atthe Olive Garden she isprobably helping out atMILESTONE Industries, orshe could be dancing and
exercising at “New Vibe”. Sarabecame part of theMILESTONE family while shewas a student at JeffersonHigh School. She moved intoRocvale Children’s Home andthe staff quickly learned shewas a very focused anddetermined young lady. Aftergraduation she stayed atMILESTONE, moving into oneof the adult group homes and
started working atMILESTONE Industries.Her focus anddetermination soonmeant she was soon ableto do every job atMILESTONE Industriesincluding helping at thefront desk and answeringthe phones. She enjoysearning a paycheck andsaving money so she canattend concerts and hearher favorite artistsperform live. Sara loves
music and enjoys singing with the MILESTONESingers and traveling to their concert locationsthroughout the community. She also lovescompeting in Special Olympics in both summer and
in the winter, and has earnedmany medals at the variouscompetitions. Thema Robinson,her guardian, says it has been apleasure to watch Sara grow andmature and meet her goals. Sheenjoys being out in thecommunity and Robinson creditsthe staff at MILESTONE withteaching Sara the skills andworking with her to make her
dream of beingmore independenta reality. Saraenjoys spendingtime with herhouse mates, butshe also enjoysgoing to get herhair and nailsdone, andspending timeshopping. Shealso enjoys herjob at OliveGarden and herbosses call her agood employee.Robinson says her long term goal is to becomeeven more independent by becoming part of
MILESTONE’sIntermittent C.I.L.A.program which willallow her to do morefor herself includingcooking and planningmore communityoutings. Robinson saysshe has no doubts Sara
will achieve this goal. Sara says she is lookingforward to having her own apartment so that shecan make her own choices and routine withouthaving to check in so much. Most of all she saysshe likes her friends at MILESTONE.
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THANK YOU TO ROCKFORDMEMORIAL DEVELOPMENTFOUNDATION
Thank you toeveryone whoused their EScripcard at Logi’s orHilander last fall.Because there wasan increase inparticipationMILESTONE
earned an additional contribution. You can helpMILESTONE every time you shop through theSchnucks eScrip Customer Card program. All youhave to do is pick up a free card, register it anddesignate MILESTONE as the non profit organizationyou want to help. Then give the card to the cashierwhen you check out. Each time you shop Schnuckswill contribute up to 3% of your grocery bill toMILESTONE.
THANK YOU TO THEWOODWARD GOVERNORCOMPANY CHARITABLE TRUST
A grant from the Rockford Memorial DevelopmentFoundation provided the funding for new medicalequipment at MILESTONE’s Elmwood Heightsfacility. The additional equipment will help theElmwood Heights staff meet the changing medicalneeds of the individuals who live at ElmwoodHeights.
ROCKFORD AREA ARTS COUNCIL PROGRAM
MILESTONE REWARDED FORESCRIP PARTICIPATION
A grant from the WoodwardGovernor CompanyCharitable Trustprovided thefunding for neededfurniture at RocVale Children’s Home. The grant willallow the staff to better meet the needs of thechildren who live at the RocVale.
The Rockford AreaArts Councilawarded MILESTONE an access grant for an artprogram at MILESTONE Industries. Individuals willwork with area artists and create Memory Boxes aspart of the program. The Rockford Area Arts Councilreceived support from the City of Rockford, TheIllinois Arts Council and its members.
HAMILTON SUNDSTRANDHELPS MILESTONE
A grant from Hamilton Sundstrand also provided thefunding for needed furniture at RocVale Children’sHome. Support from donors and area corporationsinsure that MILESTONE and the staff at RocValeChildren’s Home can continue to deliver the highestlevel of service possible.
MEMBERS OF ALPINEKIWANIS HELP WITH IPADPROGRAMMore Children haveaccess to iPads atRocVale Children’sHome thanks to a grantfrom Alpine Kiwanis.The grant also providedfunding for a new Behavior Assessment tool thatwill help MILESTONE staff design programs tailoredto the needs of each individual.
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Eighty people who attended the No Boundaries Art Project at the Rockford Art Museum learned how to makecards the MILESTONE way. Attendees could also participate in a giant floor painting activity, jewelry making,and lanyard creating, and weaving. The Arc, and the Rockford Park District, also led activity sessions.
MILESTONE ARTISTS TEACH CARD MARKING
Remember the fun you had at summer camp?Help us make summer camp a reality for everyoneat MILESTONE by adopting a camper.
For $100 you can sponsor a camper for a week atCamp Albrecht in Iowa
Or
For $65 you can sponsor a camper at CampWinnebago, a program designed for our medicallyfragile individuals who need specialized attentionand care.
