February 5, 2010, 11:36 am
In recognition of “Local Government Week”, the Downers Grove Township will host an Open House, on Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Downers Grove Township building. The Township is located at 4340 Prince St. in Downers Grove. (2 blocks west of Main Street, and 1 block south of Ogden Avenue)
Residents are invited to come and see the office, meet the elected officials and office staff, and ask questions and/or bring their concerns. Snacks and refreshments will be served. You will also be able to view some of the Highway Equipment used to maintain the roads in unincorporated Downers Grove Township.
During the Open House we will again be collecting cell phones, eyeglasses and hearing aids. Please bring those with you to the Open House for recycling. After the Open House these items will be distributed to the appropriate organization for re-use. We will also be accepting worn American flags that will be taken to an American Legion and/or V.F.W. for proper disposal.
We will also be accepting non-perishable food items to be donated to the FISH Pantry. These donations can be brought to the Open House also. For additional information, please contact the Township Office at (630) 719-6610 or the Highway Dept. at (630) 719-6620.
See the event listing on Triblocal.com.
January 25, 2010, 9:38 am
The Life Skills program continues to reach a wide number of students and the next five months of 2010 will keep our two Life Skills teachers busy. We will be in the following schools through May of 2010:
- January – Westview Hills Middle School
- February – Lakeview Jr. High, Westview Hills Middle School and O’Neill Middle School
- March – St. Isaac’s Jogues, Cass Jr. High, Clarendon Hills Middle School and Gower Middle School
- April – Westview Hills Middle School
- May – Clarendon Hills Middle School, Gower Middle School, Hinsdale Middle School and Lakeview Jr. High
For more information about our Life Skills programs, please contact Jason Shiliga.
Jason Shiliga
Life Skills Education Coordinator
Division of Human Services
Phone: (630) 719-6670
Email: jason.shiliga@dgtownship.com
January 25, 2010, 9:31 am
Community Pride is a resident based program in the southeast area of the Township in unincorporated Willowbrook. Local residents meet on a monthly basis to discuss needs of the community and to try and address those needs together. Prevention Specialist Cathy Rager facilitates this group as a part of her community based prevention grant which is funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services. For more information about Community Pride, contact Cathy Rager.
Cathy Rager
Prevention Specialist
Division of Human Services
Phone: (630) 719-6670
Email: cathy.rager@dgtownship.com
January 25, 2010, 9:28 am
Managing anger is something everyone needs to do in a healthy and productive manner. For over 12 years the Township has offered an six session educational program for youth ages 12 to 17 and their parents. The program focuses on helping youth identify anger triggers, signs of anger, how stress effects their anger management and developing a variety of coping skills. Parents not only learn this information but also learn more about adolescent brain development and social and emotional intelligence. The class is offered three times per year and students must complete a phone screening with the program director before admission into the class. The next class begins Tuesday, February 9. To find out more about the program or to register your child, contact Lori Wrzesinski.
Lori Wrzesinski
Director
Division of Human Services
Phone: (630) 719-6670
Email: lori.wrzesinski@dgtownship.com
January 25, 2010, 9:23 am
The Township is working on a new initiative called “GrandFriendships”. We are partnering with Lester Elementary School to begin this exciting endeavor. GrandFriendships are comfortable, two-way connections between children and trustworthy, available senior, family or non-family, who live near one another. With parent support and permission, GrandFriendships can occur in families, neighborhoods, schools and other safe settings. Presently a committee comprised of township, school and community representatives is developing this unique initiative. For more information or to get involved, contact Hanna Benioff.
Hanna Benioff
Senior Services Coordinator
Division of Human Services
Email: hanna.benioff@dgtownship.com
Phone: (630) 719-6670
Fax: (630) 719-66
January 25, 2010, 9:15 am
This is the last year that the Downers Grove D.A.R.E. lock-in will be taking place given the recent village cuts of the program. Prevention Specialist Tyler Hill has been an integral part of helping to organize the twice year lock-ins for the 6th grade D.A.R.E. students. The final lock-in will take place on February 20 at Downers Grove South.
