Commission on Family Services — Skokie, IL
Date: 2024-06-05

Commission on Family Services
 Meeting Agenda – Skokie Village Hall
 June 5, 2024
 7:00 pm


I. Dinner

II. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda

III. Approval of May 1, 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 report

 C. Disabilities Subcommittee - Town Hall Meeting report

 D. Produce Initiative and food and clothes drives
  June 30, July 28, August 18, Sept 29, Oct 27

 E. Festival of Cultures – Report

 F. 4th of July Parade

 G. National Night Out – August 6, 2024 4pm – 7pm

VII. New Business:

VIII. Public Comments:

IX. Adjournment.


 Next Meeting: Sept, 4, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
 at Skokie Village Hall

Commission on Family Services
 Meeting Agenda – Skokie Village Hall
 June 5, 2024
 7:00 pm

Present: Commissioners Harold Primack (Chair), Jo Hammerman, Hilary Hunter, Shajan Jose (Vice Chair), Linda
Lara, Daniel Mann, Peggy Molina, Naadirah Muhammad (Shapley-Wells), Arnie Oskin, Melissa Ponce, Erin Ryan,
Nancy Schwartz, Annie Shear, Phillip Shefren, London Summerville, Melissa Versch (Staff Liaison)

Absent: Commissioners Michelle Friedman, Marjorie Goran, Laila Iqbal, Valerie Riley, Daniel Stalilonis, Trustee
Edie Sue Sutker

I. Dinner

II. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda
 Call to order at 7:24pm. Agenda approved by consent.

III. Approval of May 1, 2024 Minutes
 Approved by consent.

IV. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack
 Chairman Harold Primack acknowledged the great work done by the commission over the last year. The
 food and clothing drives in 2023 collected an estimated 7300lbs of fresh produce, 760lbs of non-
 perishables and toiletries, and 150 bags of clothing. Partnerships included Village of Health and Human
 Services, St. Paul Lutheran Church and Niles Township Food Pantry. Thank you to London Summerville for
 organizing the volunteer sign-ups. In November, Boomers and Beyond Senior Resource Fair was brought
 back after a four-year hiatus in partnership with community organizations. There were 430 guests, over
 40 vendors and 6 speakers. Thank you to Jo Hammerman and the planning committee for efforts on the
 event. The At-Risk Youth and Families subcommittee hosted two diaper drives, which collected 10,000
 and 14,000 diapers. In April, the subcommittee for People with Disabilities held a Town Hall meeting to
 hear from residents with disabilities in collaboration with several organizations. Thank you to the
 subcommittee for their work. Thank you to the Commission for a very successful year

V. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch
 Staff Liaison Melissa Versch reported that Health and Human Services opened the Emergency Financial
 Assistance Program May 1. The program helps residents who are past-due on rent or at risk of utility
 disconnection. HHS often partners with other organizations to provide financial assistance, including Niles
 Township and St. Vincent de Paul. The goal is to get applicants connected with resources, such as
 employment or caregiver support, so that they are able to pay future rent.

VI. Old Business:
 A. Seniors Subcommittee - Update
 The Seniors Subcommittee will start planning for the next community resource fair in the fall.

 B. At-Risk Youth and Families Subcommittee – Diaper drive report
 London Summerville reported that the Mother’s Day Diaper Drive collected 50% more donations than the
 November 2023 drive. Drop-off sites were expanded. The subcommittee would like to repeat the event
 next Mother’s Day.


 C. Disabilities Subcommittee - Town Hall Meeting report
 Phil Shefren stated that the subcommittee is working on a report from the April Town Hall meeting.

 D. Produce Initiative and food and clothes drives
  June 30, July 28, August 18, Sept 29, Oct 27
 Commissioners are encouraged to sign up to volunteer for the farmers market produce collections and
 donation drives. Melissa Versch shared the SignUp Genius links with the library’s teen volunteer program.

 E. Festival of Cultures – Report
 Arnie Oskin reported there was wonderful volunteer participation for the Festival of Cultures. The
 updated brochure was passed out. A commissioner asked if the brochure could be translated. The
 response was that the information is available on the website, where it can be translated.

 F. 4th of July Parade
 Arnie Oskin gave an update from the Fourth of July planning committee. There are 71 registered
 participants. Harold will let the Beautification Commission know if the Commission on Family Services has
 enough volunteers to collaborate on the float.

 A suggestion was made to make commission t-shirts, which can be worn for outreach events. Harold
 invited any interested commissioners to look into the cost. Any requests or changes to the budget should
 be made early.

 G. National Night Out – August 6, 2024 4pm – 7pm

VII. New Business:
 A commissioner suggested considering Commission participation in the Skokie Pride event. A
 recommendation was made to create an Excel Spreadsheet of events, which might help the Commission
 determine the best events for outreach.

 A recommendation was made to recruit commissioners that represent diverse groups, in order to look like
 Skokie.

 Introductions around the table were made.

 Thank you to Shajan Jose for ordering food for the meeting.

VIII. Public Comments:
 Citizen Teela Mims gave praise to the Commission for the year’s accomplishments.

IX. Adjournment
 Meeting adjourned at 8:06pm.


 Next Meeting: Sept, 4, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
 at Skokie Village Hall