The Song Fall 2018

Holiday Highlights Inside this issue: Gift Program

Letter from the Please consider including Home of the Sparrow in your holiday giving. Executive Director 2 We have three great ways to give for our Holiday Gift Program. Individuals, groups and businesses can all be a part of giving! President’s Column 3 Gift of Hope Shelter Program Our greatest need this year is the Gift of Hope. One spark of hope can Feature Story 4 change the journey of a mother or child for the rest of their life. Volunteer Through our Matching Gift Challenge, you can Double your Impact! Opportunities 6 Thanks to an anonymous donor, every gift received between November 12—December 31, 2018 Homelessness will be matched up to $250,000!

Happens to $25 can provide a new pair of shoes for a child Ordinary People 7 $50 can supply a week's worth of gas to get to and from work $100 can pay for a week of groceries or a month of utilities Spotlight: Welcome Community Threads! $250 can provide a week of childcare for a working mother 9 $500 can provide one month's rent for a family.

New Frequent Please go to www.HOSparrow.org to leave your Gift of Hope Donation. Shopper Program 10 If you prefer, checks can be made out to Home of the Sparrow Safe from and sent to our address below.

Domestic Violence 10 Gift of Opportunity Upcoming Events By giving gift cards, it empowers women to take control of their lives and gives and Sponsorship them the Opportunity to be active participants in purchasing crucial items for Opportunities 11 themselves and their families this holiday season. These items include clothing, shoes, groceries, gas, and prescriptions. We are seeking gift cards to places like Thanks to our Aldi, Meijer, and Walmart, as well as gas gift cards to BP, Shell and Mobil. Sponsors 13

Outreach and Gift of Support Prevention By donating items on our Shelter Needs Wish List, you are providing year-round Program Assists Support to our shelter residents. Check out our Shelter Wish List on page 5.

Young Mom 14 All gifts and donations should be new and unwrapped. Please drop off your gifts and donations no later than Friday, December 14th to our Administrative Office located at 4209 W. Shamrock Ln, Unit B, McHenry, IL Our office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 am—4:00 pm.

For more information, please contact Michelle Lusmann at 815-271-5444. Page 2 The Song Fall 2018

Letter from the Executive Director—Matt Kostecki

I am so happy to be obstacles they face. Our volunteers, donors, selected as the new To see women and chil- and community are all Executive Director, and dren get out of home- reasons Home of the to be working for such lessness, off the Sparrow has been suc- a well recognized streets, out of shelters cessful for almost 32 organization that does and into housing is a years. Without your great work in the com- daily reminder that time, talent and generos- munity. Helping the people deserve the ity, Home of the Sparrow homeless has always “Opportunity” for a would not exist today. I been in my heart. I better life. This is my look forward to meeting started my career hometown. I was all of you! Home of the working with the raised in this beautiful Sparrow’s mission of homeless at McHenry county, and I am “Providing Hope, Oppor- County PADS, and my happy to be serving tunity and Support” has “Hope” was that, one those in need. many meanings; it’s not “This is my day, I would be a part just giving Hope - it’s hometown. I was of Home of the Spar- I look forward to helping the “Hope” be- raised in this row. My “Hope” connecting our clients come reality, like it did beautiful county, became reality on back into the communi- for me when I was and I am happy Monday, August 13, ty as productive, self- offered the position of to be serving 2018 – my first day as sufficient individuals Executive Director. those in need.” Executive Director. and giving them the best resources I look forward to the —Matt Kostecki For several years, I possible. The journey new, exciting challenges watched this agency can be difficult, but we my staff and I will face as grow. I saw Home of are here to help them we move forward. I’m the Sparrow become a along. We will provide honored each day to lead leader in providing so- the “Support” they the talented team at lutions to ending home- need; we will enrich Home of the Sparrow lessness in McHenry the programs and and work with this County and Northern continue to advance astounding community Illinois. In my experi- the good works of the in which I was so proudly ence, I’ve seen women, organization. It is our raised. Thanks for all children, men, and fam- goal to develop new that you do to make a ilies of all ages struggle and innovative ideas to difference for so many. with issues and go help homeless women through really rough and children become times. It takes a lot of empowered and regain support, strength and independence. determination to overcome the many www.HOSparrow.org Page 3

