sisterhouse...tom & christine flood ron & michelle foster patricia gacek terry & mary...
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SISTERHOUSE Recovery Is Possible!
A Few Words from Two of our Priceless Pearls
I arrived at Sister House November 13, 2013, fortunately for me I needed
no more convincing, this is the place for me. There was no doubt in my
mind that SisterHouse had what I needed, structure and support. Struc-
ture to reintroduce me to living a life free of drugs and alcohol and sup-
port to help me along the way. From day one, I have been made to feel
welcome. Of course there have been some uncomfortable situa-
tions. Through experiences I have learned that being grateful takes ac-
tion. Everyday I wake in my bed, in my own room I am grateful. Do I al-
ways act grateful? No! But that does not change the fact that I am. As
God has not given up on me neither has Sister House. I have been en-
couraged to step out on my dreams so that they may become my real-
ity. Am I where I want to be? Of course not, but with the assistance of a
great group of women I am much closer than I ever thought possible.
Suzanne Jacksom
I’m currently living at SisterHouse and do-
ing very well, but it wasn’t always like that. My story started the 24th of
March 2014. I was homeless, feeling worthless, confused and just
had nowhere to turn. So I turned to the only thing I knew “GOD”, I cried
out to him with a heavy heart!! With the help of GOD I picked myself up
and went to detox. Then my counselor suggested Sister House and
that was the best suggestion I could have ever followed.
I never dreamed I could ever have what I have achieved, Ms. Rochelle
played a major role, she provided structure for me to follow, and she
taught me how to be a lady as well as a productive member of society.
I went through the three phases of the program which includes the job
readiness program (CARA), I have a very good job with benefits and
I’ve learned how to be dedicated to something worth having, and I owe
it all to SisterHouse. Thanks to everyone who played a part in my new
life especially “GOD” almighty who heard my cries!!!
Joyce Bell
Annual Report 2013
SisterHouse is a sponsored ministry of the School Sisters of Notre Dame
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SISTERHOUSE Annual Report 2013
Thanks to our holistic approach to recovery,
SisterHouse participants do more than achieve
and maintain sobriety; they build the skills that
are needed to lead productive and meaningful
lives. At SisterHouse women have the
opportunity to see their bodies healed, their minds
renewed, and their lives transformed.
Dear Friends of SisterHouse
This past year has been very successful due to your generous dona-
tions and support of our fund raisers. A Night at Maywood Race-
track was a fun family affair where everyone enjoyed the races and
the thrill of winning. Our Second Annual Priceless Pearls dinner at
Beau Jolie was a beautiful evening of dinner and dancing. With the
help of Julie Weber Coffman, as our volunteer consultant we expo-
nentially increased our contributions from museums, restaurants,
theaters and merchants From the generosity of one donors we
offered a vacation in a time share in Florida. It was a most amazing
display of outpouring from so many people and places!
This last year we bid good-bye to our former executive director, Bon-
nie Johnson. We appreciate her hard work and passion that she
offered us in her tenure. Please see the “Welcome from the Staff”
where you will be introduced to our new Executive Director,
Lennette Pointer. In addition, we welcome our new Board mem-
bers; Judy Garber, Tiffany Harrison, Lorena Vaughn and Elizabeth
Zurowski. They bring to SisterHosue expertise in finance, market-
ing, the non-profit sector and fund raising.
As we continue to transform women to meet their greatest poten-
tial, we thank you for your ever present support. For the past
thirty –one years we have
been blessed in so many ways
and for that we are grate-
ful. Please continue to
walk with us as we guide
our women today and in
the future to lead produc-
tive lives with respect and
dignity for themselves and
all they encounter.
Mary Catherine Wygonik
President of the Board
Our Board of Directors
Mary Catherine Wygonik, President
Pat Smuck, Vice President
Diane Levy, Secretary
Sue Lescher, Treasurer
Charmaine Krohe, SSND, Council
Liaison
Mary Kay Brooks, SSND
Claire Marie Czerwiec,SSND
Judy Garber
Tiffany Harrison
Mary Lou Henderson, SSND
Cassandra Norman
Eunice Reed
Lorena Vaughn
Welcome from our Board President:
2013: A Year of Giving
Christmas is a special time at SisterHouse.
