Dove, Inc.

I have been a contributor to the Dove blog since it began.  As a make my last blog post as a Dove staff member, I am filled with bittersweetness.  I have been at Dove for almost 10 years and I feel like I grew up here since I started when I was 18 years old.  I can't explain how amazing of an organization Dove is and I am so sad to be leaving, but excited too for what the future holds.  I have worked with so many wonderful people here who will all leave footprints on my heart.  We usually don't make the blog posts personal, but I felt like I should write what's on my mind as my last post.   Thank you to all of you who read the blog on a regular basis.  Please share it with your friends and family.  If there is anything specific you'd like to see on the blog in the future, please send feedback and ideas to dove@doveinc.org   As always, thank you for supporting a great organization like Dove, Inc!   Sincerely, Brandy F...

Today marks the first official day of summer, and mother nature agrees!  What are your plans this summer?  A friend of mine recently told me that her family is creating a summer "bucket list", a list of all the things they want to accomplish before school is back in session and cool fall weather arrives. Her family has things on their list such as "go to the beach", "make smores", "catch lightning bugs" and "go fishing".  I thought this was a great idea since summer seems to fly by quicker each year. But why not take it one step further?  How can we use the "bucket list" to give back?  I challenge you to make a summer bucket list and include at least 5 ideas for giving back on your list.  Here are some examples: Help your neighbor mow on a hot day Pull weeds at a local shelter (hey- I know someone that needs that done *wink*wink*!) Clean out your kid's closet and donate some of their toys Buy an extra box fan ...

Last night (June 13 th ), Dove participated in an event celebrating Father’s Day with local families. The celebration was held at Garfield Park from 4-7 PM. Many people came out to enjoy the evening with their families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. We had a booth of information on three of our agency’s programs: BABES, Homeward Bound and Domestic Violence. Several other local organizations participated, including the Decatur Police Department, Decatur Housing Authority, Pershing Early Learning, and others. It was the perfect evening for it; the weather was warm but not hot, and there was a nice breeze. Festivities included a bounce house for the kids, basketball (in which several police officers played with the children), a DJ and music, door prizes, and a demonstration from the K9 Unit. Everyone I saw seemed to be in good spirits and enjoyed their time at the event, myself included. To those who couldn't make it: we hope you have a great Father's Day weekend. ...

Neighborhoods are alive and well in Decatur. Summertime is the best time for neighborhoods and their activities because we are a network of being outside enjoying the summer sun in our parks! The winter weather keeps us inside way too long. Who wants to picnic in the snow? The neighborhoods schedule, clean ups to make their area look good, they have pot luck picnics and regular picnics at a drop of a hat. Some of them have recruitment celebrations to bring in new members, summer gardens to share with their small community, and there are even neighborhoods that work with the Park District and their Free Lunch Program in the parks. If you notice most of these activities involve food. What better way to get to know your neighbors than a picnic or a dinner. Down through the years people have been doing things like this over food. Then to wrap everything up is the large celebration of National Night Out and give a going away party for crime. Soon after then it will be time to return to sc...

As we reported on the blog a couple weeks back, today was Joan Meeder's last day and at 4:30pm today she will be officially retired. We also said good-bye to Stacey Brohard, MAX Coordinator, today as he moves to his new position as Executive Director of Good Samaritan Inn.  He will surely be missed.  Below is a picture of Stacey at the potluck that staff hosted for him today.  Because we can't say good-bye and good-luck without some food involved!!!

In case you didn’t know it, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Like most social service agencies, Dove, Inc. provides services for a wide variety of people who may be suffering from various mental health disorders. A few of these include depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Over the last decade or so, there have been valuable strides in the field of mental health, although there is no one size fits all approach to treating mental illness. The important thing to remember if you are suffering from any kind of mental health disorder is that you CAN be helped, and it is not your fault. The majority of mental illness is caused from abnormal brain chemistry, and that is something that in most cases, can be treated. If you are struggling with mental health issues, please don’t give up hope. Help is available.

Joan Meeder, RSVP Director since 1999, is retiring as of May 31.   Her replacement, current RSVP Program Assistant Janet Pasier, will take over on June 1.   Joan has given her time and talents to the RSVP program for fourteen years and the volunteers love her.   Would you believe she calls every RSVP Volunteer on their birthday!?   Joan will be difficult to replace, but she has been and will be training Jan until her last day to ensure a smooth transition.   The RSVP Volunteers are in good hands with Jan! If you’d like to wish Joan farewell, please send correspondence to 788 E. Clay St.   Decatur, IL 62521 or email dove@doveinc.org Happy Retirement, Joan!   You will be missed!