President’s Column—Joel Zarnstorff

If you're in a bad situation, strong field of candidates to been able to borrow a best prac- don't worry, it'll change. help lead HOS into the future. tice of listing higher-end items If you're in a good situation, that are donated to the stores Despite being the youngest Ex- don't worry, it'll change.” on eBay, as an alternative to ecutive Director in the agency’s — John A. Simone, Sr. stocking them in the thrift history, Matt brings with him It was interesting for me to stores. This appeal to a broader years of nonprofit leadership look back at our last news- market has already started to experience, most recently with letter, and find that I wrote pay off in the form of higher Urban Muslim-Minority Alliance about all the changes happen- sales prices for several items, (UMMA) Center in Waukegan, ing in and around Home of the which is important as the retail and before that with PADS/ Sparrow. As the saying goes, landscape continues to see in- Pioneer Center in his native “The only constant is change,” creased pressure from both McHenry County. because if anything, the pace brick & mortar and online com- of change has only increased The affiliation between Home petitors. of the Sparrow and Community since then. Changes in the not- Looking forward, we can expect Threads (CT), a large and inde- for-profit world, changes in the more changes as the agency and pendent not-for-profit thrift retail industry, changes in per- the environment in which it op- store in Arlington Heights, was sonnel and board makeup – erates continue to evolve. completed successfully. Thanks we’ve had a lot going on! Here Through it all, I am confident in to the tireless work of our retail are just a few of the major the ability of our excellent staff, and logistics staff, the staff and changes that have taken place my fellow board members, and volunteers of Community since earlier this year: all our fantastic volunteers to Threads, and the board mem- continue meeting the needs of bers of both organizations, Matt Kostecki joined Home of our clients, each and every day. th Home of the Sparrow is now the Sparrow as its 7 Execu- And of course, none of this CT’s controlling member and tive Director in August, and would be possible without our sole beneficiary. In the past, CT has already impressed the loyal donors, grant funders, and used the profits from its store staff, board, and community community partners who help to provide financial grants to members with his quiet, con- make it all possible. Thanks to all several community organiza- fident leadership style and of you for what you do, and tions, but it now supports HOS passion for the mission and here’s to bigger and better exclusively, and has already values of Home of the Spar- things for Home of the Sparrow! row. After an extensive provided grant funding totaling search process involving $120,000. “Change is the law of life, and those board and staff members, who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” Matt was chosen from a very Another benefit of the affilia- tion with CT is that HOS has —John F. Kennedy

Thank you to our Home of the Sparrow Board Members Board of Directors Adjunct Board Members

Joel Zarnstorff, President Elizabeth Egel Bob Sharp, Treasurer Dr. Justin Gent Lauren Miller, Secretary Patti Latzke Lisa Gasior Diana Passarelli Tess Reinhard Patrick Coen, Member Emeritus Brian Silver Page 4 The Song Fall 2018

