Archive for February, 2010
A letter in today’s Northwest Herald:
I want everyone in McHenry County to be aware that until Monday, March 1, every main library will have a box collecting old, working or non-working cell phones for Turning Point.
I started this program having new and some permanent locations throughout McHenry County so that the boxes can be easily accessible throughout. It is very important to me that Turning Point maintains what it does for McHenry County.
Turning Point offers an emergency shelter, individual and group counseling, legal and non-legal advocacy, emergency food and clothing, and a partner abuse intervention program, among other programs.
I am collecting old, working or non-working phones, and used ink cartridges. The phones will be reconditioned and usable parts resold, with the proceeds benefiting Turning Point and its mission to reduce violence against women and children in McHenry County. All phones, regardless of age or current condition, are eligible to be donated.
Anyone also can check Turning Point’s Web site for current locations. I am adding new places every week. If anyone would like to help or suggest a drop-off box location, please contact sybilhenk@gmail.com.
Sybil Henk
Lake in the Hills
Great job Sybil! I hear she has collected well over 300 phones so far!
And here is the list of current locations:
Crystal Lake Library 126 W. Paddock St. Crystal Lake
McHenry Library, 809 N. Front St. (Route 31) McHenry
Woodstock Library, 414 W. Judd St, Woodstock
Cary Library, 1606 Three Oaks Rd. Cary
Huntley Library, 11000 Ruth Road Huntley
Algonquin Library, 2600 Harnish Drive Algonquin
Johnsburg Library, 3000 N. Johnsburg Road Johnsburg
Marengo Library 200 S. State St. Marengo
Fox River Grove Memorial Library 407 Lincoln Ave. Fox River Grove
Harvard Library 900 East McKinley Street, Harvard
Nippersink Library 5418 Hill Road Richmond
Burris Equipment Co. 2216 N. Green Bay Rd. Waukegan
Burris Equipment Co. 27939 W. Concrete Dr. Ingleside
Woodstock Harley-Davidson 2050 S Eastwood Dr, Woodstock
February 26 2010 | Fundraising and Volunteers | No Comments »
On the day before Valentine’s Day, a 52-year-old Cary man followed a woman home from work, cut her car off and blocked her car with his, the woman claimed in court records.
Three days later, he sent her at least 10 text messages asking her to come over and talk with him, she said. She did not respond, but he appeared at her friend’s home looking for her. The friend called police, and he left, she said.
But the woman, who is in her 40s, requested – and received – a temporary stalking no-contact order.
“His behavior and harassment and stalking is now making me concerned for my and my family’s safety,” she wrote in her request. “He is obsessed with me.”
The court paperwork does not indicate how the two know each other, if at all. But that’s the point of the law that created this new protective order Jan. 1.
The stalking no-contact order protects people who were followed, monitored, threatened or otherwise stalked at least twice by another person. Other no-contact orders previously protected only current or former family and household members, significant others or victims of sexual abuse.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office has processed about six such orders in the past two months, and state police noted about 20 in effect statewide, officials said.
You can read more at the NW Herald.
February 23 2010 | In the news and Programs | No Comments »
Susan Singleton Jane Farmer
Susan Singleton presents a check for $1000 raised during the recent McDonald’s McCare night held at local stores in Marego, Algonquin, Fox River Grove and Huntley.
February 22 2010 | Fundraising | No Comments »
This story in today’s Tribune caught my eye:
A 22-year-old Hoffman Estates man was sentenced Wednesday in Cook County Circuit Court to 30 months probation and 240 hours of community service for fatally beating two cats belonging to the mother of his girlfriend.
Raymond Bagaybagayan, of the 500 block of Mojave Street, pleaded guilty in Rolling Meadows branch court to animal torture. Judge Kay Hanlon also ordered Bagaybagayan to pay $1,750 in veterinary bills and not to have any contact with companion animals.
Prosecutors said two of the cats had to be euthanized after Bagaybagayan beat them in September. Another suffered injuries after he sprayed a lime dissolving liquid in its face, prosecutors said.
