Funder's Forum -
01/07/2015

Tri-County LTR Funder's Forum minutes

January 7, 2015

The Funders Forum meeting of Tri-County Long Term Recovery was called to order at 8:01 a.m. by Chairman Jim Fassino.

In attendance were Terry Bibo, Jim Bremner, Kristi Cape, Capt. Katherine Clausell, Ben Davidson, Shelley Epstein, Fassino, Kevin Gramm, Dave Jane, Don Johnson, Roger Holzhauer, Matt Moehle, Josh Monda, Jennifer Orban, Tom Pelger, Alyssa Pollock, Liz Pollack, Tom Pelger, John Rothfusz, Paul Seidl, Christine Serangeli, Barb Slagel, Tim Slagel, Pam Tomka, Amber Wells.

December minutes: Approved.

New members: Jim Bremner and Kristi Cape, Washington Rotary; Christine Serangeli, St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

Chairman's remarks: After welcoming a robust crowd on a frigid morning, Fassino noted soil remediation cases will be treated individually. Case sheets were provided. The sheets were clumped into unmet needs, non-soil; soil remediation, reimbursement; and soil remediation, quotes. He said the goal was to proceed at a brisk pace and reminded funders to please note if their funding carries contingencies.

Cases considered: Eleven non-soil cases were dispatched in 12 minutes, with a total of $33,124 pledged. Cases included rent, counseling expenses, mold remediation, moving and medical expenses.

Then Washington Area Foundation, Washington Rotary and the Salvation Army pledged $1,000 each for soil remediation cases.

When considering reimbursement, 24 cases were presented, ranging from $1,500 to $9,590, and totaling $92,334. When considering quotes, 21 cases were presented, ranging from $3,000 to $15,994. At the base level, with LTR offering $500 each, that means $73,500 was pledged for soil/quote cases.

Pollack said the quote cases could be capped, then revisited once the work is done. She said all cases presented had been screened to ensure insurance had been denied or limits were reached.

Funders indicated they want invoices/receipts before payment on quote cases. They were told the response from clients has been that any help would be appreciated. Pelger asked if cases could come back for additional funding; Pollack said they can.

Long Term Recovery Public meeting: 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, at LTR Center.

Other business: With time remaining on the clock, Tim and Barb Slagel updated the forum on their efforts to offer lower-cost options for soil remediation work. A local vendor has volunteered to provide reduced-price turf if the couple and Washington Apostolic Christian Church act as intermediary. Discussions have been ongoing to find a suitable way of offering the option to LTR clients.

New case manager Janet Pritchard was introduced; her position is funded by the Salvation Army. Case manager Chuck Friend was re-introduced, and said the new low-cost soil option will give people hope. Friend has worked with donors to provide 429 bicycles to LTR clients. And while the holidays were tough for many of them, Pollack noted the Holiday Open House and more than $1,000 in donated gift cards helped lighten their concerns. (LTR provided $875 for holiday meals; Peoria Humane Society offered $500 in gift cards for pets.)

Next Funders Forum: 8 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, at LTR center. The meeting adjourned at 8:59 a.m.