Shelter Program Still Teaches Importance of Personal Choices

that’s just a normal part “Life has taken us through of life. We all did very a lot of changes,” Carol well in the program. The said. “Those changes staff, and the other resi- make us who we dents—they taught us become. You never self-confidence. But you know what tomor- had to work hard in the row will bring, but we all program. You had to stay learned that success is focused on your goals.” dependent on individual choices made.” That was not easy. Some of the job searches led to Carol remembers that the Carol, who spent five to stay long” she said. dead ends. “I had a lot of Shelter housed four other months in Home of Exploring her options, doors slammed in my moms and their children the Sparrow’s (HOS) while looking for human face,” remembers Carol. in one big room. Now, 20 McHenry Shelter dur- services in the phone She learned to persevere years later, the Shelter ing the late 1990s, book, Carol found and toward her goals. “No offers nine dorm rooms called recently to called Home of the one knows what life has and four two-bedroom express appreciation Sparrow. in store for them,” she individual living units for for support she said. “When I entered women who have adoles- received during one of She felt lucky to be ac- Home of the Sparrow, I cent age boys or children the most frightening cepted into the program, entered life with with special needs. During times in her life. but frightened about strangers. But with time, the 2018 fiscal year, the where life was leading they became my family.” Shelter served 35 women Pregnant with twins them. However, it did not and 50 children, and 88 and accompanied by take long for Carol and her After Carol and her percent of exits from the five children, Carol children to adjust. “We children left the Shelter shelter went into came to HOS after her had no choice,” she said. Program, they continued permanent housing. long-term relationship “We bonded with the staff to struggle for a while, ended and she found and the other families despite the new skills “I’m happy that the doors herself with no means quickly.” they had acquired. Staff of Home of the Sparrow to maintain a had helped them move are still open and the home. “Our sole Carol described her chil- into community housing, program is going strong,” breadwinner for the dren as bright and bubbly, making sure they had said Carol. family got into trouble and said they enjoyed everything they needed and was incarcer- being linked with the Big to set up independent ated,” said Carol. “We Brothers Big Sisters pro- living. “It was like riding a were left out in the gram, and the volunteers bicycle with training wind.” who came to work on arts wheels, and then the and crafts with them. training wheels are re- Briefly, Carol and her moved,” Carol said. “It children lived with her “There were a few hostili- was scary at first, but we brother. “We knew ties here and there,” had what we needed to we would not be able Carol remembers. “But keep moving forward. www.HOSparrow.org Page 5

Shelter Needs Wish List

Gift Cards PAPER/PLASTIC Appliances/Electronics Home Depot 8 Gallon Medium Garbage Bags Boost Mobile Prepaid Cell Phone Meijer 13 Gallon Tall Garbage Bags Dehumidifier Menards Paper Plates Oscillating or Box Fan Walmart Paper Towels Smoke/CO2 Detector Combo Vacuum Baby Plastic Cups (9oz or larger) Pack N Play Plastic Forks & Knives MISCELLANIOUS Pack N Play Sheet Toilet Paper Hedge Trimmer

Paint Brushes (Reusable) Bed and Bath Cleaning Painting Drop Cloth (Reusable) Bed Bug Mattress Protector-Twin Bleach Paint Tray Liners Ladies Twin Comforter w/Sheets Mop & Bucket Paint Roller Covers (3/8 inch nap) Pillow—Standard/Twin Disinfectant Spray (Lysol) Paint Roller Extensions Shower Curtain Disinfectant Wipes Painter's Tape Shower Curtain Rod Dishwasher Detergent Roundup Weed Killer Kitchen Laminate Floor Cleaner Window Washer Squeegee w/ Corelle Dinnerware Set w/Mugs Microfiber Mop telescopic Handle Cutting Board (Full Size) Pine-Sol/Lysol Large Bottles Yard Waste Bags Pots and Pans Set Toilet Bowl Cleaner Silverware Set (service for 4-8) Steak Knives Set

Special Shout Out!

A special thank you to Petersen Paving in Crystal Lake for helping Home of the Sparrow seal coat the driveways at our housing units, and for their help with a special paving project at our Shelter. We are so grateful for Save the date for #GivingTuesday their generosity and for giving back to our community! on November 27, 2018. Giving Tuesday is a global day dedicated to giving.

How will you give and make a difference in our community? Consider making a donation to Special thanks also to Habitat for Humanity of McHenry Home of the Sparrow County for all of their help with a drainage project at our on this special day! Shelter this summer. They provided leadership, expertise and amazing volunteers for the successful completion of this important project. Page 6 The Song Fall 2018

Volunteer Opportunities

Shelter Programs Children’s Mentor Program volunteers lead the children through age- appropriate activities on Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6:30- 8:00 pm while the moms are attending weekly education programs. Activities may include games, arts and crafts, imagination/sensory play, reading and helping with homework.

Headquarters Office Volunteers Children’s Mentor volunteers Volunteers at our Headquarters Office in McHenry assist on a weekly basis have a great time with the kids. with filing, accepting and processing in-kind donations, answering phones, data entry, and various other administrative tasks. Computer skills are a plus! We currently have openings on Tuesdays 1:00 pm–4:00 pm, Wednesdays 9:00 am–Noon, and Thursdays 9:00 am–Noon or Noon-4 pm. Openings are subject to change based on availability.