The generosity of our friends is evidenced in
the piles of gifts donated to the ladies. Sev-
eral churches and organizations faithfully
send presents every year. Two organizations,
The Order of the Eastern Star and Friendship
Baptist Church sent the ladies cosmetics and
personal care products, for which they were
very grateful. At St. Joseph’s Parish in Liberty-
ville, the women are part of their Giving Tree
and the parish’s overwhelming generosity
fills the living room with presents and the
basement with paper goods. St. Matthew’s
Parish remembers them every year with many
gifts also.
At SisterHouse, our mission is to radically
transform our ladies. In the spirit of transfor-
mation, Sister Breaden, from Jordan Temple,
spent a Make Over/Make Up day with the
ladies to guide the ladies in looking as good
as they feel. It was a very fun day!
And Giving Back
A major part of recovery is the obligation to
“give back “ Our Alumnae embrace this prin-
ciple with gusto! For the past two years they
have hosted a Gospel Explosion that is noth-
ing short of amazing . The proceeds from this
event are to enhance the lives of the ladies at
SisterHouse. At the Annual Alumnae Picnic
the ladies picnic with their families at Union
Park. We thank the Alumnae for serving as
role models for the ladies, displaying what it
means to “give back”.
SISTERHOUSE Annual Report 2013
Our Transformed Alumnae We have many amazing stories of the successes of our alumnae and
this year we share three of these with you. Please meet JaShawn Hill,
Natalia Wright and Joyce Gatlin.
I entered Sister House’s doors in November of 2006 and
graduated in 2008. Since leaving Sister House and utilizing
the tools they gave me for living a positive life, I have com-
pleted my Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Northeast-
ern Illinois University in 2012. I earned my MSW this
spring! Currently, I am working as a Social Worker for a
prestigious legal aid firm in Chicago. Ja Shawn Hill
In addition to working at SisterHouse on the week-ends, I am
currently enrolled in the School of Nursing at Rush Hospital. I
have maintained a 4.0 Grade Point Average while in school.
Rush Hospital awarded me a scholarship to obtai my masters
in Nursing based on my academic achievements. My career
goal is to be a nurse practitioner and work in geriatrics. My
time at SisterHosue changed my life and my career!
Natalia Wright
I worked to earn an Associate’s Degree from Malcolm X College. Follow-
ing that I earned my Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Behavioral Sciences
from National Lewis University. Presently I am employed at Thresholds
as a Certified Recovery Coach with a TCI certification. I just want to say
that I love SisterHouse!
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Welcome from the Staff Hello,
My name is Lennette Pointer and I am the New Executive Director of
Sister House. I am both proud and humbled to be part of such an
incredibly rich and diverse organization. SisterHouse is an assem-
blage of individuals who bring many facets to our home-based com-
munity. At Sister House you will meet a group of people brought to-
gether by a shared ethic of initiative and purpose. The staff and I get
to learn from and teach individuals who bring knowledge, life experi-
ence, and personal integrity to an already fascinating table
As the Sister House staff, Rochelle, Natalia, and I would like to send
warm and heartfelt thanks to our donors, family members, friends,
and volunteers for all of your support throughout the year 2013. We
cannot imagine this path without you; our candle would lose its light.
With all of your gifts of kindness, love, faith, and prayers we will con-
tinue this journey of education and success.
Sincerely,
Lennette
Lennette Pointer Executive Director
Rochelle Sims Program Director
Natalia Wright Week-end Supervisor
Where Our Residents Work-
City Projects
Clean Slate
Janitorial Services
ABM
Habitat
Health Care
Mercy Hospital
Resurrection Hospital
Retail
Macy’s
Transportation
CTA
O’Hare Airport
Finances Condensed Statement of Financial Position for Year 2013
SISTERHOUSE Annual Report 2013
SisterHouse is a nonprofit organization with
501(c)(3) status in the state of Illinois. Reve-
nues are generated from grants from founda-
tions and corporations, fundraising events, do-
nations from individuals, churches and other
organizations, and program fees.
We have seen an increase in revenue via
events: The St. Mary’s golf outing, The Night at
the Races and the Priceless Pearls Benefit. The
addition of new Board members from the north-
ern and western suburbs has increased and
diversified our donor base and network.
The condensed financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2013, appearing in
this report, are based on an external audit con-
ducted by Bansley and Kiener, LLP Certified
Public Accountants.
