Despite the constraints of the Pandemic and the challenges that brings, we are super excited about spring and summer at Mooseheart. We are so excited to see spring flowers, freshly-cut grass, children outside playing and almost 1,000 U.S. Veteran’s Walk flags shining in the sunlight.

It is wonderful to walk around the lake and nature trails and admire natural beauty. It is also wonderful to witness the beauty of our Veteran’s Walk as we honor those individuals who have served or continue to serve our country. All this reminds us anew

that no matter what comes our way, Mooseheart will always move forward in its efforts to provide for the children in our care. Our staff and community are committed to making this experience memorable for each child, even when aspects of the pandemic try to deter our plans. Just as our Moose members have persevered through this time favorably, so too will we. Thank you, ONE MOOSE for always leading by example!

Mooseheart staff and students were excited to hold the Class of 2021 Commencement, the 5th & 8th Grade Promotions, and the 2021 Pilgrim Conferral in-person on the Mooseheart campus June 4-5. It was joyous to attend these special ceremonies again! The cancellations of last year have helped to sweeten the experiences of 2021.

We were excited to welcome ALL: The promotees/graduates, friends, families, and of course our Moose family back to Mooseheart!

On June 4, ground breaking took place for the MAC (Mooseheart Activity Center). This is something that has also been long awaited!! This three-year project has come to fruition and gone to-bid. Construction began June 7. We gratefully recognize the efforts of our Moose members who have made this become a reality. All Mooseheart is excited and will watch this project each day with the anticipation of its completion in March, 2022.

It is refreshing to look toward the future and see evidence of “normal” things. We count our blessings. Over the last 16 months, we have seen MUCH evidence of love and support from our generous members. Thank you for doing ALL you have to make sure your beloved Mooseheart children have all they need and that Mooseheart can continue its mission. We are forever grateful for your efforts and the energy you put into supporting us. God Bless Mooseheart!! Thank you.

— Gary Urwiler, Mooseheart Executive Director

From The Hear tA Q u a r t e r l y P u b l i c a t i o n f r o m M o o s e h e a r t C h i l d & C i t y S c h o o l , I n c .

V o l u m e 1 , 2 0 2 1w w w . m o o s e h e a r t . o r g

GARY URWILER - Mooseheart Executive Director • Gurwiler@mooseheart.org2 4 0 J a m e s J . D a v i s D r . M o o s e h e a r t , I L 6 0 5 3 9 w w w. m o o s e h e a r t . o r g • Office (630) 906-3601 • Fax (630) 859-6630

2

Despite the pandemic, Mooseheart held a successful Barnes & Noble Book Fair to benefit the school library. Moose donors sent more than 350 gift certificates to students. Local businesses participated too!

Mooseheart School held a special “Senior Day” celebration in February. This socially- distanced event permitted seniors to receive their senior rings, watches, senior photos and a set of new luggage. This day gave 17 seniors and Mooseheart staff some very special memories!

By The Numbers

1

4

COVID-19 restrictions have presented challenges for every department at Mooseheart.

COVID-19 safe activities were in high demand during the 2020 Christmas season. As a result significant changes were made to Mooseheart’s Holiday Lights Show. That show broke records as 20,273 carloads of happy visitors viewed the show.

2

The Admissions and Residential Living Departments worked together to create a 3-day, concentrated “push” in early January. This permitted 10 new students to join the campus population during the second semester.

3

Exciting Events

3

A Community Celebration took place February 25 to honor the Mooseheart Class of 2021. Students enjoyed a wealth of wisdom and encouragement,

specially ordered lunches and a shower of very special gifts during the day long event. Click the link below to get an up-close and

personal look at this year’s special class of Super Seniors!

https://youtu.be/gR3jQ-vNXB8

From The Mouth

4

Mooseheart’s class of 2021 proudly boasts 4 inductees into the prestigious National Honor Society; the most from

a Mooseheart class in more than 25 years.

Ellen

Alyssa

What are your plans after graduating from Mooseheart? Alyssa: “I plan to study kinesiology and health sciences in college. I want to help others live a healthy lifestyle.”Ellen: “I will attend college to study international business. I plan to return to Ghana to help the people there use their own resources to build their local economies.”Autumn: “I plan to study nursing with a specialty in pediatrics or maternity. I think it is my calling to serve people.”Makayla: “I plan attending college to study dental hygiene. I want to help build healthy smiles.”

Why are you proud of being inducted into the NHS? Alyssa: “It represents my drive to succeed. It’s a reward for all of my hard work.”Ellen: “It’s nice to see your hard work pay off and be recognized.”Autumn: “This distinction shows how hard I’ve worked and how far I’ve come.”

