www.almosthomekids.org Summer20161

CaityandMaryPat(AHK’sPhysicalTherapist)arehardatworkonthetherapymatinthekitcheninNaperville.ThereareplentyoftoysaroundtokeepCaityfocusedonthefunsideoftherapy,butit’salotofeffortforthisvivaciousandcuriousseventeen-monthold.Caitycancombatcrawl,sitwithminimalsupportandisadeptatbringingherfoottohermouth-allnewlyacquiredskillsthatmakethesessionlookmorelikeplay-timethantherapydespitethehardwork.TwomonthsagothiswouldhavebeendifficultandbarelytolerableforCaity.HertransformationhasbeenthanksinparttothetherapistsatAlmostHomeKidsgradualandregularPTsessionsandherpersonalizedcareschedulethatwascarefullycreatedbyhersubspecialistsatAnn&RobertH.LurieChildren’sHospitalofChicago,theclinicalteamatAlmostHomeKidsandherprimarycarephysician.

Caityspentagreatdealofherfirstyearinandoutofthehospital,andwhileseekingasecondopinionatLurieChildren’sherparentslearnedaboutAlmostHomeKids.ItwasanepiphanyforherparentswhoknewfromthefirstmomenttheycameforatourofAlmostHomeKidsinNaperville,thatthiswastheperfectplaceforCaitywhiletheypreparedtheirnearbyLockporthomeforherreturn.

Caity’s Journey

HomeNewsSummer 2016

IN THIS ISSUE

Thecloseproximityhasmeantthatmom,dad,grandmaandbigbrotherDrewallgettovisitfrequently,andduringthetimesherfamilycan’tbewithher,Caitylovestospendtimewiththevolunteersandthechildlifespecialistreading,dancingandplayinggames.

ThecasemanagementandsocialworkteamatAlmostHomeKidsalsohelpedtoenrollthefamilywiththeDivisionofSpecializedCareforChildren(DSCC),apartnershipbetweentheUniversityofIllinoisatChicagoandtheStateofIllinoiswhichhelpsfamiliesofchildrenwithchronicmedicalcomplexities.DSCChelpstomakethetransitionhomesafeforCaityandherfamily,butalsofor“Sally”,thenameCaity’sbrothergavetoherbrandnewventilator!Ittrulytakesavillagetocareforachildwithcomplexmedicalneeds,andweareproudtobeapartofthatvillageforCaity.

Caity loves visits with her brother and grandmother!

Caity and AHK’s Physical Therapist, Mary Pat

OurEventsHealing Garden Summer Soirée

4

OurEventsParis in Springtime No Place Like Home Golf Marathon

6CoverStoryCaity’s Journey

OurSupportersSharing the Care... Matching Gifts

2

1

OurCommunity National Nurses Week

8

OurCommunity Volunteers of the Quarter Wish List

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2

Our Supporters

Sharing the Care... Respite For When It’s Needed Mostby Teresa Pedroza, Mother of Danny and Gabriel, Member, AHK Naperville President’s Council

Forseveralyearsnow,AlmostHomeKidshasbeenapartofmanymomentsinmyfamily’slife.Ittookawhileforustosharethecareofoursonwithanyoneoutsideofourfamily,butitwasclearfromhisveryfirststay,thatAHKwasthemostqualifiedandmostcaringplacethatIcouldentrustDanny’scaretoinmyabsence.He’s17yearsoldnow,butIcanstillcountthenumberofnightshehasspentawayfrommealtogether-that’showfewtheyhavebeen.

TherespitecareprogramhasallowedmetoshareexcitingmomentswithmyyoungestsonGabrielatfarawaysoccerevents.Afewyearsago,IwasblessedtotraveltoTexastocelebratemyaunt’s90thbirthdaywithher.MyhusbandCarlosandIhadtheopportunitytotraveltoUtahwherehereceivedanawardfromworkandweenjoyedamini-vacationatthesametime.InJanuaryofthisyear,weenjoyedajam-packedweekendoffunindowntownChicagowherewegottoenjoyeachother’scompanylikewehadn’tinalongtime.NoneoftheseHAPPYmomentswouldhavebeenpossiblewithoutAlmostHomeKids.

