Hope and Healing: Trauma for All Ages

JOLIET, IL – September 27, 2024. Thank you to everyone who attended “Hope and Healing: Trauma Awareness for All Ages” this week. We appreciate your engagement and commitment to learning about trauma and its impact on young people and families.
The “Hope and Healing: Trauma Awareness for All Ages” presentation is designed for young people ages 6-24 and their parents/guardians. During this session, therapists cover:
  • What Trauma Is: Understand what trauma is and how it can affect individuals and families.
  • Symptoms: Learn to recognize signs that someone may be impacted by trauma.
  • Coping Skills: Discover effective ways to manage trauma and improve well-being at home.
Our goal is to help families understand trauma, find ways to heal, and build resilience together.
This presentation was given by our trauma-informed behavioral therapists from the CVI Behavioral Health program, Karissa Fleming, LCSW and Haydee Martinez-Rosales, QMPH.

Next REIAL Meeting: October 9, 2024

REIAL Monthly Meeting | Reunión mensual de REIAL
JOLIET, IL – September 26, 2024. The Racial Equity Impact Assessment League (REIAL) will hold its next virtual meeting on October 9, 2024, at 1:00 PM via Zoom. REIAL is a league of community leaders and elected officials that meets monthly to align violence prevention resources and activities. This meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss updates, collaborate on initiatives, and promote equity and inclusion across the community.
Meetings take place on the second Wednesday of each month. If your organization is interested in joining, please RSVP by contacting LeShae Hudson, Violence Prevention Council Coordinator, at lhudson@joliettownship.net. You can join the meeting using the following link: bit.ly/REIALMeeting.
For more information, visit the REIAL website at bit.ly/JolietREIAL.
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La Liga de Evaluación de Impacto en la Equidad Racial (REIAL) celebrará su próxima reunión virtual el 9 de octubre de 2024, a la 1:00 PM a través de Zoom. REIAL es una liga de líderes comunitarios y funcionarios electos que se reúne mensualmente para alinear recursos y actividades de prevención de la violencia. Esta reunión brindará la oportunidad de discutir actualizaciones, colaborar en iniciativas y promover la equidad y la inclusión en toda la comunidad.
Las reuniones se llevan a cabo el segundo miércoles de cada mes. Si su organización está interesada en unirse, comuníquese con LeShae Hudson, Coordinadora del Consejo de Prevención de la Violencia, al lhudson@joliettownship.net. Puede unirse a la reunión utilizando el siguiente enlace: bit.ly/REIALMeeting.
Para más información, visite el sitio web de REIAL en bit.ly/JolietREIAL.

Hispanic Heritage Month 2024: Florinda Garcia

 Join us in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month as we shine the spotlight on Florinda Garcia.

Florinda Garcia has been a dedicated Data Clerk at the Joliet Township Government Assessor’s Office for 28 years.

Her responsibilities include entering permit information, preparing official correspondence, and providing interpretation services. Florinda is a proud graduate of Joliet Central High School. Outside of work, she loves spending quality time with her three children and ten grandchildren.

When reflecting on Hispanic Heritage Month, Florinda says, “Me siento muy orgullosa de ser mexicana, de mis raíces y de la comunidad hispana. Que todos le echemos ganas y salgamos adelante.”

Celebra el Mes de la Herencia Hispana con nosotros y conoce a Florinda Garcia

Florinda Garcia se ha dedicado a trabajar como Asistente de Datos en la Oficina del Tasador del Municipio de Joliet por 28 años.

Sus responsabilidades incluyen ingresar información de permisos, preparar correspondencia oficial y brindar servicios de interpretación. Florinda se graduó de Joliet Central High School. Fuera del trabajo, disfruta pasar tiempo con sus tres hijos y diez nietos.

Al reflexionar sobre el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, Florinda dice: “Me siento muy orgullosa de ser mexicana, de mis raíces y de la comunidad hispana. Que todos le echemos ganas y salgamos adelante.”

Flag raising for Joliet Pridefest 2024

JOLIET, IL – September 21, 2024. In celebration of Joliet PrideFest this weekend, we were proud to raise the pride flag outside of our main offices alongside members of the Joliet Pride Network and our vibrant community.

The Joliet Pride Network held its annual Joliet PrideFest event on Saturday, July 21, 2024 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre in Joliet. The family-friendly event featured live music, food, and activities for children and teens.

