Author Archives: Community House
Our Community Spotlight: Feel better with Beata Macias.
“Leave people happier than you found them, and the world a better place than you found it.”
Words to live by from a holistic wellness professional, occupational therapist, mind-body
movement specialist and life-long learner who has over 15 years of experience in various healthcare settings with diverse populations and diagnoses.
This is Beata Macias, instructor of a brand-new class at The Community House called Qi-gong pronounced “chi gong”. This ancient practice was developed in China thousands of years ago as part of traditional Chinese medicine. It involves using exercises to optimize energy within the body, mind, and spirit, with the goal of improving and maintaining health and well-being.
“My mission, Beata says, is to elevate regular fitness and wellness classes and offer more cost effective, evidence-based and client-centered classes led by a healthcare professional. I am aspiring to create a supportive community where people can obtain comprehensive tools and solutions to make positive, long-lasting changes in their lives, promoting self-healing, preventing disease and increasing longevity, so they can simply feel better.”
Qi-gong has both psychological and physical components and involves the regulation of the mind, breath, body movement and posture. This holistic, evidence-based and person-centered class is led by a healthcare professional and is designed to encourage positive changes in every aspect of life.
Each class will incorporate the practice of qi-gong/tai-chi, meditation, breathwork and therapeutic movement with the goal of raising vital energy, rewiring your brain, and healing your body. At the end of the workshops, participants will demonstrate increased knowledge of what a healthy lifestyle is and will develop better coping skills through a positive mindset which will improve relations with others and self.
“Beata has great energy, says Jillian Spizzirri, Active Adult Recreation Supervisor. Whether it be positive and energetic or calming and self-centering, her positivity and enthusiasm for holistic health and wellness is contagious. I am excited for her to bring her wealth of knowledge, professional experience as a healthcare professional and person-centered approach to our community.”
Beata’s Qi-gong class begins September 19. A free trial class is available on September 12 at 1:30 PM.
Click here to learn more and register.
(August 2022)
Faculty Art Exhibit on display
The FACULY ART EXHIBIT is currently on display in the LyArts Gallery, located on the 2nd floor at The Community House. This dynamic exhibit showcases the extraordinary art work of D181 and 86 teachers as well as LyArts instructors.
The piece included above was provided by Aleksandra Zdun. Aleksander is an art educator and a painter located in the Chicago Suburbs. Her work is a “coming-of-age” autobiography inspired by the concept of inner dialogue originating from Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way”. This concept of inner dialogue explores the relationships between three characters: the child, the wise, and the critic. As a first-generation student, Zdun has used this concept to process her childhood and ultimately allowed her to give power to her wisdom, love her child-self, and accept her critic as a protector of who she is. This body of six pieces also allowed her to create a dimension not rooted in reality, a surrealistic world that deconstructs any binary, letting her exist in a space society cannot touch. She has been featured in the MiddleWestern Voice (2022, 2023), the Pink Slip (2023), and her work was part of a group exhibition in The Accelerator ArtSpace (2022).
Mike Bale (CHMS)
Angie Golden (Monroe)
Jennifer Belmonte (South)
Hannah Kabat (Central)
Janet Roller Schmidt (South)
Alison Sunseri (Souhth)
Aleksandra Zdun (Central)
David Marcet
Gabrielle Tufano
Pam Kalafut
Heather Kostal
Phyllis Kozlowski
K.E.A.P.
The KEAP (Kindergarten Enrichment Achievement Program) is open for registration for the 2021-2022 School Year.
ENGAGE
ACHIEVE
LEARN
The Community House believes that play is the best form of research, and we pride ourselves on providing safe and engaging environments where students can learn while being provided with support from highly qualified, talented and enthusiastic staff.
The Kindergarten Enrichment Achievement Program (K.E.A.P.) is an extension of the District 181 Half Day Kindergarten Program that will be held daily throughout the school year at The Community House. Both morning and afternoon sessions will occur and will adhere to the Restore Illinois Guidelines, ensuring the health and safety of the children and families we serve as well as our staff.
K.E.A.P. will offer before and after school enrichment that will compliment D181’s curriculum with structured S.T.E.M. activities, arts and crafts, physical education and outdoor time. K.E.A.P. will be held Monday through Friday with before and after school sessions. K.E.A.P. is a program specifically designed for Kindergarten students only and is not a certified school program, but it is an enrichment program that aims to provide an engaging, playful and educational environment for students.
