Community Relations Commission

Wednesday, November 1, 2023 7:00 to 8:30 pm Gamon Room, Wheaton City Hall In-Person or Virtual Attendance I. Call to Order David called the meeting to order at 7:11 pm II. Welcome III. Roll Call In Person: Meg Beasley, Andrea Clayton, Sam Hardy, Laura Peccarelli, Saleha Jawaid, David Sohmer, and Ben Waterman Via Zoom: Erica Nelson, Angela Welker* Absent: Scott Chedister,, Mike Hodel, Marco Scola, and Ines Valdez *approved work-related commitments or illness Bari Weiss from the Wheaton Public Library was in attendance as well. IV. Approval of Minutes Motion from Laura to approve minutes as presented, seconded by Ben. Minutes approved. V. Old Business a. Wheaton Gives Back Recap - WCRC program with partners i. Stuff a Truck brought in approximately 15,600 pounds of food and personal care items for PRC. This is a solid increase over last year’s drive which brought in 10,300 pounds. ii. Will pick up items from the Wheaton Gives Back donations on Saturday, November 4 at 9:30 am. Commissioners asked to help if available. b. “Reintroduction of Native Americans into Illinois” partner program on November 2 i. 119 registered (67 in-person) and will be on the library website c. Speakers for upcoming CRC meetings - beginning January 2024 i. Commission members to identify local/Wheaton-based nonprofit organizations, 501(c)(3), that support Wheaton residents ii. Focus on organizations that serve Veterans, Seniors,Special Needs residents and others for 15-20 minute overview of their mission, focus, opportunities, Q&A 1. Stars Family Services - David has a contact there 2. Mary Lubke Center (Wheaton Park District) 3. 6000 Moms (helping local families who are trying to get visas or other documents) 4. Peoples Resource Center 5. Special needs through District 200 (Andrea has a contact) 6. Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans a. Talk with Paul Bischoff about veteran groups 7. Midwest SOARRING Foundation 8. Inform and invite the Wheaton City Council to attend for these presentations VI. New Business COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES November 1, 2023 a. Poinsettias - need a commissioner to oversee the program (outreach program) Ben will oversee program. i. Larger poinsettias are $18 each and smaller are $14 and will be delivered on November 29 and 30; target December 1 or December 2 for delivery ii. Budget is $300 iii. Reorganize a list of organizations to deliver (about 15 in 2022) iv. Senior Centers will be added to deliveries (4-5 locations) v. A card will accompany the plants b. Budget/Annual Report update i. Christmas tree walk is no longer happening per Downtown Wheaton Association ii. Budget meeting has been moved to Monday, December 11 council meeting. During that time Erica will also provide a recap of Festival of Cultures. c. Partner program focus for 2024 i. Black History Month - Partner programs 1. Vote to spend $200 on opportunity to partner with library for program with Fruteland Jackson who will share history of blues through music on Sunday, February 11 at 2 pm a. Motion to spend $200 for Fruteland Jackson by Laura seconded by Andrea. Approved. 2. Ideas for additional programming - Wheaton College Gospel Choir a. Director has written a book overview of music and the choir 3. Identify commissioner to take the lead on these programs. Laura will oversee program. ii. Women’s History Month - Partner programs 1. Vote to spend $133 on living history program featuring Megan Wells as Clara Barton - March 21 in partnership with library and League of Women Voters 2. Meg motioned that we spend $133 to partner with the library and League of Women Voters and Library to host. Laura seconded. Approved. 3. Identify commissioner to coordinate We Are Women Art Exhibit partner program with DuPage Art League Erica and Andrea will coordinate the art program. d. Request from Midwest SOARRING Foundation for CRC Partner Program Support in 2024 i. Existing partner in FOC as a performer and booth ii. 2024 Pow Wow on October 12-13 at the DuPage County Fairgrounds iii. Request to have Midwest SOARRING attend early 2024 meeting e. College of DuPage and Glen Ellyn Community Relations Commission invitation to register for Refugee simulation on November 16 in COD Student Services Building Room: 3245 i. Sponsored by Exodus World Service (affiliated with World Relief) ii. Help refugees get settled iii. Contact: Joan DiPiero (630) 942-3872 to register for the simulation VII. Public Comment VIII. Adjournment Laura moved to adjourn and Ben seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 8:21 pm. December 7, 2023 2 Chair, WCRC Date