Best Value Line: stuffed stocking, ice skates, snowman, teal/navy presents, red/white presents

Deluxe Line: metallic star, nature mailbox

Building Lives • Building Futures

Corporate Office: 4060 McFarland Road • Rockford, IL 61111 • 815/654-6100 • www.MILESTONE-INC.org

SUMMER 2013C O N T E N T S

From RocVale to

Adult Group Home

3

Grants Fund

Several Projects

4

Happy Birthday

MILESTONE!

5

Special Olympics

Update

6

Thumbs Up

Performance

7

Adopt a Camper

8

M A T T E R SNewsletter For The Friends & Supporters of MILESTONE, Inc.

NEW DESIGNS UNVEILED FOR 2013 HOLIDAY CARDS

rders are now being taken for the 7 designs created by the Artists at MILESTONE Industries forthe 2013 Holiday cards. You can choose from 2 different designs in the Deluxe Line of cards, andan additional 5 designs are available in the Best Value Line.

A wide selection of greetings are also available, and there is a discount for ordering in June, July andAugust. An order form with complete pricing information is enclosed. Last year was a record setting yearwith MILESTONE Industries filling orders for over 7000 cards, so please order yours early.

O

An order form is on theenclosed envelope. Pleasenote there are discounts

for ordering early. When ordering please be

sure to select both adesign and a greeting.

paying its bills required nerve. Thanks to our Boardfor supporting our mission of serving the children andadults with developmental disabilities. And thanks toour bank, Rockford Bank & Trust, for having theconfidence to support our growth.

We expanded our footprint because we are 100%committed to our mission, the belief that everyone hasthe right to be treated with respect, to participate incommunity life, to develop and exercise personalcompetence, to have family and friends and to makedecisions in their lives.

In spite of a state that continues to struggle fundingagencies that do the work we do, we move forward,because it’s the right thing to do. We move forwardwith optimism and look forward, because that is whatwe do.

Thanks as always for your support. Our “Adopt-a-Camper” campaign has reached new heights!

Sincerely,

2

M I L E S T O N E M A T T E R S SUMMER 2013

SUMMER 2013

Dear Friends of MILESTONE,

Welcome summer! After a long, cold and wet winter,followed by a long, cold and even wetter spring, weMidwesterners endure and look forward withoptimism to the beauty and color of summer.Optimism and hope; as humans, those are ourgreatest strengths.

Since our last newsletter a very important day hascome and gone in the history of MILESTONE, Inc.On May 1, we celebrated our 40th anniversary! Wewill have a party to celebrate on November 16 atGiovanni’s. You will read more about that in this andupcoming issues of MILESTONE Matters.

We also purchased a new group home, located at5941 Apawamis Way. This home is undergoing aminor renovation, but when it’s completed weexpect to move four individuals into a beautifulgroup home setting. When completed, we will haveexpanded our capacity to 306 adults and 50 childrenbeing served at by the management and staff ofMILESTONE.

Our decision to expand did not come lightly. Theoutlay of funds to purchase and furnish the home, tohire staff (creating five new jobs in our community)in a state that runs two-to-four months behind in

Building Lives • Building Futures

FROM THE DESK OF SHAWN WAY, MILESTONE PRESIDENT AND CEO

MILESTONE’s

40th Anniversary Celebration November 16, 2013 at Giovanni’s

SAVE THE DATE:

RocVale’s Second Annual

Golf Outing

September 13, 2013

Lost Nation Golf Club

Dixon, IL

SAVE THE DATE:

M I L E S T O N E M A T T E R S SUMMER 2013

SUMMER 2013 3

MAKING THE TRANSITION FROM ROCVALE TO AN ADULT GROUP HOME

MILESTONE MISSION STATEMENT “Everyone has the right to be treated with respect, to participate in community life, to develop and exercise

personal competence, to have family and friends, and to make decisions in their lives.” MILESTONE, Inc. exists to

ensure that persons with developmental disabilities can exercise these same rights.

There are times in life whenthings just work out, andeverything falls into place.Megan’s family says that isexactly what happened whenthe time came to place Meganin a residential facility. HerMother had been diagnosedwith liver disease in 2000, andMeagan was having problemsat the school she wasattending. Her Mother startedlooking at options, anddiscovered RocVale Children’sHome. She called to set up avisit and a three day visit was

scheduled. During this visit an opening occurred atRocVale and as a result Megan could move in andtransfer to the Rockford Public School District. At this

point her Mother and herAunts knew RocVale was theperfect place for Megan.