Horrifying, but far too common. The fact is, nothing is “off limits” for an abuser intent on controlling and terrorizing his victims: The more you or your children are attached to a pet, the more that pet can be seen by an abuser as a means to control you. Pets are also often seen as being in competition with an abusive partner for your attention.
“Even if a spouse has never been violent towards YOU, it’s vital that you take even the threat of violence against a pet seriously - not only for the pet’s safety, but for your own as well. Tons of research has been done on the issue of animal abuse and the relation to child abuse and spouse battering and the facts are in: threats or actions against your pet are a very strong indicator that violence is on the way for you or your children.
Of 50 shelters surveyed about women and children escaping from domestic violence, 85% said that women in their shelter talked about pet abuse, 63% of children talked about pet abuse, and 83% said that they had observed the coexistence of domestic violence and pet abuse. ” That information is from Aardvarc.org An Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence Aid and Resource Collection. Their Website is here. The important thing is to realize violence to animals WILL lead to violence to people. Get help immediately if you loved one is threatening or harming animals!
February 19 2010 | In the news and Programs | No Comments »
We haven’t posted about the two murders by family members that took place last week in Algonquin and Fox River Grove, but this story gives such a complete pictures of what can happen in families dealing with Domestic Violence I have to cite it. You can read the whole story in the NW Herald.
A very sad story all around.
ALGONQUIN – A 16-year-old boy discussed suicide the day he killed his father, and had a history of mental illness, including a six-week hospitalization within the last year, his attorney said today.
Experienced criminal defense attorney Brian Telander received court permission from the counselor who has been treating David Szalonek, of Algonquin, to visit him in custody, Telander said Thursday. Szalonek is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting his father, 51-year-old Brian Szalonek, in the head with a shotgun on Feb. 8.
“There’s a lot of issues we have to take a look at, but I thought the first one should be what’s going on in his mind,” Telander said. “I’m not going to get reports for a month, but certainly when I talk to him, he’s not all there.”
That ultimately could lead to an evaluation on whether Szalonek is mentally fit to stand trial. But Telander said he also expected to explore whether the shooting was intentional, the extent Brian Szalonek allegedly abused his family, and whether a legal justification for the shooting exists.
“This isn’t a who-dun-it,” Telander said.
Telander said the boy’s mother, Jerilyn, and her family attended the court appearance this morning in Kane County Circuit Court. Jerilyn Szalonek hired Telander, who said the extended family appears to be supporting the teen as they plan Brian Szalonek’s funeral and work to settle his estate.
Court records show Jerilyn Szalonek accused her husband of physical violence dating back to 1987 and of withholding financial assistance to her and her three children. She sought two orders of protection while the family was living in Lake in the Hills.
Emergency orders of protection were granted, but the cases were dismissed before a longer order was entered, court records show.
Telander said he expected further investigation will show the abuse continued not only against Jerilyn Szalonek, but against his client as well. Brian Szalonek’s assets were in his name alone; he did not allow his wife to have her own checking account, Telander said.
David Szalonek has Asperger’s syndrome, which is a form of autism, and had struggled with major depression before the Feb. 8 slaying, Telander said. David Szalonek had previously attempted suicide, and school officials called his family the day of the shooting to report he had been discussing suicide, Telander said.
Police were called to the 16-year-old’s house at 1461 Westbourne Parkway in Algonquin about 7:45 p.m. Feb. 8 after a 911 call indicating that there was a deceased person there. Telander said the victim was awake in his bedroom when he was shot.
David Szalonek is being held on $2.5 million bail. His next court date is March 18.
February 18 2010 | In the news | No Comments »
14 locations across the area will be collecting used working or non-working cell phones to benefit Turning Point, McHenry County’s Social Service Agency serving victims of Domestic Violence. Locations for this drive include area public libraries in Crystal Lake, Woodstock, Cary, McHenry, Huntley, Algonquin, Johnsburg, Marengo, Fox River Grove, Harvard and Nippersink, as well as McHenry County College (building A room-A251, Burris Equipment Company locations in Waukegan and Ingleside, and Woodstock Harley Davidson.
