PAA MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

September 2013

Programs/Staff News

In August the substance abuse treatment program recruited a new volunteer Medical Director, Arkadiusz Grochowski, who provides required medical services on a consulting basis. Dr. Grochowski currently manages his own private medical practice in Schaumburg and Elmhurst specializing in pain management. He diagnoses and safely treats a wide variety of acute and chronic pain conditions. With his diverse training and his extensive knowledge of psychoactive substances, Dr. Grochowski makes a great addition to our dedicated professional team at Starting Point.      

In August PAA had a table at the 45th Ward held Back-to-School Health and Safety Fair which took place at Jefferson Park Field House in Chicago. Kasia McDowell represented PAA and distributed materials about our programs and services.  The organizers were delighted to see PAA as a part of the event.

New American Initiative Program invites all eligible Permanent Residents to a free CITIZENSHIP WORKSHOP on Saturday, September 28. It will take place at Northeastern Illinois University - El Centro at 3119 N. Pulaski in Chicago. Registration will be held as usual from 9-10.30 am. For complete information please go to our website or call Grazyna, Teresa or Basia.

Magdalena Dolas has been asked to join the CLESE Board to represent our agency. CLESE (Coalition for Limited Speaking Elderly) is committed to a vision of equal access to services for all elderly, regardless of ethnicity or language. As a coalition, CLESE works to increase awareness of the needs, rights, and unique contributions of limited-English-speaking elderly and the community-based organizations that serve them. Magda will be replacing Bogusia Wazydrag who decided to step down in June. Bogusia has served as a CLESE Board member for the last 5 years and was the Board Secretary from 2009 to 2011. Thank you Bogusia for your contribution!

The Career Center of the Polish American Association invites you to attend a free FAFSA Info Session on Tuesday, September 10 at 6 pm at the Copernicus Foundation Center located at 5216 W. Lawrence Avenue. The presentation will be conducted by a representative of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).

There are still few openings in the fall/winter Citizenship classes. They are starting in September and will continue until January 2013. For registration and information please call Janina.

We are currently registering for the fall CNA classes (both free and tuition). If you are interested please contact Basia Gawronska or Jagoda.

There are still openings in the English as a Second Language and Adult Basic Education classes. They are starting in September and will continue until June 2014. Our offer includes all levels from beginner to advanced. Classes are held on the Northwest and Southwest sides of Chicago, during convenient morning, evening and weekend hours. For more information please call:

• North Side classes-Kasia Koptilin, Mira Krolikowska, Magda Krzeminska, Agnieszka Sobczyk
• South Side classes-Malgosia Bodyziak.

We are still recruiting students for paid Computer classes at our North and South Side locations. For more information and for a class schedule please call Bianka or visit www.polish.org. To register please visit our offices at 3819 N. Cicero or 6276 W. Archer.

Job seekers who are Cook County residents are welcome to visit the employment services at the PAA and enroll in job placement assistance programs. In addition to obtaining assistance in finding jobs, individuals interested in pursuing new careers may be eligible to apply for funding for vocational trainings.  For more information about the employment services and to learn about the program requirements please call Mirella at ext. 412.

Our private pay home care program is looking for new clients. We are asking for your help with spreading the word and we will reward you for referring a client to PAA.  The reward schedule is set up as follows: if the referred client stays with us for a month the reward is $25, it doubles to $50 if the client is being served for 3 months and finally it becomes $100 after 6 months of service provided. If you know of anybody in need of a home care service, please ask them to call Bogusia at ext. 330.

Staff Birthdates and Anniversaries

Happy Birthday and Sto lat to all who are having their birthday in September:

Henryka Blusiewicz, Joanna Ceremon, Cecylia Dudzinski, Stanislawa Falewicz, Danuta Slodyczka-Florek, Jolanta Jablonski, Maria Jandura, Halina Klarich, Magdalena Krzeminska, Radoslaw Misiarz, Gertruda Labedz-Monaco, Marta Pereyra, Teresa Rusin, Barbara Stadnicki, Ewa Susik, Boguslawa Wazydrag, Elzbieta Zaworski

From Gary’s Desk

In case you missed it, PAA was very fortunate to host  a bi partisan Press Conference regarding support of Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the Visa Waiver Program for Poland. A full version of this conference is available on our YouTube channel at: http://youtu.be/sPf8HzWZUxk

In late August, PAA senior management staff and board members met with an initial group of young leaders who will be the next generation of leadership in our organization. What an exciting group! The next meeting will be at the PAA offices later in September with a full tour of our offices and a chance to meet with staff and learn first-hand what wonderful things we do. Stay tuned for more details.

Coming up in the next few weeks:

• the ribbon cutting Open House for our Supervised Visitation Center-yet to be scheduled
• our annual Radio Thon scheduled for Saturday October 5th
• a dinner to honor Sister Rosalita, our founder of the C N A program and raise funds for the Sister Rosalita Scholarship Fund on October 17 (more on this event can be accessed on our web site at http://polish.org/paa-2013-health-fair)
• and finally, a grand opening and Open House at our South Side Office and High Tech Lab-yet to be scheduled.

Have a Wonderful September.

Development News

Annual Gala, the annually biggest fundraising event on November 16 at the Intercontinental Chicago O’Hare Hotel is approaching very fast. We ask all PAA’s employees to please engage in the preparation for this spectacular event by:

• finding sponsors
• securing ads for the Gala Program Book
• obtaining items for the Silent Auction
• selling tickets

There is a great opportunity for Staff to help PAA to raise money and attend our Gala for free! Organize a Table of nine guests of your community partners or friends and obtain the tenth ticket for free. Good luck!
For more info please visit our website: www.polish.org/gala2013. With any question about supporting our Gala please call Barbara Sobecka.

You are cordially invited to participate at our Health Fair to be held in conjunction with our Recognition Dinner on Thursday, October 17th.  It will take place at the White Eagle Banquet Hall in Niles, from 6.30 to 9.30 pm. This event brings together a diverse group of our students, business partners, prospective employers and community organizations.  Following the Fair there will be a dinner reception honoring Sister Rosalita Witrod on her 93rd birthday, for her dedicated service to the mission of the Polish American Association for the last 21 years. By participating at the PAA’s Health Fair you will be supporting our CNA scholarship fund, which enables the Polish American Association to provide financial assistance to the committed and skilled students.  Our scholarship allows our students to participate in the PAA’s well-regarded program, and to fulfill their potential regardless of their financial means.  Please support these students by making a gift to the PAA’s CNA scholarship fund. To purchase a ticket, please complete and return the RSVP form as soon as possible.  You may also visit our website ( www.polish.org/healthfair ) to obtain an on-line RSVP form.  For specific questions, please contact Elzbieta Zaworski at 773-427-6311.  You can also visit our website at www.polish.org/healthfair for updates as the date draws near.

Reminders & Other

Our annual staff meeting/picnic is scheduled for Friday, September 13 from 10 am-2 pm. It will be held again at The Dock at Montrose Beach located at 200 W. Montrose Harbor Drive. More details to follow.

The total of 10,492 clients was helped through PAA programs in FY'13.  The detailed report is posted on the shared drive under Programs.

The replacement of the floor in the Community Room is scheduled to be completed by September 9. It is being planned accordingly so the Food Pantry distribution is not disrupted.  

Be prompt in signing your timesheets! They need to be turned in to Basia NO LATER than by the 5th of the following month.

Be inspired

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt. (Abraham Lincoln)