ThispastSpring,myhusbandacceptedanewpositionathiscompanyinOrlando,Florida.Whiletheprospectofmovingtoawarmerclimatewasextremelyappealing,I

wasalsosadknowingthatIwouldbeleavingfamilyandfriendsbehind,includingourrelationshipwithAlmostHomeKids.HemoveddowninAprilandtheboysandIstayedbehindwaitingfortheschoolyeartoend.ThiswasaBITTERSWEETmoment.

OnMay2nd,IwasdrivingtopickupGabrielfromschool,whenthephonerang.IansweredandCarlossaid,inashakyvoice,“Here,talktothedoctor.”HehadgonetotheEmergencyRoomearlierthatdayforaverybadstomachache(remember,he’sinFlorida,theboysandIarestillinIllinois).Appendicitis?Gallstones?Thenewswasmuchmoreseverethanthat.ThedoctortoldmethataCTScanrevealedaverysuspiciousmassonCarlos’kidneyandthattheyweregoingtotransferhimtoanotherhospitalforasurgicalconsultation.ThiswasaSHOCKINGmoment.

IknewIhadtogetdowntoFloridaimmediatelybuthow?Thereweresomanyquestions,somanydecisionsthatneededtobemadeinamatterofhours.TheveryfirstphonecallImadewastoAlmostHomeKids.Amazingly,theywereabletoaccommodateDannyforanemergencyrespitecarevisitstartingtheverynextday.Gabrielwouldbecaredforbyclosefriends.IfeltlikeaTREMENDOUSweighthadbeenliftedoffofourshoulders.Ihadnever,EVER,neededAHKasmuchasIneededthematthat

Danny especially enjoyed art therapy with Rita at one of his recent respite stays

www.almosthomekids.org Summer20163

Double Your Impact With Matching Gifts

moment.Within24hoursafterthatfirstphonecallfromFlorida,DannywasbeingcaredforbythededicatedstaffatAHKandIwasatmyhusband’sbedsidediscussingsurgicaloptions.ThiswasaGRATEFULmoment.

IthasbeenalmosttwomonthssinceCarloshadhishealthscareandIamhappytoreportthatheisrecoveringwell.Ihadtobetherewithhimtohelpmakelife-changingdecisionsregardinghishealthandtosupporthimduringthismostdifficulttime.ItwouldhavebeenIMPOSSIBLEtobethereforhimifAlmostHomeKidswasnotthereforus.WhenyouaretheparentofachildlikeDanny,youcan’trelyonthekindnessoffriendsandfamilyaloneintimesofcrisis.IttakesthespecializedcareofferedbythestaffatAlmostHomeKidstotakecareofchildrenwithspecialmedicalneedsintheabsenceoftheirregularcaregivers.Dannytakesmedicationseveraltimesaday,isfedbyafeedingtube,needstobemonitoredforseizures,hastobesuctionedonoccasiontohelpclearhisairway-theseandsomanyotherthingsarepartofhiseverydayneedsthatcannotbecarriedoutbyjustanyoneaswillingastheymaybetohelp.AHKhasbeenthereforfamilieslikeoursinthegoodtimes—andthebad.AHK’srespitecareprogramisanessential,crucial,andlifechangingprograminourcommunityandhasproventimeandtimeagaintobeavitalpartofmyfamily’slife.WewillforeverbegratefulfortheseFORTUNATEmoments.

ACTION ALERT:Duetothestatenotpassingacompletebudget,respitecareforfamilieslikethePedroza’shasnotbeenfunded.Now,morethanever,AlmostHomeKidsneedsyoursupporttocontinuetoprovidethiscriticalneedforsomanyfamilies.Pleasegiveasgenerouslyasyoucan;visitwww.AlmostHomeKids.organdclickDonateorusetheenvelopeprovided.

Wouldn’titbegreatifeachtimeyoumadeacharitablegiftitwasmagicallymultipliedby2,oreven3?Itcanbe!Over65%ofFortune500companiesoffermatchinggiftprogramsforemployeecharitabledonations.Andit’snotjustthelargecompanies,manysmalltomid-sizeemployersarealsojumpingonthematchinggiftsbandwagon.

