Dec. 19, 2019 Volume 15, Issue 25

Welcome the newest staff members to our Marklund Team!

Alfarae Alexander –

Housekeeper, MPC

Heather Dawson –

PSP, MHC

Giuseppe Fiduccia –

Life Skills Teacher, MDS

Amanda Smith –

PSP, MHC

Zoe Vicker –

Laundry, MHC

Joan Rubino, Director of Human Resources, recently announced that she will retire in June of 2020, after 29 years of service.

In preparation of her leaving Marklund, the HR Department will undergo changes, including:

Marie Loiacono has been named Joan’s successor as

Director of HR.

Marie, Director of Talent Management & Talent Acquisition, will begin working with Joan in January to transition into her new role. She will continue to lead Talent Management and the Retention Initiative as Director of HR. Marie has been with Marklund for eight years. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management from DePaul University, and maintains the following certifications: Professional in Human Resources, Strategic Human Resource Business Partner, Human Capital Strategist, Change Management for Human Resources, Analytics for Talent Management.

Adam Rusthoven has been promoted from Recruiter for MWC, MPC and MDS to Talent Acquisition Manager. He began training with Marie Loiacono in mid-December. Adam has been with Marklund for two years. He has a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management from Northern Illinois University and holds certifications in: Professional Recruiter Certification, Certified Social Sourcing Recruiter, Human Capital Strategist, SHRM Essentials of Human Resources.

Congratulations to all!

Dec. 19, 2019

We had another excellent group of “You Caught My Eye” awardees this month with 113 nominations. When I say “excellent,” I am referring more to quality of the individuals being honored than the number of nominees. It is becoming harder and harder to pick out a few to be honored when there are SO many worthy individuals; a nice problem to have. No matter who is picked, I want every awardee to know that just by being recognized you are a winner. You really are a remarkable team! Marklund has an amazing staff and I want to thank each of the nominators for the “window” that each YCME gives me into the many facets of what we do. As I go through the cards each month, I not only notice the names of those being recognized but I also make a special note of those who take the time to make the nomination. Some of you are very prolific in the number of recognitions you share. The first person recognized is Katie Keller. Katie is a Paraprofessional at the Marklund Day School – Bloomingdale. She had two nominations. In one, she was commended for her patience and for being such a great addition to their team. Her other nominator commented on her consistently positive attitude. Katie is commended for her attitude, compassion and teamwork. The next person is Enny Oyenubi. Enny is a PSP at the Marklund Wasmond Center. She had four nominations. All four of the nominators had a common theme: she was commended for her attitude, her willingness to help her fellow staff, and going out of her way to get the work done. Enny is recognized for her attitude, accountability and teamwork. And last but not least is Leslie Worden. Leslie is a PSP at the Marklund Hyde Center. She had three nominations. She was cited in one for helping out in another CDS classroom after she had taken care of her own residents. The theme of the other two was her being a “team player” and her willingness to help. Leslie is recognized for her accountability, attitude and teamwork. Again, congratulations to all but a special commendation to Katie Keller, Enny Oyenubi and Leslie Worden.

Gil

“You Caught my Eye…..”

In honoring the true spirit of this award, we are recognizing both the

nominee and nominator. Join us in congratulating November, 2019

Katie Keller, Leslie Worden, Eniitan Oyenubi

Nominator(s): Steph Dellegrazie, Dee Farrey, Lauren Humphries, Brea Jones, Amber Kartheiser,

Joseph Meiners, Leslie Pineda, Pauline Plaza, Oscar Ramirez, Susan Rushford, Kayland Smith

Congratulations to all of our staff nominated for a “You Caught My Eye”

Tyler Adamson, Babatunde Adekoya, Gina Allen, Kelsey Babcock, Jenna Bawel, Colette Benjamin, Nikolas Borsilli, Nicole Cabai, Tim Caruso,

Marissa Cassin, Mercedes Chanhdara, Diana Claros, William Cobb, Glen Cozzie, Lisa Cress, Odalys Delapaz, Stephanie Dellegrazie, Meghan