The Community House will be utilizing our van to drop off and pick up at Monroe Elementary, The Lane, and Madison Elementary.
Students attending Oak, Elm, Prospect and Walker Elementary schools will need to have their own transportation to and from K.E.A.P.
DAILY SCHEDULE
MORNING PROGRAM
8:00-8:30 Check In/Individual Fun Packets
8:30-9:00 Circle Time (Calendar, Weather, Weekly song)
9:00-9:30 Themed Story Book/Art Activity to go with themed book
9:30-10:15 Outdoor or Indoor Structured Active Play
10:15-11:00 Enrichment Activity (Science, Art, Nature, Cooking)
11:00-11:30 Lunch
11:30-12:00 Active Play
12:00-12:20 Individual Play
12:20-12:40 Clean Up/Drop off at School
AFTERNOON PROGRAM
11:10-11:25 Check In
11:25-12:00 Lunch
12:00-12:40 Active Play
12:40-1:00 Circle Time (Calendar, Weather, Themed Song)
1:00-1:30 Themed Story Book/Art Activity to go with themed book
1:30-2:15 Outdoor or Indoor Structured Active Play
2:15-3:00 Enrichment Activity (Science, Art, Nature, Cooking)
3:00-3:15 Individual Play/Check Out
Registration will be offered weekly. Register
For more information please contact Karen Kaspar at 630-323-7500 ext. 248 or at kkaspar@thecommunityhouse.org
In Memory of Dick Johnson
IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR FRIEND, DICK JOHNSON
A celebrated journalist, Dick was beloved by his family, friends, colleagues and the public. While the greater Chicago-land area got to watch Dick report the news on NBC 5, at The Community House, we had the distinct pleasure of having him as a part of our family, as a Life Trustee, a founder of The Community House Players and Community Revue and a passionate supporter of our arts programming.
For over 20 years we were honored and in awe of the work Dick did in support of The Community House. His legacy and generosity is an integral part of our history and we will always be grateful for the contributions he made to our community.
In September, we honored Dick as a Founder of The Community House Players, but Dick was not just a Founder, he was a performer and if you ever had the good fortune to see the shows he was a part of, you know that he always brought down the house! Dick was an incredibly talented, genuine, kind, charismatic person who was quick to share his bright smile and could light up a room with his boisterous laugh.
To know him, was to love him.
We send our thoughts and sincere condolences to his family, his friends and everyone who was impacted by this truly wonderful man.
Dan Janowick Appointed Executive Director
Celebrate at The Community House
Make this the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!
Have your birthday party with us.
- Harry Potter- Create potions and make a wand
- Superheroes- Make your own cape and find your super power
- Slime-Make at least 3 different slimes to take home
- Messy Chemistry – We will explore principles of chemistry while having messy fun! Make exploding potions, slime and more.
- Princess-Make lace crowns and cotton candy slime
- Spa-Make potions, lip gloss, and bubble bath
- Baking-Bake, eat, or take home treats
- Bugs and Butterflies-Make a bug collecting jar and take home live bugs along with several other crafts
- Fairytale-Explore Three Little Pigs, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Fairy dust bottles
- Lego-Monsters, a lego spoon race, lego car races, and other lego activities
- Spy-Fingerprint science, secret message decoders, and more
- Star Wars-Erupting death stars, marshmallow shooters, and a pool noodle light saber
- Magic – let us entertain and captivate your children in a unique blend of comedy and magic. The birthday boy/girl gets to participate throughout the show and will be suspended in midair – a perfect photo opportunity! All parties include a magic workshop where participants learn 6 magic tricks to keep and take home!
Sports Birthday Party
If your child loves sports, this is the party for him or her! Sports party packages are tons of fun for all kids; receive athletic instruction from real sports professionals! Choose from one of our party packages or create your own! Basketball, Cheerleading, Dodge-ball, Non-contact Football, Soccer and Volleyball. Birthday parties include instructor to implement and run activities, all sports equipment, and party room.
Add on our Pizza Package for $50 which includes 2 XL cheese pizzas, Gatorade, water, plates, cups, and napkins.
Have any other questions? Contact us at 630-323-7500 for more information.
Outdoor Programs/Leagues Field Status
Click here to see the field status for your outdoor programming offered by The Community House.