Call the Resource Development department at639-2965 for more information.
HELP SEND SOMEONE TO CAMP THIS SUMMER
LEARNING THE MOVESEach week Individuals at MILESTONE Industries aretaking part in a drama/dance workshop led bymembers of the Rockford Dance Company. Theprogram is collaboration between MILESTONE, theRockford Dance Company and The Barbara OlsonCenter of Hope, and was funded by a grant from theUnited Cerebral Palsy of Blackhawk Region Fund atthe Community Foundation of Northern Illinois.
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SPECIAL OLYMPICS UPDATE
BASKETBALL INDIVIDUAL SKILLS COMPETITION
TAKING IN THE SIGHTS OF CHICAGO
Three athletes traveled to Chestnut Mountain in Galena forthe State Winter Games. The weather resulted in someschedule changes but that did not damper anyone’s spirits.Three gold medals were brought home by the Snow Shoeathletes.
Thirty athletes traveled to Byron High School to take part in the Individual Basketball skills competition.A good time was had by all and the team came home with 5 gold medals, 4 silver medals, and 21 ribbons
WINTER GAMES HELD IN GALENA
It was a day full offun and excitementfor everyone fromRocVale who tookthe train intoChicago for the day.The group took inas many sights aspossible andenjoyed a greatdinner beforereturning home.
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MILESTONE WISHLISTGames for Wii consoles for all MILESTONE facilities Large Plastic Radio Flyer Wagons for RocValeNewspaper subscriptionsPEOPLE Magazines (new or used)Family friendly DVDsArt Supplies IPADS for the Individuals to useWebcamsMovie passes Local baseball game ticketsRestaurant gift certificates
Thank you to Taylor Freezer for the donation toRocVale Children’s Home.Thank you to the Knit Witts for the hand knithats. Thank you to the Licari family for the artsupplies for the children at RocVale.Thank you to the staff at the North MulfordHilander for selecting Milestone for this year’sgiving tree recipient.Thank you to the members of the KieckheferFamily for the donation which was used to buyChristmas gifts for our Individuals. Thank you to the DaVita Hospital Services stafffor the holiday collection. Thank you to Jerry Paris for the red wagon forRocVale and the Register Star subscription forMilestone Industries. Thank you to the Illinois National Guard for thetoy collection for the children at RocVale. Thank you to the Marilyn Fulton Foundation forthe donation.
THANK YOU MILESTONESUPPORTERS
RocVale Children’s HomeSeveral of the homes on theRocVale Campus need newfurniture. The items needed arespecial designed and built tomeet the need of the children living at RocVale. $20,000 is needed to complete this project.
Adult Group HomesThere is an ongoing need forfurniture for the group homes.$20,000 is needed for this project
Elmwood HeightsEach year over 200 slings need to be replaced. These slings are used when individuals need to be moved or lifted. $15,000 isneeded to meet this goal.
Milestone Training CenterThe Behavior ModificationTherapy program at MTCneeds to be expanded. Inorder to complete thisproject $15,000 to $20,000 isneeded to purchase SensoryEquipment.
PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING WITH ONE OF MILESTONE’SONGOING PROJECTS
MILESTONE, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) Illinois not-for-profitorganization. MILESTONE Matters is developed to informthe public of the program services we offer todevelopmentally disabled citizens from Northern Illinois. Tolearn more about MILESTONE and the individuals we serve,please call (815) 654-6100.
If you would like to help with any of these projects please usethe enclosed envelope, mark restricted donation and fill inwhich project your donation will help fund. For moreinformation about these projects or the items listed on theWishList, please call the Resource Development Department at(815) 639-2965.
EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARIES10 yearsThomas Johnson JanuaryAdam Herron FebruaryTressa Wilson FebruarySteven Jolliff MarchCatherine Gibson MarchTania Jones MarchAnne Comstock March
15 yearsDanielle Darelius JanuaryDanyel Smith FebruaryDelisa Penix March
20 yearsAmie Burke February
M I L E S T O N E M A T T E R S SPRING 2013
Building Lives • Building Futures
4060 McFarland Road
Rockford, IL 61111
Non-ProfitOrganizationUS Postage
PAIDPermit #640Rockford, IL
Address Service Requested
Suzanne Greer was awarded this year’sMichael Burja Memorial Special EducationScholarship. She is currently a DSP atGeneva Group Home and is pursuing herdegree at the University of Phoenix. The scholarship was established by theBurja family in memory of their son,Michael, who was part of the ElmwoodHeights family for over seven and a halfyears, from July 2004 to January 2012.Members of the Burja family presentedSuzanne with the Scholarship during areception at Elmwood Heights.
