The Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living has had an eventful year and it is not

over yet!

Two staff members celebrated anniversary milestones with the Center in 2016!

This year’s Annual Meeting and Open House honored the accomplishments of two

distinguished award recipients, celebrated many years of service for two of our retiring

Board Directors, and welcomed three brand new Directors.

Several of our consumers and staff traveled to Springfield on many occasions

throughout the year to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities and to urge

lawmakers to pass a fully-funded budget which included monies for Human Service

organizations like us.

Over the summer, we welcomed John Bramblitt, award-winning blind author and artist

to Joliet’s very own Gallery 7. Bramblitt joined jazz guitarist, John Moulder, and fellow

artist Rita Rogan, for an eye-opening art event.

Staff have been staying busy with our newest program, SKILLS, Sharing Key

Independent Living Life Skills. SKILLS workshops began over the summer and we still

have a few openings left!

In July, we all took a beach vacation right here in Joliet! Will-Grundy Center for

Independent Living’s 2016 Empowerment Event theme this year was HAWAIIAN

LUAU hosted by Harrah’s Joliet. The evening included fabulous entertainment, a

delicious tropical dinner, and fun prizes and activities.

Winter 2016

The Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living

Barrier Free Press 2415 W. Jefferson St. Joliet, IL 60435

Voice: 815-729-0162 TTY: 815-729-2085 VRS/VP: 815-768-2582 FAX: 815-729-3697

www.will-grundycil.org www.facebook.com/wgcil

I am SO delighted for my son. I could have never guessed he would have achieved

so much! I can remember bringing him to the Center and he would sit under the

table while I attended the law series. I appreciated that I never had to apologize for

his behavior. He was accepted as he was. It is our safe place. And now, he is

graduating with a major in Material Science and Engineering. He worries, because

his GPA is near a 3.0 (B range). He wants to get into graduate school some day and

he has been told that his GPA is not high enough. His GPA is higher than mine

was!!!! - Mother of a long-time consumer

On April 18, students from Lockport and Joliet

Township Transition School, a board member, and

a long-time consumer traveled from Joliet to

Springfield on the Amtrak train to advocate on

behalf of the Center around state budget cuts. Upon

arrival, the participants took pictures in front of the

Abraham Lincoln statues and the fountains on the

Capitol grounds.

The weather cooperated with a warm and sunny day.

Shortly after, we got to the purpose of visiting with the

legislators. In total we visited seven elected officials

including State Representative Manley, Representative

Walsh Jr., and Senator McGuire. We briefly visited with

Senator Holmes and we bumped into Senator

Radogno. Senator Rezin made time to visit with us in her

office to discuss the lack of a budget and we even took a

group photo. We stopped by the Governor's office to let

him know that we need a budget. We spoke with his staff

aid and explained to her what we do at the Center.

The Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living is now

offering SKILLS, Sharing Key Independent Living Life

Skills! SKILLS is a new classroom setting offering a variety of different

workshops! Topics include:

Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30-11 A.M. and the same class is

presented twice a week. Workshops also feature field trips and guest speakers!

Classes are held at the Center, 2415 W. Jefferson Street, Joliet.

For more information, to register, or to request a special accommodation, please

contact the Center at 815-729-0162 (V), 815-729-2085 (TTY), 815-768-2582 (VRS),

or at missy@wgcil.org.

ONLINE SAFETY

CAREER SKILLS

TRANSPORTATION

MONEY MANAGEMENT

HEALTH AND SAFETY

EATING HEALTHY

HOME AND PERSONAL SKILLS

TIME MANAGEMENT

COMMUNITY ADVOCACY

AND MORE

The Annual Meeting and Open House of the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living was held May 18, 2016.

The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Carolyn Kucinic. Carolyn Kucinic is an outstanding

woman who performs many volunteer tasks with our Center. She is always here to help out when and

where needed. She is very dependable and knowledgeable. All of us thank her for the many contributions

she makes and to her dedication and commitment to the Center as a volunteer.

