Will County Gazette

Village of New Lenox Safe Community Coalition met Nov. 20.

Here is the agenda provided by the coalition:

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. ROLL CALL, WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 COALITION MEETING)

4. GUEST SPEAKER – LORI GIBSON / HOME FOR LIFE ADVANTAGE

5. NEW BUSINESS

A. 2025 New Lenox Safe Community Coalition Meeting Schedule (Task Groups, Coalition and Steering Committee)

6. OLD BUSINESS

A. Task Group Reports

1. Domestic Violence Prevention

a. “Teen Dating Violence: What Trusted Adults Should Know”

i. This event was scheduled for Tuesday, October 29, 2024 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, via Zoom Videoconference. The event was cancelled because one of the speakers could not attend. The speakers were: Alicia Guerrero (mother of Briana Valle whose teenage daughter was killed in a domestic-related incident in Romeoville), Jenny Guiney, Groundwork Community Outreach Supervisor, Guardian Angel Community Services (who was going to lead a general discussion on teen dating violence and services offered), a law enforcement officer (possibly a school resource officer), and Marie Goulet, LCSW and Lead Social Worker for New Lenox School District #122 (who was going to provide a school perspective on resources, policies, social media, etc…).

b. National Campaigns and Potential Events

i. Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, February, 2025

"Building Healthy Relationships with Ourselves and Others”

ii. Sexual Assault Awareness Month, April, 2025

“Building and Supporting Healthy Relationships”

iii. Domestic Violence Awareness Month, October, 2025

“One Thing: Speak Up, Speak Out”

“Domestic Violence 101: Awareness, Prevention and Safety”

c. Other Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Activities

i. 5K, Candlelight Bowl, Music / Entertainment, Rally / Vigil, Collaborate with “Ladies Night Out” Event

d. Will County Take Back the Night – October 24, 2024

i. This event was a huge success. It was held at Crossroads Church, 2312 Essington, Joliet, IL. Kudos to Amirah Abou-Youssef and her Planning Team.

2. Substance Use Prevention

a. Narcan Training – Monday, November 4, 2024 at 7:00pm

i. Connie Dewall stood in for Dr. Kathleen Burke during our latest training via Zoom. 92 citizens registered via Eventbrite and 51 were in attendance. The Narcan Nasal Spray Kit Distribution was held on Thursday, November 7, 2024 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the New Lenox Village Hall. Additional kits are being picked-up this week for those that could not attend the 11/7/24 distribution.

ii. Since 2017, in partnership with Dr. Burke’s Office, 1,596 citizens have been trained in the use of Narcan (Naloxone).

b. Kratom – Continued Discussion of this Substance

i. Jan Dombrowski and HERO staff are currently researching the effects of this drug which is being sold legally in gas stations, tobacco shops, and other places. The drug has opioid effects and there have been known fatalities. Additional research is being done on how to control or ban its sale by way of local ordinance.

c. DEA Presentation

i. Greg Czaczkowski from the DEA Chicago Office will be speaking about substance use disorders and will share what the DEA is doing to stop the opioid epidemic. This presentation will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. Greg will be joined by K-9 Officer Candace Guidry, New Lenox Police Department, who will do a demonstration with her K-9 partner “Harlie.”

d. “Teen Substance Use: What’s New and What’s Hidden in Plain Sight”

i. This presentation was held via Zoom Videoconference on March 4, 2024 in collaboration with HERO. It included an overview of what substances are trending, legislative updates, fentanyl risks, overview of the HERO organization and new props / items that have been added to the “Hidden in Plain Sight” trailer. A date for a similar presentation is currently being discussed and will likely be in early 2025.

3. Motor Vehicle / Traffic Safety

i. “Operation Lifesaver”

i. This presentation was held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 7:00pm. With this said, unknown actors entered the room and caused havoc. As such, the presentation had to be ended. Our sincere apologies to Carl Cicero / Metra Police, our presenter, and those that were in attendance. This presentation will be re-scheduled.

b. Senior Vehicle Inspections – Partnership with Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Automotive Technology Students

i. This event was held on Wednesday, November 6th and Thursday, November 7th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm (both days). There were 21 appointments each day – 3 every 15 minutes starting at 1:00pm. In total, 42 vehicles were inspected and the event was a huge success. Win for the seniors and win for the automotive technology students.

c. “Teen Driver? What Every Parent Should Know”

i. This presentation will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. Our presenters will be Brian Tamblin / Illinois Secretary of State’s Office, Margaret Pearson / Illinois Secretary of State’s Office, John Karales / Lincoln Way Community High School District 210, Jason Helbling / Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210, Jim Mihalovich / Top Driver, and Rocky Dellamano / Rocky Dellamano COUNTRY Financial. Currently, 200 people are registered through Eventbrite to attend.

d. Rules of the Road Review Course – Offered by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office

i. This course will be held from 10:00am to 12:00pm on Thursday, November 21, 2024 in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. This will be the LAST TIME this course is being offered by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office. Currently, there are 30 people, mostly seniors, registered to attend.

