1996-08-29 - Committee on Aging - Minutes � �
Buffalo Grove Joint Commission on Aging
Service Providers
Follow Up Meeting Summary
August 29, 1996
Joint Commission Members in Attendance: Gina Sheade,Steve Perlis,Diane Breslow,Karolyn Swanson,
Laura Werner,and Park District Staff Liaison Dan Schimmel.
Guests Present: Richard Chierico-District#214,Dottie LeBrun-55 Alive,Mary Jo Reid- State
Representative Verna Clayton's Office.
Summary: Because of the low attendance,the groups did not"break out"as originally planned. Instead,each
of the Service Providers presente€�more information or.th�types of services they provide. In addition,
Commission members were free to ask for clarification and to add any comments they may have had related
to the topics discussed.
Ri�hard Cherico. School District#214 Communitv Education Director
Mr Cherico reviewed the following services hi program provides along with points of interest related to these
services:
-The Community Education programs are self supporting. T'hey are not tax supported,but do receive a large
number of grants and donations to assist them.
-Their total budget is$1,200,000,serving 50,000 people in 8 communities.
-Their mission is to embrace the concept of"life long learning"and to assure their service area that
opportunities are provided for all.
-To accomplish this mission,they have 90 active partnerships with businesses,municipal agencies,and
others.
-They participate in the Senior Celebration Day at Randhurst.
-Some of their programs for seniors include: Intergenerational Programs at the High Schools,
Intergenerational Prom,Adult Literacy in 24 sites(actually this is for all adults).
-Intention is to dedicate 40,000 sq feet of space at the former Rooseveit University for a senior center.
-Looks to embrace some innovations,such as: The Harbor Springs High School program where seniors and
students attend classes in the same school for credit. Includes a"Senior Cheerleading Squad."
-They also recognize that juvenile delinquency is a major problem and that involving seniors in school helps
with discipline and positive mentoring in the schools.
Mary Jo Reid� tate Representative Verna Cla,yton's Office• Mary Jo stressed that though they do sponsor a
wide variety of informative seminars and lect�.ues on topics concerning seniors,they really specialize in the
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"one on one"services that they provide. Much of their time is spent on helping citizens work through
situations where they feel they have been disenfranchised. They don't lmow where to go or who to turn to,so
they call their legislator's of�ice. The legislator and his or her aides then help bring about a positive solution
to the concern. Seminars they have provided include topics on:transportatioq housing,Medicare,social
security benefits,personal fmances,insurance and insurance fraud,and education programs for seniors.
Dottie Lebrun-55 Alive:
Dottie explained her involvement with AARP's 55 Alive program and commented on their participation in
the Buffalo Grove Park District. She also commented on her personal involvement with the programs
through the Buff'alo Grove Park District and the difficulties of moving our clients from a user of services to a
contributor of service mentality. They don't seem interested in volunteering.
Karolyn commented that transportation continues to be a major problem in the community with the lack of
routes,restricted service hows and inconsistencies between communities on"who does what". She did
mention that volunteers at St. Mary's had become very active in providing transportation for seniors needing
doctors care.
There was general discussion on the Directory of Senior Services,using the Volunteer Service Center to help
support ow programs,Community Resources Learning Program(High School Credit for Community
Service),and possible involvement with the Interfaith Council. In concluding our discussions,Mr. Cherico
suggested that the Commission establish its goals,pick one or two projects for the year,and complete that
project.