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$ %
INCOME
Contributions and Fundraising 144,019 45.5
Grants 154,000 48
Program Fees 11,993 4.2
Interest 984 0.3
TOTAL INCOME 310.996 100%
EXPENSES
Program Services 242.420 82.3
Management and General 4,555 1.9
Fundraising/ reimbursement 31,296 15.1
Depreciation 674 .7
TOTAL EXPENSES 278,944 100%
INCREASE IN NET ASSETS +32,052
NET ASSETS, BEGINNING 282,851
NET ASSETS, ENDING 314,910
Thanks again for your generous support!!!
Our Income: Our Expenses:
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SISTERHOUSE Annual Report 2013
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The Year in Pictures
SISTERHOUSE Annual Report 2013
Page 5
The Illians
Honorees of our Priceless Pearls Benefit
St. Joe’s in Libertyville
Paper Goods Donations
The Gospel Explosion
St. Mary’s Golf Outing
Christmas Day at SisterHouse
SISTERHOUSE Annual Report 2013
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SISTERHOUSE Annual Report 2013
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SISTERHOUSE Annual Report 2013
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Our Funders:
Matching Funds: Brookfield Group Citi Group J&J Kendall Rice United Way
In Memory of: Bob Hermes Caitlin Guinan The Caitlin Guinan Trust Gore Murphy Stenger Reilly
In Honor of
2013 Jubilarians Kathi Barth Claire Czerwiec,SSND Dorotyh Kunze, SSND Gilmary Lemberg, SSND Donita Mathis, SSND Miriam Patrick. SSND
SSND contributions: Dallas Central Office Foster Avenue Community Loretta Rosendale, SSND Mater Christi Community Shannon Scallon,SSND SSND Board Members
Our Donors
We are grateful to all our donors. It is only because of their generous support that we are able to provide housing and supportive services to women in recovery. We tried to be as thorough as possible. If a name was accidentally omitted, please receive our sincere apologies and
notify us so that we can correct our records.
Erin Cibula
Linda Cibula
Nancy Cibula
Agape Foundation
Fred J Brunner Foundation
George Eisenberg Foundation
Helen Brach Foundation
Judy Foundation
Mazza Foundation $10,000.00
Michael Reese Health Trust
Oak Park River Forest Community Bank
Racine Dominican Fund
Raskob Foundation
Sage Foundation
SSND Gospel Fund
The Owens Foundation
William McGowan Fund
Michael Clifford
Dolores Coduto
Michelle A Dal Pino
Lynetta Davis
Camie De Guerre
Marilyn, OP Derr
Roberta Dicher
Karen Didier
Stephen & MaryDill
Patricia M. Dillon
Robert & Patricia Donnelly
Noreen Dowling
Chris Dunworth
Joyce Ann Eaker
Kenneth Engers
Deanna Evitts
Tom & Christine Flood
Ron & Michelle Foster
Patricia Gacek
Terry & Mary Gallagher
Leslie Gallo
Mike & Judy Garber
Dana Genyk
Michael Giambrone
Deidre A Girard
Margaret Glass
Mary Fran Gleason
Brian Golan
Ruth Goldboss
Susan Goldman
Kimberly Ann Grady
Dorothy Gredler
Mark & Kim Guinan
Gilmary Habenicht
Gilmary Habenicht
Tiffany Harrison
Timothy Harrison
Sladjana Abab
Steven Alt
Richard & Mary Anderson
Philip Arnold
Jennifer Asan
Mary Bahlenhorst
Patricia Banks
J. Brad & Katherine Barth
Erin Barth
Donald Bartlet
Carole Bartman
Ellen Bateman
Amy Bavone
Joel & Sue Belanger
Ronald & Lois Belusko
John & Ellen Bentz
Kathryn Bergh
Sue Biersbach
Sandra Bijou
Pat Bogie
Dorothy Bolognini
Michael Booker
Col Ronald & Suzanne Bordenaro
Boy Scouts of America
Dolores Brady
Mary Kay Brooks, SSND
Jackie Brown
Mike Brown
Anne Marie Brunner
Christine Bulger
Mary Louise Burger
Kevin & LoriBurns
Jill & Thomas Bush
MaxineButler
RobertCallahan
CARA
MargeCarroll
SISTERHOUSE Annual Report 2013