Kathy Lynch, her Auntsays the RocVale staffhelped make thetransition easy for Megan,and they helped her growup and mature into theyoung woman she is today. Megan also was happier ather new school and enjoyed the many activities she

could do with herhousemates, includinggoing to Prom. Her Auntsays Megan’s diet alsoimproved and she waswilling to try new things.Megan’s Mother lost her

battle withliver diseasein 2010.Because ofthe planningher familyhad done,

Megan’s Aunt Kathy was namedher guardian. Lynch saysplanning for the future is something every familyshould do, because none of us knows what the futureholds. When it came time for Megan to transition into

an Adult Group Home, MILESTONEwas her family’s first choice.Lynch says the transition wentvery smoothlybecause Megancould visit hernew home, make

friends with the other residentsand get to know the staff. She saysthere were no difficulties at all andis pleased that Megan now wantsto learn how to cook. Megan goesto work every day at MILESTONEIndustries and she enjoys thevarious jobs she does includingfolding boxes for a packaging job.Her Aunt says she loves to watch movies at home,going to concerts and shopping, even if it is “justwindow shopping.” Both of Meagan’s Aunts, Kathyand Jeanne say they are very proud of her, and theyare thankful for the way the staff at RocVale andMILESTONE nurturedher. They both sayMegan is a blessingto them, and theyalso feel blessed thatenough planning wasdone so thateverything workedout so well forMegan.

M I L E S T O N E M A T T E R S SUMMER 2013

SUMMER 20134

THANK YOUROCKFORD PARKDISTRICT

The Schneider ElectricBuildings, LLCCharitable Fund,through the CommunityFoundation of NorthernIllinois, provided a grantfor MILESTONE’s iPad expansion program, which willprovide funding for iPads for both RocVale and theAdult Group Homes. As the area’s leading provider ofphilanthropic services, the Community Foundation ofNorthern Illinois stewards over $62 million. Each yearthe Foundation awards grants and scholarships of over$3 million on behalf of caring donors who want to givesomething back to their community.

ROCK VALLEY CREDIT UNIONHELPS ADOPT A CAMPER

Many MILESTONE Individualswill be able to enjoy camp thisyear thanks to a grant from theRockford Park District. The granthelps pay for the use of theYMCA’s Camp Winnebago for MILESTONE’s campprogram for individuals who are medically fragile.

HELPING THE CHILDREN ATROCVALE

MILESTONE RECEIVESGRANT FROM THECOMMUNITYFOUNDATION OFNORTHERN ILLINOIS

Staff and members of RockValley Credit Union helpedraise money for MILESTONE’sAdopt A Camper program.The Credit Union conducteda silent auction at their mainlocation featuring itemsdonated by:

Cumulus, WIFR, WTVO, WREX,ESPN1380, Maverick Radio,Mauh-Nah-Tee-See, Comcast,Rockford Aviators, Rock ValleyCredit Union, Beloit Snappers,and MILESTONE Industries.

The Credit Union alsodesigned and sold special T-Shirts to help raise moneyfor the program.

When Stephen Mack Middleschool student MatthewFreedlund learned about theneeds at RocVale Children’sHome, he wanted to dosomething to help. Mattheworganized a donationdrive at both his schooland with Roscoe BoyScout Troop 620 to meetsome of the needs.Matthew collected enoughto provide each of the 5homes on the RocVale campus with a large basket ofitems for indoor activities and a basket of outdooractivity items. The children enjoyed both discoveredwhat was in each basket and using the items.

A GRANT FROM THE BLAZERFOUNDATIONA grant from the Blazer Foundation in memory ofCedric Blazer provided the funding for 3 new lifts forthe Adult Group Homes. The grant also providedpart of the funding needed for a new outdoorpavilion at MILESTONE Industries.

HELEN BRACH FOUNDATIONHELPS THE MILESTONEDENTAL CLINICA grant from the HelenBrach Foundationprovided the funding for anew compressor, handsetsand lights for the examareas at the MILESTONEDental Clinic. TheFoundation also providedfunding for dental examsfor 39 uninsured patients.

