Since 1975, People’s Resource Center has been bringing neighbors together to respond to hunger and poverty in DuPage County. With a team of over 1,000 volunteers, we offer nutritious food and other basic necessities like clothes and rent assistance for people facing tough times. And we connect people with resources— education and tutoring, jobs, technology, art, a caring community—to create a future of hope and opportunity for all.

Mission Statement: People’s Resource Center exists to respond to basic human needs, promote dignity and justice, and create a future of hope and opportunity for the residents of DuPage County, Illinois through discovering and sharing personal and community resources.

Meeting Our Community’s Needs – Neighbor to Neighbor

Summer 2012

Pursuing the American Dream

Each year, People’s Resource Center assists a dozen or more refugees and immigrants residing in DuPage County with achieving U.S. citizenship. Students are matched with a tutor and they study together to attain their goals, whether it be citizenship, learning English or passing the GED.

Here are three of their stories.

Ruben Leiva

With only a second-grade education, Ruben Leiva, of Batavia, left El Salvador for a better life in the United States. “Life was bad over there,” he explained, “The war was killing a lot of people.” Once here, he added, “My wife got her citizenship in the 1990’s and three of my 4 boys had U.S. citizenship too. But I didn’t know if I could do it.”

Ruben, a housekeeper at Our Lady of Angels Motherhouse in Wheaton, received on-the-job training thanks to PRC Board member, Sr. Mariette Kalbac. She had started an ESL class for Motherhouse employees, which came to include citizenship and GED training as well.

She and Ruben studied citizenship for two years, though he often tried to back out. “The questions were hard and I don’t know English very well,” he said. “I was worried.”

He received his citizenship in 2008, and now proudly shows off his U.S. passport and voting card. “I feel better now that I don’t have a travel problem. And I voted in the elections. I’m going to retire next year and I feel good.”

Maria Salgado

Maria Salgado had a resident card when she arrived from Mexico, but it came with a stipulation: “I could be a resident here for six months and then I had to go to Mexico for six months.” Achieving citizenship means she can now be a full time parent to her three kids, who were born here and are American citizens.

Though Maria had attended college in Mexico, she spoke no English when she arrived in the U.S.. She started as an ESL student with tutor Ellen Noth, but in 2007 they began working on passing the citizenship test. They studied for eight months.

“PRC provided the packets with [citizenship information] and the questions,” Maria said. Ellen added, “She is very conscientious and works hard. She always had her homework done.” The two have been meeting once a week for the past decade.

Maria has held a job for ten years, which may be eliminated due to a reorganization. With citizenship she feels better about looking for a job. “It will help me look and I can apply to a lot more places,” she said.

(Continued on page 2)

Ruben Leiva celebrates passing the citizen-ship test with his tutor, Sr. Mariette Kalbac.

Maria Salgado (left) and her tutor, Ellen Noth.

Executive Director Kimberley C. Perez

Director of Operations Linda Cheatham

Senior Director of Programs Melissa Travis

Senior Director of Programs Elizabeth Higgins

Development Director Jennifer Barger Williamson

Editor Susan Bax Manning

Board of Directors

President Barbara Tartaglione

Vice President Mark Demich

Secretary Henry Davis, Jr.

Treasurer Bill Blum

Jim Doyle

Paul LeFort

Sr. Mariette Kalbac, OSF

Kris Maybach

Kathryn Mlsna

Thomas Paulick

Robert Russo

Andrew Schlickman

Keith W. Suchy, D.D.S.

Connie Sunderhaus

Dave Wood

Jim Zak

Founder Dorothy McIntyre

People’s Resource Center201 S. Naperville RoadWheaton, IL 60187

PRC Southeast649 Blackhawk DriveWestmont, IL 60559

Phone: (630) 682-5402Fax: (630) 682-5412www.peoplesrc.org

Address changes?Please let us know at 630.682.5402

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Dear Friends,

This month, as Independence Day is celebrated across our nation, we have a vivid reminder of how blessed and lucky we are to live in a country with freedoms and opportunities about which others can only dream. Those dreams – American dreams – are alive and well at People’s Resource Center and our doors are open to help our neighbors achieve them.

In this issue, wonderful stories from some new U.S. citizens are shared. These new Americans have passed their citizenship tests and are continu-ing their pursuit of American dreams with the help of PRC. Whether they came here to escape oppression or poverty, they found a safe haven in our Literacy program and have worked hard to accomplish their goals. Thanks to PRC’s volunteer tutors who selflessly give their time, talent and compassion to help others achieve their dreams, there are 20 more U.S. citizens at People’s Resource Center than there were last year!

