Swimmers Go Great Lengths for PACTT
PACTT Swim for Autism organizers Jan and Mark Jackson with State Champion Fenwick waterpolo players, teacher Lauren Mucha and parent Ellen Pinkham.In PACTT’s first-ever Swim for Autism on April 17th, 58 swimmers raised more than $12,000 in pledges and donations to support PACTT programs. The swim-a-thon was hosted by Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School, near Kankakee. With help from PACTT volunteers, the hosting high school, and others, PACTT parent Jan Jackson watched her idea become a reality.
Back in late 2010, Jan Jackson, mother of PACTT student and resident, Eric, felt inspired to find a way to combine her love of swimming with her commitment to support the organization that does so much for her son. She remembered participating in a swim-a-thon when she was in junior high, but had never heard of one happening in her community. Over the next few months, Jan researched the logistics of swim-a-thons and navigated the contracts and other requirements of USA Swimming®, which holds the rights to conduct all swim-a-thons.
She arranged a meeting with the BBCHS principal, athletic director and swim coach. Jan says, “I was all prepared to convince them how cool it would be to have an event at BBCHS to raise autism awareness and to have the high school students become involved in such a worthy cause.” As it turned out she did not need to make a vigorous case and was delighted by their enthusiasm for her plan. They immediately agreed to donate the use of the pool, a life guard and a Water Safety Instructor for the day. By February, she was meeting with the high school’s swim and water polo teams to recruit swimmers.
She held meetings in her home for a Swim-for-Autism committee made up of friends, friends of friends, a former swim coach with swim-a-thon experience, one of Eric’s former teachers, and Jan’s daughter, Elizabeth—a member of the BBCHS Varsity Swim Team. They helped with everything from recruiting swimmers, to marketing and publicity, to running the event. Jan made flyers, Swim-for-Autism pledge sheets and a page of information about autism to go with it. Elizabeth generated some buzz at school and through Facebook. Jan’s husband Mark arranged the concessions, found businesses to donate refreshments, and acted as liaison with PACTT Development Director Terry Herbstritt who—in addition to his official duties—recruited his own son’s Fenwick High School Water Polo Team (the 2011 Illinois State Champions) to join in. As the event approached, one committee member issued a press release that resulted in Jan being interviewed by two local newspapers and two radio stations.
On April 17, Jan and the swimmers from school water polo and swimming teams were joined in the pool by members of the Bradley Bourbonnais Dolphins swim team, a PACTT teacher, another PACTT mom and a few more friends—exceeding all of Jan’s initial expectations. The stellar efforts of the Jacksons and their friends were evident in this highly successful event. Everyone hopes to make Swim-for-Autism an even bigger success next year.
John and Tom Cieplak
Family Ties
One of the most endearing features of the PACTT organization is its connection with the families it serves. This connection, anchored by both PACTT’s and the family’s commitment to the individual, has led to incredible and compassionate service to PACTT. Two such family members are John and Tom Cieplak, uncles to Marty Shanahan from the Oak Park group home. Over the past several years, John and Tom have spearheaded many construction projects and repair ventures at PACTT facilities. They not only bring enthusiasm and a willing group of volunteer family members and friends, but also the expertise and tool belts to back it up and make wonderful things happen at PACTT.
John and Tom have rebuilt kitchens, resided buildings, rebuilt porches and done pretty much anything else that needed to be done. They volunteered not only at Marty’s Oak Park home, but wherever PACTT needed help. Most recently, John and Tom repaired the dining room ceiling at the Oak Park home by removing the old, sagging tiles and installing new drywall and updated lighting. Volunteer projects like this one and the many others that they have selflessly performed over the years have saved PACTT tens of thousands of dollars. Those savings were then deployed in direct service programming for the people with autism we serve.
Thanks, John and Tom … for helping PACTT to keep our group home environment safe and the residents comfortable!
On the Job at Haymarket Pub and Brewery
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Job Coach Jonathan Doyle checks in with Baron at the Haymarket Pub and Brewery.Even before award-winning brewer Pete Crowley opened the Haymarket Pub and Brewery at 737 West Randolph Street, he knew he’d be able to count on workers from PACTT’s vocational program. He’d experienced how effective and reliable they were during his 10 years at Rock Bottom Brewery’s River North location. Since Crowley’s new venture opened early this year, three of our young adults and their job coaches have been working at Haymarket Pub on weekday mornings, setting up the 250-seat dining room while the kitchen comes to life, the bar tenders check their stock, and the brewing staff carries sacks of imported German malt to the brewery tanks.
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Fred fills salt shakers while working at the Haymarket Pub and Brewery.
Job Coach Jonathan Doyle guides and watches as Baron, Fred and Mike take chairs down from the table tops, fill the ice bins in the bar and dining room, set up the soft drink machines and complete other tasks such as filling salt and pepper shakers. These important details have a substantial impact on the restaurant’s staff. Chris from Haymarket says, “We really feel the impact when they’re not here. My staff looks around and their eyes get big. [Because of the extra work they will need to do.] This is people helping people—it’s good!”
If your business is interested in more information about PACTT’s vocational program, please contact Lisa Fegert at 773-465-5469. And if you’re interested in classic Belgian and contemporary American-style craft beer and great food, Haymarket Pub is open for lunch and dinner every day at the corner of Randolph and Halsted in the West Loop. You can also visit www.haymarketbrewing.com for more information.
