Rainbow Means Business at Arboretum Business Center

The original concept for Hill Arboretum Apartments, the flagship barrier-free building opened by Over The Rainbow Association in late 1990, included an ambitious component: a “job resource center” where residents could hone their computer skills and earn money working on bulk mailing services for outside clients.

Computers and other equipment were donated. The facility, named Arboretum Business Center, was built out with wheelchair-accessible workstations. Dozens of residents have taken advantage of this wonderful amenity. And now Rainbow has pledged to take Arboretum Business Center to the next level.

“We recognize that an infusion of new energy and financial resources is needed,” said Eric Huffman, Rainbow’s executive director. “Board members Leo Kirwan, Scott Harding, Dan Laughlin, Mary Ann King, and Matt Howard, along with staff members Dorothy Archer and John Sykes, are working with me on a five-year plan. Our goal is to create a self-sustaining business center that trains and employs people with physical challenges from both inside and outside the Rainbow family.”

The staff is currently visiting “best-of-breed” work centers in Chicagoland, meeting with state officials to seek financial aid, and exploring possible alliances with other nonprofit agencies.

As point person on the project, Eric welcomes inquiries from businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations regarding bulk mailing projects, as well as data entry and medical billing work. To learn more about Arboretum Business Center services, to discuss upcoming projects, and to provide gainful employment to people with disabilities, please call 847-328-8140.

OVER THE RAINBOW ASSOCIATION PROVIDING HOUSING OPTIONS AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES SINCE 1982 FOR ADULTS WITH SEVERE PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

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Recent Project Funding

During each of the past several years, Over The Rainbow has made a detailed and ultimately successful application to the Department of Housing & Urban Development for new project funding.

This year, the Rainbow Board has decided to forego the application process and focus instead on enhancements to Arboretum Business Center. A number of projects, in Rockford, Harvard and Freeport, remain in our development pipeline to keep us busy for some time.

As a reminder, following is a year by- year recap of our application approvals:
2003 The Gustafson Apartments, Waukegan
2004 Matteson Supportive Housing
2005 Rockford Supportive Housing
2006 Harvard Supportive Housing

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PROPERTY REPORT

Matteson, Illinois

The summertime completion is fast approaching on Rainbow’s 25-unit, barrierfree apartment building in south suburban Matteson, Illinois. Pending the selection of a name for the building, the property is still known as Matteson Supportive Housing.

Despite the cold, snowy winter, construction has stayed on schedule. Finishing touches to the apartment interiors will be underway over the coming months, enabling the first tenants to move in by about September 1.

The building has one- and twobedroom apartments. To request an application or inquire about availabilities, please call Property Management at 847-328-6633. Remember, Rainbow buildings, subsidized by HUD, are specifically for low-income men and women who have physical disabilities.

Attention donors: Room and garden naming opportunities are available and would be tremendously appreciated. Please contact Eric Huffman, Rainbow’s executive director, at 847-328-8140 to discuss how your gift can help.

Rockford, Illinois

After a December groundbreaking, construction proceeded slowly but surely during the first quarter’s difficult weather conditions on this 20-unit apartment building still known as Rockford Supportive Housing. Progress is expected to escalate with a topping out in July or August and opening in the fourth quarter.

This barrier-free community also offers one- and two-bedroom choices. To learn about qualifying conditions and to request an application, please call 847-328-6633.

Attention donors: Building, room, garden and employment center naming opportunities are available for this property. Eric Huffman, 847-328-8140, can provide details and welcomes your inquiries.

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RESIDENT NEWS

Rainbow Social Services Coordinator Meg Ahern reports that Hill Arboretum tenants are enthusiastic about a newly launched wellness program.

At a tenant brainstorming session held in early April, participants shared their hopes and goals for the program, which is likely to include yoga one night a week and massage therapy one day a week. Expert outside instructors and therapists, under the direction of Carla Tantillo, will oversee the programming.

How Social Services Assist Rainbow Tenants
Meg Ahern, who joined Rainbow last October, wears several hats. As a tenant liaison, she works constantly to bring activities and outside resources to Rainbow buildings. She also works with tenants both one on one and in groups on advocacy, education, employment, home management and other areas, in addition to wellness. Her goal: to foster the growth of tenants as independent adults. Meg is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago with a BS in psychology.

Tenants Publish In-House Newsletter
A recent enhancement to life at Hill Arboretum was the introduction of a tenant newsletter. Meg Ahern serves as publisher. Tenants meet to decide on story and theme ideas and then submit articles, which get a quick review by Meg before the newsletter goes to print. This popular, joint project is proving to boost the already good-neighbor spirit of the community.

Speaking of Communicating
Several Hill Arboretum tenants are on the cutting edge of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technology!

Sandy Goldin and Bob Gustafson have enhanced their communications abilities with the DynaVox, a small box housing amazing software that was created for individuals with speech and language challenges. Chris Viau uses the similar Vanguard Speech Machine.

The technology has meant a dramatic turnaround for Bob Gustafson, who cannot hear or speak, and for Sandy and Chris, who sometimes have difficulty speaking clearly. And, fortunately, tenants qualify for state aid in obtaining the devices. Not surprisingly, the building is abuzz with more chatter than ever before.

Leo Kirwan
Chairman

Eric Huffman ex officio

Ed Bjorncrantz
Immediate Past Chairman

Dick Busscher Secretary

Matt Howard Executive Committee

Ed Wittenstein Treasurer

Brad Busscher
John Cammelot
George Elder
Scott Harding
Keith Harris
Dan Laughlin
Ian McPheron
Michael Sullivan
Tom Wiegand

Eric Huffman
Executive Director

Leo Kirwan
Director of Operations

Ed Bjorncrantz
Immediate Past Chairman

Myra Martinez
Arboretum Business Center Supervisor

Dorothy Archer
Director of Properties and Business Services

John Sykes
Controller

Nadine Coombs
Bookkeeper

Meg Ahern
Social Services Coordinator

Teresa Collins
Hill Arboretum Custodian

Steve Jones
Belden Apartments Custodian

Ralston Jenkins
The Gustafson Apartments Custodian