Maribeth Stein Director of Older Adult Services and Advocacy Office of Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky visits with Jack Macholl to share information on Medicare Part D on episode 43 of the New Trier Township Podcast. Her presentation deck is available at the New Trier Township website.

May is Mental Health Awareness month, and we visit with the Reverend, Doctor Scott Mitchell of SamaraCare, an Illinois-based 501c3 mental health service provider and township grantee. Doctor Mitchell shares his thoughts on building public awareness about mental illness to reduce the negative stigma regarding seeking treatment. Hear this leading expert’s view on the impacts of COVID-19 on everyone’s mental health and what it will be like to reacclimate to the workplace as the pandemic declines. To learn more about SamaraCare visit www.samaracarecounseling.org

Christine Somervill Executive Director of Programs at theNational Alliance on Mental Illness of NorthSuburban Cook County (NAMI) joins Jack Macholl to discuss their advocacy work supporting people facing mental illness. Christine shares insights on their programs, including community education, support groups, classes for parents and community organizations that want to learn more about mental illness. Township grants, foundations and donors make this important work possible free of charge. For more information visit https://namiccns.org

The first call one makes for help takes courage, these words from Maureen McDonnell Executive Director of Peer Services, an Evanston Illinois based community substance abuse and prevention treatment services organization are heard in her interview with Jack Macholl on episode 40 of the New Trier Township Podcast. They discuss the global pandemic of 2020/21 and how this situation is impacting adolescents and young adults trying to cope with the problems created by substance abuse. If you know someone in need of help, or wish to support their mission of education, prevention and treatment, visit PeerServices.org

The pandemic of 2020 has added financial hardship to many families in New Trier Township. Some are now faced with a "heat or eat" decision. Melissa Versch of the North Shore Senior Center in Northfield Illinois speaks with Jack Macholl about the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The Senior Center works with CEDA to help people from all over Cook County Illinois who need utility bill payment assistance. Please visit www.cedaorg.net/Pre-App  to complete an online application. Residents of New Trier Township who are facing economic difficulty are encouraged to phone Jeanne Winsted Rosser, Township Social Worker at (847) 446-8201. Emergency financial assistance, food pantry service and access to social services through township grantees are available to income qualified individuals/families.

New Trier Township hosted a Medicare Part D open enrollment forum on October 22, 2020. Maribeth Stein, Outreach Coordinator/Constituent Advocate for Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky presented as part of the township’s Educational Forum series. The presentation deck is available at the township's website: Medicare Part D 2021 Presentation

The Coronavirus pandemic of 2020 essentially closed down most American businesses by late March. One casualty was the local newspapers along the North Shore area in Illinois. Can dedicated local news "2.0" return with sweat equity and a Kickstarter campaign? Learn how Joe Coughlin and his colleagues intend to do just that on episode 37 of the New Trier Township Podcast hosted by Jack Macholl.

Life during a pandemic and a reeling global economy is surely enough for all of us to cope with, but eviction or foreclosure added to the mix? How do working people at risk of losing their residence face this paradox and maintain stability? Nareen Kim of the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic shares her legal expertise on episode 36 of the New Trier Township Podcast hosted by Jack Macholl.

Bernie’s Book Bank collects and distributes new and gently used books to help bridge the reading readiness divide. The pandemic of 2020 has not discouraged the devoted staff, who sans volunteers have pivoted, changed procedures, and forged strategic partnerships to distribute over 300,000 books since the shutdown in mid-March. Hear an inspiring interview with Darrin Utynek, CEO of Bernie’s Book Bank on episode 35 of the New Trier Township Podcast, hosted by Jack Macholl.

A shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a problem across America. Barb Tubekis and the Volunteer Center of Northeast Metro Chicago are working with residents who are sewing masks, delivering meals, and being pen pals to help group homes stay safe during the pandemic. Hear the full story about  safe volunteer opportunities during the pandemic on episode 34 of our podcast hosted by Jack Macholl.

Being a pre-teen or high school student is difficult enough. Add a pandemic with shelter in place orders and keeping youth occupied is a major challenge. Emily Schnell of the Warming House Youth Center (Wilmette, Illinois, USA) talks with Jack Macholl on episode 33 of the New Trier Township Podcast.

The North Shore Senior Center closed on March 12, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic shelter in place order. This jarring change required quick thinking and technlogical ingenuity to keep older adults engaged during the quarantine. Tish Rudnicki, Executive Director of the North Shore Senior Center (Northfield, IL, USA)shares how they pivoted and are maintaining their programs on episode 32 of the New Trier Township Podcast, hosted by Jack Macholl.

Loneliness and isolation has set in as Americans are asked to shelter in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. But what does this situation mean for people facing mental health challenges? Susan Resko, President of the Josselyn Center in Northfield Illinois(and survivor of COVID-19) visits via Zoom with Jack Macholl on episode 31 of the New Trier Township Podcast. For help in Northeastern Illinois phone the Josselyn Center at (847) 441-5600 ext.1 or text TALK to 552020 and be connected with the Illinois Crisis Line.

Running a Meals on Wheels operation is a big job under normal circumstances. Add the COVID-19 pandemic, it's always on. Debi Genthe, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of Northeastern Illinois  visits with Jack Macholl about the growing demand for meals and what the day to day is like as they serve seniors and other health compromised individuals that must shelter in place during this national health crisis. This township grantee is making a difference on the front line. Take a listen to episode 30 of the New Trier Township Podcast.

Every level, every class, every ethnicity, every age…the numbers of domestic violence cases are growing. What can you do to help? Rebecca Weininger of the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic shares advice on what to look for and how to help without making a dangerous situation worse on episode 29 of the New Trier Township Podcast hosted by Jack Macholl.

Would you know what to do if U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement or “ICE” knocked on your door, or entered your place of business? Attorney Lia Kim-Yi Director of Immigration Law at the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic in Highland Park Illinois discusses legal rights and offers tips to help people remain safe on episode 28 of the New Trier Township Podcast hosted by Jack Macholl.

Dr. Renee Dominguez of the Family Service Center shares her thoughts on Preparing the Child for the Path, Not Preparing the Path for the Child. Renee says being a parent is one of the toughest jobs on the planet. Hear her thoughts on improving family communication skills, and the growth versus fixed mindset approches to learning. Innovative thoughts from one of Illinois leading psychologists are available on Episode 27 of the New Trier Township Podcast hosted by Jack Macholl.

Children are logging more screen time than ever, and the job of parenting in the digital age has become more challenging as a result. Is there a “secret formula” to help children balance the digital and analog worlds? Jack Macholl interviews Tony DeMonteof Wilmette School District 39 who offers advice to parents about setting responsible boundaries that form lasting bonds with their children.

The diagnosis of Autism has reached record levels. In Illinois, waiting lists for long-term supports are lengthy and growing. So what do families do to cope with caregiver fatigue and get through today? Kim Berenberg of Glenkirk talks with Jack Macholl about their respite program and the need for advocacy to generate action on services for the developmentally challenged. For more information visit glenkirk.org/get-services/respite-care

Everyone navigates the obstacles of youth in different ways. Is aging in this era more difficult than it was 30 or 40 years ago? Cynthia Doucette, Executive Director of the Warming House Youth Center visits with Jack Macholl, sharing her 20-years of expertise in youth services on episode 24 of the New Trier Township Podcast. To learn more about The Warming House Youth Center, visit warminghouse.org . Information about New Trier Township programs and services can be located at NewTrierTownship.com