Donor Spotlight: Fourth Presbyterian Church
Home to many programs that provide services to the needy such as the Chicago Lights program, the Chicago Avenue Community Garden, and a great support of Deborah’s Place, the Fourth Presbyterian Church sits as a hub of worship and charity on Chicago’s famous magnificent mile. Several members of Chicago’s Fourth Presbyterian Church currently volunteer at Deborah’s Place through their service on commissions, and by serving meals to our programs.
In November 2007, we opened On-Site Mini Clinics. As a component of our Health Services program, these clinics will help women improve their health and reduce health crises that require costly emergency room visits. The mini clinics are staffed through partnerships with 4th Presbyterian Church of Chicago’s Center for Whole Health.
Most recently, the Fourth Presbyterian Church showed their support of Deborah’s Place by sponsoring a table at our gala on May 30. Deborah’s Place would like to thank Chicago’s Fourth Presbyterian Church for their continued partnership and assistance in our efforts to break the cycle of homelessness for women in Chicago.
Volunteer Spotlight: Midwest Brain Injury Clubhouse
In April of 2008, Deborah’s Place was contacted by The Midwest Brain Injury Clubhouse, as they were looking for an opportunity to volunteer at another area organization. Located in Chicago’s River North area, The Midwest Brain Injury Clubhouse is a community based day program that provides life long and long term support for individuals with acquired brain injury. The mission of the Clubhouse is to work together to develop and grow to lead productive and fulfilling lives in our homes and in our community.
A group of participants from The Clubhouse started helping out with meal preparation, meal service and cleanup at Dolores’ Safe Haven at the end of April. While the assistance that the group provides is immeasurable to our Safe Haven ladies and staff, Deborah Geisler, the Clubhouse’s Executive Director has said that the experience has meant a whole lot to their participants as well. “Our members often feel like they are always the ones in need. It is such a wonderful feeling for them to know that they too are needed”, says Geisler.
Deborah’s Place is proud to support the work and mission of the Clubhouse and are grateful for the assistance that they provide to the women we serve through our volunteer partnership.
In Brief
Mary Benedetto Says Goodbye to the Safe Haven
As of July 1st, our beloved Mary Benedetto will be transitioning out of Dolores’ Safe Haven as the Program Administrator. Mary’s 10 years at Deborah’s Place have been filled with so much laughter, hard work, and progress. Through the work that she has done to create a sense of community, her legacy will continue at the Safe Haven.
With her usual modesty, Mary insists that she would not have been able to do such good work without the “collaborative effort with the ladies and the Dolores’ staff”. Mary will remain closely connected to Deborah’s Place by working part-time as a case manager at the Rebecca Johnson Apartments. While we wish that we could keep her forever at the Safe Haven, Deborah’s Place is grateful to have Mary Benedetto continue as part of our team.
Thank-Yous and Welcomes
Deborah’s Place says thank you to outgoing board members; Joanna Rupp, Tracy Gainer and Dorothy Yancy. They will continue to be involved in the work of Deborah’s Place and we are grateful for their years of board service.
Deborah’s Place welcomes Gail Russell to the board of Deborah’s Place. Gail is the former Executive Director of Sarah’s Circle, an agency, like Deborah’s Place serving women who are homeless. Gail is also active in her church, Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church and is a member of Chicago Women in Philanthropy.
Message from Outgoing Deborah’s Place Board President - Joanna Rupp
Dear Friends,
I would like to share with you one of the insights that I have gained through my experience with Deborah’s Place. I have always known that I was fortunate, but I did not ever fully comprehend the extent of my blessings and how much I take for granted, until I began working with Deborah’s Place. Every day. I assume that my good physical and mental health will continue, that I will have a home, a job and family and friends to help me through the rough patches.
One of the most striking things about the women of Deborah’s Place is how little many of them can take for granted. For many, none of these things are certain, and they have literally no infrastructure on which to rely. Deborah’s Place becomes that thing which is certain, the home to which they can go and the people on which they can rely. Each of us (as human beings) deserves to be able to take something for granted.
I have also learned that there is something else that I cannot take for granted and that is Deborah’s Place’s role in providing essential services to this vulnerable population. The organization cannot do it without the support of each and every one of us. Together, I hope that we can provide the women of Deborah’s Place with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that they have something on which they can rely!
Best wishes for Deborah’s Place and the women served!
Joanna