Events and Event Committee Individual and group volunteers help with various tasks such as registration, check in/out, silent auction, and raffles. We also need volunteers to serve on our Event Committee to help plan and promote our events, and help acquire donations for auctions throughout the year.

Group Work Project Opportunities Projects at our shelter and 27 Volunteers from First United Methodist Church in Crystal Lake affordable housing units include: help with many projects  Yardwork throughout the year.  Power washing & staining  Interior patching/painting  General maintenance needs

Other Ways to Help  Host your own fundraiser to benefit Home of the Sparrow.  Start an auxiliary group to fundraise for our women and children.  See if your employer has a matching fund program.  Invite us to speak at your house of worship, school or group.  Shop at or donate gently used items to one of our seven Sparrow’s Nest Stores or Community Threads.  Leave a bequest or legacy to Home of the Sparrow.  Ask about Board of Directors or Community Leadership Thanks to student volunteers from Bernotas Middle School who made care Council Opportunities. packages for our Shelter residents.

Volunteers are Vital to our Services Home of the Sparrow’s Volunteer Program continues to grow. During fiscal year 2018, more than 1050 volunteers donated over 56,000 hours, valued at almost $1.4 million. Their dedication and commitment allows Home of the Sparrow to expand services in our community, and help even more women and children in need. For more information about volunteering, please contact Michelle Lusmann, Volunteer Program Manager at 815-271-5444 or [email protected]. Or fill out our online volunteer application at HOSparrow.org. www.HOSparrow.org Page 7 Programs and Services Transitional Shelter: family a little more stable that has put them into fiscal year, AHP served Our shelter provides nine than the shelter require- financial jeopardy (i.e. 27 women and 48 dorm style rooms and ments, may qualify them death of a spouse or children. Through AHP, four small apartments to enter one of three major illness). During the 27 families were housed. that allow different HOS transitional apart- 2018 fiscal year, RRH accommodations based ment units. These families served 24 women and 51 Outreach and on the family size, and are ready to move into a children. Through RRH, Prevention: Program genders of the children. more independent life- 24 new families were staff take calls from Shelter residents share style, but still need extra housed. homeless or imminently common kitchens, bath- time to build resources homeless individuals with rooms, office space, a and skills prior to moving Affordable Housing the goal of stabilizing child’s play area and laun- into housing within the Program (AHP): them in current housing dry facilities. Currently community. Participants Home of the Sparrow’s or assisting them in find- the shelter can serve 42 generally stay in these Affordable Housing Pro- ing safer living conditions. individuals per night, and subsidized units up to a gram serves individuals HOS offers linkages to a resident’s average stay year. During the 2018 whose income is at or services including assis- is 4.9 months. During the fiscal year, SAP served 3 below 50 percent of the tance with food, health

2018 fiscal year, the women and 2 children. Area Median Income for care, clothing, transpor- shelter served 35 women McHenry County. tation, legal assistance, Reasonable rents allow and mediation with land- and 50 children. Rapid Rehousing Program (RRH): families to manage their lords. During the 2018 Subsidized Apartment Families in the Rapid monthly budgets while fiscal year, Outreach and Program (SAP): A Rehousing Program have getting to experience a Prevention served 80 family exiting the employment but have new sense of self- women and 125 children. transitional shelter or a experienced a life-event reliance. During the 2018

