Community Relations Commission

Wednesday, November 6, 2024 7:00 to 8:30 pm Gamon Room, Wheaton City Hall I. Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm II. Welcome The Community Relations Commission's purpose is to foster and promote understanding, mutual respect, cooperation, and positive relations in a diverse inclusive community. The Community Relations Commission is also to promote increased participation in all aspects of community life and a sense of shared community among all residents. Welcome new member: Andrew McGady III. Community Presentation: Michelle Watkins, Abundant Children and Family Services Agency was founded in 2019 right before the pandemic Michelle has worked in children and family services, coordinated home visits, and provided child care for 30 years. She’s a person who loves to serve It is located in Wheaton in the Team-Up Co-working building, the agency focuses on poverty and homelessness and helps empower families and educate them on their rights. The agency supplies toiletries and clothing; hosts multiple events (back-to- school, holiday, mobile food pantry, and birthday parties at McDonalds. (Outreach at French Market, COD, Marian Park); serves as a wealth of resources and items for the clients. - In 2023, the agency provided 500 backpacks to students in need, and supplied 1,000 toys and books at its holiday program. - Other areas of assistance include transportation services, a clothes closet, financial assistance, and food for seniors. - Future goals: daycare, support groups, mental health services - Looking for donations, $25 gift cards, as well as partners and collaborations, and toiletries (tissue, laundry detergent, deodorant, and bleach) as well as volunteers - Serves apartments and hotels (seniors, families and children) - Flyers, grassroots networking, registered with 2-1-1 DuPage (resource for those in need - DuPage County Services) IV. Roll Call In person: Meg Beasley, Andrea Clayton, Andrew McGady, Erica Nelson, David Sohmer, Shauna Thorson, Ben Waterman Absent: Kathy Bushong, Scott Chedister, Yvette Diericx, Mike Hodel, Laura Peccarelli COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES November 6, 2024 V. Approval of Minutes a. Approval of minutes from October 2, 2024. David moved to approve the minutes with spelling correction; Andrea seconded. Minutes approved as amended. VI. Old Business a. Annual Report/Budget Update i. Erica attended Wheaton City Council meeting; there were no questions regarding the WCRC report ii. We will make changes based on upcoming planning sessions b. Recap - Wheaton Gives Back (WCRC-led program with partners: Peoples Resource Center, Downtown Wheaton Association, and Wheaton Park District) i. Yvette, Shauna, Erica, Andrea, and Meg were recognized for their efforts. ii. Six big bags were collected at 4 different times (24 total) from Wheaton Library during the month; Wheaton Park District had over 30 bags and 350+ coats-photos; five boxes and four bags from the City of Wheaton; 31 bags and three large boxes were collected. iii. Stuff-a Truck - 7,667 lbs of food and personal care items was collected from 10 schools. Volunteers did sign up through the WCRC’s Website to help unload the donations. c. FOC (WCRC program) i. Recap of Zoom call 1. Document from subcommittee meeting was shared 2. Two potential events were suggested through the meeting a. Outreach with restaurants and walking history event b. Expand and change Festival of Cultures ii. Set up workshop meeting regarding FOC and partner ideas for 2025 1. 90-minute to 2-hour meeting (open meeting) 2. Objective to land on next steps for the Festival and take advantage of culture within the city itself such as restaurants or history 3. Erica will provide multiple dates and times for commissioners to choose from. Targeting a 7-8:30 pm timeframe. VII. New Business a. Poinsettias - tokens of appreciation and partnership to organizations and individuals who have made WCRC programs a success as well as first responders, seniors, city staff, and those who presented to our commission this year. i. Ben will coordinate program ii. Poinsettias are ordered from Wheaton Rotary iii. In 2024, we distributed 15 poinsettias iv. Meg will create cards that will be affixed to the plants b. Women’s History Month (partner program) - Set profile theme i. Women of Wheaton profile. Last year our theme was visual arts. 1. We determined that we would focus on not-for-profit leadership a. WCRC will brainstorm women to profile c. Downtown Wheaton Association – Christmas Tree Walk i. DWA is bringing back the Christmas Tree walk - Display of 4-foot trees, organizations decorate trees, we use clear bulbs and ask for donations 2 COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES November 6, 2024 ii. Andrea made a motion to participate in the tree walk for a fee of $50; Meg seconded. The motion carried. iii. We determined that this year’s beneficiary will be Abundant Children and Family Services Agency. VIII. Public Comment IX. Adjournment Meeting was adjourned at 8:15 by consensus December 7, 2024 Chair, Community Relations Commission Date 3