Edwards, Ana Espinosa, Ynna Eusebio, Jennifer Facio, Dee Farrey, Angie Franks, Jen Gallandez, Kevin Gatto, Viola Gerus, America Gomez, Maria

Gonzalez, Gabby Grant, Jen Johnson, Brea Jones, Tirly Joseph, Grace Kaneko, Amber Kartheiser, Cammi Kayse, Tom Kazda, Katie Keller, Mary

Kobbeman, Yanary Labrador, John Lennex, Rose Leon, Melissa Lloyd, Brittany McMurray, Joseph Meiners, Sue Molenkamp, Nicole Molleur,

Nancy Montes, Roxy Ochoa, Melissa Oliveros, Brenda Oliveros, Eniitan Oyenubi, Eric Pacecko, Ariana Paloalto, Bernadette Pauls, Yvette Pavon-

Cardenas, Heather Ravenna, Josie Rodriguez, Susan Rushford, Jenny Sandoval, Wendy Santoyo, Leslie Scheffel, Alex Schuster, Katie Sherman,

Daniel Silva, Kiran Singh, Kayland Smith, Aaron Smith, Michelle Sosa, Jennifer Sowiak, Diane Stoner, Alayah Sullivan, Maria Vargas, Caitlin Vick,

Pam Vintika, Johnathan Walsh, Lee Washington, Roxanne White, Tameia Williams, Angela Williams, Samantha Winger, Leslie Worden,

Tiffany Zurek

Thank you to those who took the time to nominate their fellow co-workers

Cody Ash, Robin Avigliano, Lorin Bergschneider, Mercedes Chanhdara, Alexus Chanhdara, William Cobb, Stephanie Dellegrazie, Krissy Dolen,

Dee Farrey, Shannon Frazier, Paula Garcon, Maria Gonzalez, Lauren Humphries, Jen Johnson, Bre Jones, Laura Kaczmarek, Amber Kartheiser,

Tom Kazda, Danielle Kinsley, Megan Kugach, Yanary Labrador, Jen Lebel, John Lennex, Rose Leon, Brittany Leonhard, Marie Loiacono, Char

Lukas, Monica Lupou, Lena McNichols, Joseph Meiners, Sue Molenkamp, Amanda Nordmeyer, Roxy Ochoa, Lem Pablo, Gunjan Patel, Bernadette

Pauls, Leslie Pineda, Pauline Plaza, Oscar Ramirez, Nene Ramirez, Kristina Rome, Susan Rushford, Wendy Santoyo, Adam Schulz, Lindsey Scott,

Denise Settanni, Kayland Smith, Jeannie Stefanik, Anna Trybula, Bridgette Tyndall, Edel Vaca, Nancy Vincej

Congratulations!

FLEX POINT PROGRAM !

Instructions for earning and turning in your Flex Points:

We are currently only accepting Flex Points that are stamped “Expires December 31.”

● We will continue to issue Flex Points with that date on them through the December 19 pay date. After that date, Flex Points

will have a different expiration date.

● Employees will be able to turn in their points for any of the rewards through January 10, 2020.

Flex Points with the December 31 expiration date WILL NOT BE VALID after that date and will not be accepted.

The Flex Point Program will be extended through June 30, 2020!

Beginning with the Jan. 2, 2020 pay date, Flex Points will be stamped “Expires June 30.”

● You will be able to turn in points for the following rewards:

$25 gift card Points Needed: 6

Request off for one paid shift Points Needed: 24

Erase a call off Points Needed: 24

If you have any questions, please call Joan Rubino at extension 5489.

Congrats to the new Mr. and Mrs. Denney! Devyn(Doering), MTH Group Home Manager, and her new husband, Blake, had a beautiful winter wedding

full of love and laughter!

Congrats to Tiffany Zurek on her promotion to PR Specialist within the Marketing and Communications Department. In her new role, Tiffany, formerly a PSP at MHC, will support the PR needs for MPC,

MWC and MDS.

Employee Assistance Program

Helping you manage life’s challenges. Call 888-933-1327.