Homelessness Happens to Ordinary People

The women and children who sources. Without a job, they have classes and various life skills come to Home of the no income, health insurance, sick classes, including budgeting and Sparrow never thought they leave, or disability insurance. financial planning, resume writing would have to ask for help to and interviewing skills, goal setting, According to HUD, two of the keep a roof over their head. health and wellness, and cooking fastest growing homeless popula- They are ordinary people in classes. All of these programs are tions are women and seniors over our community who have fallen designed to help these women get the age of 55. Last year, we on tough times. For some it’s back on their feet and become served 451 women and children. due to loss of a job, illness, self-sufficient. divorce or loss of a spouse. Our shelter can house up to 42 Others suffer from mental individuals at one time, and we Once the women have found a job illness or addictions. Many are accept women of all ages, as well and are ready to move out of our victims of domestic violence. as moms with kids. shelter, we offer them the oppor-

tunity to move into one of our 27 While at our shelter, our clients They all have a few things in affordable housing properties. We receive a whole range of programs common. Their safety net is are proud that 98% of our clients and services, including case man- inadequate, or they have no successfully obtain permanent agement, counseling, job coaching safety net at all. They have no housing. savings, and their family and and a weekly required education friends also have limited re- program. We have parenting Page 8 The Song Fall 2018

Sparrow’s Nest Thrift Stores and Donation Centers The purpose of the Sparrow’s Nest Thrift Store and Donation Centers and Community Threads is to support the mission of Home of the Sparrow. Net proceeds from the eight stores are used to support the women and children in Home of the Sparrow’s transitional housing program. With the exception of mattresses and box springs, everything sold in the stores is donated. Donations are accepted at all stores. Not only do the stores provide unrestricted income and daily cash flow to Home of the Sparrow, they are a zero cost provider of clothing, furniture and housewares to Home of the Sparrow clients.

Resale Store Quick Facts:  8 Stores – seven under the banner of Sparrow’s Nest Thrift Store and Donation Center, one under the banner of Community Threads.  Our McHenry and Mundelein locations have an attached 2500 sq. ft. distribution storage facility.  Community Threads has a 3400 sq. ft. off site storage facility, and 100,000 sq. ft. of total space devoted to the resale operation.  20,000 register transactions per month across 8 stores.  5 box trucks performing on average 300 free furniture pickups each month.  Recycling has grown to over 850,000 lbs. of textiles (clothes, shoes, belts, purses) and 725,000 lbs. of hard goods (housewares, books, toys, home décor) annually.  Over 175 Nest store vouchers issued annually to neighboring not-for-profit agencies to help their clients. Primary recipients are: Pioneer Center/Pads, Thresholds, Turning Point, TLS, McHenry County Housing Authority, Willow Creek, St. Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army, and Mother’s Trust Foundation.  Over 50 store vouchers issued annually to Home of the Sparrow Clients.

Locations and Hours of Operation The Sparrow’s Nest Thrift Store and Donation Centers are located in Algonquin, Cary, McHenry, Mundelein, Palatine, Third Lake. and Woodstock. The Sparrow’s Nest Stores are open Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and are closed on Sunday and Holidays. Community Threads is located in Arlington Heights and is open Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and closed on Sunday and Holidays.

Free Furniture Pickup Service Home of the Sparrow offers a free furniture pickup service Monday through Saturday. For more information or to schedule a furniture pick up from Home of the Sparrow, visit our website: www.hosparrow.org, click on Thrift Stores at the top of our home page, scroll down and look for the “Schedule a Pickup Now” icon. You may also contact us by sending an email to our Logistics Coordinator at [email protected].

Community Threads (CT) offers a free furniture pickup service on Saturday’s only. To schedule a pickup from CT, please email images of the furniture you would like to donate to our Community Threads Logistics Coordinator at [email protected]

Thrift Store Donations The Sparrow’s Nest Thrift Stores and Community Threads issue blank receipt forms at the time of the donation. Donors are responsible for maintaining all tax records, as well as assigning values to donated items. Our Donation Receipt Form is also accessible through our website under Thrift Stores.

To help in the determination of a value of a donation for tax purposes, lists are available on our website that provide approximate low and high value ranges. These ranges are strictly a general guide to help assess a value on what you have donated. To access these lists, click on Thrift Stores at the top of our Home Page and then

scroll to the bottom of the page.

DONATE, SHOP, VOLUNTEER & HELP HOMELESS WOMEN AND CHILDREN! www.HOSparrow.org Page 9 Spotlight: Welcome Community Threads!

