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Media Placements
July 2006
21 | "United Way Chapter Announces 2006-07 Agency Allocations," Evanston Roundtable
The Evanston Chapter of the United Way of the North Shore (UWNS) recently announced allocations made to its 24 community member agencies including Metropolitan Family Services for $46,000. |
13 | "United Way's grants total $625,000," Evanston Review
The Evanston chapter of the United Way of the North Shore has announced allocations made recently to its 24 community member agencies.
The grants total $625,000, an increase of more than $10,000 over last year's designations. Funding grants included: Better Existence with HIV -- $6,000, Child Care Center of Evanston -- $34,000, Childcare Network of Evanston -- $60,000, Connections for the Homeles -- $22,000, Evanston Community Defender -- $20,000, Evanston Day Nursery -- $26,000, Family Focus --$32,000, Metropolitan Family Services -- $46,000. |
1 | "Blago turns up heat on payday lenders," Daily Southtown
Just months after Illinois cracked down on the short-term loan business, Gov. Rod Blagojevich is making another push for restrictions to protect consumers -- a push the industry says goes too far.
Blagojevich who calls the industry a "legal form of loan-sharking," is trying to take action by using his executive powers instead of working through the General Assembly.
Short-term lenders accuse him of abusing his authority.
The restrictions that took effect in December apply to loans of up to 120 days and are meant to keep borrowers from getting in over their heads. The administration and community groups claim payday lenders are getting around those restricitons by promoting loans that last 121 days or a little longer.
Critics say short-term lenders lure unwarey customers into short loans with large interest rates that add up to big debt if they aren't paid off promptly. The restrictions that took effect in December were supposed to prevent that by capping fees, loan amounts and loan lengths.
Lenders are suing the administration over enforcement of that law.
Blagojevch and community groups say short-term lenders changed their tactics as soon as the law went into effect. They began steering people from payday loans to unregulated consumer installment loans with exorbitant interest rates and few limits on how much people borrow.
One person borrowed $275 and ended up owing more than $2,700, according to one complaint filed with the state. Another took out $150 and is supposd to repay more than $1,000.
"It's a slightly more complicated way of keeping people in the cycle of debt," said Greg Brown of Metropolitan Family Services in Chicago, which offers financial counseling. |
June 2006
30 | "In the News," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
Grace H. Lim will start July 17 as the new pro bono coordinator at the Legal Aid Bureau of Metropolitan Family Services.
Lim, a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, had worked for the Legal Assistance Foundation's Family Law Project. |
23 | "Make a Child Smile Family Street Fest and Fundraiser," Inside Lincoln Park
A tenacious volunteer group of Chicago moms determined to help moms in need are pulling together once again to raise funds while providing creative fun for families in the heart of Lincoln Park. "Make a Child Smile" presents the 5th Annual Family Street Fest from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 26, on Racine Ave. between Webster and Belden avenues, by John's Place Restaurant, 1200 W. Webster Ave.
In the tradition of the classic Chicago street fair, "Make a Child Smile" promises great music, delicious food, lively entertainment, lots of family-friendly activities, fantastic raffle prizes and plenty of fun -- all while helping young mothers in some of the most disadvantaged areas of Chicago.
For nearly 10 years, the Mentors of Moms program has paired teen parents with a mentor to help them with the challenges inherent to young parenthood. "Through group sessions and home visits, we teach these young girls about prenatal care and caring for their baby once it's born, and try to help them to understand the challenges every parent faces," says Wildret Pickett-Polk, program coodinator. "We also give them the friendship, guidance and support they need to accomplish goals in other areas of their lives."
This year's Make a Child Smile Annual Street Fest hopes to raise more than $100,000 for the Mentors of Mothers program.
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May 2006
1 | "Law must work for all," Sun-Times, Letter to the Editor
As the nation celebrates Law Day on May 1, it is important to reflect on where we would be without the programs and volunteers who have advocated tirelessly to improve the systems and laws that protect us all. This year the Legal Aid Bureau of Metropolitan Family Services proudly celebrates its 120th anniversary as the country's second oldest legal services provider to the poor. The idea that everyone should have equal access to our justic system, regardless of income or status, was a radical one in 1886. Today, we accept this as one of the hallmarks of a democratic society.
In spite of this, only one out of six low-income households in Illinois is able to obtain assistance for legal problems, according to a recent legal needs study done by the Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois. A national study conducted by the Legal Services Corporation mirrors those findings. Under pressure from the organized bar, Illinois' proposed budget includes increased funding for the Illinois Equal Justice Fund, which helps support this vital work.
Law Day reminds us that it is in everyone's interest to support the programs and the people who dedicate their lives to ensuring that "and justice for all" is not an empty phrase.
Kendra Reinshagen
Executive Director
Legal Aid Bureau of Metropolitan Family Services |
April 2006
25 | "DuPage organization celebrates 75th year," The Doings Newspapers
In the past 75 years, Metropolitan Family Services DuPage has made a lot of changes. When the organization first formed in 1930, the needs of the county included financial support for famers so that they could feed their cattle. But while the agency's services have evolved, their goal of helping people remains the smae.
Metropolitan Family Services DuPage is one of seven centers in the Chicago area, all which tailor their programs to the people they serve. For DuPage County, those services include family and youth counseling, respite care for older adults, financial literacy and work with Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
Proceeds from the agency's Friday, May 5, anniversary gala will go toward the senior in-home respite and youth intervention programs -- two demographics that are greatly in need of services.
"The older adult population is the fastest growing in the county, placing more pressure on family caregivers. Our role is to support them the best way we can," said Roger Johnson, executive director. |
12 | "Ice cream social," Chicago Journal News
Children at Metropolitan Family Services participate in an ice cream social on April 7 with seniors from Lawn Terrace during the celebration of, "The Week of the Young Child."
Photo by: Sonja Schneider |
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