Archive for October, 2009
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan with Jane Farmer (Turning Point) and Leonetta Rizzi (McHenry County Crisis Line)
From today’s Northwest Herald:
“Last year, 54 stalking cases were prosecuted in Illinois, and only a handful resulted in convictions, (Lisa) Madigan said. To give stalking laws more teeth, Madigan drafted two bills that will go into effect in about two months.
The first expands stalking laws so that a person commits stalking when he or she engages in conduct that causes a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety or the safety of another or to suffer emotional distress. It requires the court to consider the victim’s knowledge of the offender and the context of the behavior.
The second law creates a no-contact order that protects those not covered under domestic-violence or sexual-assault laws. That means individuals who did not have a previous relationship with the stalker or were not sexually assaulted can ask a judge to prohibit stalking behavior. It uses the same definition of stalking as the first law.”
You can read it all here.
October 29 2009 | In the news and Programs | No Comments »
Saturday, November 7th from 9a.m. until 3p.m. in Luther Hall Mistletoe Magic 09′!
Offering unique-finely handcrafted items:
Wood and Knitted items - plant stands, doll cradles,
jewelry boxes, wooden trays and wooden band saw cut ornaments.
Beautiful hand spun and felted purses, mittens, hats, including knitted sweaters and hats for dolls,and hand beaded jewelry.
Beautiful sewn ornaments, table linens and Christmas Stockings
Wonderful Machine embroidered gifts
American Girl Doll Clothes and Furniture
Floral Arrangements, wreaths and swags
Fair Trade coffee and Global Gifts
Fun and Wonderful Gifts for the Whole Family
We will have child care available for ages 2-5 in our preschool
Grace Lutheran Church, 1300 Kishwaukee Valley Rd, Woodstock
Proceeds from Mistletoe Magic 09′ will be shared by DAP (Direct Assistance Program), Wednesday Night PADS program and to Turning Point of McHenry County
October 26 2009 | Events | No Comments »
“Originally, two events were sponsored in Spring Grove and Ringwood: Art Market, held at the home of Amy Guanci in Spring Grove, Illinois, and Holiday Art Open House, held in the home of Gabi Sparacio in Ringwood, Illinois. Through several years of successful shows, we have supported each other’s efforts to bring the Arts alive. In 2009, the show committees decided to merge the events into a larger show, held in a venue which could provide an open setting and room to grow. The Shores of Turtle Creek graciously offered their setting for the Fall of 2009. Turtle Creek is located less than a mile from Route 12 in Spring Grove. The rolling, wooded grounds, complete with water features, beautiful landscaping, and adequate parking, provides a lovely setting for a Fine Art Event.”
Affair of the Arts will feature 35 artists in a beautiful setting. You can visit ther website here.
Participating Artist Meredith Smith-Poczkalski is donating 15% of her sales to Trning Point.
Affair of the Arts is a free Fine Arts show open to the public.
We invite you to shop, mingle, browse, and enjoy the day
in a beautiful wooded setting in a convenient location.
October 26 2009 | Events and Fundraising | No Comments »
John Jilek of Home State Bank accepts the partnership award from Jane Farme (left) and Marietta Chapple
Last night was Turning Point’s 28th Annual dinner. Here are the Honorees:
Partnership Award
Our first award tonight is the partnership award. I like that word “Partnership”- because it really conveys the relationship between Turning Point and our allies. Obviously, we need their financial support, but that really is the tip of the iceberg. Our recipient tonight has been a financial supporter of Turning Point, but they have also been a real partner. Time after time, they have come to the rescue when we need a hand. For example, every year during the radiothon, Home State Bank has made themselves available to process the jugs full of change we collect. A lot of banks would say “Hey, stick it in your car trunk and bring it in Monday” but Home State stays open late, counts it all and deposits it right hen, because, you know me, I want to know what we’ve collected down to that last nickel!
And I hope people know all that. It seems like there is a bank on every corner and sometimes you wonder, what’s the difference? They all offer debit cards and keep your money safe, but some banks are part of their communities and take those extra efforts to partner with the organizations in their community. Home State Bank is one of those businesses that understand they are partners- and not just with us. I see their logo on all sorts of great causes. Accepting this award tonight is someone we have a long, wonderful history with. He’s been here for us all along and I am very glad he is here again tonight! Accepting the Partnership Award on behalf of Home State Bank is John Jilek.