4. Suicide Prevention and Awareness

a. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention “Out of Darkness” Community Walk 

i. This walk was held on September 28, 2024 at the Riverside Healthcare Center in Bourbonnais, IL. Marie Kress organized a team to participate. Thank you, Marie!

b. “Question, Persuade, Refer” (QPR)

i. This class was held from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, via Zoom videoconference, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. Fifty-seven people registered via Eventbrite and approximately 30 attended. Gia Washington and her colleagues from Sertoma Star Services taught the class.

c. “Mental Health First Aid” (MHFA) – Youth Version

i. This class was held on Monday, October 7, 2024 from 8:30am to 4:30pm in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. A working lunch was provided for those in attendance. Thirty-one people registered via Eventbrite and approximately 20 attended. Gia Washington and her colleagues from Sertoma Star Services taught the class.

d. “RELAX: 5 Tips to Master Anxiety”

i. This class was held from 7:00pm to 8:00pm on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. Forty-one people registered via Eventbrite and approximately 30 attended. Dr. Mike Mecozzi gave this presentation.

e. “A Pathway to Hope and Healing”

i. This group’s signature event was held on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at Trinity Services, Inc. The Resource Fair was held from 5:30pm to 6:30pm and 14 organizations offered resources at their tables. The Panel Discussion was held from 6:30pm to 7:45pm and included lived experience stories from Shelly Lewis and Pearl Casurella. Marie Kress and Dr. Mike Mecozzi were also panelists. All of the speakers did an outstanding job and were well received by the audience. Approximately 40 people attended the event.

f. “safeTALK”

i. This class was held from 8:30am to 12:30pm on Monday, November 18, 2024 in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. 32 people signed up via Eventbrite and 19 attended. This class will be taught by Sertoma Star Services.

g. VA S.A.V.E. Training

i. This class will be held via Zoom videoconference from 7:00pm to 8:00pm on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. Michelle Augoustatos, Community Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital will provide the presentation. Marketing will go out this afternoon.

h. “Mental Health 101: Tips and Tricks for a Healthy Mind”

i. This class will be held from 6:00pm to 7:30pm on Thursday, March 20, 2025, in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. This class will be taught by Marie Goulet, NLSD #122.

i. “Question, Persuade, Refer” (QPR)

i. This class will be held from 7:00pm to 8:30pm on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. This class will be taught by Sertoma Star Services.

j. “RELAX: 5 Tips to Master Anxiety”

i. This presentation will be given from 7:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. Dr. Mike Mecozzi will be the presenter.

k. “Mental Health First Aid” (MHFA) – Adult Version

i. This class will be held from 8:30am to 4:30pm on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. This class will be taught by Sertoma Star Services.

l. “Applied Suicide Intervention Skills” (ASIST)

i. This class will be held from 8:30am to 4:30pm on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 and Thursday, June 19, 2025, in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. This class will be taught by Sertoma Star Services.

m. “Mental Health First Aid” (MHFA) – Youth Version

i. This class will be held from 8:30am to 4:00pm on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. This class will be taught by Sertoma Star Services.

n. Dr. Mike Mecozzi (NEW) Presentation

i. This presentation will be given from 7:00pm to 8:00pm (tentatively) on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall.

o. “safeTALK”

i. This class will be held from 9:00am to 1:00pm on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. This class will be taught by Sertoma Star Services.

5. Emergency Preparedness

a. New Lenox Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and New Lenox Search and Rescue (SAR) Update.

b. “Surviving an Active Shooter Encounter”

i. This class was held on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. The class was taught by Joe Malone. 80 citizens registered via Eventbrite and approximately 55 were in attendance.

c. “Stop the Bleed”

i. This class was held on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. 46 citizens registered via Eventbrite and approximately 35 were in attendance.

d. 2025 Severe Weather Spotter Training / Health and Safety Expo / Touch-a-Truck

i. This event will be held on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm at Lincoln-Way WEST High School.

e. “Stop the Bleed”

i. “Stop the Bleed” will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall.

f. “Home Safety and Personal Defense” by Joe Malone

i. This class will be held on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall.

g. “Stop the Bleed”

i. “Stop the Bleed” will be held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall.

h. CERT Class #21

i. CERT Class #21 will be held in September and October, 2025. The class will be on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30pm to 8:30pm in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. The first class will be on September 9th and the last class will be on October 2nd. The Final Exercise (Disaster Simulation) and Graduation will be held on Saturday, October 4th.

i. “Stop the Bleed”

i. “Stop the Bleed” will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall.

j. “Surviving an Active Shooter Encounter” by Joe Malone

i. This class will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2025 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall.

