From The Heart A Quarterly Publication from Mooseheart Child & City School, Inc.
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From The Heart
A Quarterly Publication from Mooseheart Child & City School, Inc.
w w w. m o o s e h e a r t . o r g Volume 1, 2021
Despite the constraints of the Pandemic and
the challenges that brings, we are super excited
about spring and summer at Mooseheart. We
are so excited to see spring flowers, freshly-
cut grass, children outside playing and almost
1,000 U.S. Veteran’s Walk flags shining in the
sunlight.
It is wonderful to walk around the lake
and nature trails and admire natural beauty.
It is also wonderful to witness the beauty
of our Veteran’s Walk as we honor those
individuals who have served or continue to
serve our country. All this reminds us anew
that no matter what comes our way, Mooseheart will always move forward in
its efforts to provide for the children in our care. Our staff and community
are committed to making this experience memorable for each child, even
when aspects of the pandemic try to deter our plans. Just as our Moose
members have persevered through this time favorably, so too will we. Thank
you, ONE MOOSE for always leading by example!
Mooseheart staff and students were excited to hold the Class of 2021
Commencement, the 5th & 8th Grade Promotions, and the 2021 Pilgrim
Conferral in-person on the Mooseheart campus June 4-5. It was joyous to
attend these special ceremonies again! The cancellations of last year have
helped to sweeten the experiences of 2021.
We were excited to welcome ALL: The promotees/graduates, friends,
families, and of course our Moose family back to Mooseheart!
On June 4, ground breaking took place for the MAC (Mooseheart Activity
Center). This is something that has also been long awaited!! This three-year
project has come to fruition and gone to-bid. Construction began June 7. We
gratefully recognize the efforts of our Moose members who have made this
become a reality. All Mooseheart is excited and will watch this project each
day with the anticipation of its completion in March, 2022.
It is refreshing to look toward the future and see evidence of “normal”
things. We count our blessings. Over the last 16 months, we have seen
MUCH evidence of love and support from our generous members. Thank
you for doing ALL you have to make sure your beloved Mooseheart children
have all they need and that Mooseheart can continue its mission. We are
forever grateful for your efforts and the energy you put into supporting us.
God Bless Mooseheart!! Thank you.
— Gary Urwiler, Mooseheart Executive Director
GARY URWILER - Mooseheart Executive Director • Gurwiler@mooseheart.org
2 4 0 J a m e s J . D a v i s D r. M o o s e h e a r t , I L 6 0 5 3 9
w w w. m o o s e h e a r t . o r g • Office (630) 906-3601 • Fax (630) 859-6630
By The Numbers
COVID-19 restrictions have presented challenges
for every department at Mooseheart.
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COVID-19 safe activities were in high
1 demand during the 2020 Christmas
Despite the pandemic,
season. As a result significant changes
Mooseheart held a successful 4
were made to Mooseheart’s Holiday
Barnes & Noble Book Fair to Mooseheart School held
Lights Show. That show broke records
benefit the school library. Moose a special “Senior Day” celebration
as 20,273 carloads of happy visitors
donors sent more than 350 gift in February. This socially-
viewed the show.
certificates to students. Local distanced event permitted seniors
businesses participated too! to receive their senior rings,
watches, senior photos and a set
of new luggage. This day gave
17 seniors and Mooseheart staff
some very special memories!
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The Admissions and Residential
Living Departments worked together to
create a 3-day, concentrated “push” in
early January. This permitted 10 new
students to join the campus population
during the second semester.
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Exciting Events
A Community Celebration took place February 25 to honor the Mooseheart
Class of 2021. Students enjoyed a wealth of wisdom and encouragement,
specially ordered lunches and a shower of very special gifts during
the day long event. Click the link below to get an up-close and
personal look at this year’s special class of Super Seniors!
https://youtu.be/gR3jQ-vNXB8
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From The Mouth
Mooseheart’s class of 2021 proudly boasts 4 inductees into
the prestigious National Honor Society; the most from
a Mooseheart class in more than 25 years.
Why are you proud of being inducted into the NHS?
Alyssa: “It represents my drive to succeed. It’s a reward for all of my hard work.”
Ellen: “It’s nice to see your hard work pay off and be recognized.”
Autumn: “This distinction shows how hard I’ve worked and how far I’ve come.”
Makayla: “This reflects my hard work and dedication.”
Alyssa
What was the key to your academic success?
Alyssa: “Self-discipline and figuring out what worked for me. I paid attention in class
and made sure that I turned in all of my work.”
Ellen: “Self-motivation and thinking of the road ahead and what I want for my future.”
Autumn: “Not giving up when things got hard and being willing to ask for help.”