AskyourHRdepartmentifyouareunsureofwhetherornotyourcompanyhasamatchinggiftprogram.AlmostHomeKidsishappytoworkwithyourcompanyandsubmittheappropriatedocumentationforyourgifts…youjustneedtoletthemknowwhenyoumakeacontribution,andwetakeitfromthere!

The Pedroza Family pose with one of their donation drives of essential items for the children at AHK

Dom and his father, Karl, playing the guitar together

“My wife and I take full advantage of the matching gift program at Merrill Lynch so our donations can have twice the impact! While it does require some extra steps to apply for the match, most companies have automated the process to make it easy and efficient. It’s a pleasure to support Almost Home Kids, which plays a vital role in the healthcare system, and in the lives of so many families, like ours, who benefit from their services” — Karl Maurer, Father of Dom

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Our Events

Healing Garden DedicationBoardandPresident’sCouncilMembersaswellasGardendonorsof$1,000ormorejoinedtheCurranFamilyonMay24,2016fortheofficialdedicationoftheMargaretM.andThomasM.Curran,Sr.HealingGardenatAlmostHomeKidsNaperville.ItwasabeautifuleveningcelebratingthememoryandlegacyofMargaretandThomasCurran,Sr.GuestsadmiredthelandscapeanduniqueartisticelementsthatpromotehealingandsolaceforchildrenandfamiliesatAHKNaperville.Duetospaceconstraints,wewereunabletoinviteeveryonewhosupportedtheGardentotheDedicationceremony;pleasecontactJudithMcLean(jmclean@almosthomekids.org)ifyouandyourfamilywouldlikeapersonaltouroftheGarden.

Three generations of the Curran family

Scott, Judy, Sophia and Ella Johnson at the fountain named in Celebration of Euan McLean (donated by Jim English and JoAnn Crowe)

Whimsical sculptures and tribute brick pavers and plaques define the space in the Healing Garden

www.almosthomekids.org Summer20165

Summer Soirée

TheFourthtimewasacharmfortheannualSummerSoiréeonJune16,2016.ClearskiesandcoolsummerbreezeswelcomedguestsaboardtheiconicColumbiaYachtClubforanightofblues,funandfundraisingforthechildrenofAlmostHomeKidsChicago.Inadditiontoouramazingandaccomplishedeventcommittee,we’dliketogivespecialshout-outstoWGN’sPattiVasquezwhoservedasourhostandkeptthecrowdlaughing,toDJMorganandtheStreetJaxksonBandfortop-shelfentertainment,andtoCarlyDiedrich,whowasawardedourinauguralYABLeadershipAward.MassesofthankstoCSMagazineandtheDesignCenteratTheMartfortheirsponsorshipsupport,andtoTahanyYassinfromChitownPhotography.

Emcee Patti Vasquez (WGN Radio) Swoon Technology Resources volunteer group

Carley Diedrich, YAB Leadership Award recipient

Summer Soirée Committee

6

Our Events

Paris In SpringtimeEsplanadeLakesinDownersGrovewastransformedinto“ParisinSpringtime”foranightonFriday,April22,2016.Guestsmingledoverchampagnecocktailstothevintagesoundsofastrollingaccordionist,enjoyinggreatcompanyforagreatcause:theannualgalasupportingAlmostHomeKids’Napervillehome.