Makayla: “This reflects my hard work and dedication.”

What was the key to your academic success? Alyssa: “Self-discipline and figuring out what worked for me. I paid attention in class and made sure that I turned in all of my work.”Ellen: “Self-motivation and thinking of the road ahead and what I want for my future.”Autumn: “Not giving up when things got hard and being willing to ask for help.”Makayla: “Finding a healthy balance between work and play.”

What is something important you learned at Mooseheart that goes beyond academics? Alyssa: “I learned to accept any knowledge that I could from everyone in my life.”Ellen: “I’ve learned to have an open mind and listen to others. Living with people from different backgrounds and cultures has taught me a lot.”Autumn: “I’ve learned how to add structure to my life and that having a schedule and being organized can make my life easier.”Makayla: “I used to hate asking for help, but I’ve learned to swallow my pride and accept help from others.”

Autumn

Makayla

Rambler Roundup

5

Visit Facebook for the full collection of Mooseheart photos.

Special Day!Sean made it to the Achievement system by setting goals and working hard to achieve them.

As Mooseheart navigates the turbulence of a global pandemic, one thing has not changed; our doors are still open for children in need of safety, structure and stability.

Easter HolidayMooseheart students enjoyed hunting Easter eggs. Play Time! Tennessee home residents had a fun time exploring

and playing at Mooseheart Lake.

Military Ball In lieu of the Annual NJROTC Military Ball that is one of Mooseheart’s long standing traditions of pomp and formality, the junior and senior classes had a more relaxed event. They played games, listened to music, had great food and spent the evening socializing. Some students from the Class of 2021 held a sign thanking the event sponsors Southern California Moose Legion 6.

Welcome to Mooseheart!

. . . Leave to Serve Ghyslaine “Gigi” Galindo was a 9th-grader in Chicago. Her mother and father, first generation immigrants, were concerned with the direction their daughter appeared to be going. Her grades were slipping, she was increasingly disobedient and argumentative and she was starting to follow the wrong crowd. When Mr. and Mrs. Galindo learned about Mooseheart from an alumnus of the school, they applied on behalf of their 14-year-old daughter.

Gigi arrived at Mooseheart on October 24, 2001 as a high school sophomore. She immediately accepted the structure of her new home and embraced the teaching of social skills from her Family Teachers. Gigi said, “It was a positive transition for me. I was lucky to come to Mooseheart when I did.”

Shortly after her arrival, Gigi began working at the Fifth Third Bank branch located on the Mooseheart campus, a position she kept her entire time at Mooseheart. In addition to her work at the bank, Gigi grew as a part of Mooseheart’s Home Economics vocational program, where she worked with the children of Baby Village. Gigi also worked as an administrative assistant during the campus’ summer recreation program.

Over the next three years Gigi’s was an honor roll student and she graduated in 2004. After graduation, she remained on the Mooseheart campus in the Transitional Living program. She accepted full-time work with Fifth Third Bank and attended a local community college.

Gigi credits the development of her social skills at Mooseheart as a key to her professional career that has included promotion to management, owning and managing her own small business and serving in her current position as part-time Director of Operations for a manufacturing company.

Gigi and her husband Francisco have been married for 11 years and are the proud parents of two girls. Gigi enjoys volunteering at her daughter’s school and fostering three rescue dogs.

“I look back at my time at Mooseheart as a foundation,” Gigi said. “My work ethic and desire to serve was developed there. It is an incredible organization that gives without expecting anything in return. It is astounding to me. Mooseheart taught me how important family really is. My parents have a better daughter, my husband has a better wife and my children have a better mother because of that foundation laid at Mooseheart.”

6

Enter to Learn . . . Allison’s mother and father were in a tragic automobile accident when she was a young teenager. The accident claimed the life of her mother and started her father on a road of addiction to pain medication that plagued him and eventually claimed his life. Allison began her own experimentation with drugs a few years later. She dropped out of school and met Todd. The couple struggled with mutual drug addiction. While they welcomed the birth of Stacy, the pattern of drug use continued. Todd spent time in and out of jail while Allison tried to make ends meet bouncing from place to place with different relatives. Eventually, the couple divorced. Stacy spent time in the foster system while Allison worked on her sobriety. Although Allison was able to stay clean and sober, she was unable to provide a stable home for herself and Stacy. Humbly, Allison reached out to Mooseheart for help in providing stability for her child.

Gigi Galindo - Class of 2004