PACTT Participates
in
Chicago Cultural Center Event
“Work-Place,” a multi-media art installation which will enable its audience to experience for themselves the array
of sight/sound/symbol challenges individuals with autism can encounter in the workplace, was staged
at the Chicago Cultural Center on November 12. Part of a one-night performance/installation event on the theme of occupation
titled Site Unseen 2008, “Work-Place” was created by B.J. Krivanek who is the artistic director
of Community Architexts and a professor at The Art Institute of Chicago.
The work was based on interviews with PACTT teachers and administrators.
“When this opportunity arose, I felt it would be a good first step in an ongoing collaboration with PACTT.
In the next stage, I’ll broaden outreach to include teachers, students, parents and employers,” Krivanek said.
“The goal will be to develop a longer-term public sitework –deploying forms, inscriptions or images on the façade
of a building – to articulate the challenges facing autistic young adults as they enter the workplace.
My goal is to make those who are invisible, visible.”
“Work-Place” was presented Wednesday, November 12,
in the Sidney R. Yates Gallery
of the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph Street.
Representatives from PACTT were
on hand
to answer questions about autism.
PACTT Voters Voice Their Choice!
November 4, 2008: The Adult Voc crew proudly displays their voting receipts
On November 4, the young adults from PACTT Vocational Services and the adult CILA proudly stood with
millions
of other young Americans to cast their votes for the first time in the 2008 presidential election.
To prepare for the upcoming election, in August PACTT’s young adults started a serious study of the voting process,
the presidential candidates and their positions on the issues. “We began each day with the morning newspapers,
which always were filled with election news, “said Adult Vocational Manager Chris Thomas. “Then, we checked out the
candidates’ websites, listened to speeches on the internet and on TV, studied the issues and looked at their platforms.”
Before registering to vote, the young adults at PACTT also studied the voting process and structure of the government
and the specific duties of the president. “These young adults took their responsibility as voters very seriously," Chris said,
“Each one picked the candidate of his or her own choice based on careful consideration.
They were very proud to
cast their votes in this important election.”
The students in PACTT Learning Center’s elementary and high school classes also got involved in politics this fall,
according to PACTT high school teacher Lauren Mucha. There were lessons on our government, the candidates
and the issues, topped off with a school straw poll election which drew votes for both candidates.
For the third summer in a row, Michael “Butch” Shanahan braved sun, wind, rain, stray dogs, flat tires, potholes,
and plenty of pedaling to successfully complete his amazing one-man, 500-mile pledged “Ride for Marty” bike
trek – raising over $30,000 in support of his son and all the other children, teens and young adults
with
autism
served by PACTT. In three years, Butch and his legion of loyal ride backers have raised well over $100,000
and
made wonderful capital improvement possible at the Learning Center and each of the children’s group homes.
Once again, our grateful thanks to Butch for his wonderful 2008 ride
– and to all
the pledged supporters who cheered him on!
Thank you!
Great Walk, Team PACTT!
At the Sunday, May 18, 2008 Walk Now for Autism at Soldier Field,
Team PACTT
fielded 52 registered walkers and raised over $8,365 in total pledges
in support of Autism Speaks.
"PACTT is one of the first agencies to receive a Community Services grant from Autism Speaks," PACTT Executive
Director
Laurie Bushman said. "We wanted to say thanks and do our part to help Autism Speaks fund autism
research and community services across the country."
Congratulations to our terrific team!
Thanks to everyone who donated in support of Team PACTT!
Rebuilding Together* Metro Chicago
Came Back to PACTT
for One (More) Amazing Day!
For full story and photos
from the day, click here.
An incredibly generous and hard-working team of professionals led by
Sal Corna, John Cieplak and Dan Reeg has repaired and beautifully redesigned our
Elmwood Park home’s kitchen and the main bathroom above.
 Hard at work - Adam & Sal of Corna Kitchen |
 Elmwood Park's beautiful new kitchen |
|---|
In the kitchen, the crew installed new wood cabinets all around, new lighting, a new
ceiling
and attractive
wood-laminate flooring for both the kitchen and sunroom. Upstairs,
they
repaired plumbing,
put down
a new tile floor in the main bathroom and regrouted and
refreshed the wall tiling, bringing
the entire bathroom
to like-new condition. In addition,
the volunteer team installed new toilets in all three of the house’s bathrooms and
gave
both
the kitchen and the main bathroom a fresh coat of paint. The entire job, from tear-out
to the last
brush of paint was accomplished in only 10 days.
Professional work and
materials donated
totaled over $15,000.
“I am moved once again at the generosity of everyone involved in the new kitchen project.
I would like
to
thank Sal, John and the whole team of volunteers who have given of themselves to
ensure that
our boys have the very best living environment possible, “ PACTT Group Home Manager
Robert
Benassi
said. “ We are truly blessed to have friends watching over us.”
Local businesses and volunteers
who helped make this kitchen possible include:
Corna Kitchen, Bath & Tile
Dan Reeg Plumbing
Lawrence Carani Decorating
Trage Bros. Appliances
Kohler Co.
Sal Corna
John Cieplak
Michael Shanahan
Thanks to our terrific friends!