Mount Prospect, IL - From June 21-27, 2015, over 65 burn-injured children will attend the 25th annual Camp "I Am Me" in Ingleside, Illinois. The burn camp, which is organized by the nonprofit Illinois Fire Safety Alliance (IFSA) and hosted at YMCA Camp Duncan, provides burn survivors between the ages of eight and 16 a safe, nonjudgmental environment with opportunities to build their self-esteem. The children are able to enjoy typical camp activities with other children who have had similar experiences.

To celebrate the camp's milestone anniversary and 25 years of making a difference in young burn survivor's lives, IFSA Executive Director Philip Zaleski has been counting down the days until camp through a social media campaign titled, "25+ Faces for 25 Years." The campaign highlights the stories of current and former campers and volunteers.

"Hundreds of children are hospitalized for scald, chemical and flame burns in Illinois each year, but for 25 years Camp 'I Am Me' has given these young children a wonderful weeklong opportunity to be themselves and not worry about their physical and emotional scars," says Zaleski. "Through our '25+ Faces for 25 Years' campaign, we are looking to create awareness for burn survivors, while also celebrating camp and the positive and lasting impact it has had on so many children's lives."

Zaleski notes the cost to send one child to Camp "I Am Me" is approximately $2,200, but the generosity of donors allows the camp to be provided at no cost to the campers. Camp also is made possible each year through volunteerism from numerous individuals, mostly members of the fire service and medical community, but also educators, members of the private sector and former campers. There is nearly one volunteer for each camper. They undergo orientation that prepares them to deal with the special physical and self-esteem needs of burn survivors.

From 11:00am-1:45pm on Wednesday, June 24, guests will be welcome to attend a special Appreciation Day ceremony that will be held to thank donors, supporters and volunteers. There also will be a fire apparatus parade and barbeque. Following those events, campers will participate in a Fun Fair featuring carnival games, face painting, dunk tanks, bounce houses, prizes and more.

In addition to typical camp activities throughout the week, campers also participate in special activities that deal with the specific needs of burn survivors. The camp's Challenger Program supports campers in character development by challenging them to accept and demonstrate positive values. Also, journaling and therapeutic activities allow them to reflect on their lives before and after they were burned and further the healing process.

"Camp 'I Am Me' gives the kids a chance to escape reality and just be kids, enjoying everything and everybody without having to worry about being viewed as 'different,'" says parent Diane Williams, whose son has attended camp for four years. "I am so thankful to the volunteers that make it possible."

For more information about Camp "I Am Me," please visit www.IFSA.org/Camp-I-Am-Me.

About the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance: Since 1982, the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance (IFSA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has been bringing together persons and groups with common interest in fire safety, burn prevention, and public education, and to promote programs and disseminate information related to fire safety and burn prevention. The IFSA also hosts burn survivor support programs including the Young Adult Summit and Camp "I Am Me," a unique weeklong camp for children who have experienced severe burn injuries. For more info, visit www.IFSA.org.

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Churches United of the Quad City Area has received a $2,000.00 grant from The Iowa 80/Cat Scale Go Iowa Fund, in support of its Hunger Program in the Quad City Area.  This generous award will help fund Churches United's 14 Iowa Food Pantries.

Churches United has a 53-year history of reaching out to our community.  Its 136 member churches represent 50,000 people from the Quad City Area.  As well as 26 food pantries and 3 hot meal sites, Churches United also operates Winnie's Place, a shelter for women (with or without children) who are homeless and/or victims of domestic violence.  For information about services offered, or ways to support Churches United, call 563-332-5002, or visit our website at www.CUQCA.org.

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Area Student Graduates from Clarke University

Dubuque, Iowa (June 18, 2015) - Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa, awarded degrees and honors at its 172th Commencement Ceremony on May 9, 2015.  One area students was honored at the ceremony: Timothy M. Murga II, DPT, Physical Therapy from Rock Island, Illinois.

Clarke University is a Catholic, liberal arts and sciences university dedicated to preparing students to make an impact. Known for superb teaching and academics, Clarke offers more than 30 undergraduate liberal arts and pre-professional programs and six graduate degree programs. Founded in 1843 by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Clarke is located near the Mississippi River in Dubuque, Iowa. Clarke's 55-acre campus is a blend of historic buildings and new, state-of-the-art facilities.

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WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania today introduced bipartisan legislation that would create a demonstration project to encourage states to improve opportunities for individuals with disabilities to obtain employment in the community, gaining self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion.

"A key public policy goal is giving individuals with disabilities every chance to live and work as fully in the community as possible," Grassley said.  "Medicaid is one of the biggest programs that provides support for the disabled, and it doesn't do enough to achieve the policy goal.  States have financial disincentives to do more under the current system.  This bill would try something different.  For participating states, it would change the incentives and help states do what they'd really like to do to better serve individuals with disabilities."

"Medicaid provides critical services and supports to individuals with disabilities," Wyden said. "This legislation builds on those services and supports by expanding employment opportunities and promoting integrated work settings for individuals with disabilities. This bill marks an important step to improve the lives of Americans with disabilities."

"Those with disabilities should have the same opportunities for community participation and economic self-determination as anyone else, and this legislation reaffirms that," Casey said. "This is a commonsense effort to encourage states to help those with disabilities enjoy life and work in their communities."

The Transition to Independence Act, S. 1604, would create a five-year, 10-state Medicaid demonstration program to give bonuses to states for helping individuals with disabilities achieve the goals of working and living in the community.  It would encourage coordination among those who provide health services, housing, education and workforce training, transportation and other support to people with disabilities to maximize the outcome for the individual.  The bill would be deficit-neutral.

The National Council on Disability provided technical assistance in developing the bill.  Other organizations supporting the bill include the American Association of People with Disabilities, the American Association on Health and Disability, the American Network of Community Options and Resources, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the National Adult Day Services Association, the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services and Autism Speaks.

A technical summary of the bill is available here.  The bill text is available here.

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