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Ben Gordon Center Individual Placement Support (IPS) Specialist Desiree Bailey explains the goals of the program that helps people overcome a mental disability so they can join the workforce.  Bailey has owned her own business and worked in a large corporate setting before finding herself out of work and says she was led to this job because she wanted a chance to serve people.
News/Updates
A Unique Job Placement and Support Program at Ben Gordon Center
Individual Placement Support (IPS) Specialist Desiree Bailey from the Ben Gordon Center says she has a job she loves because she’s on a mission serving people with a mental disability as they seek gainful employment in the workforce.  Bailey told Rotarians how IPS works with Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and other team members to help clients overcome their disability so they can become self-sufficient.  This part of their overall treatment plan is unique because it focuses on their choice to be in the program and their pursuit of a job in an area of interest to them.
 
Bailey said IPS is seen as promoting wellness in patients because it builds on existing client skills and desires while they seek success in the workplace.  She said clients enter the program with a variety of different disabilities.  These can include anxiety, low self-esteem, and substance abuse.  Bailey says IPS has a zero-exclusion policy and has the flexibility to adapt to a client’s preferences for number of hours to work, choice of shift, and access to various support services.  Bailey noted that although this is a specialized approach, the job someone is placed in is not uniquely created for them but would be open to anyone.  Bailey said this initial job placement is viewed as helping the client start a career.
 
Bailey said she personally manages a caseload of about 20 clients.  She said there are people of all ages in the IPS program, but the majority are between the ages of 18 and 30 and usually have already held at least one job in their working career.  Bailey said the IPS is a proven success model and read an excerpt from a letter from one client who said, “…I found a job I love and can be creative in.”  Information on all of the behavioral healthcare services from the Northwestern Medicine Ben Gordon Center may be found at www.bengordoncenter.org.       
Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser Now Underway!
The Club's Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser is now underway! Following are the club members who have so far launched pop-up stores for the event (and links to their online stores):
 
Please consider making a purchase (or donation) via one of these pop-up stores before the event ends on Monday, January 28 at 5:00 PM!
 
Thank you for your support!
Famous Birthdays This Week
January 19, 1809 – Poet and mystery/suspense writer Edgar Allen Poe is born in Boston, Massachusetts.
 
January 20, 1930 – American astronaut and the second person to walk on the moon, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, is born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey.  He remains actively involved in space-related discussions and events including advocating for a mission to Mars. 
 
21, 1940 – Golf legend Jack Nicklaus (the Golden Bear) is born in Columbus, Ohio.  He holds a record 18 major titles and 73 PGA Tour titles.
 
January 25, 1783 – William Colgate, founder of the present-day Colgate-Palmolive Company, is born in Hollingbourne, Kent, England.  His family emigrates to the U.S when he is 15 and he becomes an apprentice learning the soap trade.
This Week in History
January 20, 1944 – Franklin Delano Roosevelt was inaugurated to an unprecedented fourth term as President of the United States.
                                                                                                                
January 21, 1954 – The USS Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear powered submarine, was launched at Groton, Connecticut.  It shares its name with Captain Nemo’s ship in the 1870 Jules Verne classic “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.”
 
January 24, 1848 – The California gold rush begins in the Sierra Nevada foothills with the accidental discovery of the precious metal during construction of a sawmill near the town of Coloma.
 
January 25, 1959 – An American Airlines Boeing 707 made the first scheduled transcontinental flight from California to New York.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 2024-2025
 
President – Steve Wilder
President Elect – Jonelle Bailey
Director (President Nominee) – Becky Springer
Director (President Designee) - Matt Nelson
Past President – Brandon Diviak
Treasurer – Dr. Michele Jurkovic
Secretary – Pat Shafer
Sergeant at Arms – Paulette Renault
 
 
Monthly Committees
July: Board of Directors
August: Brandon Diviak, Jeff Keicher, Pat Shafer
September: Dave Hamilton, Jeff Jacobson, Jim Stoddard
October: Paul Callighan, Matt Nelson, Paul Stromborg
November: Sue Emberson, Jeff Frank, Phil Meyer
December: Larry Berke, Ray Dembinski, Riley Oncken
January: Joyce Klein, Rob Mondi, Tim Neubert
February: Jonelle Bailey, Becky Springer, Tasha Sims
March: Jim Buck, Chip Houdek, Brendan Wilson
April: Alicia Cosky, Bob Hammon, Jeff Petersen
May: Bob Brown, Steve Kuhn, Heather Tomlinson
June: Paulette Renault, Steve Wilder
 

Standing Committees

Fellowship: Paulette Renault, Larry Berke, Sue Emberson, Dave Hamilton, Pat Shafer

Foundations: Paul Stromborg, Jim Buck, Sue Emberson, Matt Nelson, Jim Stoddard

Membership: Jonelle Bailey, Ray Dembinski, Brandon Diviak, Bob Hammon, Jeff Jacobson, Steve Kuhn, Phil Meyer, Matt Nelson, Riley Oncken, Jeff Petersen, Bob Wildendradt

New Generations: Chip Houdek, Julie Sgarlata, Becky Springer, Steve Wilder

Public Image: Bob Brown, Paul Callighan, Jeff Keicher, Joyce Klein, Tasha Sims

Scholarships: Tim Neubert, Don Clayberg, Ray Dembinski, Michele Jurkovic, Steve Kuhn, Julie Sgarlata

Service: Brandon Diviak, Alicia Cosky, Jeff Frank, Michele Jurkovic, Rob Mondi, Tim Neubert, Brendan Wilson

Upcoming Events
Sycamore Rotary Club: Program/Speaker TBA
St. Mary's Parish Activity Center
Feb. 19, 2025
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
 
Sycamore Rotary Club: Program/Speaker TBA
St. Mary's Parish Activity Center
Feb. 26, 2025
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
 
Sycamore Rotary Club: Program/Speaker TBA
St. Mary's Parish Activity Center
Mar. 05, 2025
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
 
Sycamore Rotary Club: Program/Speaker TBA
St. Mary's Parish Activity Center
Mar. 12, 2025
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
 
Sycamore Rotary Club: Program/Speaker TBA
St. Mary's Parish Activity Center
Mar. 19, 2025
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
 
Sycamore Rotary Club: Program/Speaker TBA
St. Mary's Parish Activity Center
Mar. 26, 2025
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
 
View entire list
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To provide feedback or contribute content for this newsletter, please contact Tim Neubert at timneubert90@gmail.com.