Grundy Reporter

It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the end of another year. We hope 2022 was a good one for you and your loved ones.

For us here at Maine Township, we spent the past twelve months improving and expanding the programs and services we offer to residents like you, and we’re excited to share some of the highlights in this video.

Continue reading for additional ways that each department contributed to making Maine Township work better for you in 2022. This is far from a comprehensive list, and is meant to provide just a snapshot of each department:

Highway Commissioner Ed Beauvais and the Highway Department

• Entered into an agreement with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) to improve drainage and bring flood relief to many residents near Lake Mary Anne.
• Partnered with Com-Ed to increase LED street lighting, which improves efficiency and decreases cost to the residents and taxpayers of Maine Township.
• Increased infrastructure and road improvements compared to last year.

Clerk Pete Gialamas and supporting staff

• Improved accessibility in his office by adding a translation service to serve more residents than ever before
• Assisted residents with passport renewals and other services

Assessor Susan Moylan-Krey and supporting staff

• Helped many Township residents complete their property tax appeals and shared important news and updates regarding property tax payments and schedules

MaineStreamers – supports people 55 and over with programs, events and services

• Hosted more outdoor events like Tailgate Bingo and concerts, and also added a larger event: the Hawaiian Luau, catered by Sunrise Grill in Des Plaines.
• Traveled across the midwest to places like area state parks and Mackinac Island
• Provided cost-effective entertainment for MaineStreamers members by utilizing low-cost venues like the Township parking lot for events
• Learn more, including how you can become a member in 2023

Recovery Connection -connects young adults who want to stay clean and sober with each other, as well as community resources, social events, and a strong network of peers to support each other and be positive examples of recovery

• Hosted 50 Friday night recovery meetings
• Hosted 6 special events including Chicago Wolves Hockey and sober comedy outing
• Consulted with over 50 families and hundreds of individuals regarding addiction and mental health services
• Conducted 100 meetings with the American Heart Association on quitting smoking
• Two Recovery Connection alumni gave speeches at a national recovery conference and spoke about how Recovery Connection supported their sobriety journey

MaineStay Youth & Family Services – supports the growth of healthier families in the Maine Township community by providing affordable strength-based counseling and comprehensive programs focused on prevention and education

• Provided over 1,700 sessions of counseling services
• Established partnership with Apollo Elementary School to provide counseling services at Apollo to students with identified barriers to receiving services at our office
• Started new poetry, yoga, cooking, and LGBTQ+ youth programs
• Raised a record-breaking amount of net revenue from the Maine Township Community Garage Sale ($5,610.53 and 35% increase from last event) to support our summer camp for at-risk youth

Food Pantry

• Remodeled the Food Pantry and planted a garden to accommodate perishable items and provide more balanced nutritional options for Food Pantry clients
• Established partnerships and participated in many events to accept donations, increase pantry capacity, and better serve our community
• Provided “weekend go-bags” to low-income children. These bags provide food for children over the weekend.

General Assistance

• Supported residents in challenging times by assisting them in filing applications for public aid programs
• Assisted seniors with Medicare applications

We’ll all continue working hard to serve you in 2023.

Original source can be found here