The speakers at our lunch meeting on August 10, 2017 were Chuck Frankiewicz and Dave Zuehlke, who both gave their classification speeches.

Chuck spoke about A Soldier's Journey Home, which is an organization that he is associated with that builds homes for veterans that are severely injured in the line of duty. The core of his volunteers are firemen and tradesmen.  The organization has built homes in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Illinois.  After identifying a qualified recipient veteran, the group meets with local village representatives, identifies a general contractor, obtains donations for materials and labor, and (after building the substructure), completes the final construction of the home in an amazing 10 days.  The organization’s largest corporate benefactors are Home Depot, First Midwest Bank, and several large general contractors.  Students from Hersey, Rolling Meadows, and Buffalo Grove High Schools all contribute their time and effort to fundraising and assistance with construction. For more information please see www.soldiersjourneyhome.org.

Dave Zuehlke became a member in January 2017, and is a neighbor of Wendy Davis.  Dave grew up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan and received his bachelor of science and MBA degrees from Michigan State University. Dave is a builder, loves sailing and photography, and includes woodworking, gardening and cooking among his many hobbies. He is also active in the Boy Scouts and his church. Dave’s first career was with Amoco Corporation where he served in financial, accounting and administrative positions in both Detroit and Chicago. His second career, which started after his retirement from Amoco, is in remodeling in maintenance with his son. The focus of their company is in residential, condo associations and senior facilities. 

On May 18, 2017, the speaker at our lunch gathering was Mara Hauser from 25N Coworking.  Mara is the daughter of fellow Rotarian Michael Silverman.  Mara was also an Arlington Heights Noon Rotary exchange student in 1978, and spend time in Sweden with the program.

Mara has an extensive background in interior design and workplace innovation, and used that background to start 25N Coworking with a goal of designing a collaborative and productive work environment for those who work virtually.  Mara attempts to provide those workspaces to the five generations currently in the workforce, each of which has different habits, perspectives and expectations about work.  Although other models such as shared and executive office space exist, true coworking requires five elements - - flexible options for workspace, collaborative spaces and meeting rooms, a community manager, events and programming (aimed at education, networking and social), and a strong community or culture in the space.

Landlords and real estate investors are also increasingly look looking towards coworking as a viable option for their available space previously leased to corporations for traditional office use. Coworking caters to independent professionals, small and medium size businesses, all kinds of local organizations, and large corporations.  Research shows that 1/3 of all jobs are virtual today, whereas 60% of all jobs will be virtual by 2020.  25N Coworking never requires a long-term agreement, and all space is available on a month-to-month basis, with flexible service options available, including a half-day pass. 25N Coworking currently has spaces in the One Arlington building at Euclid and Rohlwing Roads in Arlington Heights, and 25 N. River Lane, Geneva, Illinois, with more locations in development.  Come visit and explore the Arlington Heights location on the third Friday of the month for "Free Friday", and get more information at www.25ncoworking.com.

The speaker at our April 27, 2017 lunch meeting with Suzanne Ploger, the development director of Journeys, The Road Home.  Journeys provides shelter services and housing to the homeless or those who are at risk of becoming homeless in suburban Cook County. The Journey service area includes the entire northern portion of Cook County.  Last year, Journeys served 1000 people, one-third of which were from the Palatine or Arlington Heights area. 

Journeys is comprised of three primary programs, the first being the PADS shelters where every night during the non-summer season an average of 70 guests are provided a meal and a safe place to sleep on the premises of a church-partner of Journeys.  The second program is the Hope Center, which is located at 1140 E. Northwest Highway, just east of Route 53, in Palatine. The Hope Center provides those thing that you would typical have in your own home or have access to, including a shower, laundry, food, haircut, nursing assistance, and bike repair, as well as case management support for addiction, job counseling and related matters.  The third program is the Pathways Housing Program, which provides temporary transitional housing for those on the road from homelessness to stable permanent housing.

Journeys attempts to focus on the causes of homelessness, which can range from divorce, job loss and related finite issues to longer-term issues such as addiction and mental health problems.  Journeys lost its federal funding in 2016 and never had received any state funding, so fundraising has become a more important aspect of the organization. And, as other federal agencies lose their funding and may be closed, Journeys receives more and more clients.

If you are able to support Journeys with your personal efforts or financial contributions, please contact Suzanne at s.ploger@journeystheroadhome.org or call her at (847) 963-9163.