Thankstoabevyofnewsponsorsandsupporters,theeventraisedmorethan$130,000forAHKNaperville…ourmostsuccessfulsuburbaneventtodate!EventChair

Event Awardees Dr. Kathleen Ruroede, Lendlease and the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District

Paris in Springtime Committee Master of Ceremonies Ben Bradley and Event Chair, Kathy Wennerstrum

KathyWennerstrumandherfabulouscommitteecreatedamemorableeveningincludingluxurioussilentandliveauction,andasublimeRaffleandWineGrab.GuestswereremindedofthetruemeaningoftheirattendancebytheinspirationalwordsofTeresaPedroza,whoeloquentlysharedherfamily’sexperiencewithRespiteCareatAlmostHomeKids.GettoknowTeresaandherfamily’sjourneywithAlmostHomeKidsonthepreviouspageintheOurSupporterssection.

www.almosthomekids.org Summer20167

There’snodoubtthattheAHKYoungAssociatesBoardknowshowtothrowaparty.Morethan175youngprofessionalsfromChicagoandbeyondcameoutforthe2ndannual“NoPlaceLikeHome”eventatStudioParisonMay6,2016.DJDIOXprovidedtheambience,asall

Golf MarathonThankyoutoallourgolfersthatenduredtheextremetemperaturesatourannualGolfMarathonattheZigfieldTroyGolfCourse.100holeswasthegoal,andeveryoneonthecourseachievedthis,plusraisedalmost$30,000forAlmostHomeKidsintheprocess.MarkHoffmanwon

Committed to the Cause: 2016 Golf Marathon Participants

enjoyedsignaturecocktails,fantasticappsandadiverseassortmentofraffleprizes.Over$30,000wasraisedatthisveryfunevent.IfyouareinterestedinlearningmoreabouttheYABpleaseemailHannahathjhevans@gmail.com.

thelowscoreprizewhileMartyKoehlerwontheprizeformostmoneyraisedwithastaggeringtotalof$8,550!!GolfTime,ZeroFrictionGolfGearandShanahan’sallsupportedtheeventwithawesomedonationstomakethedayextraspecialforthegolfers.

AHK Young Associates Board’s “No Place Like Home”

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Our Community

EachyearFlorenceNightingale’sbirthdayonMay12marksthelastdayofNationalNursesWeek.Itisafittingtributetothefounderofprofessionalnursingasherworkinthemid1800’sinEnglandrevolutionizedtheprofessionandadvancedallaspectsoftheoccupation.Since1896theAmericanNursesAssociationhasfocusedontheweek(May6thtoMay12th)asawayofhighlightingtheimportanceofnursingandacknowledgingthevitalpartnursingplaysinthehealthcaresystemintheUS.

AlmostHomeKidsisthrilledtohonorthattraditionandcelebratesbytreatingournursesthroughouttheweek-providingthemwithdeliciousmeals,dessert&appetizertreats,musicalperformances,giftbagsandahouse-giftatbothlocations.Wearethankfultoourdonorsandneighborstohelpsupportusintheseeffortsandareverygratefultoeachandeveryoneofthethoughtfulpeople,groupsandcorporationsthatcontributedthisyearandinmanyyearspreviously!

OurCommunityOutreachCoordinator,LisaSnow,setsagoaleachyeartogothatextramiletopamperall61ofourclinicalstafffortheweek,andshehasalotofhelptoaccomplishthis!Therewasadeliciouslunch&cakedonatedbyPortillo’s,sandwichesdonatedfromtheStreetervillePotbelly,pizza&saladdonatedbyIndependencePlusandInTouchSolutions,HighTealunchfromTheDrakeHotel,HomemadebreadsfromlongtimevolunteerMickey,gourmetappetizers&dessertsplusa

National Nurses Week Annual Celebration

Sarah Tromans (member of the President’s Council) and Ann O’Riordan brought High Tea courtesy of The Drake

Jayme Squire with Trevon and staff

“We enjoyed all the treats and special treatment we received during Nurses week, especially the High Tea, that made us feel really appreciated” — Emily Nietz, RN

www.almosthomekids.org Summer20169

Intouch Solutions provided pizza and dessert

Independence Plus treats the AHK Clinical Staff to lunch and gifts

verygenerousmonetarydonationfortheweekfromtheMcCallionfamily,deliciousdesserts&dinnerfromNapervilleNationalCharityLeague,breakfastfromLewisUniversityStudentNursesAssociation,musicandsingingwiththeverytalentedJaymeSquire,GoRomalunchfromourfriendsatJMGFinancial,DairyQueenice-creamcakefromvolunteerMartha’sfamily,ourannualhomemadepeachcobblerfromDestinee,andlastbutnotleast...carwashesforthenursesfromourvolunteergroupwithLibertyMutual!Thenurse’sgiftbagswerefilledwithitems

fromLurieChildren’s,Illinicare,Avon,EPICHealthServices,CowlishawCareskidsclub,andourkindneighborsatWoodridgeSeniorsCraftingforaCause.Itwasafestiveweekthatthechildrenenjoyedwatchingunfold!

