Commission on Family Services

Commission on Family Services Meeting Agenda – Skokie Village Hall June 5, 2024 7:00 pm Present: Commissioners Harold Primack (Chair), Jo Hammerman, Hilary Hunter, Shajan Jose (Vice Chair), Linda Lara, Daniel Mann, Peggy Molina, Naadirah Muhammad (Shapley-Wells), Arnie Oskin, Melissa Ponce, Erin Ryan, Nancy Schwartz, Annie Shear, Phillip Shefren, London Summerville, Melissa Versch (Staff Liaison) Absent: Commissioners Michelle Friedman, Marjorie Goran, Laila Iqbal, Valerie Riley, Daniel Stalilonis, Trustee Edie Sue Sutker I. Dinner II. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda Call to order at 7:24pm. Agenda approved by consent. III. Approval of May 1, 2024 Minutes Approved by consent. IV. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack Chairman Harold Primack acknowledged the great work done by the commission over the last year. The food and clothing drives in 2023 collected an estimated 7300lbs of fresh produce, 760lbs of non- perishables and toiletries, and 150 bags of clothing. Partnerships included Village of Health and Human Services, St. Paul Lutheran Church and Niles Township Food Pantry. Thank you to London Summerville for organizing the volunteer sign-ups. In November, Boomers and Beyond Senior Resource Fair was brought back after a four-year hiatus in partnership with community organizations. There were 430 guests, over 40 vendors and 6 speakers. Thank you to Jo Hammerman and the planning committee for efforts on the event. The At-Risk Youth and Families subcommittee hosted two diaper drives, which collected 10,000 and 14,000 diapers. In April, the subcommittee for People with Disabilities held a Town Hall meeting to hear from residents with disabilities in collaboration with several organizations. Thank you to the subcommittee for their work. Thank you to the Commission for a very successful year V. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch Staff Liaison Melissa Versch reported that Health and Human Services opened the Emergency Financial Assistance Program May 1. The program helps residents who are past-due on rent or at risk of utility disconnection. HHS often partners with other organizations to provide financial assistance, including Niles Township and St. Vincent de Paul. The goal is to get applicants connected with resources, such as employment or caregiver support, so that they are able to pay future rent. VI. Old Business: A. Seniors Subcommittee - Update The Seniors Subcommittee will start planning for the next community resource fair in the fall. B. At-Risk Youth and Families Subcommittee – Diaper drive report London Summerville reported that the Mother’s Day Diaper Drive collected 50% more donations than the November 2023 drive. Drop-off sites were expanded. The subcommittee would like to repeat the event next Mother’s Day. C. Disabilities Subcommittee - Town Hall Meeting report  Phil Shefren stated that the subcommittee is working on a report from the April Town Hall meeting. D. Produce Initiative and food and clothes drives  June 30, July 28, August 18, Sept 29, Oct 27 Commissioners are encouraged to sign up to volunteer for the farmers market produce collections and donation drives. Melissa Versch shared the SignUp Genius links with the library’s teen volunteer program. E. Festival of Cultures – Report Arnie Oskin reported there was wonderful volunteer participation for the Festival of Cultures. The updated brochure was passed out. A commissioner asked if the brochure could be translated. The response was that the information is available on the website, where it can be translated. F. 4th of July Parade Arnie Oskin gave an update from the Fourth of July planning committee. There are 71 registered participants. Harold will let the Beautification Commission know if the Commission on Family Services has enough volunteers to collaborate on the float. A suggestion was made to make commission t-shirts, which can be worn for outreach events. Harold invited any interested commissioners to look into the cost. Any requests or changes to the budget should be made early. G. National Night Out – August 6, 2024 4pm – 7pm VII. New Business: A commissioner suggested considering Commission participation in the Skokie Pride event. A recommendation was made to create an Excel Spreadsheet of events, which might help the Commission determine the best events for outreach. A recommendation was made to recruit commissioners that represent diverse groups, in order to look like Skokie. Introductions around the table were made. Thank you to Shajan Jose for ordering food for the meeting. VIII. Public Comments: Citizen Teela Mims gave praise to the Commission for the year’s accomplishments. IX. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:06pm. Next Meeting: Sept, 4, 2024, 7:00 p.m. at Skokie Village Hall