Commission on Family Services — Skokie, IL
Date: 2025-02-05

Commission on Family Services
 Meeting Agenda – Skokie Village Hall
 Feb. 5, 2025
 7:00 pm


I. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda

II. Approval November Minutes

III.  Guest Speaker: Fatima Rasoul, Community Engagement Specialist, HIAS Immigration
and Citizenship

IV. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack

V. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch

VI. Old Business:
 A. Seniors Subcommittee – Report

 B. At-Risk Youth and Families Subcommittee – Report

 C. Disabilities Subcommittee – Report

VII. New Business:
 A. Commission budget

 B. Village events:
 1. Festival of Cultures
 2. 4th of July Parade
 3. Other

 C. Signup Genius for Produce Initiative and food and clothes drive

VIII. Public Comments:

IX. Adjournment.


 Next Meeting: March 5, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
 at Skokie Village Hall



 If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Melissa Versch, Health and Human
 Services Division at (847) 933-8233 or melissa.versch@skokie.org.

Commission on Family Services
 Meeting Minutes – Skokie Village Hall
 Feb. 5, 2025
 7:00 pm

Present: Harold Primack (Chair), Commissioners Sharon Cohen, Jo Hammerman, Shajan Jose (Vice Chair), Daniel
Mann, Peggy Molina, Arnie Oskin, Melissa Ponce, Erin Ryan, Nancy Schwartz, Phillip Shefren, Daniel Stalilonis,
London Summerville, Melissa Versch (Staff Liaison)

Absent: Commissioners Michelle Friedman, Marjorie Goran, Hilary Hunter, Linda Lara, Naadirah Muhammad
(Shapley-Wells), Valerie Riley, Annie Shear, Trustee Edie Sue Sutker


I. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda
 Meeting called to order at 7:00pm. Agenda approved by consent.

II. Approval December Minutes
 Approved with correction.

III. Guest Speaker: Fatima Rasoul, Community Engagement Specialist, HIAS Immigration
 and Citizenship
 Postponed until March meeting.

IV. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack
 Chair Primack provided an overview of new business to discuss. Commissioners are encouraged to
 participate in Village events to help promote the Commission on Family Services activities, including the
 Diaper Drive and Donation Drives. Subcommittees are encouraged to generate new ideas for
 commission initiatives.

 Commissioner Daniel Mann will be resigning as he has accepted a new position out of state. He
 expressed gratitude for the Commission.

V. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch
 Invitations have been sent out for the Boards and Commissions Reception to be held on March 4.

 As an extension site for Salvation Army, Village of Skokie Human Services is able to assist with Nicor bills
 for low to moderate income households with a past-due balance or for seniors. Any Skokie resident who
 might need assistance or would like more information can reach out to the Human Services Division.

VI. Old Business:
 A. Seniors Subcommittee – Report
 Jo Hammerman reported that the new name for the senior resource fair, formerly Boomers and Beyond,
 is Live Well Age Well Skokie. The event will take place on November 7, 2025. The next planning
 committee meeting is February 19 at the library. The committee is looking for engaging and experiential
 speakers. Commissioners will be needed to help out the day of the event, and are invited to participate
 in the planning stage.
 B. At-Risk Youth and Families Subcommittee – Report
 London Summerville reported that the Mother’s Day Diaper Drive will be a little longer than a week,
 from May 2 to 11. The subcommittee is considering including the Park District and other expanded
 locations. A suggestion was made to advertise on digital signage within the Village.

 C. Disabilities Subcommittee – Report
 Melissa Versch reported that the Village ADA Coordinator has reached out to organizations to request
 guidance with conducting a self-assessment and transition plan.

 Chair Primack discussed emergency preparedness in regards to people with disabilities, in light of recent
 events with wildfires in California. Commissioner Michelle Friedman wrote an article on the topic. Peggy
 Molina shared that the Chicago Hearing Society will be presenting about emergency response at the
 Skokie Medical Reserve Corps meeting on April 23 at 6:30pm at the Skokie Police Department.

VII. New Business:
 A. Commission budget
 The Village budget meetings will be scheduled soon. The Commission’s requested budget will remain at
 $1200. Funding can be used for materials needed for commission events. Arnie Oskin may work with
 Melissa Versch to update the commission brochure.

 B. Village events:
 1. Festival of Cultures
 2. 4th of July Parade
 3. Other
 If enough commissioners are interested in participating in the Fourth of July parade, Chair Primack may
 talk with the Appearance Commission about collaborating. Melissa Versch shared a list of additional
 scheduled events that may be of interest, including Skokie Pride and Juneteenth. These events may be
 an opportunity to collaborate with the Human Relations Commission.

 C. Signup Genius for Produce Initiative and food and clothes drive
 London Summerville was asked to help set up a volunteer sign-up for the summer farmers market
 produce collection and donation drives.

 Melissa Versch reported that the Winter Market is coordinating monthly donation drives and may be
 interested in volunteers to help.

VIII. Public Comments:
 None.

IX. Adjournment at 7:38p.m.


 Next Meeting: March 5, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
 at Skokie Village Hall