Lori Wrzesinski
Director
Division of Human Services
Phone: (630) 719-6670
Email: lori.wrzesinski@dgtownship.com
January 25, 2010, 9:07 am
The year 2010 will mark the 10th anniversary of the Downers Grove Township Peer Jury program. Since it’s inception in November of 2000, a total of seventeen peer jury trainings have occurred, with a total of 583 high school students being trained during that time. This February, on the 15th and the 22nd, the Township will be conducting it’s 18th training, swearing in its’ next group of jurors on February 25. For more information about the peer jury program, contact Lori Wrzesinski. Students must be a freshman in high school to be eligible to apply. The application deadline is February 5, 2010.
Lori Wrzesinski
Director
Division of Human Services
Phone: (630) 719-6670
Email: lori.wrzesinski@dgtownship.com
January 22, 2010, 10:49 am
What is the M.A.SK. Program?
The Township’s Managing Anger Skills is a six week prevention/intervention program for youth ages 12 to 17 and their parent or guardian and is held three times per year. It has been designed to meet the needs of youth and families who have anger related difficulties by providing an opportunity for youth who have experienced problems due to inappropriate management of anger or aggression to learn healthier ways to manage their feelings. The youth program focuses on increasing emotional self-awareness, recognizing triggers to anger and learning tools for managing anger or aggression in a healthy way. Learning to effectively manage stress, respect for self and others as well as personal responsibility are also emphasized during this program. This course also involves the family in developing the social and emotional intelligence of their youth while enhancing their ability to develop effective strategies to employ healthy anger management skills. Youth referred to the program must complete a phone screening by the program director. The screening will be used to determine the appropriateness of the program for the youth as well as any need for further intervention. If the program director feels that the youth may need counseling, this will be discussed with the parent or guardian. This would not preclude participation from the class but the needs of the youth and benefits of the class would be discussed first with the parent and if necessary, the referral source.
If the youth is accepted into the program, the parent will receive confirmation of the registration. Classes are held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Downers Grove and occur on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For further questions about the M.A.SK. program or to have your child screened for registration, you may contact Lori Wrzesinski.
M.A.SK. Flier 2010
M.A.SK. Brochure 2010
Lori Wrzesinski
Director
Division of Human Services
Phone: (630) 719-6670
Email: lori.wrzesinski@dgtownship.com
January 22, 2010, 10:31 am
What is the Peer Jury Program?
It is a program built on the principles of Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ). It is designed to provide a meaningful and remedial method of dealing with selected juvenile (under age 17) offenders without reference to the Juvenile Court. It does not determine guilt or innocence. A case is only sent to the Peer Jury for hearing by a jury of seven juveniles and an adult moderator when (1) the offender admits having committed the offense; (2) the responsible police officer determines that such a disposition is appropriate; and (3) the offender and his/her parent or guardian consent in writing to such a disposition and sign a Waiver of Liability and Confidentiality.
When these conditions are met, the offender and his/her parent or guardian are scheduled for a hearing before a Peer Jury panel at a definite date and time. At the hearing, a police officer reads the charges, states the possible sentence if the offense were committed by an adult, and summarizes the facts of the case. The offender is then questioned by the members of the panel. The offender and his/her parent or guardian then withdraw while the jury deliberates and fixes appropriate consequences. The sentence always includes some form of individualized community service.
Peer Jury Schedule 2010
Peer Jury Application 2010
Lori Wrzesinski
Director
Division of Human Services
Phone: (630) 719-6670
Email: lori.wrzesinski@dgtownship.com
January 11, 2010, 1:16 pm
2010 General Primary Election
Downers Grove Township Early Voting Locations and Hours
Dates: January 11 through January 28, 2010
Downers Grove Village Hall
- Address: 801 Burlington Avenue, Downers Grove IL
- Room: Committee Room
- Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Tuesday from 8 am to 7 pm and Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm
OR
Five Seasons Sports Club
- Address: 6901 S. Madison Avenue, Burr Ridge IL
- Room: Main Foyer
- Hours: Monday – Friday from 8 am to 7 pm and Saturaday and Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm
