The Workshop's Newsletter

July 2008: A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Supporters of The Workshop,

Each year at the annual meeting we try to establish a theme for the year. The word that we emphasized at the meeting was "support". Support is defined in Webster's dictionary to hold up, to enable to endure, to uphold by advocacy and to take the side of. While The Workshop supports 115 individuals, 115 times that support The Workshop. The Workshop staff hold up and are able to endure those we serve through classes, training, health and wellness. Jo Daviess County Transit provides safe and dependable support to enable individuals to come to work, to attend community events and to receive needed medical care.

Support comes through advocacy in Springfield through the trade association, IARF, through our state senator and representative lobbying with the Governor for adequate funds to provide appropriate services, to improve the quality of services and to further the mission to enable individuals coming to The Workshop to be as independent as they are able.

Support comes from the Board of Directors, whose vision and dedication keeps us on the right road. Support comes from businesses and vendors who provide job opportunities to our consumers and give The Workshop an arena for consumers to learn new sills.

And last, but most importantly, support comes locally and quietly from you through your continued emotional and financial commitment as a member to support the work for The Workshop for individuals with disabilities in Jo Daviess County.

Michael Bielenda
Executive Director

OUR ANNUAL MEETING

On May 29, 2008 We gathered at the Ramada Inn in Galena for our Annual Membership Meeting. What a beautiful setting we had. We want to than Mike and Linda Scholz for their help in making our annual meeting so very special. We hope that you were able to attend. If you had a chance to read the Galena Gazette issue of June 11th, you saw pictures of some of the individuals that we honored. Mike Bielenda our Executive Director talked about support and what that means. According to Webster it means to hold up, to enable to endure, to uphold by advocacy, and to tae the side of. You as a member, fit that definition to a tee. We could not exist without your support.

RAFFLE
This year we were able to offer a top prize of $1000.00 with support from Galena State Bank, American Trust and Savings Bank, McCoy Insurance and First Community Bank. After all bills were paid our Raffle netted over $5000.00. The consumer advisory will receive a percentage of the profits to use for an outing of their choice. We want to thank all of you for your support in purchasing the tickets and making this fundraiser such a great success.

The winners of the raffle were as follows:

$1000.00 ~ Janine Zane, Galena IL
2 day River Cruise ~ Lori Davis, Scales Mound IL
1 year membership-Midwest Health Center ~ Cindy Froberg
Ramada Inn-Midweek Package ~ Bob Glejf
Tommy Hilfiger Sunglasses-Dr. Alvin ~ Betty Netzelmann, Galena IL
$100.00 Bond from Dupaco ~ Mike Spillane, Galena IL
$100.00 Bond from Elizabeth State Bank ~ Mary Wienen, Galena IL
$100.00 Bond from Galena State Bank ~ Leo & Doris Hanft, Galena IL
$100.00 Bond from US Bank ~ Mark Miller, East Dubuque IL
"Building of Galena" book from Carl Johnson ~ Becky Anderson, Scales Mound IL

Your support from this event was overwhelming.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORT
This year we were very pleased to present the Outstanding Support Awards to the following: Creative Frontier, owner Mark Prchik for supporting our clients by giving work to The Workshop, Carl Johnson for supporting our clients by giving us the opportunity to build the frames for his paintings & IPTA (Illinois Public Transit Authority) for their support in securing the Down State Operating Money for our Transit System.

OUTSTANDING DONATIONS
This year we were very pleased to honor The Galena Territory Association for their fundraising efforts on behalf of The Workshop with their Christmas Walk. The Workshop received a check for their support in the amount of $2618.12.

STAFF AWARDS
We could not be more proud of all of our staff that support our consumers on a day to day basis. This year we honored the following staff:
Ten Years of Service: Janice Watson
Mabel Baker
Leonard North
Twenty Years of Service: Judy Henze

ILLINOIS SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Dean Wilson, Special Olympics Co-Coordinator for The Workshop did a presentation on Special Olympics Year in Review for FY '08. The presentation covered the many fundraisers that our Special Olympics had during the year, as well as all of their competitions. He also asked Mary Knautz to come forward and help to present the Randy Houy Memorial Spririt Award which will be awarded annually to the Jo Daviess County Athlete that has demonstrated exemplary courage, determination and enthusiasm. Randy Houy died on July 17, 2007. Randy had participated in many Special Olympic events over the years. This years award went to Christine Zigursi. Christin's name will be place on a Special Award Plaque that will hang in the front office of The Workshop and each year a new winner will be added to the plaque

STROMBERG/RYAN AWARDS
These awards are named after two very supportive and caring individuals; Bill Stromberg and George Ryan, and are given to consumers that have met their goals throughout the year. The Stromberg/Ryan Award is about investing time and energy for accomplishment. The award focuses on setting and achieving goals for personal growth and development. Goals may be anywhere from increasing a production rate, enhancing computer sills, learning new jobs, or even participating in the Wellness Program and Special Olympics. Individuals receiving the Stromberg-Ryan Awards this year are listed below:

NOMINEES FOR CONSUMER OF THE YEAR
The following individuals were nominated by staff for Consumer of the Year were awarded with a certificate of recognition:

David Hall for his hard work and advancement to the Laundry Department
and Tower.
Todd McBride for his independence in Janitorial and his willingness to help.
James Watson for his flexibility and eagerness t be helpful wherever he can.
Angel Garcia for her hard work and efforts in the Laundry Department.

CONSUMER OF THE YEAR: JERRY DUERR
Jerry has been with the Workshop since September of 1997. Over the years, he has made many strides personally and professionally. Jerry exhibits great work habits and skills. He is very flexible with his schedule and can work in most areas of The Workshop. He is always helpful and gets along well with his coworkers. Please note that our consumers work very hard all year to achieve these goals and for many of them it is an extra struggle due to their disability. If you see anyone honored in this issue of our newsletter please congratulate them and wish them all the very best. Your support would be most appreciated.

FINANCIAL REPORT FY '07

INCOME
Sales of Goods & Services $956,724
Fee For Service $426,560
Department of Human Services $109,405
Jo Daviess Transit $131,096
IDOT $161,592
Medicaid Waiver $161,184
DORS $ 47,746
Local Government $100,260
Contributions $ 81,387
Other $ 22,213

EXPENSES
Salaries & Benefits $1,029,980
Consumable Supplies $ 303,048
Administrative $ 206,380
Occupancy $ 207,972
Training Wage & Benefits $ 351,092
Depreciation $ 111,713
Consultants $ 28,633
Interest $ 35,963
Transportation $ 123,772
Retained Earnings $ 100,386

TOTALS $2,298,553

UNITED WAY
We get support from the United Way of Northwest Illinois, Freeport and from the Dubuque United way. These two agencies support some very important programs here at The Workshop. Our senior program has been highlighted in the Dubuque United Way video. Together, we receive over $50,000.00 from the two agencies. If you have the opportunity to donate where you work, we would encourage you to do so. You can designate your donation to come to The Workshop if you wish.

CONSUMER DINNER DANCE
On May 9th, our Consumer's held their annual Dinner Dance at the Ramada Inn in Galena Illinois. This is an annual event for our consumers and they arrive all dressed for the occasion and have dinner and then dance the night away. This year the event was very festive with the Ramada going all out for decorations, fine linen table cloths and a beautiful room for us to use. Many board members attended the event and agree that it is a very important outing for our consumers. Staff is always ready to help and they too enjoy the evening. We thank you all for your support.

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
If you have not renewed your membership, we hop that you will mail it in soon. Once again, we are asking for your support in making this year's membership drive the biggest ever. Our members are so very important. They money given for memberships directly supports the programs for individuals with disabilities in jo Daviess County. You can make a difference in the lives of our consumers just by becoming a member or renewing your current membership.

FOUNDING MEMBER: VIRGINIA HILLARY
On December 22, 2007 The Workshop suffered the loss of one of our big supporters. In May of 2007, Virginia was honored for being one of the founding parents of The Workshop. Virginia served on the Board of Directors from 1973-1974 and again from 1981-1986. During the years of 1981-1986, Virginia served as Chairperson of the Board. Virginia helped with all of the renovation of the park Avenue House, painting, sanding floors and doing what needed to be done. Virginia also was the Manager of The Gifted Drummer, a retail outlet for Workshop products from 1991 to 1997. We will miss her and her support of The Workshop.

BUSINESS NEWS

JANITORIAL
Janitorial continues to provide services to seven outside janitorial customers. This is an excellent training program for all of our consumers. We thank all of the agencies that we have contracted with for their support.

LAUNDRY
Our laundry is getting a face lift due to the support of several agencies. The Woodward Foundation of Dubuque, IA, the County Fair Charities and The Workshop. We have been able to purchase a new commercial washer and two new commercial dryers. This was much needed equipment. Again, this business is an excellent training program for all of our consumers.

INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTS
We have seen great growth in this area thanks to the on going support of our existing contracts. Many have doubled in size and are keeping the work-floor with very little down-time.

TOWER
We continue to supervise the Long Hollow Scenic Tower and Tapley Woods rest areas for the State of Illinois. This has been a very good training program for all consumers that are working there.

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
In February of this year, Lees Montgomery decided to go back to retirement and only work part time for transit. We thank Lees for all of his hard work and support while in that position. Several staff applied for the position and Brian Spillane, our Laundry Supervisor was chosen. Brian has been doing a great job for us. He brings a great sense of dedication to the consumers, the agency and our contractors. Brian has also bought a great sense of humor to the workplace which makes it fun to come to work. If you have not met Brian, stop by and say hello!

THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE MADE DONATIONS TO THE WORKSHOP SINCE OUR LAST NEWSLETTER

Holy Trinity Catholic Church-cash donation
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Muehleip-memorial for Virginia Hillary
East Dubuque Knights of Columbus-cash donation
Territory Home Owners Association-cash donation
St. John Evangelist Catholic Church-cash donation
Ms. Janice Cammack-United Way donation
Elizabeth Knights of Columbus-cash donation
Sitzmann & Hillary families-memorial donation for Virginia Hillary
Virginia Hillary-bequest
Honkamp Krueger & Company-memorial for Erin Schoenhard
Ashley Powell-Stuffed Animals
Merle & Wanda Sefzik-cash donation
Mary Meyer-exercise equipment
Mrs. Barbara Gormley-cash donation
Galena State Bank & Trust-cash donation for raffle
McCoy Insurance-cash donation for raffle
American Trust & Saving-cash donation for raffle
First Community Bank-cash donation for raffle
River Cruises-raffle prize
Midwest Medical Center-raffle prize
Linda & Mike Scholz-raffle prize
Dr. Eric Ahlvin-raffle prize
Elizabeth State Bank-raffle prize
US Bank-raffle prize
Dupaco Comunity Credit Union-raffle prize
Galena State Bank & Trust-US Savings Bond
Carl Johnson-raffle prize
Subway-raffle support
Culvers-raffle support and consumer prize
Happy Joes-raffle support and consumer prize
Vinny Vanucchi's-consumer prize
Jean Muchow-volunteering
Fran Onak-outdoor furniture

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