Commission on Family Services — Skokie, IL
Date: 2024-02-07

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


I. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda

II. Approval of Dec. 6, 2023 Minutes

III. Speaker: Annmarie Milazzo-Benuzzi, Youth Outreach Coordinator

IV. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack

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

VI. Old Business:
 A. Seniors Subcommittee

 B. At-Risk Youth and Families Subcommittee

 C. Disabilities Subcommittee - Town Hall Meeting

VII. New Business:
 A. Date for dinner meeting
 B. Commission budget for 2024
 C. Sub-committee breakout sessions and reports

VIII. Citizen Comments:

IX. Adjournment.


 Next Meeting: March 6, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
 at Skokie Village Hall

Commission on Family Services
 Meeting Minutes – Skokie Village Hall
 Feb. 7, 2024
 7:00 pm

Present: Commissioners Harold Primack (Chair), Jo Hammerman, Hilary Hunter, Shajan Jose (Vice Chair), Daniel
Mann, Peggy Molina, Melissa Ponce, Nancy Schwartz, Annie Shear, Phillip Shefren, London Summerville, Trustee
Edie Sue Sutker, Melissa Versch (Staff Liaison)

Absent: Commissioners Michelle Friedman, Marjorie Goran, Laila Iqbal, Linda Lara, Arnie Oskin, Valerie Riley,
Naadirah Shapley-Wells, Daniel Stalilonis


I. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda
 Meeting called to order at 7:09pm. Agenda approved by consent.

II. Approval of Dec. 6, 2023 Minutes
 Approved by consent.

III. Speaker: Annmarie Milazzo-Benuzzi, Youth Outreach Coordinator
 Annmarie Milazzo-Benuzzi presented on the Village of Skokie Youth Outreach Program, which is an early
 intervention and prevention program for youth who are ticketed for violating Skokie local ordinances. The
 program works in partnership with youth, their families, Village of Skokie, Skokie Police Department,
 Circuit Court of Cook County, Skokie schools and other social service agencies. Goals include providing
 social services and educational programs, accountability for actions, reduction in repeat offenses and
 diversion from further court action. Court advocates can make recommendations to the judge, such as
 community service, assessment and counseling, education and treatment.

IV. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack
 The Mayor’s office sent out invitations to an Appreciation Reception for commission and board members.
 The reception is March 13 at Holiday Inn. RSVP is requested by March 1.

 The commission’s brochure will need to be updated for this year to include the Town Hall meeting, which
 will have taken place. Also needed are the food and clothes drive dates. Diapers should be listed as one of
 the items needed for the food pantry. The brochures have been useful for handing out at events. Melissa
 V and Arnie may work together on the update.

 Regarding the Fourth of July Parade, there was not much interest in having the commission participate
 last year. If the commission would like to participate in the parade this year, Harold will need to talk with
 the chair of the Beautification Commission soon.

V. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch
 The Assist-A-Family Program, which provides gift cards to families in need during the holiday season, gave
 out over 1100 gift cards to 290 Skokie families. Most families are people who worked with Human
 Services during the year and experienced a hardship. All are low-income. The gift cards were in
 denominations of $30 to Walmart, Target or Jewel. The program is funded by generous donations from
 community members. It also helps fund the year-round emergency financial program.

 Harold asked if there is a role for the commission in the program. Melissa responded that the biggest
 need is funding. The Emergency Assistance Program helps people who have fallen behind on rent or
 utilities, and the need is high. Donations are accepted year-round. Campaigning has included information
 in the Skokie newsletter, outreach at events like the Thanksgiving Interfaith Service and letters to previous
 donors and local businesses.
VI. Old Business:
 A. Seniors Subcommittee
 Nothing to report.

 B. At-Risk Youth and Families Subcommittee
 London reported that the last discussion held by the subcommittee was regarding a possible diaper drive
 in May, perhaps in collaboration with other organizations.

 C. Disabilities Subcommittee - Town Hall Meeting
 Phil reported that the subcommittee has been meeting monthly with partner organizations. The event
 date is April 14 at the library. There is a need for volunteers to help lead discussion and take notes. The
 event has a capacity of 36 registered participants. There will be nine groups of four with a moderator to
 help guide discussion and a note taker. The library has a data analyst to help with the information
 collected. All people who self-identify as disabled are invited to participate. Partner agencies will advertise
 to the people in the community that they serve. Questions will include, “What makes you feel welcome?
 What has been good?” Any suggestions can be sent to Michelle Friedman. To help as a volunteer, contact
 Melissa Versch.

VII. New Business:
 A. Date for dinner meeting
 May 1 is being considered for a dinner meeting. Shajan is willing to help with the food order. Grecian
 Kitchen has delivered food in the past, but any local restaurant may be used.

 B. Commission budget for 2024
 Budget meetings are being scheduled for April 11, April 25 and May 1. The requested budget is the same
 as previous years, which has met the needs of the commission.

 C. Sub-committee breakout sessions and reports
 Deferred.

 D. Trustee Sutker commented that she has noticed all the nice things the commission has been
 doing. Though she was unable to attend Boomers and Beyond, great things were said about that event
 and the diaper drive. She states she is really excited about the upcoming Town Hall meeting. Trustee
 Sutker stated that it can be difficult to get to commission meetings due to an overwhelming amount of
 village business, but she keeps up with the minutes and hopes to come again in a few months. Trustee
 Sutker expressed gratefulness for all the work the commission is doing.

VIII. Public Comments:
 None.

IX. Adjournment
 Meeting adjourned at 8:00pm.



 Next Meeting: March 6, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
 at Skokie Village Hall