Frank Pessetto received the Ed Roberts Excellence in Independent Living Award. In 2015, Frank

came to the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living when he found himself out of a job and

struggling financially. He needed more time to stay in his apartment and didn't know where to turn

for assistance. He was his own advocate in asking for 30 more days to stay in his apartment as he

went to other agencies to find out about the services provided in the community. After being

homeless for 12 months Frank finally has an apartment. Frank had been unemployed and now has a

job. Even though Frank has a disability, he does not use his disability to keep him down or hold him

back. He has independently gone after his personal goals of housing and employment. Frank is on

the Board of Directors for another agency in Joliet and helps to spread the work to others in the

community about housing, funding, and jobs.

The 2016 Board of Directors was announced:

Officers:

Susan Jarosinski, President

Chris Boyk, Vice President

Dianne Mundle, Treasurer

Katie Marcoux, Secretary

Zack Fleming, Delegate at Large

Elaine Sommer, Past President

Directors:

David Cumbo

Susan Rink

Kevin Pruitte

Ivan Bew

Val Rand

Two outgoing Board Members were honored for their years

of dedication and service to the Will-Grundy Center for

Independent Living. They are Rhonda Price and Bob Smith.

Thank you Rhonda and Bob!

Congratulations to Bob Smith, a long time member of

our Board of Directors and volunteer at the Will-

Grundy Center for Independent Living. Bob received

the Silver Eagle Award from the Joliet Rotary Club on

June 14.

Very well deserved, Bob!

Pictured left to right:

Bob Smith, Pam Heavens, Mark Griglione, & Dan Kusta

On June 4, ‘Musical Color’ featured John Bramblitt, Celebrity,

Award‐Winning Author, Portrait Artist of the Stars…. and Blind,

and highly acclaimed composer and Jazz Guitarist, John Moulder.

Bramblitt traveled to Joliet to lend support to fellow artist, Rita

Rogan and her partnership with Pam Heavens, Executive Director

of the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living, in their

combined goal to bring creative solutions to common sense ADA Compliance.

Rogan, the architect of the Rialto Arts District, home of Gallery 7, developed a specialty in painting light into the dark as

visual artists have struggled to do for centuries – via Nocturnes. “I read his book, ‘Shouting in the Dark’, and knew he

was a perfect person to shed light on the important role that community plays in the relationship between success and

disability.”

The Show featured Bramblitt’s strong, realistic paintings. The audience was able to see both his

paintings and his extraordinary process as Bramblitt performed a live demonstration for the

audience. The paintings are a translation into art of his inner ‘vision’. He does this by haptic

sensing. His fingers have become his eyes and they can also feel the difference between colors!

Bramblitt had not picked up a brush to paint his colors until he lost his vision. He has

developed workshops for both blind and sighted children to help them learn to develop this

sensory awareness.

Regarding how he had coped with the loss of his vision 15 years ago, John said, “I have to

admit without a support system it is next to impossible and mine was my family. For others it is

their community and that is reason alone to encourage strength and support in those areas.”

Because nothing removes barriers more than new ways of seeing, the work of both of these artists take the viewers on a

visual and emotional journey through what it means to ‘see’ in the dark.

No stranger to community activism and service, Moulder is the founder and Director of the seven seasons of the Chi-

Town Jazz Festival, which brings jazz artists, venues and fans together in one power packed week each year to benefit

hunger aid.

Pam Heavens, the Executive Director of the Will-Grundy Center for

Independent Living, and Rogan have joined forces in fighting for

accessibility. Between them, they have over 50 years of hard work dedicated

to achieving accessibility.

All funds raised at this event were donated to the Will-Grundy Center for

Independent Living. Our sincere gratitude to John Bramblitt, John

Moulder, and Dr. Rita Rogan for their tireless efforts and dedication to the

equality of persons with disabilities.

During the live demonstration, John Bramblitt crafted the

beautiful painting to the right. After the event, Bramblitt donated

this original piece of art to the Will-Grundy Center for

Independent Living to use as an auction prize at our annual

fundraising gala.

Empowerment Event 2016

Hawaiian Luau!

On July 30, we all took a beach vacation right here in

Joliet! Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living’s

2016 Empowerment Event theme this year was

HAWAIIAN LUAU hosted by Harrah’s Joliet.