DreamWeaver Award
The Dreamweaver award honors volunteers, but it’s not called the “volunteer” award, it’s called the “Dreamweaver” award because it’s also someone who inspires and motivates us. Our first “dreamweaver” tonight is Erica Lorenz. She’s been a huge force behind the Radiothon for the last three years. I don’t think she ever left this year- All I know is I went home to sleep a few hours and she was there when I left and there when I came back! I’m not going to say much more about her because she’s not here to hear me rave about her tonight. She is off doing an event in Mexico for Star 105.5 tonight, so I’m going to hang on to her plaque and give the rest of my speech at the Auction in April! But you can go ahead and give her a big round of applause now, too, because she deserves it! Winner of the Dreamweaver Award, Erica Lorenz!
Imagine you are a young girl, living in a home shattered by domestic violence. You are insecure and isolated- you can’t invite friends over after school when Mom has a black eye. You aren’t doing well in school and you are having trouble sleeping, too. You start coming to Turning Point and that helps, but you still feel discouraged and worry a lot. And one day at Turning Point, you see a picture of a girl like you in the lobby- but this girl is confident and smiling, and she’s a RACE CAR DRIVER! You never even thought girls could drive race cars! And she’s won championships- 24 National Championships! She drives go-karts, mini sprints, she’s even trying out for NASCAR. And she’s only 18. That might even make you think anything is possible. And wait- this amazing racecar driver races for TURING POINT! On her jumpsuit is the Turning Point logo, and she donates her winnings to Turning Point.
Jessica Brannam is an inspiration to all of us. Every time she climbs into a car, she sends the message that dreams can come true. It’s so great to see her at the Radiothon surrounded by kids wanting a picture or autograph and it’s great to have her here tonight accepting this award. Ladies and gentleman, winner of the Dreamweaver Award Jessica Brannam!
Our next Award is the Peace & Justice Award, which we usually give to someone in the legal profession.
Tonight, we’re giving this award to three Assistant State’s Attorney’s from Lou Bianchi’s Office. And to present the award, we have someone from our Courthouse Office, who’s been part of Turning Point for 17 years. Here to present the Peace & Justice Award is Turning Point Legal Advocate Mary Denney.
Peace & Justice Awards —-presented by Mary Denney
Nichole Owens has a lot of experience prosecuting Domestic Violence. She’s worked here in the States Attorneys office since December of 2004 and she worked in other offices on domestic violence cases for six years before that. She is the driving force behind evidence based prosecutions- which is a way to prosecute abusers when victims don’t want to testify. I remember when I first met Nichole, we talked about how we could improve the way things are being done on domestic violence cases, how to help victims that don’t want to testify or are scared to. She also encouraged the misdemeanor dept to offer mock trials and further trainings to law enforcement. She has also has initiated the policy that we will proceed with the case if we can prove the case without the victims cooperation. Nichole Owens is always available to the advocates and listens to our needs, and the victims. And of course she is well known for her work on the Carolyn Cox trial.
I am glad to present this Peace & Justice Award to Nichole Owens!
When Demetri Tsilimingras started in the State’s Attorney’s office, he meet with all the Turning Point advocates in the court house and asked us we needed. I remember him saying that he looked at the low rate of convictions on Domestic Violence Charges there had been and he said “this has to change.” And change it did! Demetri hired one person to hear all the domestic violence charges and make sure every thing was followed up on. He also sits on the domestic violence coordinating council and does the trainings with the police departments on evidence based prosecutions. He also was instrumental in starting the mock trials. For these reasons and more I am glad to present this Peace and Justice Award to Demtri Tsilimingras!
Patrick Kenneally was hired to do all the domestic violence prosecutions in misdemeanor court, and he wanted to know everything he could about domestic violence. He even went on trainings with the advocates to better learn about Domestic Violence. He also made sure that all the police departments knew how to collect evidence when they go to a domestic call and yes, he and Demetri would go to the midnight roll call trainings and get up at 5:00 am to get to the 6:00 am trainings. When I first watched Pat win his first case without the victim’s cooperation, it was clear he understood domestic violence and the dynamics of it. As I used to say in my e- mails to Nichole and Lou Bianchi “there is something special about Patrick!” I am so glad to present this Peace & Justice Award to Patrick Keneally!
