Ravenswood

Year-end Highlights

Dec 23, 2003

Two new initiatives take center stage as 2003 success stories.
RCC was a first-time participant in Chicago Department of Housing?’s HRAIL (Home Rehabilitation to Assist Independent Living) program this year. With our initial grant we were able to provide 10 limited income senior households with free home improvements such as replacement windows, bathroom grab bars, hand-held showers, raised toilet seats, transfer chairs, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and more. The goal of the program is to help recipients stay in their homes more safely and affordably so they do not have to sell and move away from their neighborhood.
In November, RCC held a first-ever school forum for the Ravenswood community. More than 30 public, private and parochial elementary and high schools are located in Ravenswood. All were invited to come together at Amundsen High School so that local parents and students could obtain information on the programs, special features, philosophies and goals of the many fine learning institutions that serve Ravenswood. Twenty-four schools participated and about 150 families attended the event. A guidebook containing information on many of the local schools is available from the RCC office. Just call 583-1600.
RCC also received a first-time grant from the city?’s Department on Aging in support of the Community Emergency Life Line (CELL) phone program. CELLphones are used, refurbished cellular telephones that are intended to dial 911 only. Seniors (under the Dept. on Aging grant) and others (with RCC?’s direct funding) can obtain a free CELLphone through RCC to improve their personal safety and security. More than 150 phones were given out in 2003. RCC obtains the used phones as donations and then refurbishes them. Phones not suitable for use are sold to recyclers and the proceeds used to support the program.
Perhaps the best news was that RCC has been approved for continued grant funding for CELLphones and increased funding for HRAIL. In 2004, RCC will be able to help 20 seniors