6. Older Adults Falls Prevention

a. “One Fall Can Change It All”

i. This event was held at the New Lenox VFW on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 from 8:30am to 11:30am. There were 23 organizations that staffed informational tables during the event.

ii. Meals on Wheels sponsored breakfast and did a magnificent job serving hot breakfasts to those in attendance. Well done!

iii. In addition to Meals on Wheels, breakfast sponsors were the Village of New Lenox, Dryer Vent Wizard of Will County, the New Lenox Public Library, Lori Gibson / Home for Life Advantage and Merit Medicaid Consultant (Huck Bouma).

iv. Special thanks to Bill Bunting for making the stands that held the signs for Balance Screening, Foot Screening and Vaccinations. The signs themselves were made by New Lenox Public Works.

v. At 9:30am, Jameka Muhammad, Anointed Hands Physical Therapy, gave an excellent presentation on Stretching for Older Adults. At 11:00am, Scott Pyles, Assistant State’s Attorney, Civil Division, Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, gave a terrific presentation on frauds and scams.

vi. Christina Rona provided the entertainment throughout the event. Christina sang lots of Motown and oldies that everyone recognized and appreciated. There was some discussion those in attendance not being able to carry on a conversation because the music was too loud.

vii. The raffle prizes were a big hit and we believe most of the participating organizations donated a raffle prize.

b. “A Matter of Balance” Class #54

i. MOB Class #54 began on Monday, September 9, 2024 at the New Lenox Village Hall. This class was held on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9:30am to 11:30am. Eleven seniors graduated on October 2, 2024 and the class evaluations were very positive. Dan Martin and Gloria Bodnar coached this class.

c. “A Matter of Balance” Class #55

i. MOB Class #55 began on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at the New Lenox Public Library. This class was held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30am to 11:30am. Eleven seniors graduated on October 31, 2024 and the class evaluations were very positive. Linda Bunting and Kathy Beaudry coached this class and were assisted by Gloria Bodnar.

d. “A Matter of Balance” Master Trainer Class

i. Gloria Bodnar completed a 4-day “A Matter of Balance” Master Trainer Class, which was held on November 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th. Congratulations and special thanks to Gloria for completing the class. Laura Regis, Linda Bunting and Gloria Bodnar are MOB Master Trainers.

e. “A Matter of Balance” Coach Refresher Training

i. Our annual training for MOB Coaches will be held from 9:30am to 12:00pm on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 in the Community Room at the Village Hall. A luncheon will immediately follow for all volunteer MOB Coaches.

f. “A Matter of Balance” NEW Coach Class

i. A MOB NEW Coach Class will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 and Wednesday, February 12, 2025 from 1:00pm to 4:30pm (each day). Currently, TWO individuals have volunteered to take the training, which will be taught by our three Master Trainers.

g. “A Matter of Balance” Class #? -_ Spring, 2025

i. The Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall has been reserved on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30am to 11:30am in April. The first class would meet on Monday, April 7th and the last class would meet on Wednesday, April 30th.

h. “Fit and Strong!” Class #11

i. TENTATIVELY, “Fit and Strong!” Class #11 will be held at the Spencer Campus in the Summer of 2025. The class will be held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30am to 11:00am. The first class would be held on Monday, June 2nd and the last class would be Friday, July 25th.

i. “Seniors With Sole”

i. TENTATIVELY, “Seniors With Sole” will be held in the New Lenox Commons in the Summer of 2025. The program will meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30am to 9:30am. The first session would be held on Tuesday, June 3rd and the last session would be held on Thursday, July 24th.

j. “A Matter of Balance” Class #? -_ Fall, 2025

i. The Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall has been reserved on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30am to 11:30am in October. The first class would meet on Monday, October 6th and the last class would meet on Wednesday, October 29th.

7. Announcements / Organization Updates

8. Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 29, 2025 / 10:30am, via Zoom videoconference.

9. Adjournment

https://www.newlenox.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11202024-272