October 23 2009 | Events | No Comments »
From the Chicago Tribune:
“One in five orders of protection secured by victims of domestic violence in Illinois have not been served on the abuser, according to state records, prompting calls for reforms by victims’ advocates and the state’s attorney general.
Orders of protection, widely viewed as one of the most powerful tools to stop domestic violence, prohibit an abuser from contacting the victim.
Violators can face court sanction, but only if they have been served notice of the order. Right now, 19 percent of the 27,868 active orders of protection obtained have not been served, according to Illinois State Police records.”
You can read the whole story here.
October 23 2009 | Programs | No Comments »
Turning Point will host it’s Annual Dinner Thursday October 22, 2009 at the Crystal Lake Country Club. This annual event celebrates the accomplishments of the previous year, and honors those who made a difference in the struggle against domestic violence in McHenry County. The evening will begin with hors d’oevres and a cash bar at 6:30 P.M. followed by dinner and program at 7:30.
Accepting the “Peace and Justice” Award, honoring those in the legal profession who make our world a more peaceful place will be three attorneys from the McHenry County States’ Attorneys office, Nichole Owens, Demetri Tsilimigras and Patrick Kenneally. These prosecutors are being recognized for their effective use of evidence based prosecutions in domestic violence cases.
Receiving the “Partnership” award will be Home State Bank. Home State has not only been a staunch supporter of turning point for many years, they have facilitated the processing of donations for Turning Point’s annual “Take a Stand for Turning Point.”
Star 105.5’s Erica Lorenz will accept the “Dreamweaver” award, given each year to a volunteer who made a difference in the world. Lorenz is instrumental in “Take a Stand for Turning Point” and devotes countless hours to the radiothon through out the year. Also receiving the “Dreamweaver” award will be race car driver Jessica Brannam. Brannam wears the Turning Point logo proudly displayed on her jumpsuit and has worn it as she drove her Go-Kart to her 24 National Championships, 20 Regional Championships and 211 feature race victories. Jessica has driven all sorts of vehicles and recently took her NASCAR Rookie Test. Brannam also donates all her race winnings to Turning Point.
In addition to the presentation of awards, the evening will feature a “50/50” Raffle. Winner need not be present to win and raffle tickets ($25 each or 5 for $100) may be obtained by calling Turning Point at 815 338 8081.
The evening kicks off with a cash bar & reception at 6:30 PM on October 22, with dinner and program to follow. Tickets to the Annual Dinner are $75 per person and available by calling Turning Point at 815 338 8081.
Tickets to the event are $75 each and are available by calling Turning Point at (815) 228 8081.
October 22 2009 | Events and Fundraising | No Comments »
The NW Herald has some good tax advice about donation. Turning Point is indeed an 501-3c Non-Profit. “It’s that time of the year again to begin to take a “big picture” look at your finances and make appropriate adjustment to your portfolio, your estate plan and your charitable plans.
Charitable giving is an important part of tax planning at year-end, so let’s look at the cash and noncash aspects of giving. It makes sense to contact a tax expert or financial planner to talk about what giving makes sense for you.”
You can see the whole story here.
October 21 2009 | Fundraising and In the news | No Comments »
Karen Battaglia, in yesterday’s Northwest Herald. A great interview with a Nurse from Centegra. You can read it here.
October 19 2009 | In the news | No Comments »
A great editorial from the Wilmette Life:
“October is National Domestic Violence Month in Illinois, a good time to call attention to this problem that knows no economic, racial or demographic boundaries. Celebrities are just as likely to be battered by a partner as ordinary folks, something we saw this year with Rihanna and Chris Brown. ” You can read the rest here.
Thanks to Brian for the tip!
October 16 2009 | In the news | No Comments »
“This is what we mean when we talk about a community outcry against violence,” said Bev Thomas, coordinator for the council. “Each of you has the power to make choices, to reach out to someone to help them make the right choices.”
The NW Herald has the whole story here
October 15 2009 | Events | No Comments »
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