News
Former Dental Director, Dr. Jason Grinter Wins Golden Toothbrush Award
This prestigious award was presented by the Erie Family Health Center during their second annual Golden Toothbrush Awards Luncheon. The luncheon also sheds light on the challenges Erie's patients and all underserved dental patients in our area face in accessing dental care and recognizing oral health as an integral part of a person's overall health.
The three finalists for the 2010 Golden Toothbrush Award were: Reshma Dhake, DDS, Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation and Jason Grinter, DDS. Watch the award video here.
Jason Grinter, DDS has been helping to improve access to dental care for unserved and underserved populations in Illinois for over five years. He has worked at Milestone Dental Clinic and Illinois Masonic Hospital, where he completed his residency. Dr. Grinter expanded the Milestone program to the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile to treat children with special needs and children without dental access in five counties. Dr. Grinter works tirelessly throughout the State and in the Greater Chicago area to advocate for improvements in access to care for all underserved individuals. He works directly with the Illinois Department of Public Aid and DentaQuest in advocating for changes to current state dental programs. He was a DentaQuest Dental Champion from March 2007 to December 2009 and in 2010 was promoted to Lead Dental Champion. He serves on the DentaQuest/HFS Illinois Peer Review Committee, as Officer on the Board of the Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities and as a Board member of the Special Care Dentistry Association. He was directly involved in creating and implementing the Healthy Kids, Healthy Smiles program, which provides access to restorative care for children identified with decay. Dr. Grinter says he will not rest until every special needs patient in Illinois has access to the dental care they deserve.
$1850 Raised for Kids Around the World
When the individuals served by Milestone heard about the earthquake in Haiti, they wanted to know what they could do to help. A Milestone Board member shared information about the Kids against Hunger program sponsored by Kids Around the World, and it became a perfect fit. A group from Milestone Industries packed meals to be shipped to Haiti at the Kids Around the World warehouse, and others helped pack meals during the day long Sharefest event.
But they wanted to do more to help. So, several fund raising events were organized including bake sales at all main Milestone offices, and a special raffle. Their efforts raised $1850 for Kids Around the World, and their efforts.
The individuals at Milestone Industries plan to continue to volunteer for Kids Around the World and will be packaging more meals for the group in the future. Bill Grahn Senior Vice President of Adult Residential and Vocational Services says volunteering helps the individuals served by Milestone to feel like they are part of the community, and he adds it is a way for Milestone to give back to a community that has supported the organization.
Helping Kids against Hunger
Individuals from Milestone Industries helped the Kids Against Hunger project by packing meals for the organizations. The meals will be sent to the earthquake victims in Haiti by Kids Around the World.
Students from Rockford Christian School help at MTC
The 14 students and advisor helped at the annual MTC Halloween party. Everyone had fun decorating pumpkins and the gymnasium, and dancing with the individuals.
Milestone's new CEO tours Milestone Industries
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Newly named CEO Shawn Way toured Milestone Industries to learn more about the card making process and to get to know the staff and the individuals Milestone serves. Mr. Way offically starts on November 1,2009 and will work along with Milestone's current President and CEO, Jim Hamilition, until Mr. Hamilton's retirement June 30, 2010.
Announcement of New Chief Executive Officer
(From Jim Hamilton)
I am pleased to announce that Mr. Shawn Way has been selected by the Executive Committee as my replacement for the position of Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Way has been involved with Milestone, Inc. as a member of the Board of Directors for approximately 11 years including serving as Chairperson and has provided Milestone with exemplinary leadership and decision-making as a member of the Board. Mr. Way was born and raised in Rockford, IL earning his degree in Marketing from NIU and has been in the banking industry for 25 years at both Amcore Bank and Rockford Bank and Trust. In addition to serving on the Milestone Board of Directors, Mr. Way is also a member of the Boylan Foundation Board and Treasurer at Mauh-nah-tee-see Country Club.
Mr. Way has been blessed with six children and his wife Kathy is an RN working with the Haven Network providing hospice care for babies and young children. Kathy also assisted Milestone years ago teaching CPR and First Aid.
Mr. Way will be leaving his current position as Executive Vice President of Rockford Bank and Trust and joining Milestone, Inc. on November 1, 2009. Although my retirement date is officially June 30, 2010, I will be maintaining an active role as a consultant with Milestone for years to come.
Rock Valley Federal Credit Union Beanie Baby drive
Thank you to everyone at the credit union for the successful Beanie Baby drive for the Milestone Dental Clinic. Sometimes a Beanie Baby after a successful appointment is just what the dentist ordered.
Adopt a Camper program a great success
Milestone's Adopt a Camper Program allowed individuals from RocVale Children's Home, the Adult Group Homes and Elmwood Heights to attend either Camp Winnebago or Camp Albrecht Acres. Everyone had fun and say they hope they can go back next year!
Milestone athletes are big winners in track and field
The Milestone athletes competed at the annual Northwest Illinois Special Olympics track and field meet, where they were big winners! Everyone had a great time and all first place winners will be attending the state competition in Bloomington-Normal in June. Congratualtions athletes!
Milestone awarded grant from HUD
Milestone was one of 3 agencies in Illinois to receive funding from HUD for a supportive living project for people with disabilities. The $1,200,000 grant will be used to build an independent living apartment building on South Mulford. There will be 8 appartments and 1 managers unit in the one story building. Each unit will have a full kitchen, dining area, living room, entry coat closet, bathroom and bedroom with full closet, there will also be a common area/recreation room in the building and offices. The design will allow any unit to be converted to an accessible unit to accomodate the changing needs of the individuals served by Milestone. Construction will begin in the fall.
Milestone celebrates 35 years of service
More than 500 people helped Milestone, Inc. celebrate its 35th anniversary, Saturday, November 8th at Giovanni’s. Peg Hanson, Lyla DeVerdi, and Audrey Wickstrand were honored for their years of service on the Board of Directors. Board President Tom Budd presented Milestone President and CEO Jim Hamilton a Memory Book in honor of his 35 years of service.