MDS-Geneva Construction Update

Cold but busy week….

Construction progress includes:

Finish installing roof trusses and decking

Core ventilation holes in decking

Install lower area roof and soffit

Pour topping coat on second floor

Prep for slab on grade

The Winter CareLetter is out!

Find your copy in the reception area at all sites.

Your year-end gift will help us make everyday life possible for everyone we serve, and help keep Marklund a place where friendships grow strong! Make your end-of-year gift today at

www.marklund.org/friends to help keep Marklund a place where friendships, like Debbie and Joey's, grow strong!

Run, Walk & Roll- Bloomingdale Registration is OPEN!

Secure your early bird registration rate and event t-shirt by filling out the status form on the following page and returning it to Community Events Manager, Natalie Sarby.

You can also register online and check out all race details by visiting www.marklund.org/5kbloomingdale.

For questions, contact Natalie at nsarby@marklund.org or (630) 593-5461

News about

GRANTS Funds donated to Marklund from Foundations,

Companies and Individuals Grants for MDS-Geneva Russo Power began suppor ting the Marklund Wasmond Center in 2016, and this year made a generous gift of

$6,000 for the Marklund Day School-Geneva. Last year , Marklund residents hand-crafted ornaments for Russo Power to give away to their top customers and share their passion for helping our mission. They are looking forward to coming to all three campuses in 2020 to volunteer.

The Dunham Fund generously awarded Marklund with a gift of $250,000 for the new school. This is their largest gift to Marklund; they have been very supportive of #GivingTuesday efforts with matching donations. The Dunham Fund focuses on services provided along the Fox River Valley, from Aurora to Geneva.

The Batavia Wal-Mart store awarded Marklund $1,500 to help furnish the new Day School-Geneva. Wal-Mart believes in investing in the communities where they are located. The Batavia store has been very generous to Marklund in the past, and this is their largest gift to date. Other Grants Walter & Caroline Sueske Charitable Trust has been donating to Marklund since 2011 and this year ’s gift of

$2,000 is for a new bair hugger at MPC. Bair huggers use forced air to warm residents who have low body temps. The Laughing Acres Family Foundation learned about Marklund through a Hyde Center resident’s family! (Y ou never know who knows someone who can help.) Their first gift was in

2011, and this year, they donated $5,000 for MHC pulse oximeters that check hemoglobin levels. The Global Children Foundation came out to visit the Philip Center in November . Dur ing their visit, they

surprised us with a generous gift of $1,000 for general operating. Since 1996, the George M. Eisenberg Foundation for Charities has been supporting a variety of Marklund’s programs

and made a generous gift of $40,000 for MPC operating funds. Ecolab is committed to suppor ting agencies near their plants/offices. Their Elk Grove Village location has been supporting Marklund’s Bloomingdale location since 2016. This

year, they chose to award us $3,000 (the highest gift yet!) to purchase an Airvo2 system and supplies for MPC. Their Naperville location began supporting the Hyde Center campus

in 2018, and this year donated $3,000 to help with bed replacements on campus.

St. Margaret Mary Church of Naperville selected Marklund for a $2,000 grant in support of general operating expenses. A member of their parish came out to tour and was so impressed with Marklund’s staff (and all their interactions with her and the clients) and the cleanliness of our buildings.

Marklund’s Development department applies for grants throughout the year. If you know of a grant opportunity, please

email Vicki Watts, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at vwatts@marklund.org.

Italian Christmas Cookies TOTAL TIME: Prep: 25 min. Bake: 14 min./batch + cooling .YIELD: 7 dozen.

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar

3 large eggs

1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

FROSTING:

1/4 cup butter, softened

3 to 4 cups confectioners' sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 to 4 tablespoons milk

Colored Sprinkles

Directions

1. In a bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in ricotta and vanilla. Combine flour, salt and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture.

2. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

3. In a large bowl, cream butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and enough milk to reach spreading consistency. Frost cooled cookies and immediately decorate with sprinkles. Store in the refrigerator.

© 2019 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC