“I look at life as an almost infinite series of existential incidents which are strung together like a string of pearls.  Nobody knows how long it will be, but if you take each pearl or live each instant as you’re in that instant, there is nothing you cannot endure.” –Ernie Chambers – politician, civil rights activist

 

“If you don’t value your time, neither will others.” –Kim Garst – Author-Keynote Speaker

 

“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we’ll ever do.” – Brene Brown – Research Professor

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Ed Perry)

 

James Taylor joined us this morning in singing America the Beautiful.

 

This year’s CU Sunrise Rotary Fruit Sale Fundraiser is entering the final days. Please get all your orders into Darrell by November 20th. Darrell will send out a club listing of his record for the number of cases ordered by each individual. Please double check his listing with your own records.  Development Services Center will be this year’s recipient of our fundraiser.

 

Get your order in for the Champaign West Poinsettia sale to Tom Hodson at TZHodson@gmail.com. $10 for each plant.

 

Mary Kay sent out the signup sheet for our Salvation Army Bell ringing to take place on December 12, at the Walmart on north Prospect. There are a few openings that still need to be filled.

 

Diana requested that anyone interested in helping with our club’s Virtual Holiday Party to please contact her.

 

Phyllis described how the $2,000 grant, “Reach Out and Read”,  will help Promise health Care’s doctors to distribute books to young readers.

 

This month’s Bucket money will go to the Angel Forever organization. 

 

 

PROGRAM

 

Danielle Matthews and Jodie Harmon of the Developmental Services Center (DSC) presented information about the services DSC provides. DSC’s mission is to support people in living a rich and meaningful life.

 

Founded in 1972, DSC provides services to over a 1,000 individuals in Champaign and Ford counties. DSC supports individuals who have developmental and intellectual disabilities. Jodie presented examples of this support in the following categories: Family Development, Employment services, Community Day Services, Residential Services, and Case Management and Family Support.

 

Family Development

This service provides early identification, early intervention and family support for infants and toddlers. Over 700 individuals have been served and 146 development screenings have performed in the past year. 

 

Employment Services

130 individuals have been matched up this year with employers, community groups and clubs. Each year DSC recognizes employees and companies who have contributed to this program’s success. DSC has just opened a retail space at 110 W. University in Champaign, “The Crow at 110”, where soaps, artwork, and jewelry are being made by 40 DSC individuals and are now ready for sale. 

 

Community Day Services

This part of operation was closed from March to September due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this program is back up and running at approximately 55%. The focus is to strengthen ties with the community by providing in person volunteers for clubs and groups. 

 

Residential Services

DSC provides support to 8 group homes and 49 individual living arrangements to help integrate young adults into the community.

 

Case Management and Individual Support

364 individuals are served with personal case management and family support.

 

DSC’s big annual fundraiser “Tree of Hope” begins this month and runs till January. Their goal this year is to raise $175,000.       

 

For additional information see www.dsc-illinos.org.  

 

—

  Nov 19th Nov 26th Dec 3rd Dec 10th
         
Reflection Paul Conforti No meeting –  Diana Dummitt Ata Durukan
Notetaker Hodson Turkey Day Conforti Perry

 

—

 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)

*All meetings via Zoom unless otherwise noted*

 

November 19th – Dean Dempsey, a member of the Navajo nation, who is organizing a project to bring water to tribe members who have water challenges in the best of times (Darrell)

November 26th – No meeting – Thanksgiving

December 3rd – Susan Zola (Mary)

December 10th – Tracy Parsons (Ondine)

December 17th – C-U Sunrise Rotary Holiday Party (held during normal meeting time)

December 24th – No meeting

December 31st – Regular meeting canceled; social at 7pm (location TBD)

January 7th – TBD

January 14th – TBD

January 21st – TBD

January 28th – TBD