Commission on Family Services — Skokie, IL
Date: 2024-04-03

Commission on Family Services
 Meeting Agenda – Skokie Village Hall
 April 3, 2024
 7:00 pm


I. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda

II. Guest Speaker: Jessica Littmann – Experiences sponsoring a Rohingya family

III. Approval of March 6, 2024 Minutes

IV. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack

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

VI. Old Business:
 A. Seniors Subcommittee - Update

 B. At-Risk Youth and Families Subcommittee – Diaper drive update

 C. Disabilities Subcommittee - Town Hall Meeting update

 D. Commission pamphlet – Update

 E. Produce Initiate and food and clothes drives – Updates
  June 30
  July 28
  August 18
  Sept 29
  Oct 27


 F. Festival of Cultures and 4th of July events – Update

 G. Dinner meeting, June 5 - Update

VII. New Business:
 A. New subcommittee

VIII. Public Comments:

IX. Adjournment.


 Next Meeting: May 1, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
 at Skokie Village Hall

Commission on Family Services
 Meeting Agenda – Skokie Village Hall
 April 3, 2024
 7:00 pm

Present: Commissioners Harold Primack (Chair), Marjorie Goran, Jo Hammerman, Hilary Hunter, Daniel
Mann, Peggy Molina, Arnie Oskin, Melissa Ponce, Erin Ryan (NC), Nancy Schwartz, Annie Shear, Phillip
Shefren, Daniel Stalilonis, London Summerville, Melissa Versch (Staff Liaison)

Absent: Commissioners Michelle Friedman, Laila Iqbal, Shajan Jose (Vice Chair), Linda Lara, Valerie
Riley, Naadirah Shapley-Wells, Trustee Edie Sue Sutker


I. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda
 Approved by consent.

II. Guest Speaker: Jessica Littmann – Experiences sponsoring a Rohingya family
 Presentation by Jessica Littman, granddaughter of Holocaust survivors and immigrants to
 the United States. Littmann shared the experiences of her grandmother and the values
 passed on to her, which contributed to her decision to sponsor a Rohingya family. As a
 co-sponsor, responsibilities include making a home, raising support and being a friend.
 Littmann identified “being a friend” as a primary need.

III. Approval of March 6, 2024 Minutes
 Approved by consent.

IV. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack
 The Village reception for board members and commissioners was very nice. It was an
 opportunity to connect with others and hear about the efforts by the Village to compost
 and reduce greenhouse gasses.

V. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch
 The YWCA’s United Against Racism is this month. This year, instead of a one-day
 demonstration and discussion, the goal is to promote meaningful change in practice. The
 YWCA is holding a panel discussion at Fleetwood-Jourdain in Evanston on April 24.

VI. Old Business:
 A. Seniors Subcommittee - Update
 Jo Hammerman shared results from a survey seeking feedback from people who
 attended Boomers and Beyond in November. There were 430 people who attended, 92
 surveys were returned. Feedback showed that 96% of respondents found information
 from exhibitors to be helpful. Asked if presentations were helpful, 96% of those who
 responded marked agree or strongly agree. However, there was a large percentage that
 marked “NA” which may have indicated that many did not attend the presentations.
 Regarding health screenings, 31% found them to be helpful. Several comments indicated
 the health screenings were too full or had long wait times. Overall, there were positive
 comments about the event.

 B. At-Risk Youth and Families Subcommittee – Diaper drive update
 London Summerville reported that the subcommittee has planned a diaper drive for the
 week before Mother’s Day. Outreach has been expanded. There will be flyers distributed
 and there are more drop off sites. Instead of a one-day event at the library, Marjorie has
 arranged the library to be a collection site all week and commissioners do not have to be
 present. The police station will also be a drop-off site, in addition to Fire Station #16. The
 food pantry is an official sponsor, which means the logo will be used and they will help
 publicize the event. Melissa Versch has started to help with reaching out to clergy. A QR
 code to the Amazon wish list will be on the poster and can be emailed out. Members of
 the subcommittee are needed to distribute fliers and help with donation site pickup. The
 flier may be made to be customizable so that faith groups can promote within their own
 communities to be a drop-off site. Arnie stated that he has four boxes for collection.

 C. Disabilities Subcommittee - Town Hall Meeting update
 Phil Shefren reported that the Town Hall event is upcoming on April 14. The planning
 committee had a final meeting on Monday, which was a training session. There are
 currently 22 people registered, capacity is 36.

 D. Commission pamphlet – Update
 To help update the commission’s brochure, Melissa V requested a few sentences from
 subcommittees about the diaper drive and town hall meeting. Farmers Market dates are
 updated. Updated photos will also be needed. The brochure should be ready for the
 Festival of Cultures event in May. A recommendation was made to welcome ideas from
 the community.

 A new banner may also be needed for the donation drive at the farmers market.

 E. Produce Initiate and food and clothes drives – Updates
  Donation Drive dates: June 30, July 28, Aug 18, Sept 29, Oct 27
 London will organize a Signup Genius to send out in May.

 F. Festival of Cultures and 4th of July events – Update
 Arnie requested volunteers to help staff a table at the Festival of Cultures event, May 18
 and 19. Harold will send an email asking for volunteers for timeslots.

 Arnie reported the Fourth of July has 46 registered units. Harold presented options: to not
 attend the parade, to drive a car representing the commission, or to share a float with the
 Beautification Commission. Melissa suggested thinking about events that coincide with
 programs the commission would like to promote.

 G. Dinner meeting, June 5 – Update
 The May 1 meeting conflicts with a budget meeting, so the Commission on Family
 Services meeting will be moved to 7:30pm.

VII. New Business:
 A. New subcommittee
 Deferred until next meeting.

VIII. Public Comments:
 Littmann thanked the commission for inviting her.

IX. Adjournment at 8:25pm.

 Next Meeting:
 May 1, 2024, 7:30 p.m. - Time Change
 at Skokie Village Hall