Commission on Family Services

Commission on Family Services Meeting Minutes – Skokie Village Hall Feb. 7, 2024 7:00 pm Present: Commissioners Harold Primack (Chair), Jo Hammerman, Hilary Hunter, Shajan Jose (Vice Chair), Daniel Mann, Peggy Molina, Melissa Ponce, Nancy Schwartz, Annie Shear, Phillip Shefren, London Summerville, Trustee Edie Sue Sutker, Melissa Versch (Staff Liaison) Absent: Commissioners Michelle Friedman, Marjorie Goran, Laila Iqbal, Linda Lara, Arnie Oskin, Valerie Riley, Naadirah Shapley-Wells, Daniel Stalilonis I. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda Meeting called to order at 7:09pm. Agenda approved by consent. II. Approval of Dec. 6, 2023 Minutes Approved by consent. III. Speaker: Annmarie Milazzo-Benuzzi, Youth Outreach Coordinator Annmarie Milazzo-Benuzzi presented on the Village of Skokie Youth Outreach Program, which is an early intervention and prevention program for youth who are ticketed for violating Skokie local ordinances. The program works in partnership with youth, their families, Village of Skokie, Skokie Police Department, Circuit Court of Cook County, Skokie schools and other social service agencies. Goals include providing social services and educational programs, accountability for actions, reduction in repeat offenses and diversion from further court action. Court advocates can make recommendations to the judge, such as community service, assessment and counseling, education and treatment. IV. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack The Mayor’s office sent out invitations to an Appreciation Reception for commission and board members. The reception is March 13 at Holiday Inn. RSVP is requested by March 1. The commission’s brochure will need to be updated for this year to include the Town Hall meeting, which will have taken place. Also needed are the food and clothes drive dates. Diapers should be listed as one of the items needed for the food pantry. The brochures have been useful for handing out at events. Melissa V and Arnie may work together on the update. Regarding the Fourth of July Parade, there was not much interest in having the commission participate last year. If the commission would like to participate in the parade this year, Harold will need to talk with the chair of the Beautification Commission soon. V. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch The Assist-A-Family Program, which provides gift cards to families in need during the holiday season, gave out over 1100 gift cards to 290 Skokie families. Most families are people who worked with Human Services during the year and experienced a hardship. All are low-income. The gift cards were in denominations of $30 to Walmart, Target or Jewel. The program is funded by generous donations from community members. It also helps fund the year-round emergency financial program. Harold asked if there is a role for the commission in the program. Melissa responded that the biggest need is funding. The Emergency Assistance Program helps people who have fallen behind on rent or utilities, and the need is high. Donations are accepted year-round. Campaigning has included information in the Skokie newsletter, outreach at events like the Thanksgiving Interfaith Service and letters to previous donors and local businesses. VI. Old Business: A. Seniors Subcommittee Nothing to report. B. At-Risk Youth and Families Subcommittee London reported that the last discussion held by the subcommittee was regarding a possible diaper drive in May, perhaps in collaboration with other organizations. C. Disabilities Subcommittee - Town Hall Meeting Phil reported that the subcommittee has been meeting monthly with partner organizations. The event date is April 14 at the library. There is a need for volunteers to help lead discussion and take notes. The event has a capacity of 36 registered participants. There will be nine groups of four with a moderator to help guide discussion and a note taker. The library has a data analyst to help with the information collected. All people who self-identify as disabled are invited to participate. Partner agencies will advertise to the people in the community that they serve. Questions will include, “What makes you feel welcome? What has been good?” Any suggestions can be sent to Michelle Friedman. To help as a volunteer, contact Melissa Versch. VII. New Business: A. Date for dinner meeting May 1 is being considered for a dinner meeting. Shajan is willing to help with the food order. Grecian Kitchen has delivered food in the past, but any local restaurant may be used. B. Commission budget for 2024 Budget meetings are being scheduled for April 11, April 25 and May 1. The requested budget is the same as previous years, which has met the needs of the commission. C. Sub-committee breakout sessions and reports Deferred. D. Trustee Sutker commented that she has noticed all the nice things the commission has been doing. Though she was unable to attend Boomers and Beyond, great things were said about that event and the diaper drive. She states she is really excited about the upcoming Town Hall meeting. Trustee Sutker stated that it can be difficult to get to commission meetings due to an overwhelming amount of village business, but she keeps up with the minutes and hopes to come again in a few months. Trustee Sutker expressed gratefulness for all the work the commission is doing. VIII. Public Comments: None. IX. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:00pm. Next Meeting: March 6, 2024, 7:00 p.m. at Skokie Village Hall