Home of the Sparrow, Inc., Threads Board of Directors. whom she had known through Home of the Sparrow, Inc., now their mutual involvement in assigned sole governance over NARTS, a professional associa- Community Threads, upon the tion for the Resale Industry. resignation of the former board Ms. Maring informed Kevin of members, promptly appointed a her desire to retire in 2018 and new Board of Directors and Kevin wanted to relinquish governance Campbell was named Director of

In March of 2018, Home of and management of Community Community Threads.

the Sparrow officially wel- Threads to an organization with comed Community Threads to Moving forward, The Community a mission she supported, and Threads Banner will remain intact, the resale family of stores. that also had Not-for-Profit Community Threads is a as over the years, it has carved resale expertise. After several out a very recognizable value 22,000 sq. ft. not-for-profit meetings with HOS Manage- resale “Superstore” located at brand in the surrounding area. ment, the HOS Board of The Community Threads 501 (c)3 250 Rand Road, in Arlington Directors, the Community Heights. Community Threads status will remain as well. The Threads Board of Directors and merger between the two store was founded in 2011 by Eliza- legal guidance from counsel rep- beth Maring, a business attor- brands will be evolutionary. resenting both organizations, ney by trade who sought a Ms. Maring’s relationship Community Threads carries the means to provide for affiliated proposal was approved. same product lines as the community organizations. The Sparrow’s Nest Stores and also store originally opened at a On Feb. 14th 2018, the Board of provides a Free Furniture Pickup location in Buffalo Grove and Directors of Community Service with one truck on due to the need for more re- Threads amended the by-laws Saturdays. With an exception to tail space, relocated in 2014 to to assign Home of the Sparrow mattresses, all of the merchandise the current location. sole membership. At the same sold at Community Threads is

In October of 2017, Ms. time, Ms. Maring, then donated. Stop by and visit the Maring contacted Kevin President, resigned along with new member of the Home of the Campbell, VP of Retail for the then current Community Sparrow Resale Store family!

Introducing our New Sparrow’s Nest eBay Store!

We are happy to announce that we have launched our very own” Sparrow’s Nest Resale Store” on eBay! Visit our eBay Sparrow’s Nest Resale Store often to find those unique, collectible and nostalgic items! New listings arrive every day from all seven of our Sparrows’ Nest Thrift Store and Donation Centers. There are close to a 100 items listed, with many more planned.

To access the link to our eBay Store, go to our Home of the Sparrow website at hosparrow.org, and click on the Thrift Store tab. The eBay link is also accessible from each of the Sparrow’s Nest Store pages on the website. Page 10 The Song Fall 2018

Frequent Shopper Reward Program Two Great Brands, One Amazing Program A new Frequent Shopper Rewards Program was introduced on October 1st to the Nest Stores and Community Threads. This program is valid at both store banners.

The New Program  One Stamp for Every $10 Spent, Collect 10 Stamps and get $10 off a future purchase Now Valid at all 8 Resale Locations Sign Up Now and Enjoy the Savings!  Complete sign up form at checkout to join-provide an email address to receive info on upcoming sales!  The $10 can be redeemed in combination with any sale or offer.  Purchases made with a redeemed card qualify for additional stamps on a new card.  The $10 Reward can be used on Mattress Purchases.

Limitations:  Only one $10 Reward may be redeemed per day.  The $10 Reward is not redeemable towards the same transaction the last stamp (or stamps) is awarded.  Prior Reward Program Cards still in circulation cannot be redeemed in combination with New Program

Cards. The customer must choose which card they wish to redeem.

Safe from Domestic Violence and Homelessness

Lynn entered our Shelter with her three young children after leaving an emergency domestic violence shelter. Lynn had very limited employment experience, and had been through many traumatic domestic violence experiences. Two of her children had special needs, and all three children had experienced trauma.

Like many families, our shelter provided Lynn and her children with a stable and safe place to grow stronger and begin the healing process. A clear focus on employment goals helped Lynn improve confidence in herself. When she became fully employed, she knew she was on her way to self-sufficiency. Lynn’s story doesn’t end there. She was now eligible for Home of the Sparrow’s Affordable Housing Program.

