Sycamore High School student of the month Cassandra Chamoun is first in her class and the Student Council President. She is active in choir, Madrigals, competes in track and field, plays rugby, and has already completed four years of French lessons just to name some of her school achievements. She has worked for her father’s business, been a lifeguard, does tutoring, volunteered with TAILS animal shelter, and helps pack meals for Feed My Starving Children. After graduation, Chamoun hopes to attend the University of Chicago majoring in pre-med with a focus on neurological sciences. Most telling about her outlook on life was a narrative she gave on how she determined her passion is “happiness” that comes with helping and serving others. Chamoun said she will be donating her $100 check from Rotary to the CASA child court advocate program.
Opportunity House Executive Director Tom Matya celebrated his one-year job anniversary at Wednesday’s Rotary Club of Sycamore meeting. Matya leads an organization serving about 200 people with disabilities allowing them to live in a home of their choice and have way to earn money through a work opportunity.
Long-time volunteer Tom Matya became executive director of Opportunity House a year ago and is on a mission to strengthen and grow the services offered by the non-profit to help adults with disabilities. Matya originally came to the area in 1986 working for DeKalb Ag. He went on to manage the Foundation set up by the Roberts Family after DeKalb Ag became part of Monsanto and then got tapped to fill the open leadership spot at Opportunity House. Matya explained the various programs and services provided by Opportunity House to give adults with disabilities a chance to live in a home of their choice and be able to earn a paycheck in a work setting.
Opportunity House maintains nine residential dwelling sites for 62 clients with 24-hour oversite. Matya praised dedicated staff who helped keep the sites viable through even the worst of the Covid pandemic. He says the organization is trying innovative ways to meet the staffing needs of their residential units including the use of NIU students.
Matya explained that their programs seek to address the varying skill levels of clients. They have 55 people in their Community Day Services which provide them with organized activities. There are 26 people in their supportive employment program where they work at one of the 15 local companies that hire them based on their skill set. Another 59 clients participate in their in-house program that takes on jobs like light assembly or packaging giving clients a chance to earn money based on tasks completed.
Opportunity House serves clients primarily in the northern part of DeKalb County and Matya says there is always a long waiting list for clients seeking services. More details are available at their website: www.ohinc.org.
As with Happy Dollars and fines, 50/50 raffle proceeds have long been earmarked for the scholarship fund for Sycamore High School seniors. In an effort to "spread the wealth" and support more causes, the members of your Rotary Board have determined that 50/50 raffle proceeds collected each month will benefit a different cause.
For the month of March, 50/50 raffle proceeds will help support DeKalb County Community Gardens to empower residents to choose healthy and sustainable foods through community education. The Board has committed that the total amount given to this cause will be no less than $250.
Thank you for your support of this important cause...and best of luck with the raffle!
We will be building every Saturday through 2022, so if this week doesn't work for you, there will be many more opportunities to get involved.
In addition, I am also looking for someone who would like a non-construction volunteer task. There are some Saturdays when we need someone on the build site to greet volunteers, get necessary forms completed, connect with our lunch providers, make sure people are staying hydrated, etc. It really isn't a difficult task, but an important one. If this sounds interesting to you, please let me know. I will work with you on that.
If you have never volunteered with us before, see the notes below for more information.
Thank you for your interest and support of Habitat for Humanity!
Construction Volunteer Information
Habitat for Humanity DeKalb County Illinois welcomes volunteers to our construction sites. Regardless of your skill level (first time you’ve held a hammer or skilled builder), we will provide opportunities to work alongside our partner family and other Habitat volunteers. Examples of volunteer jobs include: framing, siding, painting, insulating, flooring, trim work, landscaping, and cleaning. We will provide instruction throughout the day.
Build Day Schedule:
7:45a.m.- 8 a.m. Arrival and sign-in. (Please complete the required waiver formif this is your first day with Habitat). Volunteers between the ages of 16-18 years are required to have adult supervision and waiver completed before volunteering. The minimum age to volunteer with Habitat is 16 years old.
8:00 a.m. We begin with a Safety Talk and construction goals for the day.
12:00 p.m. Lunch is provided. Habitat provides lunch and water for volunteers.
2:30 p.m. Site clean-up begins
3:00 p.m. Workday complete. Thank you!
What to bring: Please wear clothing that you do not mind getting dirty or possibly damaged. Sturdy, hard-soled, closed-toed shoes are required. Sunscreen is advised when working outdoors.
Habitat provides tools for volunteers. However, if you have your own tools/toolbelt and wish to bring those, that is fine. You can check with the volunteer coordinator for a list of recommended tools. Please label all of your tools ahead of time.
Port-A-Potty: Yes, that’s right. Just want you to be aware that we do not have indoor plumbing or running water on site.
It's always a good idea to bring a "bag" chair if you have one.
Covid-19 Safety Precautions:
Habitat for Humanity prioritizes the health and safety of our staff and volunteers. Currently, we have the following guidelines in place (subject to change based on case levels, as well as CDC, state, and local guidelines):
We ask that if you aren't feeling well, to please stay home out of precaution.
Use hand sanitizer throughout the day, especially before/after using tools.
Masks are no longer required; however, we welcome and support anyone that chooses to wear a mask.
We encourage volunteers and staff to practice social distancing when possible.
September 6, 1757 – Marquis de Lafayette is born in France. He came to America in 1777 to volunteer in the American Revolution; became a key military leader in defeating the British; and established a life-long friendship with George Washington.
September 6, 1860 – Pioneering social worker and 1931 Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams is born in Cedarville, Illinois (near Freeport).
September 7, 1533 – The future Queen Elizabeth I is born in England, the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
September 9, 1828 – Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy (Anna Karenina, War and Peace) is born in Yasnaya Polyana, Russia.
September 6, 1995 – Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken, Jr. plays in his 2,131st consecutive game, breaking the record held for 56 years by “Iron Horse” Lou Gehrig. Ripken went on to play 2,632 games in a row before voluntarily removing himself from a game on September 19, 1998.
September 7, 1940 – The German Luftwaffe began its Blitz bombing campaign against London during World War II.
September 8, 1900 – A hurricane with winds of 120 miles per hour struck Galveston, Texas, killing over 8,000 people, making it the worst natural disaster in U. S. History. The hurricane and tidal wave that followed destroyed 2,500 buildings.
September 9, 1776 – The United States officially came into existence as the Continental Congress voted to change the name of the new American nation which was previously known as the United Colonies.
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