People can donate their old, out-dated cell phones by bringing them in to the listed spots during regular business hours. These phones will then be reconditioned and usable parts resold, with proceeds benefiting Turning Point and it’s mission to confront Violence against Women & Children in McHenry County. All phones, regardless of age or current condition are eligible to be donated and all phones have their memories completely erased. This Cell Phone collection produces multiple positive effects: Donors can eliminate the clutter of non-working phones from their home and also help to support Turning Point, as well as keep these phones from ending up in land fills where their electronic components can be hazardous to the environment.
This multi-location cell phone drive has been organized by Turning Point Volunteer Sybil Henk.
Cell Phone collection boxes are located at:
Crystal Lake Library 126 W. Paddock St. Crystal Lake
McHenry Library, 809 N. Front St. (Route 31) McHenry
Woodstock Library, 414 W. Judd St, Woodstock
Cary Library, 1606 Three Oaks Rd. Cary
Huntley Library, 11000 Ruth Road Huntley
Algonquin Library, 2600 Harnish Drive Algonquin
Johnsburg Library, 3000 N. Johnsburg Road Johnsburg
Marengo Library 200 S. State St. Marengo
Fox River Grove Memorial Library 407 Lincoln Ave. Fox River Grove
Harvard Library 900 East McKinley Street, Harvard
Nippersink Library 5418 Hill Road Richmond
McHenry County College Building A Room-A251, Crystal Lake
Burris Equipment Co. 2216 N. Green Bay Rd. Waukegan
Burris Equipment Co. 27939 W. Concrete Dr. Ingleside
Woodstock Harley-Davidson 2050 S Eastwood Dr, Woodstock
February 16 2010 | Fundraising and Volunteers | No Comments »
Take a Walk in Her Shoes Ball
March 19
The “Take a Walk in Her Shoes Ball” is held in conjunction with Women’s History Month which is annually celebrated in the month of March.
The concept of the Take a Walk in Her Shoes Ball highlights the personal journeys women take - shoes are symbolic of the steps we all take in our lives. Half of the proceeds raised at the Ball will be used to establish a scholarship called “Women in Transition”. Our scholarship recipients will receive funding at McHenry County College for educational costs, books, childcare and even transportation reimbursement, should any be required.
Everything that our recipients need to realize the ambition of improving their situation, are compliments of the “Take a Walk in Her Shoes Ball” events. Women who apply and receive the scholarship can use it for the College’s occupational career programs, certificate programs, associate’s degree programs or transfer programs.
For more information, contact Kathrine Pfister at (815) 479-7529.
February 15 2010 | Events and In the news | No Comments »
WINGS “Friends of the Safe House” invite you to hear Carolyn Cox speak April 30th! For details call 847 519 7820.
February 15 2010 | Events and In the news | No Comments »
Our McCare night at the McDonald’s in FOX RIVER GROVE, HUNTLEY, ALGONQUIN and MARENGO was a smashing success, raising $1000 for Turning Point! THANK YOU to those locations and especially to Susan Singleton of Singleton Management Company for their generosity- and to Turning point supporters who turned out to drive that total up!
February 04 2010 | Events and Fundraising | No Comments »
From today’s Herald:
WOODSTOCK – Four area McDonald’s restaurants will conduct a “McCare Night” for Turning Point.
At the locations in Marengo, Algonquin, Fox River Grove and Huntley, 15 percent of all proceeds at the restaurants from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday will be donated to Turning Point.
No coupon or flier is necessary; all purchases made during those hours will generate donations to the charity.
Turning Point is a domestic violence agency and shelter with a mission to confront violence against women and children in McHenry County.
This is the first time that these four restaurants have held a McCare Night simultaneously.
The restaurants involved are at 200 W. Grant Highway, Marengo; 125 S. Randall Road, Algonquin; 10711 Route 47, Huntley; and 840 Northwest Highway, Fox River Grove.
For information on the McCare Night is available by calling Turning Point at 815-338-8081.
February 02 2010 | Events and Fundraising | No Comments »