Wearesofortunatetohavetheseverycaringsupportersrisetotheoccasionwhenweneedthemmost!Kudo’stoallinvolvedwithrecognizingtheeffortsourclinicalstaffaccomplishes24/7!

“The generosity of our volunteers is absolutely incredible. Throughout Nurses Week we received gifts, lunches and lots of sweets. It truly made all of us nurses feel so valued and even more proud of what we do” — Katie Matthews, RN

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Our Community

ThevolunteerprogramisanintegralpartofAlmostHomeKids-recreational,administrativeandevent-relatedvolunteeringmakesthedifferenceatAHKandgreatlyenhancesthelivesofthechildrenweserveandourabilitytoprovideauniqueandexceptionalhome-likesetting.Eachyearhundredsoftalentedvolunteersgenerouslygivetheirtimeandtalentsinmanydifferentways–readingtothechildrenorplayinggames,assistingourstaffwithadministrativetasks,helpingwithprojectsbothinsideandoutsideofourfacilitiesorsupportingusbyvolunteeringatourvariousfundraisers.Wewouldnotbeabletofullyachieveourmissionwithouttheircommitmentanddedication.EachquarterwerecognizeaVolunteerwhohasgoneaboveandbeyondintheirvolunteerrole.

The McCallion FamilyareourAHKNapervilleVolunteersoftheQuarterforalltheydobehindthescenestosupportAlmostHomeKids.GwenMcCallionisthemotheroftwoverycompassionateyoungwomen,Katie&Shelly.

Katieasan8thgraderchoseAlmostHomeKidsasthebeneficiaryofherBatMitzvahprojectwheresheorganizedaDonationDriveforitemsonourWishList.For3monthssheenthusiasticallyreachedouttohercommunity,congregationandfamilytoaskfordonationsandsuccessfullycollecteditemsfromourWishListvaluingover$1,100!

Shellyisasophomoreinhighschoolwithanincrediblybusyschedulebutfindstimetobakedeliciouscookies/desserts

Volunteers Of The Quarter

Gwen, Katie and Shelly McCallion Terry Gravenhorst with staff

forthefamilies,childrenandstaffatAHK.Herbakingskillsareextraordinaryfora15yearoldaswellashercompassiontosupportAlmostHomeKids.ShellyhasalsosigneduptobecomeaRecreationalvolunteerwithourchildrenandbothgirlshavevolunteeredtoregularlywatertheflowersintheNapervillegardenallsummerlong.

Totopitalloff,KatieandShelly’smomGwengraciouslyofferedtounderwritethecostoftreatsandmealsforNationalNursesWeeksothatourclinicalstaffcouldfeelappreciated!WeareveryblessedtohavethisthoughtfulfamilysupportingAHKandwearehappytorecognizetheMcCallionfamilyasourNapervilleVolunteersoftheQuarter!

Terry GravenhorstisourAHKChicagoVolunteeroftheQuarter.TerryhasbeenarecreationalvolunteeratourChicagohomefortwoyears,andmakesanimmensedifferencefortheclinicalstaffeverytimeshearrives.Terry’sfulltimejobmakesiteasierforhertovolunteerintheevening,whichisgreatforournursingstaffasthisisaverybusytimeoftheday-knowingthatTerryistheretogivethechildrensomeTLCwhiletheypreparetheirchartsforthenightstaff,helpsenormously.WearereallyappreciativethatTerryiswillingtocomeatleastonceaweekatthattime.AbighugofgratitudegoesouttoourverykindheartedvolunteerTerryandwearedelightedtorecognizeherasourAHKChicagoVolunteeroftheQuarter.