Harrah’s Joliet served a delicious tropical themed

dinner. Dinner was followed by local favorite band,

Nova Soul providing fabulous entertainment.

Guests had to chance to will fabulous prizes, including

a Chicago Cubs basket with a signed photograph,

several pampering baskets, a Chicago Bears basket

with a signed photograph, a waterpark weekend

getaway, Brookfield Zoo passes, a personal flight tour,

an Unforgetable Chef dinner certificate, and more!

Our highlighted prize was

original artwork by John

Bramblitt, painted in front

of our live audience at

“Enlightening” in June.

Co n g r a tu l a t i o n s t o

Lawrence Kissner who

won our "Bad" Hawaiian

Shirt contest and to Jack

Heavens who came in

second.

We had a fun time

watching all of the “Bad”

Hawaiian Shirts parade

by!

The Chicago Cubs

Brookfield Zoo

CinderRidge Golf Course

The Joliet Slammers

Bolingbrook Park District

Red Lobster

Dr. Mark Streitz

Easterseals

Bob Smith

Starbucks

TCBY Yogurt

Clara's Restaurant

Jameson's Charhouse

The Chicago Bears

Fresh Thyme

Cooper's Hawk

Texas Roadhouse

John Bramblitt

Carrabba's

Joliet Park District

Planet Fitness

The Will-Grundy Center for

Independent Living

The WGCIL Board of Directors

Prize Sponsors:

James E. Hearns

Charitable Foundation

Senesac & Lennon, CPAs.

In honor of

Mary Jo Smith & Frances Heavens

Coal Bin Self Storage, Coal City

Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Buck

Suellen Cordano

Mr. & Mrs. Bill Hogan

Dr. & Mrs. Peter Nichols

Mr. & Mrs. Wally Paradowski

Katheryn Wiedman

John Greuling

Leslie Wadsworth

Lori Clark

Brandon Ivins

Val Rand

Jim Albritton

Additional Donors:

Thank You to our Sponsors!

Joliet Park District Board of Directors

Modify Plans for More Accessibility

In 2015, members of our community expressed accessibility concerns over the new plans for Pilcher Park, maintained

under the Joliet Park District. The Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living began strong advocacy work alongside

our community members that continues to this day.

On October 3, 2015, we organized our first “Stroll and Roll” through the

park’s one accessible path with our own accessibility experts. This event was

offered to the Joliet Park District Board Directors, consumers, and the

general public and featured a dozen wheelchairs for people to use to try their

hand at navigating the park on wheels. We shared our views in a survey

launched at the “Stroll and Roll” to gather data on the accessibility of the

park. Over the winter, we presented each survey to the Joliet Park District

Board Members with a summary sheet showing the overwhelming lack of

concern for people with disabilities. Each month, advocates spoke out at

their board meetings. And, finally, they listened! At February’s Board

Meeting, the Board announced their intention to hold a public meeting at

the Nature Center at Pilcher Park. The room was full, standing room only,

with more people spilling out into the entryway. What a fabulous view! At the

end of the meeting, the Board announced they would hold off on all plans and

decide how to proceed.

In May of 2016, the Board of Directors approved a Pilcher Park plan that

leaves the road and trail layout we fought to protect and to make it more

drivable and walkable. With the decision to change plans, the Will-Grundy

Center for Independent Living and residents of the Pilcher Park area

commended the park district for an apparent commitment to better

maintenance of the park. The Park District also committed to, and followed through with purchasing a wheelchair for

public use on the trails, with the possibility of purchasing more adaptive equipment in the future.

“We’re not going to wait another 10 or 15 years and meet again,” new Executive Director Tom Carstens said. “We’re

going to meet on an ongoing basis and keep this park going where it needs to go.”

“I’m so pleased that the board listened to the concerns of the community and really did the right thing,” Pam Heavens,

executive director for the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living, said after the May meeting.