Lynn and her children now share a comfortable 3-bedroom home. A safe home has given the family space to begin full recovery from the trauma they have endured. Home based case management and community sup- port services ensure that this family maintains stability and security. Freedom from homelessness also means freedom from domestic violence for this family. They will never have to return to an abusive situation out of desperation to have a roof over their head. Lynn said “I don’t know where we would be without Home of the Sparrow.”

Sending the warmest wishes from our home to yours this Holiday Season!

From the Residents, Board of Directors and Staff of Home of the Sparrow www.HOSparrow.org Page 11

Mark your calendars and plan to join us at our Events Wish List upcoming events in 2019! All proceeds from our events directly support the women and children we serve. Other Friday, April 12, 2019 - Home of the Sparrow’s ways to support our events is by becoming a Hope for the Homeless Benefit featuring comedy sponsor or by donating an item for our raffles entertainment at Avante’ Banquets in Fox River Grove. and auctions. Some examples of donations

Friday, May 10, 2019 - Home of the Sparrow’s we are looking for include: Spring Women’s Luncheon at Boulder Ridge Country Club in Lake in the Hills. Featuring a Sporting Events Tickets performance by national recording artist Maureen Theater, Comedy and Concert Tickets Christine, along with her sister, Cecilia Adams. Wine or Brewery Tours

Monday, September 16, 2019 - Home of the Stadium Tours Sparrow’s Oktoberfest Charity Golf Outing at Vacation Timeshares Bull Valley Golf Club in Woodstock - ranked among Hotel Accommodations the top golf courses in America! Restaurant Gift Certificates Museum & Zoo Tickets For more information or to register, please check Tickets for Unique Experiences out our website HOSparrow.org or contact Jennifer Kolarczyk at 815-271-5444 x262.

Is Corporate Sponsorship Right for You?

 Is your company committed to making our Hope, Opportunity and Support on community a better place to live? their journey from homelessness to  Would your company like to gain more self-sufficiency. exposure in the Northern Illinois area?  Is social responsibility important to your To find out more about corporate sponsor- business and employees? ship opportunities, please contact Jennifer Kolarczyk, Events and Marketing Manager Support Home of the Sparrow as a at 815-271-5444 x262 or by email at Partner and Sponsor! [email protected].

By participating as a Sponsor of our events, your Join the list of Sponsors and get organization will benefit from extended exposure recognized for your support of a through media campaigns, email blasts, social socially responsible agency in our media posts, and other promotional efforts directed towards the supporters of Home of the Sparrow. community! Sponsorship donations also provide your company with potential tax deductions. Many thanks to our current Partners for their generous Sponsorships! Please Your Sponsorship will make a difference in the lives support these businesses as they are of our homeless women and children, by providing supporting our communities! Page 12 The Song Fall 2018 Birdies, Brats & Beer Oktoberfest Golf Outing On September 17th, Home of the event, helping us raise over the Sparrow hosted its’ 13th $25,000 for HOS!

Annual Charity Golf Outing at All proceeds from the golf out- Bull Valley Golf Club in ing help Home of the Sparrow Woodstock. This exclusive provide on-going support club is open only to members, through our shelter, affordable which gives many golfers the housing, and programs and opportunity to golf this pres- services to hundreds of home- tigious course! At this year’s less women and children in golf outing, we welcomed Northern Illinois. A special many new faces into the thanks to all of Home of the Home of the Sparrow family. Sparrow’s amazing sponsors, In addition to a fabulous donors and volunteers, as well round of golf, the day also as Bull Valley Golf Club for included a delicious lunch and their generosity and assistance dinner, a silent auction and a in making this event fun for all. 50/50 raffle. We would like We hope you will consider at- to thank everyone who tending our events in 2019 and supported and attended become part of our family too! Signature Casino Night

Home of the Sparrow’s Signature Casino Night was held on Friday, April 6, 2018 and we welcomed over 250 guests. The evening included a lovely dinner, an open bar, fabulous raffle and auction prizes, exciting casino games and dancing to the music of Big Cat Entertainment! Guests also heard from a HOS program graduate, who shared her story and gratitude for our organization’s support. The event raised over $68,000 in support of Home of the Sparrow’s programs and services. We hope you can join us for our Hope for the Homeless Benefit on Friday, April 12, 2019 at Avante’ in Fox River Grove! www.HOSparrow.org Page 13 Thank you to our Event Sponsors in 2018! Please support these businesses in our community!