Before and After the Bell Program
STAY AND PLAY
The Community House believes that play is the best form of research, and we pride ourselves on providing safe and engaging environments where students are provided with homework help, enrichment and STEM activities, presentations and special guests, indoor and outdoor play. Both before and after services are provided at D181 schools and The Community House.
We offer flexible scheduling with no commitment, daily registration available.
Drop your child off before school and let them stay and play with their friends after school. Enroll now for a seamless experience!
BEFORE SCHOOL
BEFORE THE BELL is a safe environment for your child to be with friends before the school day begins. Your child will do fun activities, gym time and organized games. A light breakfast snack will be provided. BEFORE the BELL follows School District 181 calendar and runs Monday-Friday 7:00am-8:30 am.
Before School services will be provided at the following locations:
The Community House (Serving the following schools: Madison, Oak and Elm. Students are transported to school by TCH)
AFTER SCHOOL
AFTER the BELL is a great way to excel this school year while having fun. This program is great for the children to be able to get their homework done but also have a fun place to come after a long day of school. AFTER the BELL follows the School District 181 calendar and typically runs Monday – Friday from 3:05 pm to 6:00 pm. This program covers Afternoon Kindergarten – 8th Grade. This program will be held at your child’s school and Community House staff will wait in a designated area to pick up students. You can customize your experience by signing up for one day, week, month, etc! A typical week at After the Bell includes: Homework assistance, enrichment activities, park/active time, fun-filled Fridays and so much more!
After School services will be provided at the following locations:
The Community House (Serving Madison & PM KEAP, students are picked up from school by TCH)
ALL
THE
DETAILS
BEFORE THE BELL ONLY
Ages: K-5
Dates: Monday – Friday
Times: 7:00am – 8:30am
Fees: Non Key Holder: $22 (One Child) $20 (Sibling Discount)
Key Holder: $12 (One Child) $10 (Sibling Discount)
AFTER THE BELL ONLY
Ages: K-5
Dates: Monday – Friday
Times: 3:05pm-6:00pm
Fees: Non Key Holder: $30 (One Child) $20 (Sibling Discount) Key Holder: $28 (One Child) $18 (Sibling Discount)
You can customize your experience by signing up for one day, a week, or the entire month!
EXAMPLE MORNING SCHEDULE
7:00-7:30 – Games/Activities (ex. Coloring, board games, card games, organized group games)
7:30-7:40 – Breakfast snack
7:40-8:05 – Active play
8:05-8:15 – Get ready for school
EXAMPLE AFTERNOON SCHEDULE
3:05-3:15 –Check in
3:15-3:30 – Snack time
3:45-4:15 – Outside active play
4:15-5:00 – Homework Help/SQUIRT
(Super Quiet Uninterrupted Reading Time)
5:00-5:30 – Enrichment activity
5:30-6:00 – Active play/check out
For more information please contact Karen Kaspar at 630-323-7500 ext. 248 or at kkaspar@thecommunityhouse.org
Willowbrook Corner Partners Program
The Community House’s Willowbrook Corner Partners Program provides counseling and therapy services to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. Services are provided at no cost to the residents of Hinsdale Lake Terrace, Hinsdale Point, Waterfall Glen, and Echo Lane. Partnerships are the key to strong and healthy communities. Here at The Partners Program, we use our relationships with other service providers in the community to help clients find the services to meet their needs. Through counseling, groups and workshops, The Partners Program offers experiences and opportunities for clients to heal and enrich their lives.
Education and Workshops
The Willowbrook Corner Partners Program provides education and support workshops to help residents learn and grow through life’s challenges. Participants explore ideas, tools, and teachings related to each topic in order to enrich their lives and relationships. Each workshop guides participants with engaging exercises and activities so they can return to their everyday lives with fresh skills, abilities, and outlooks. Snacks and child care are also provided at no cost.
Child and Adolescent Group Programs
Partner Program Groups provide members with essential skills and experiences to successfully face the challenges of everyday life. Through fun activities and discussions, members develop vital abilities such as social skills, positive conflict resolution, anger management, collaboration, morals and values, goal setting, and much more. Groups meet nightly for 8 weeks and are divided by age and gender for children 3rd-8th grade. All group meetings include a meal.
Without the support of generous donors and partners, many of these families would not receive any services or support.
The Partners Program is made possible in part by
Generous support for the Child and Adolescent Program is provided by
For enrollment in services or more information please contact:
Allison Rodgers at arodgers@thecommunityhouse.org