Ellen Makayla: “Finding a healthy balance between work and play.”
What is something important you learned at Mooseheart that goes beyond academics?
Alyssa: “I learned to accept any knowledge that I could from everyone in my life.”
Ellen: “I’ve learned to have an open mind and listen to others. Living with people from
different backgrounds and cultures has taught me a lot.”
Autumn: “I’ve learned how to add structure to my life and that having a schedule and being
organized can make my life easier.”
Makayla: “I used to hate asking for help, but I’ve learned to swallow my pride and accept help Aut umn
from others.”
What are your plans after graduating from Mooseheart?
Alyssa: “I plan to study kinesiology and health sciences in college. I want to help others
live a healthy lifestyle.”
Ellen: “I will attend college to study international business. I plan to return to Ghana
to help the people there use their own resources to build their local economies.”
Autumn: “I plan to study nursing with a specialty in pediatrics or maternity.
I think it is my calling to serve people.”
Makayla
Makayla: “I plan attending college to study dental hygiene. I want to help build healthy smiles.”
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Rambler Roundup
Visit Facebook for the full collection of Mooseheart photos.
Welcome to Mooseheart!
As Mooseheart navigates the turbulence of a global pandemic, one thing has
not changed; our doors are still open for children in need of safety, structure and stability.
Special Day!
Sean made it to the
Achievement system
by setting goals and
working hard to
achieve them.
Military Ball In lieu of the Annual NJROTC Military Ball that is one of
Mooseheart’s long standing traditions of pomp and formality, the junior and
senior classes had a more relaxed event. They played games, listened to
music, had great food and spent the evening socializing. Some students
from the Class of 2021 held a sign thanking the event sponsors Southern
California Moose Legion 6.
Easter Holiday
Mooseheart students
enjoyed hunting Easter eggs.
Play Time! Tennessee home residents had a fun time exploring
and playing at Mooseheart Lake.
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Enter to Learn ...
Allison’s mother and father were in a tragic automobile accident when she was
a young teenager. The accident claimed the life of her mother and started her
father on a road of addiction to pain medication that plagued him and eventually
claimed his life. Allison began her own experimentation with drugs a few years
later. She dropped out of school and met Todd. The couple struggled with
mutual drug addiction. While they welcomed the birth of Stacy, the pattern of
drug use continued. Todd spent time in and out of jail while Allison tried to
make ends meet bouncing from place to place with different relatives. Eventually,
the couple divorced. Stacy spent time in the foster system while Allison worked
on her sobriety. Although Allison was able to stay clean and sober, she was
unable to provide a stable home for herself and Stacy. Humbly, Allison reached
out to Mooseheart for help in providing stability for her child.
... Leave to Serve
Ghyslaine “Gigi” Galindo was a 9th-grader in Chicago. Her mother
and father, first generation immigrants, were concerned with the
direction their daughter appeared to be going. Her grades were
slipping, she was increasingly disobedient and argumentative
and she was starting to follow the wrong crowd. When Mr. and
Mrs. Galindo learned about Mooseheart from an alumnus of the
school, they applied on behalf of their 14-year-old daughter.
Gigi arrived at Mooseheart on October 24, 2001 as a high
school sophomore. She immediately accepted the structure of
Class of 2004
Gigi Galindo - her new home and embraced the teaching of social skills from
her Family Teachers. Gigi said, “It was a positive transition for me. I was lucky to come
to Mooseheart when I did.”
Shortly after her arrival, Gigi began working at the Fifth Third Bank branch located
on the Mooseheart campus, a position she kept her entire time at Mooseheart. In
addition to her work at the bank, Gigi grew as a part of Mooseheart’s Home Economics
vocational program, where she worked with the children of Baby Village. Gigi also
worked as an administrative assistant during the campus’ summer recreation program.
Over the next three years Gigi’s was an honor roll student and she graduated in 2004.
After graduation, she remained on the Mooseheart campus in the Transitional Living
program. She accepted full-time work with Fifth Third Bank and attended a local
community college.
Gigi credits the development of her social skills at Mooseheart as a key to her
professional career that has included promotion to management, owning and managing
her own small business and serving in her current position as part-time Director
of Operations for a manufacturing company.
Gigi and her husband Francisco have been married for 11 years and are the proud
parents of two girls. Gigi enjoys volunteering at her daughter’s school and fostering
three rescue dogs.
“I look back at my time at Mooseheart as a foundation,” Gigi said. “My work ethic
and desire to serve was developed there. It is an incredible organization that gives
without expecting anything in return. It is astounding to me. Mooseheart taught me
how important family really is. My parents have a better daughter, my husband has
a better wife and my children have a better mother because of that foundation laid
at Mooseheart.”
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