The new plan includes:

• Repaving North Loop Road

Resurfacing the middle connector of Loop Trail with crushed asphalt topped with crushed limestone

Repaving Upper Pilcher Trail from Route 6 to a spot near the Nature Center

Resurfacing the Upper Pilcher Trail Loop with crushed asphalt topped with crushed limestone

Thank you to everyone involved in this continuing

effort to make our park welcoming to everyone!

This year’s Disability Mentoring Day was a remarkable

success! The Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living

received applications from 46 students in 3 separate school

districts to be reviewed and placed in an internship at a local

business. 17 local businesses partnered with the Center to

provide wonderful employment experiences for the

students. We are so proud of our students and of our local

businesses for this enriching experience!

Jennifer Donckers, a Plainfield North vocational education

coordinator, said she was grateful an opportunity such as

Disability Mentoring Day was being offered to students. “It’s

an incredible effort. I think it’s so important for kids,

regardless of their situation. I think students need to access

the community more to see what they want to do,”

Donckers said.

Whether it was bathing dogs or cleaning cages at Joliet

Township Animal Control, teaching preschoolers at Grace’s

Place in Plainfield, repairing vacuums at Naperville

Vacuum, riding with the Plainfield Police Department,

learning the secret recipe at Steve’s Cheesecake Store and

Sandwich Shop in Plainfield, or running the car wash at

Clean Image Car Wash in Plainfield, the students worked in

a workplace matching their area of interest. They asked

questions and worked with people in careers they’re

interested in. The event gives students with disabilities from

high schools in Will County the chance to experience

career paths.

“They get to learn as they go,” says Missy Martin, Program

Manager at WGCIL.

A big thank you to this year’s participating businesses:

Kohl’s of Plainfield, Pilcher Park Nature Center,

Royal Image Barber School, Velocita Technology,

Will-Grundy Medical Clinic, Santolin Chiropractic Clinic,

Joliet Park District, Greg’s Auto Body, Easter Seals, Joliet

Library, Lewis University’s Phillip Lynch Theatre, Grace’s

Place of Plainfield, Animal Care Center of Plainfield,

Plainfield Police Department, Steve’s Cheesecake Store &

Sandwich Shop, Stanton Architects, Berkot’s of Lockport,

Naperville Vacuums, Eich’s Sports, and Clean Image Car

Wash.

Board of Directors 2016-2017

Officers

Susan Jarosinski, President

Chris Boyk, Vice President

Dianne Mundle, Treasurer

Katie Marcoux, Secretary

Zack Fleming, Delegate-At-Large

Elaine Sommer, Past President

Directors

David Cumbo

Kevin Pruitte

Ivan Bew

Val Rand

Sue Klen

Susan Rink

Brandon Ivins

Staff Members

Pam Heavens, Executive Director

Missy Martin, Program Manager

Debbie Tarrant, Independent Living Advocate

Olivia Cruickshank,

Community Reintegration Transition Coordinator

Marjuen Wannah,

Community Reintegration Transition Coordinator

Tabitha Boshears, Development Associate

Sam Knight, Community Organizer

Marie Malfatti, Clerical Aide

Bill Hombaker, Maintenance

Two staff members celebrated anniversary

milestones with the Center in 2016: Marie

Malfatti, Clerical Aide, celebrated 15 years of

service, and Debbie Tarrant, Independent Living

Advocate celebrated 10 years of service. On

behalf of the staff and Board of Directors, thank

you Marie and Debbie for your years of

dedication and hard work.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Watch the mail for your invitation to our SPRING FLING, held

on March 25!

Keep your eyes open for information about our ANNUAL

MEETING, held in April or May!

PLEASE JOIN US!

2415 W. Jefferson St. Joliet, IL 60435

Free Amplified Phones provided by

Illinois Telecommunications

Access Corporation

For more information, to request an application, or to test an amplified

phone, contact our Center at 815-729-0162 (v), or 815-768-2582 (vrs/vp).

Our Center is open Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5 pm

2415 W. Jefferson Street, Joliet

Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation provides amplified phones

for any Illinois Resident with hearing loss.

*Application must be signed by a doctor or approved certifier that applicant is

deaf, hard of hearing, speech disabled, or deaf/blind and unable to use a

standard phone.