Commission on Family Services

Commission on Family Services Meeting Minutes – Skokie Village Hall Feb. 5, 2025 7:00 pm Present: Harold Primack (Chair), Commissioners Sharon Cohen, Jo Hammerman, Shajan Jose (Vice Chair), Daniel Mann, Peggy Molina, Arnie Oskin, Melissa Ponce, Erin Ryan, Nancy Schwartz, Phillip Shefren, Daniel Stalilonis, London Summerville, Melissa Versch (Staff Liaison) Absent: Commissioners Michelle Friedman, Marjorie Goran, Hilary Hunter, Linda Lara, Naadirah Muhammad (Shapley-Wells), Valerie Riley, Annie Shear, Trustee Edie Sue Sutker I. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda Meeting called to order at 7:00pm. Agenda approved by consent. II. Approval December Minutes Approved with correction. III. Guest Speaker: Fatima Rasoul, Community Engagement Specialist, HIAS Immigration and Citizenship Postponed until March meeting. IV. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack Chair Primack provided an overview of new business to discuss. Commissioners are encouraged to participate in Village events to help promote the Commission on Family Services activities, including the Diaper Drive and Donation Drives. Subcommittees are encouraged to generate new ideas for commission initiatives. Commissioner Daniel Mann will be resigning as he has accepted a new position out of state. He expressed gratitude for the Commission. V. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch Invitations have been sent out for the Boards and Commissions Reception to be held on March 4. As an extension site for Salvation Army, Village of Skokie Human Services is able to assist with Nicor bills for low to moderate income households with a past-due balance or for seniors. Any Skokie resident who might need assistance or would like more information can reach out to the Human Services Division. VI. Old Business: A. Seniors Subcommittee – Report Jo Hammerman reported that the new name for the senior resource fair, formerly Boomers and Beyond, is Live Well Age Well Skokie. The event will take place on November 7, 2025. The next planning committee meeting is February 19 at the library. The committee is looking for engaging and experiential speakers. Commissioners will be needed to help out the day of the event, and are invited to participate in the planning stage.  B. At-Risk Youth and Families Subcommittee – Report London Summerville reported that the Mother’s Day Diaper Drive will be a little longer than a week, from May 2 to 11. The subcommittee is considering including the Park District and other expanded locations. A suggestion was made to advertise on digital signage within the Village. C. Disabilities Subcommittee – Report Melissa Versch reported that the Village ADA Coordinator has reached out to organizations to request guidance with conducting a self-assessment and transition plan. Chair Primack discussed emergency preparedness in regards to people with disabilities, in light of recent events with wildfires in California. Commissioner Michelle Friedman wrote an article on the topic. Peggy Molina shared that the Chicago Hearing Society will be presenting about emergency response at the Skokie Medical Reserve Corps meeting on April 23 at 6:30pm at the Skokie Police Department. VII. New Business: A. Commission budget The Village budget meetings will be scheduled soon. The Commission’s requested budget will remain at $1200. Funding can be used for materials needed for commission events. Arnie Oskin may work with Melissa Versch to update the commission brochure. B. Village events: 1. Festival of Cultures 2. 4th of July Parade 3. Other If enough commissioners are interested in participating in the Fourth of July parade, Chair Primack may talk with the Appearance Commission about collaborating. Melissa Versch shared a list of additional scheduled events that may be of interest, including Skokie Pride and Juneteenth. These events may be an opportunity to collaborate with the Human Relations Commission. C. Signup Genius for Produce Initiative and food and clothes drive London Summerville was asked to help set up a volunteer sign-up for the summer farmers market produce collection and donation drives. Melissa Versch reported that the Winter Market is coordinating monthly donation drives and may be interested in volunteers to help. VIII. Public Comments: None. IX. Adjournment at 7:38p.m. Next Meeting: March 5, 2025, 7:00 p.m. at Skokie Village Hall