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SISTERHOUSE Annual Report 2013
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Mary Lou Henderson,SSND Shirley Hermes Pastor Taylor Hih Mountain MB CH Ja Shawn Hill Ruth, OP Hoffmann Elma Hudson Howard & Jean Illian Wendy Illian Alex & Amy Ingles Melissa Ivy Richard & Janet Jacob Marco Jacome Joan Jais Bonnie Johnson Cathleen Johnson Megan Johnson Mary Beth Jost Susan Jung Dawn Kahn Peter & Mary Ann Kattner Sandy & Bill Keefe Eva Kelly Elizabeth Kerrigan Maria Kim John Kokum Meg Kryger Sabrina Land Kim Landano Joe & Judy Larscheid Margaret Lawlor Cathy Lemberg Sue Lescher Amy E. Levell Charles & Diane Levy Camille Lilly Stephen & Flo Lipsey Mary Louise Loeb Juliana Lopez John Lowrey Ted & Maureen Lucore Tiffany & Nicholas Lupo Jeanne Lutz Sherry Madjic Mary Mamon
John Manz
Sandy & Bill Martel
Mary Jane Mc Cart
Patricia Mc Cann
Gahan Jacobs McDonald
Jane & Timothy McGrath
Kim E Miller
Gloria Miller
Nicholas & Linda Mirabelli
Nedra Mixon
Marguerite Moskos
Dennis & Ronnie Mudd
Mary Ellen Murphy
Amy E. Murphy
Margaret A. Nacorda-Kinney
Dawn Nasiatka
Martin & Kathryn Nihill
Cassandra Norman
Christa O'Keefe
Sasha Ongetngco
Marlene Panebianco
Gary & Mary Ann Pater
Charles & Melanie Payne
Charles Perron
Joan Pikiell
Joan Radtke
Dakota Randle
Eunice Reed
Dana Regan
Joyce A. Reis
Helen & Mauro Requilman
Carl Rice
Daniel Romano
Michael Romano
Lynn Romano-Tamburrino
Dee Ryan
Carolyn Saltarelli
Gina Savani
Rose Schaudek
Luke Schmitt
David & Judy Seebruch
Robert & Dorothea Senechalle
Elizabeth Shanahan
Terry Shapiro
Dan & Jane Sherlock
Mamie Shorter
Michael & Karen Shutty
Carol Spiegel, BVM
Debra Smith-Williams
Art & Kathy Smuck
Michael Smuck
Pat Smuck
Stephen Sowle
Sherry Spencer
Carol Spiegel
Anne Marie Spiteri
Marianne & Robert Stefanski
Pat Stibich
Leanne Storch
Lauren Streff
Steve Sullivan
Mary Ann Summers
Anthony Sunzeri
Lynn Ellen Tamburrino
Cheryl Tatreau
Gilbert & Karen Terlicher
Jessie Teverbaugh
Mark & Margaret Tritschler
Donna Tuman
Tiffany Turkowski
Rev. Louis Tylka
Lorena & Derek Vaughn
Ryan Walker
Mary Walsh
Larry & Barbara Walton
Michael & Julie Buchanan Warren
Sunya Watson
Julie Weber Coffman
Eric & Mary Weinheimer
Celia Werschultz
Ethel Williams
Linda Williams
Eddie Wygonik
Ed & Mary Catherine Wygonik
Joe & Donna Xerri
Lori Zalewski
SISTERHOUSE Annual Report 2013
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SisterHouse is a
faith-oriented
SISTERHOUSE Annual Report 2013
851 North Leamington Avenue
Chicago, IL 60651
Recovery is Possible! Phone: (773)626-0525
Fax: (773)626-3708
www.sisterhousechicago.org
NON-PROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE
PAID CHICAGO, IL
PERMIT # 2459
Current Resident or:
Our Approach
SisterHouse espouses a holistic
approach to recovery and works
with a network of agencies and
supporters to provide…
Access to intensive sub-
stance abuse treatment,
medical care and job readi-
ness training
Twelve-step based support
(Alcoholics Anonymous)
GED and literacy tutoring
services
Recreational activities, spiri-
tual retreats and more
Our Mission
SisterHouse is a faith-oriented
community of women that
Offers a temporary home to women
s eeking recovery from substance
abuse
Provides a safe environment of
respect, order and peace
Offers opportunities for growth in self
esteem and spiritual maturity
Requires accountability and
Responsibility
Helps residents to achieve
responsible independent living
Empowers women to participate con-
structively in society.