AHKisbetterplaceandthelivesofthechildrenarecertainlyenhancedbecauseofvolunteersliketheMcCallionfamily

www.almosthomekids.org Summer201611

AHK General Wish List:

» GiftCardsinanyamounttohelppurchasesupplies(AmericanExpress,VisaorMastercardgiftcards)

» Metra/Ventraprepaidcardsforparents» $25GasCards(Shell,BPetc.)forparentstohelpwith

travelexpenses» FirstClassPostageStamps

Children’s Supplies Wish List: (items must be new please)

» Johnson&JohnsonBabyLotion&BabyWash» Babywipes(unscentedorforsensitiveskin)» Desitin(tubes)» PhilipsAventBPAFreeSoothiePacifiers» IlexSkinProtectantPaste» WristrattlesandFoot/Anklerattles» LightandSoundMobiles» CribLight&Soundmusicboxes» Formulacontainers–RubbermaidMixerMate/1qtand

1pintsize» Batteriesfortoys(AA,AAA,C&D)» Boppycushionsandcovers» GracoSweetSlumberSoundMachine

House Supplies Wish List:

» GiftCardsinanyamounttohelppurchasehousesupplies(Target,Walgreens,OfficeMax&HomeDepot)

» Laundrydetergent–‘AllUltraFreeClearliquid’brand» IvorySoapliquiddetergent» K-CupCoffeepacks» Gladrectangle8Cups/64ozcontainerswithlids» RubbermaidStorageBins,(18gallon,forstorageof

clothes,blankets,etc.)» FullSizedBoxesofKleenex(30-40boxesareusedeach

month)» Bathtowels(large)andwashcloths» HandSanitizer(travelsizewithcap/2ozand12oz)» Gloves(sizesmediumandlarge;mustbevinyl;freeof

latexandpowder;approximately5,500pairsareusedeachmonth)

B.I.G. Holiday Donation Drive

Bolingbrook Park District Pre-School families & staff Week of the Young Child Donation Drive

andTerry!Ifyouwouldlikemoreinformationonvolunteeringatoneofoursites;pleaseemailourCommunityOutreachCoordinator,LisaSnowlsnow@AlmostHomeKids.org.

Affiliated with

7South721Route53Naperville,IL60540

Board of Directors

BillNeustadt,Chair JoshPrangley,Vice Chair JuliaChappellTheresaDankoDeborahA.GriskoMichaelHoffmanMartinKoehlerRichardMarkMathewMullarkeyPaulaNobleLakeshaRoseChristopherSchenkenbergMichelleStephensonJessicaStrausbaughMaritaSullivan

President’s Council

DanAultPaulBogdanskiJenCluneJosetteGoldbergBreganHerroldJenHorsleyKimHylaCarolynJohnsonAnnKarchBethanyKeownMartyKoehlerKatieOssmanSusanSchwartzMaritaSullivanSarahTromansKathyWennerstrum

Our mission at Almost Home Kids is to provide transitional care in a home-like setting to children with complicated health needs, training for their families and respite care.

“Like”usonFacebookfordailyAlmost Home Kidsupdates!

Key Staff

DeborahA.Grisko,RN,President and Executive Director

Administrative:

DorothyGieren,Director of FinanceRaeannOlsen-Jackson,Director of DevelopmentJudithMcLean,Director of Marketing & Communications LoriHannon,Director of Business Development & StrategyGailLinhart,Director of OperationsLisaSnow,Community Outreach CoordinatorLizaLarsen,Special Events and Strategic Development Coordinator

Clinical:

PeterJ.Smith,MD,MA,AHK Chicago, Medical Director ChrisBender,MD,AHK Naperville, Medical Director AnnKarch,MD,Associate Medical Director MikeHoffman,MD,Associate Medical DirectorLayenieAnderson,RN,Director of Case ManagementAprilAlexander,MBA,BSN,RN,Director of Nursing

Writers, Editors and Key Contributors:

LizaLarsen,RaeannOlsen-Jackson,JudithMcLean,LisaSnowandTeresaPedroza

Contactusat630.271.9155orvisitourwebsiteatwww.AlmostHomeKids.org