I am so grateful to all of you who have helped these neighbors in need achieve their dreams. By giving generously to support our programs, by volunteering your time, even by just sharing a friendly smile and a word of welcome…you’ve made a difference in someone’s life.

People’s Resource Center is here to meet our community’s needs, neighbor to neighbor. Thank you for reaching out with a helping hand!

With sincere appreciation,

A Message from the Executive Director

Hamad Toto

Freedom is everything for Hamad Toto and his family. The Sudanese refugee heard about PRC from friends. “I didn’t speak English when I came here,” he explained. “Then I started to learn more about the history of this country and I wanted the freedom and wanted to vote.”

For six months in 2011, he and tutor Bob Russo studied three times a week. “He only has three years of formal education,” said Bob, “but he’s such a hard worker. The vocabulary was hard for him – he didn’t know some of the words in the questions – but he studied until he learned.”

Now that Hamad has his citizenship, he says, “It helps me be more free and happy. And now I can go visit different countries. It makes me feel good too.”

Hamad, who works at a factory in West Chicago, heads a family of 6. He continues to come to PRC three times a week, after working the night shift. “I want to learn more English; I still don’t know enough.”

Pursuing the American Dream(Continued from page 1)

The Toto family with Hamad’s citizenship tutor Bob Russo.

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With school out, most DuPage children can embrace the carefree days of summer. But summer vacation also means hungry

days for some area kids. Newsletter Editor Susan Bax Manning spoke to PRC’s Senior Director of Programs, Melissa Travis, about summertime hunger and its effect on our food pantry.

SBM: How does summer affect the food pantry?

MT: During the summer, parents need to feed their kids three meals a day. When school is open, their children are eligible for free breakfast and lunch, but when school is out, kids are at home, and mom has to feed them breakfast, lunch and dinner. As the family’s food needs rise, so does its food costs. They turn to PRC to help them get through the summer and we see more moms, dads and their kids at the food pantry.

SBM: How can PRC supporters help?

MT: Obviously, monetary donations are great, and with every $25 donation, People’s Resource Center can provide $100 worth of groceries to families in need. We want healthy, nutritious food to give to children this summer, so anyone who wants to

donate food should think about kid-friendly, nutrient-dense items. And we love produce and have space to keep it refrigerated, so we also welcome vegetables from local gardens.

We are so lucky to have community support year round. Thanks to PRC supporters, we’ve never had to tell a hungry family that our pantry shelves are bare. I want to thank all our donors for their continued generosity.

Supporter Spotlight: Sara Lee Foundation

People’s Resource Center wishes to thank the Sara Lee Foundation, a major sponsor of the PRC food pantries since 2005. In addition to the financial support we receive from the Foundation, Sara Lee Corporation employees hold donation drives, help with volunteering and provide leadership training for PRC staff.

“It’s exceptional to see the level of commitment that the Sara Lee Foundation has shown in their work within our food pantries,” said Melissa Travis, Senior Director of Programs. ”Foundation employees have given up their lunch hour to stock the pantry shelves each month for the past several years making sure the pantry was ready to serve struggling families. Their generosity has been a key factor in PRC’s success, as more and more clients visit our food pantries each month,” said Travis.

PRC is excited to announce jour latest partnership with Sara Lee by welcoming Dave Wood, of Sara Lee, as he joins our Board of Directors. Welcome Dave and thank you to all of Sara Lee for your support.

Food pantry volunteers Don Bartholomay (left) and Jenna Pape (right) take a break with Senior Director of Programs, Melissa Travis.

Keeping the Food Pantry Stocked

Thank You, LorrieFor more than six years, Lorrie Bell was a volunteer job coach at PRC.

As one of the original job mentors, she worked tirelessly with other volunteers to make the new program a success. Her dedication to

Job Assistance was evident as was her concern for clients.

Now, after placing over 130 unemployed individuals in jobs, Lorrie is moving away from DuPage County and on to new adventures. We will miss her lively personality and always be grateful for her commitment to PRC. Good luck, Lorrie!

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Church Pantry Merges With People’s Resource Center

Holy Trinity Church in Westmont has merged its food pantry with People’s Resource Center. The food pantry has been an integral part of the church’s mission for

more than 40 years.

The current operation can be traced back to 1989, when Adalbert Pleshar volunteered to take over the flourishing food pantry. “He did it on one condition,” said his daughter, Eunice Pleshar. “We had to help him.”

When Adalbert passed away in 1995, Eunice and her sisters, Xavere Pleshar and Nadine Herion, coordinated the food donations and kept the ministry afloat in his honor. “The food came from parishioners every first Sunday of the month and food drives from the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and other organizations,” recalled Eunice.

