Do a little shopping, help keep AID clients social

Michael Gismondo used to walk everywhere with his head down, his mother said, but that's not the case any longer.

He didn't want to be involved with people.

"He was so much more introverted before, and he's so much more extroverted now," his mother said.

"It's wonderful to see him coming home with a smile on his face."

What's made the difference?

Rosemarie Gismondo credits the Elgin Training Center, an arm of the Association for Individual Development. AID is a non-profit organization for persons with developmental or physical disabilities.

"My son is very low-functioning," said Gismondo, of West Dundee. "He's like a 2½-year-old, but he's actually 37 years old. At first, when he started going to the training center he did not want to be with all the 'kids,' but now he's much more social."

Gismondo and other parents are so enthusiastic about the services provided by the center that they've stepped up to help.

The Parent and Guardian Organization will host a garage sale and bake sale Saturday to beef up the training center's recreation account. New craft supplies, games and books are needed, and some proceeds might also go for computers and therapy equipment.

But the main concern is having enough money for outings -- bowling, movies, the zoo, dinner out -- and dances and other special events, including holiday parties in November and December.

"(The parents) want more recreation for their kids," said Kathleen Hazelwood, director of development. "The allotments that they get from the state do not include recreation, so the parents help pay for a lot of that kind of stuff for the clients."

Based in Aurora, AID serves a menu of 20 different programs for 3,000 clients at service facilities and group homes in six area counties. The Elgin Training Center is one of four locations to specialize in vocational development for adults.

That translates into income for many of the center's 134 clients.

They show up Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for assorted projects like assembling, labeling, collating, packaging and shrink-wrapping. The work -- and the wages -- come from local businesses.

Keeping the clients gainfully employed can be a challenge, Hazelwood said.

"We used to have lots of work for them years ago," she said, "but now with all these companies going overseas we have less and less work for them to do."

Hazelwood said having fewer assignments doesn't mean more time in front of the TV, though. She said the training center fills downtime with volunteer opportunities and classes in job skills that clients might use away from the center, as well as such everyday skills as cooking.

It's a win-win situation for everyone involved.

"The clients love to come here because they can get out," Hazelwood said.

Their families get several hours of respite, and employers who provide the clients with piecework get the job done at a reasonable price by people who are grateful for the opportunity.

Elgin Training Center also offers classes, activities and in-house jobs for people like Michael Gismondo, who is nonverbal but does have some comprehension, his mother said.

Classes focus on things like dates and times, manners and good hygiene.

Community support services are available for clients who are more highly functioning and living on their own.

"Staff go to their houses and help them with budgeting or any kind of social service they need," said Tesfa Kassaye, director of the center.

"They help develop their living skills, like shopping or going to the bank."

Patient, helpful staff are among the center's strengths, said Gismondo.

"One thing after another, all day long, they show acts of kindness."

At Saturday's garage sale, bargain hunting begins at 9 a.m. and runs till 2 p.m. All kinds of items, including an antique juke box, will be featured at the Elgin Training Center's brand-new, 49,000-square foot facility at 1135 Bowes Road.

"We're priced to sell," Gismondo said.

The organization is still accepting donations of books, collectibles, CDs, electronics, furniture, housewares, toys and good used clothing for infants, children and adults until 3 p.m. Friday. For information, call (847) 888-5540.

If you go

What: Elgin Training Center garage sale

When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: 1135 Bowes Road, Elgin

How to donate: Donations accepted until 3 p.m. Friday.

Info: (847) 888-5540