Posted by John Blair

 

Tucker Olson called the meeting to order, Diana Taylor led the Pledge of Allegiance, Rich Schoeneman gave the prayer and Dan Lutter led in singing “Walking in the Winter Wonderland” due to the latest snow.

 

Guests: 

Derek Wagner.   Also our guest  speaker Kate Ceithaml of Lake County Haven.

 

-Steve Risley advised our Charitable Giving Dinner will be held May 2^nd at White Deer Run Golf Course, 5:30 dinner.  Giving $100K plus.  Members are highly encouraged to attend.  No meeting that morning.

 

-Peggy Freeze announced the monthly food pantry collection. 

 

-Scott Hezner announced the District Rotary Conference held at the Blue Harbor Resort & Conference Center in Sheboygan, WI, May 17-20, 2018.  There will be a full slate of interesting speakers and a Friday night candlelight walk along Lake Michigan to Rotary Park.  Fun!

 

-Rich Babjak needs volunteers for the April 27-28 Misericordia fundraiser. 

 

Doug Fendon mentioned there is a 3-way horse race for winner of the Membership Drive which ends this summer.  Dave Potts, Rich Mittleman and another fine member are in the lead.

 

-Jeff Harger has been married 40 years to his wife Cindy.

 

-Tom Zengeler announced Zengeler Cleaners took in 6,342 dresses and accessories for their annual Prom Dress Drive.  Value is $4.3M

 

-Jim Hessenthaller had a wonderful trip to Puerto Rico.

 

 Steve Risey provided a number of jokes for select golfing members, in light of the upcoming Masters Golf Tournament.

 

Kate Cethaml of Lake County Haven talked about the organization that’s been in operation for 26 years to provide transitional shelter for women and children.  Average stay is about 5 months and people come for assistance for a variety of reasons:  domestic violence, job loss¸ mental illness to name a few.  Living is apartment style with roommate and they share utility costs.  The goal is for the attendees to never be homeless again, once they leave the services of the Haven.  They provide 1 on 1 counseling, and have day programs with a staff of 3 and volunteers.  The idea is for people to lead independent lives, and assists in housing searches, help with savings, and comfort dogs. 

 

This is a holistic program.  They follow up with residents for 3 months after leaving the Haven, then at 6¸ 9¸ and 12 month periods.  Return visits are encouraged.  Common threats to the program are domestic violence, sexual assault, education, intergenerational poverty, and a combination of these.  Kids get their own case managers.  The Haven houses 10 at a time at the main shelter (mostly 50-60 y/o), and 45 in apartments.  The staff must triage the applicants as there are 450 applications for 50-60 spaces.  Outreach is provided by police departments, libraries, DCFS, Find Help Lake County, and word of mouth. 

 

On the horizon are 2 new transitional units to hold 10 patients, plan to expand the 2^nd shelter for women and children in crisis which will provide support for an additional 10 residents.   They have a capital program to support this need.  Their budget is $700K/year and comes from many sources.  The largest is through individuals and family corporations.  The entire staff comprises 3 case managers, 4 administrative personnel, 1 operations manager, 1 executive director, and 100+ volunteers.

 

Daily:  Won by Dennis Kratohwil.   Progressive (starting anew):  Rolls.  Not won by Jeff Harger.

 

  Peggy Freese announced the club donated $224 to the pantry. 

 

Attendance:  27 members plus 1 guest/1speaker.

 

Closing:  Closed with reciting the Four Way Test

 

Next Week:  Speaker Mike Lauesen “Getting off the Treadmill – Escaping the Race to Nowhere”.   

 

Duties, Dave Ritland, Fun & Frolics;  Jon Robb, Greeter and Prayer.