Dennis wishes to thank PRC for giving him the time to advocate on these issues and work with the West Suburban Jobs Council, a partner of the Chicago Jobs Council.

PRC’s Director of Computer Training and Job Assistance, Dennis McCann, received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the

Chicago Jobs Council. Aside from his work at PRC, Dennis is the Volunteer Advocacy Chair at the West Suburban Jobs Council, and has done legislative advocacy for workforce issues to help the voices of low-income and underserved citizens be heard.

Congratulations to Dennis McCann!

Words of Thanks From PRC ClientsPRC renewed my hope that I could be a valued employee. Judy helped with an internet-based resume, Pat printed out excellent career moves and open positions. Morgan reminded me I could do sales very well. Everyone was overwhelmingly positive with kindness and a can-do spirit of professionalism.

Thank you,

JanaThe Job Assistance Program at PRC offers free workshops, coaching and job search assistance for DuPage County residents.

To all the generous families and people who helped my family in our time of need for rental assistance. We truly thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We can now focus our direction on our health and giving back.

Thank you and God Bless.

PRC’s Social Services department provides qualified families with financial assistance to prevent homelessness in DuPage County.

The food donations the parish receives on the first Sunday of every month will continue – thanks to Eunice and her sisters – and will now be delivered to PRC’s Westmont location. The decision to merge also allows Holy Trinity’s families in need to get food from People’s Resource Center.

“Basically, the only thing that has changed is the location,” said Eunice. “If we’re with PRC, we can serve more people. Plus PRC can get things we couldn’t get, like meat and produce.”

Eunice now volunteers at PRC’s food pantry as well. “I told [Food Pantry Supervisor Hank Anzelone] whenever he needs help, I’ll be there.”

William Dombrowski (right) of BCS Financial Corporation presents PRC’s Hank Anzelone with a donation from BCS employees. Thanks to all who donated!

Thanks to Wheaton’s Whittier Elementary School for holding a cereal drive for PRC and donating over 1,000 boxes of cereal to the food pantry.

PRC SE Food Pantry Supervisor and avid glass blower, Hank Anzelone, helps Erin make a glass teddy bear. Hank invited Girl Scout Troop #257 to his studio to thank them for doing a food drive.

Just a few of the 90 members of Team PRC, who ran and walked to raise money for People’s Resource Center at the DuPage Human Race.

Mirian Elhawary (left) receives her Typing Certificate from teacher Luisa Capobianco, after earning it in PRC’s Spanish-language computer class. Congratulations!

For her 9th birthday, Lulu Bucheit told friends to donate birthday bag items for kids visiting the food pantry. She collected enough for 6 birthday celebrations. You did a great job, Lulu!

Neighbor to Neighbor

Vacation Bible School students from Gary United Methodist Church did an apple and carrot drive for PRC. 1300 pounds of apples and carrots were collected and distributed at our food pantry! Thanks to all for their hard work collecting, sorting and delivering the produce.

People’s Resource Center201 S. Naperville RoadWheaton, IL 60187

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDCarol Stream, IL

PERMIT 6030

In This Issue:New Citizens Pursue the American Dream – 1

Summer in the Food Pantry – 3

Joining Forces to Feed Neighbors – 4

Neighbor to Neighbor – 5

http://www.peoplesrc.org/

Congratulations, Luciano!Long-time PRC computer instructor, Luciano Rodriguez, was presented

with 2012 Illinois Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service on April 19, 2012 at the Governor’s Mansion. The award recognizes individual

volunteers to highlight the importance of volunteerism and community service throughout Illinois. Only 24 residents received this honor.

Since 2004, Luciano has taught 120 Computer classes with over 2,000 enrollees, providing education and support for hundreds of Spanish- speaking individuals. Luciano created an Adult Learning Community on Saturdays at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wheaton, which includes classes in computer skills taught in Spanish and English, English language tutoring, GED classes, financial literacy as well as community resource referral and connections. Each Saturday, from 25 – 40 students regularly attend the Adult Learning Community.

Luciano exemplifies PRC’s commitment to meet our community’s needs, neighbor to neighbor.

Scan to see a video about PRC’s empowerment programs.

Have you seen our videos yet?People’s Resource Center is proud to present a new series of PRC videos, produced by Tim Frakes of Frakes Productions. The series gives an in-depth look at PRC programs, along with commentary from clients, volunteers, supporters and founders of the organization.

To view the videos, go to www.youtube.com/user/peoplesresource, or visit our website at www.peoplesrc.org. Let us know what you think!