Joliet Pride Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting inclusion, dignity and acceptance through advocacy for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Their organization is committed to creating safe spaces and fostering diversity.

Together, we continue to foster inclusivity, love, and unity in Joliet.

Hispanic Heritage Spotlight 2024: Haydee Martinez-Rosales

JOLIET, IL – Sept. 19, 2024. As part of our Hispanic Heritage Month 2024 Spotlight, we are featuring Haydee Martinez-Rosales, QMHP, Bilingual Trauma Licensed Therapist.

Haydee earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Northern Illinois University in 2015. After graduation, she moved to Mexico, where she got married. Upon returning to the U.S., Haydee pursued a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lewis University, graduating in 2022. She is currently working as a bilingual, trauma-informed therapist and is in the process of obtaining her licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

As a proud Mexican-American, Haydee attributes her success to the sacrifices made by her immigrant parents, who worked hard to provide her with educational opportunities. She feels fortunate to have their never-ending support, which has played a big role in her career. Haydee is passionate about advocacy and education to reduce mental health stigma and improve access to services for underserved communities.

When she isn’t working, her two boys keep her on her toes. Haydee enjoys Netflix series and watching movies with her family.

Upcoming Board Meeting: October 8, 2024

Board Meeting | Reunión de la Junta
Joliet Township residents,a Regular Board Meeting will commence at 5 pm on Tuesday, October 8th. Join us at 175 West Jefferson St. Joliet, IL 60432. Learn more at www.joliettownship.net.
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(ESP) Residentes del Municipio de Joliet, la junta del mes comenzará a las 5 pm el martes, 8 de octubre. Tomará lugar en el 175 West Jefferson St. Joliet, IL 60432. Más información en www.joliettownship.net.

A Community Comes Together to Save Lily Mae, a Dog in Need of Urgent Care

Veterinary Technicians standing in front of a van with a dog; photos of the dog Lily Mae in a collage; One in which lily mae, a black and white pit bull is standing happily; lily mae eating ice cream out of a cup; lily mae's x-rays showing her leg is broken; lily mae's broken leg

JOLIET TOWNSHIP, ILSeptember 16, 2024 — Joliet Township Animal Control (JTAC) is proud to share the inspiring journey of Lily Mae, a resilient dog whose recovery is a shining example of community kindness and collaboration. Thanks to the compassion of local veterinary professionals and generous donations from the community, Lily Mae’s life has been saved.

Lily Mae was brought to JTAC with a severely fractured and swollen leg. After being abandoned by her previous owners, she required urgent medical attention. Despite JTAC’s outreach to various rescues, no immediate assistance was available. As her condition worsened, the outlook became grim, and she faced possible euthanasia.

However, a turning point came when Dr. Mark and his team at Mallard Point Veterinary Clinic in Channahon made the decision to use their angel fund to cover the cost of surgery, ultimately saving her life. They amputated Lily Mae’s leg, ensuring her a second chance. Additionally, The Hive Kitchen (home to Not Another Pizza Joint) held a fundraiser, donating proceeds from the sale of their garlic knots to help cover the costs of Lily Mae’s surgery.

“We are incredibly grateful to Mallard Point Veterinary Clinic and The Hive Kitchen for their unwavering support. Their generosity and dedication exemplify the power of a community coming together to help an animal in need,” said Becky Gomez, JTAC Assistant Director. “It truly takes a village.”

JTAC Veterinary Technician ACO Maher also shared the heartwarming backstory: “Lily Mae was limping when she arrived at JTAC, and despite our efforts, no rescue came forward right away. Days later, her condition worsened, and the swelling in her leg tripled. It became clear that surgery was her only chance. A special veterinary technician at Mallard Point believed in Lily Mae and made the heartfelt decision to give her a second chance at life. They said, ‘I know there are millions of dogs in the world, but Lily Mae’s big eyes will melt anyone’s heart, and she deserves a family who will love her as much as she’ll love them.’”

For more information about Lily Mae’s adoption or to learn how to support JTAC, please visit our website or follow us on Facebook.

Congratulations to LeShae Hudson and The R.E.I.A.L. for Winning the Collaborative Excellence in Prevention Award

An image of LeShae Hudson, MHS, smiling, with golden balloons and words Congratulating her on this award.