M I L E S T O N E M A T T E R S SUMMER 2013

SUMMER 2013 5

On May1, MILESTONE celebrated its 40th anniversary,complete with ice cream cake and balloons. Both staff andthe Individuals got into the spirit and enjoyed the day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MILESTONE

Individuals from MILESTONE donned their formalwear and attended a special event in their honorat Heartland Community Church. “A Night ToRemember” was a prom type event completewith limo service, boutonnieres and corsagesand a red carpet entrance. Everyone enjoyed ameal by candlelight before heading to the dancefloor. The individuals who attended each hadtheir own unique experience but all agreed ittruly was a night to remember.

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

MILESTONE REWARDEDFOR ESCRIP PARTICIPATIONThank you toeveryone who usedtheir EScrip card atLogi’s or Hilander lastfall. Because therewas an increase inparticipationMILESTONE earned anadditional contribution.

RECOGNIZING 30 YEARSOF SERVICE

For the past 30 years Dr. RobertFox has been the consultingpsychologist for MILESTONE.During this time he has helpedhundreds of Individuals andprovided guidance forMILESTONE’s staff. Inrecognition of his service the

conference room at RocVale Children’s Home wasrenamed the Dr Robert Fox conference room.

M I L E S T O N E M A T T E R S SUMMER 2013

SUMMER 20136

SPECIAL OLYMPICS UPDATE

ATHLETES COMPETE AT TRACK AND FIELD MEET

REGIONAL BOCCE COMPETITION

It was a great day for all 130 athletes from MILESTONE

and RocVale. Once again the MILESTONE/RocVale team

was the largest at the competition. Everyone was all smiles

during both the opening ceremonies and the competitions.

15 athletes traveled to LaSalle for the regional Bocce competition. Six athletes earned gold medals and

will advance to the State meet.

Track & FieldMedal Count

28 gold

31 silver

26 bronze

24 Fourth PlaceRibbons

M I L E S T O N E M A T T E R S SUMMER 2013

SUMMER 2013 7

MILESTONE WISHLISTGames for Wii consoles for all MILESTONEfacilities Large Plastic Radio Flyer Wagons for RocValeNewspaper subscriptionsPEOPLE Magazines (new or used)Family friendly DVDsArt Supplies IPADS for the Individuals to useWebcamsMovie passes Local baseball game ticketsRestaurant gift certificates

Thank you to the students in the SARA club atBoylan High School who donated money raised at aBasketball shootout.

THANK YOU MILESTONESUPPORTERS

MILESTONE, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) Illinois not-for-profit organization.MILESTONE Matters is developed to inform the public of theprogram services we offer to developmentally disabled citizensfrom Northern Illinois. To learn more about MILESTONE and theindividuals we serve, please call (815) 654-6100.President and CEO: M. Shawn Way MILESTONE Matters Editor: Arles HendershottCopyright ©2013 by MILESTONE, inc.

EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARIES10 yearsTerrance Horton AprilCharmaine Clark MayEric Hanson JuneWillie Austin-Harris June

15 yearsAlesia Thompson AprilPaula Burnett June

40 yearsJames Hamilton May

You can now donate a used vehicle to MILESTONE,thanks to a partnership with Midas. Call theResource Development Department at (815) 639-2965 for details.

Individuals at MILESTONE Industries proudly performed at the RiverfrontMuseum Center in front of a large audience as the final session of adrama/dance workshop led by members of the Rockford Dance Company.The program is collaboration between MILESTONE, the Rockford DanceCompany and The Barbara Olson Center of Hope, and was funded by agrant from the United Cerebral Palsy of Blackhawk Region Fund at theCommunity Foundation of Northern Illinois.

THUMBS UP PERFORMANCE

20 yearsApril Adams June

25 yearsBillie Denson April

M I L E S T O N E M A T T E R S SUMMER 2013

Building Lives • Building Futures

4060 McFarland Road

Rockford, IL 61111

Non-ProfitOrganizationUS Postage

PAIDPermit #640Rockford, IL

Address Service Requested

Remember the fun you had at summercamp? Help us make summer camp areality for everyone at MILESTONE byadopting a camper. For $100 you can sponsor a camper for aweek at Camp Albrecht in Iowa

OrFor $65 you can sponsor a camper atCamp Winnebago, a program designedfor our medically fragile individuals whoneed specialized attention and care. Call the Resource Developmentdepartment at 639-2965 for moreinformation.

HELP SEND SOMEONE TO CAMP THIS SUMMER