The Illinois Department of Human Services, Mental Health Division has launched a free-of-charge emotional support text line, Call4Calm, for residents experiencing stress and mental health issues related to COVID-19. Individuals who would like to speak with a mental health professional can text “TALK” to 5-5-2-0-2-0, or for Spanish, “HABLAR” to the same number: 5-5-2-0-2-0. Call4Calm is free and anonymous. Once a resident sends a text, within 24 hours they will receive a call from a counselor employed by a local community mental health center. Individuals can also text 5-5-2-0-2-0, with keywords such as “unemployment” or “food” or “shelter” and will receive information on how to navigate and to access supports and services.
From helpguide.org: “Dealing with Uncertainty During the Coronavirus Pandemic"
Stay informed but do not obsessively check the news. Stick to trustworthy sources (CDC, WHO, DeKalb County Health Department). Limit how often you check for updates. Step away from the media when overwhelmed.
Focus on the things you can control. Plan for what you can – it is difficult to plan when in unknown times and it is okay to acknowledge that! Do not get hung up on “perfect”, but think of possible solutions to worries that will help you get by. Focus on concrete things you can problem solve. When you start spiraling into negativity or panic, ground yourself – bring attention to breath and body, focus on the here and now – notice sights, sounds, smells and what your body is feeling. Continue to breath slowly in and out until you feel calmer. It sounds simple, but it works!
Stay connected, even when physically distant. Stay in touch with friends and family – however you can - while maintaining safety, by using phone calls, texts, video chats, social media, and/or handwritten letters. If you do not have someone to turn to, reach out to a crisis line or local mental health provider to build social contact.
It sounds simplistic, but take care of yourself. Be kind to yourself. Maintain a routine, as best as you can. Do activities you enjoy, and do not compare those activities to others. Get out in nature, if possible. Find ways to exercise. Help others – check in safely with those you can, donate, volunteer, send notes, put up signs, cheer on others. Little acts have big results.
Millennials, Gen Xers, and baby boomers are often portrayed as a trio constantly at economic odds with one another. But how much of this is actually true? There's no denying that these groups are different, but they may have more in common that you might think.
Millennials (Born approximately between 1982 and 1996)
Roughly 83 million millenials in the United States
The most diverse generation in U.S. history
Forty-five percent of millenials have a retirement account
Driven, civic-minded, inclusive, and ambitious
Historical experiences: Columbine, 9/11, the Internet, and the Great Recession
Motivations: Responsibility, self-care, experiences, and financial well-being
Fun fact: Millennials read 5 books a year on average
Generation X (Born approximately between 1965 and 1980)
Roughly 50 million Gen Xers in the United States
Gen Xers make up the highest percentage of startup founders at 55 percent
Gen Xers will outnumber baby boomers by 2028
Flexible, casual, analytical, and self-reliant
Historical experiences: The AIDS epidemic, the birth of MTV, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the dot-com boom
Motivations: Socially conscious, work-life balance, personal growth, and learning
Fun fact: Only 41 percent of Gen Xers consider themselves part of Generation X
Baby Boomers (Born approximately between 1946 and 1964)
Roughly 73 million baby boomers in the United States
Baby boomer purchasing power is a staggering $2.6 trillion
Baby boomers spend nearly $23 billion on their pets on average, per year
Hopeful, focused, hardworking, and team-oriented
Historical experiences: The Vietnam War, Watergate, civil rights movement, and the Space Race
Motivations: Loyalty, duty, travel, and family
Fun fact: Baby boomers own nearly $13.5 trillion in personal real estate
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM in 1934 said "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
According to a Western Union internal memo dated 1876, the "telephone has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us."
After the first flight of the 247, a twin engine plane holding 10 people, a Boeing engineer said "there will never be a bigger plane built."
In 1956, an associate of Debbie Fields, founder of Mrs. Fields' Cookies, said "a cookies store is a bad idea. Besides, the market research reports say that America likes crispy cookies, not soft and chewy cookies like you make."
Finally...Decca records, rejecting The Beatles, said in 1962: "We don't like the sound, and guitar music is on the way out."
May 10, 1869 – The transcontinental railroad in the U.S. became a reality with the driving of the ceremonial golden spike at Promontory Point, Utah joining the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads.
May 12, 1949 – Soviet Russia lifts its blockade of Berlin that began June 24, 1948. American and British flyers had successfully executed an airlift that delivered 2.3 million tons of food and supplies during 278,000 flights to the isolated West Berlin citizens.
May 13, 1981 – Pope John Paul II was shot at close range by an escaped prisoner while riding in his open car at St. Peter’s Square. The Pope recovered from his wounds, met with his would-be assassin, and then publicly forgave him.
May 14, 1796 – The smallpox vaccine was developed by Dr. Edward Jenner, a rural English physician.
Birthdays & Club Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Riley Oncken
September 1
Steven Kuhn
September 3
Larry Sill
September 10
Ray Dembinski
September 13
Join Date
Sejal Patel
September 2, 2015
5 years
Michael DeVito
September 6, 2017
3 years
Patrick Solar
September 9, 1998
22 years
Ahmed Kamel
September 11, 2005
15 years
Robert Daniel
September 27, 2018
2 years
To provide feedback or contribute content for this newsletter, please contact Tim Neubert at timneubert@sbcglobal.net.