Join us in congratulating the Joliet Township Government’s Violence Prevention Council Coordinator LeShae Hudson, MHS, and the Racial Equity Impact Assess League (REIAL) for winning the Collaborative Excellence in Prevention Award by Prevention First. The award will be presented at Prevention First’s Connections in Prevention Conference on September 26-27 at the Marriott Chicago Naperville.

According to Prevention First: “The Joliet Township Violence Prevention Council has been honored as one of our Collaborative Excellence in Prevention awardees for its work on the Racial Equity Impact Assessment League (R.E.I.A.L.). Under the leadership of LeShae Hudson, the R.E.I.A.L. has made an extraordinary impact across the State of Illinois, playing a vital role as one of the Greater Illinois Violence Prevention Council Coordinators under the Reimagine Public Safety Act. Their mission is to reduce gun violence in Joliet and surrounding communities by fostering collaboration among organizations focused on gun prevention, mental health, and youth development.

In just its first year, The R.E.I.A.L. brought together over 20 organizations that had previously worked in silos, creating a powerful alliance for change. This collaboration was put to the test following the tragic January 2024 incident involving Romeo Nance, where The R.E.I.A.L. swiftly responded by mobilizing their coalition to provide critical services—ranging from mental health support to funeral services—for the affected community. This tragedy also led to the creation of the “Emergency Response Protocol,” a new process that unites organizations to respond rapidly and efficiently to gun violence incidents.

The R.E.I.A.L.’s groundbreaking strategies and commitment to sharing best practices have garnered statewide attention, including from the UIC Gun Violence Consortium. Their efforts to mentor other communities in gun violence prevention, in partnership with the Office of Firearm Violence, have sparked changes in municipalities across Illinois. The R.E.I.A.L.’s willingness to share knowledge and strategies has created a ripple effect, giving other communities the tools to reduce gun violence through collaborative action.

Congratulations to The R.E.I.A.L. for their incredible work and for leading the charge in creating safer communities across Illinois!”

Former Deputy Clerk Estefany Bonilla Sworn in as Joliet Township Clerk

Estefany Bonilla, who previously served as Joliet Township Government’s Deputy Clerk, was officially sworn in as the new Township Clerk during the Board Meeting on September 10, 2024. This position became available following Alicia Morales’s transition from Joliet Township Clerk to Joliet Township Supervisor on July 16, 2024. When the Clerk role was vacated, community members were invited to apply, and Estefany Bonilla was then selected by Supervisor Morales and the Township Trustees after interviewing several candidates. 

Estefany was first sworn in as Deputy Clerk in the fall of 2023. In this role, she was instrumental in preparing bids, organizing board meeting agendas and minutes, coordinating the annual town hall meeting, and serving as a FOIA officer, notary and deputy registrar. She also took on additional duties by assisting with webpage management. Her extensive skill set and experience in these areas has well-prepared her for her new role as Township Clerk. 

Supervisor Alicia Morales stated, “Estefany’s dedication and technical skills have already made a significant impact on our township’s operations. I am excited to see how she will continue to enhance our records management and voter registration processes in her new role.” 

A lifelong Joliet resident, Estefany was born in California but moved to Joliet as a young child, making it her home. She is a proud graduate of Joliet Township High Schools, where she was actively involved in JROTC for all four years. Estefany credits the program for instilling her with self-discipline, leadership skills, and a commitment to community service. “The JROTC program changed my life for the better,” she shared. “Special thanks to Colonel White for instilling these values in me.” 

Estefany earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts, with honors, from the Art Institute of Chicago in 2018. Since then, she has worked as a freelance graphic designer, supporting small businesses and nonprofit organizations with brand-building and content creation. Her work reflects her creativity, attention to detail, and ability to collaborate effectively. 

“I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the community where I grew up and continue to call home,” Estefany said. “I will work diligently to preserve the township’s history and ensure the accuracy of our records for the future.” 

Outside of her clerk duties, Estefany enjoys reading best-sellers and spending time with her family, including her nephews, nieces, and her dog, Susuki. She invites the community to greet her at upcoming board meetings, community events, or at the Joliet Township Government office. 

For any questions or concerns regarding township records, please contact contact@joliettownship.net or call 815-726-4781.