PACTT Looks Toward the Future
In 1993, PACTT began as a small school with big plans guided by the vision of its Executive Director Laurie Bushman, Ed.D. There were five children enrolled the first day that PACTT Learning Center opened. In many ways, we have grown up with the individuals and families we serve, organically adding capacity and starting new programs as they were needed. Our agency now has a multi-million dollar budget and a staff of 64 dedicated people.
As a natural continuation of that growth, PACTT has entered a transitional phase that all organizations eventually face. Part of this transition is that Laurie left PACTT in April 2011. She is deeply loved by the children, staff and parents alike for her innumerable contributions toward building a better future for individuals with autism. Laurie’s legacy will always be part of PACTT history. As she said many times, there is never an endpoint to the process when you are serving people with autism; there is no finish line. The mission continues.
The Board of Directors’ top priority remains the needs and rights of the individuals we serve. In order to better serve them, PACTT is in the midst of streamlining our management structure. Interim CEO Lanie Adair is leveraging the full depth of experience in our program staff as we move forward. Additionally, the Board has contracted for an organizational assessment and is beginning a formal search for new leadership.
Every agency in the state is struggling with the same challenges that PACTT faces with an unpredictable and inconsistent revenue stream, especially for funding of adult programming. The State of Illinois is a less than ideal partner. Beyond the ongoing management changes, we have begun to address the future by strengthening our ties in the autism services community and by raising our public profile in the advocacy and fund-raising communities. PACTT's Board of Directors is committed to providing a sustainable model for PACTT that will enable continued growth and long-term success.
Our Staff: Steven Moore
Steven Moore, Elmwood Park Group Home ManagerSteven Moore came to PACTT after working for corporations such as Northern Trust and UPS in their billing and customer service departments. When he heard about PACTT, he says, “It sounded totally different.” Then he met Kevin and Kyle, two residents at the Oak Park Group Home, and decided he was ready for a major career change. He joined the staff there in August of 2004. For the last three years, he has been the manager of the Elmwood Park Group Home.
Steven’s days are never routine. Some mornings he coordinates services to the house such as safety inspections and repairs; sometimes he’s called on to pick up one of the six young residents if he becomes sick at school. His late afternoons are more predictable after the young men return from their school days. They enjoy snacks and a little down-time, and then Steven and the rest of the staff help them get ready to go to one of the special recreation programs which are arranged by the parents. Evenings are when Steven and the staff work with the residents on their daily living skills, firmly and gently guiding each individual toward greater independence in self-care, meal preparation, leisure activities and housework. After a full week, Steven still spends much of his weekends helping residents navigate transitions to and from visits with their families. His favorite times are when he is able to take the residents on outings to the dollar store, ice skating or bowling.
He says everyone on his staff of seven has different strengths. For him, managing is “like a puzzle. You bring it all together.” Sometimes staffers give him new insights into the young men by noticing abilities and communications he might have missed. Some have areas of expertise such as cooking. Others enjoy paying extra attention to housekeeping details.
While Steven appreciates his staff, the parents are especially grateful to Steven for his strong bond with all of their sons, and for his attention to detail, his energy, kindness and dependability. Mary Batterham, the mother of a resident, says, “Steven knows the guys in Elmwood Park inside and out. And he relates that to the staff. The parents, kids and staff all respect him.”
That respect and trust is mutual. Steven counts on the parents’ cooperation. “I’m grateful. The parents play a big part in the kids being successful. They set the formula,” he says. He also recognizes the life- long challenges faced by his young residents and the families who love them. “We have hopes and dreams for the kids too. Some of them are realized and make you happy. Some of them you still just hope for.”
Field Day at Francis Parker High School
Matt gives John pointers on his basketball shoot.Students from PACTT and Francis Parker High School teamed up May 20th for another successful Field Day. The annual event is hosted by Francis Parker, and culminates a year of interaction between the two schools.
Parker students helped to run events and helped PACTT students to participate in everything from shooting baskets and tossing ultimate frisbees to running races.
As part of their junior year service learning program, students in Mike Mahany and Karen Witkin’s Community Connection group participate in monthly visits with PACTT students. Parker students provide appropriate peer socialization opportunities for PACTT students, and PACTT students give their new Parker friends a chance to learn first-hand about autism.
For more pictures from Field Day, see the album in The Principal's Desk blog.
PACTT Celebrates 10th Annual Work of Heart
On February 26th, nearly 300 supporters joined together at the InterContinental Hotel to celebrate PACTT and the organization’s work serving individuals with autism. This year’s dinner and auction was the 10th Annual Work of Heart as the fundraiser has grown many times over since its humble beginnings in 2002.
Clark McCain, of the Coleman Foundation, accepts this year's Work of Heart Award.
“This event provides critical sources of funding for PACTT programs in addition to raising awareness for autism and particularly the innovative services that PACTT provides people with autism and their families," says Development Director Terry Herbstritt.
The 2011 Work of Heart Award went to Clark McCain of the Coleman Foundation. Clark was honored for encouraging cooperation among social service providers in the Chicago area. His vision led to Intersect for Ability, a collaborative network where agencies work together to create best practice benchmarks to better serve people with developmental disabilities. After the award presentation and a moving speech by Clark McCain, the attendees enjoyed watching “A Right to Communicate,” a film about PACTT’s success in providing communication methods for each individual they serve. (Watch the video here.) At the conclusion of the live auction that followed the film, revelers danced deep into the night to the pulsating music of the band Fantasia. Thanks to all those who joined us at this year’s Work of Heart to support PACTT!