Foglia Family Foundation

Aptar, Brianne Bradbury Photography, Ron & Linda Bykowski Charitable Foundation, Crystal Lake Brewing, Dr. Kubick, EMK Consulting, First Midwest Bank, Home State Bank, Luster Leaf, Medela, Nordstrom Rack, Real World Quality Systems, Rosen Hyundai, Rotary Club of McHenry, Chuck & Lois Peterson Endowment, Rust-Oleum, Scorched Earth Brewing, Tom Peck Ford Page 14 The Song Fall 2018

Outreach and Prevention Program Assists Young Mother

Though she had completed a manager caught her when college degree, her work his- she stumbled, bolstered her tory was limited. Like so self-confidence, and linked many young people, she her with helpful resources in struggled with finding her our community. way to independence. Des- perate for help before find- It took more than a year, but Sarah could have been one ing herself homeless, Sarah Sarah and her daughter are of the 36,000 mothers in called Home of the Sparrow living independently and are our country between the and was linked with the case prepared for small emergen- ages of 18 and 25 who find manager in our Outreach cies that could send them themselves living on the and Prevention Program. spiraling into homelessness. streets or in homeless shel- Sarah has a job with benefits ters each year. She and her Patiently, one step at a time, that she likes. Her daughter two-year old daughter were the case manager worked to is thriving in daycare. They wearing out their welcome help Sarah set her own are forever grateful that at her parents’ home, as goals, develop a resume HOS was able to help them self-doubt and severe anxi- highlighting her interests avoid becoming homeless. ety eroded her motivation and skills, and practice job to pursue self-reliance. interviewing skills. The case

Make the Gift of a Lifetime

10 Reasons to Leave a Legacy to Home of the Sparrow

1. We are a local organization with deep roots in the community, so your gift will impact people locally. 2. Charitable giving can help with offering the maximum tax advantage allowable by State and Federal Law. 3. Our staff and board of directors have a broad knowledge of the issues leading to homelessness for women. 4. We provide a highly tailored service regarding each individuals charitable giving interest. 5. Our funds are designated to ensure individual’s giving interests are adhered to. 6. We accept a wide variety of assets, which makes giving to Home of the Sparrow easier. 7. We can partner with professional advisors to create effective approaches to giving that benefits the donor. 8. We can multiply the impact of the gift by pooling it with other gifts and grants. 9. We can build endowment funds that benefit the community long term and create personal legacies. 10. We are a community leader coordinating resources to create positive change for the future.

Looking forward and giving back!

The options for making a planned gift to Home of the Sparrow are many. They include bequests, charitable trusts, private and community foundations, charitable annuities and donor-advised funds, to name a few, You CAN have an impact on future generations with a planned gift. To include Home of the Sparrow in your future planning, please contact Debbie DeGraw at: [email protected] or (815) 271-5444 x227.

Home of the Sparrow’s Matching Gift Challenge! 4209 Shamrock Lane, Unit B McHenry, IL 60050 Phone: 815-271-5444 You can Double Your Impact today thanks to an Fax: 815-271-5406 anonymous donor of Home of the Sparrow! [email protected]

www.HOSparrow.org Every gift received between November 12 - December 31, 2018 Like us on will be matched up to $250,000!

Facebook! So take the challenge and do double the good!

Thanks to friends and supporters like you, we can really make difference in our community!

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Mail to: Home of the Sparrow 4209 W. Shamrock Lane, Unit B. McHenry, IL 60050 Or make a donation online: www.HOSparrow.org

Home of the Sparrow provides HOPE for a better future, OPPORTUNITY to gain skills, Home of the Sparrow gratefully acknowledges local funding from the Home of the Sparrow is a 501 (C) 3 not-for-profit organization that provides United Way of transitional shelter, affordable housing and supportive services and programs for Greater McHenry County. homeless women and children in Northern Illinois.