Kris Machajewski is the CEO of the YWCA of Northwestern Illinois, a nonprofit organization serving six counties in Northern Illinois.  Kris' leadership has been instrumental in expanding the YWCA's mission to include workforce development, literacy, and immigrant services, providing holistic support for families in both rural and urban communities.  Her commitment to community service and economic empowerment has earned her recognition as a leader in the nonprofit sector.

     Kris started with the YWCA in September 2006 and assumed the role of CEO in 2015.  Prior to that she worked as a Senior Associate at John C. Pruehs & Associates from 2004vto 2006 where she was focused on fund raising campaign strategies, feasibility studies, marketing and communications, market research, interim leadership and executive coaching.

     Outside of work, Kris has served as a Trustee of the Village of Winnebago for over 6 years and was President of the Aurora Women's Empowerment Foundation from 2018 to 2021.

     Kris has received professional training from Rockford University in Non-Profit Leadership and from the University of Wisconsin in Cultural Competency.

     Kris will talk about some of the variety of programs and services that the YWCA is providing to the northern Illinois area.  This will be an interesting and informative program and one that you will want to bring a guest or prospective member to join us in person at Memorial Hall or via Zoom.

     Denise Noe who is the Director of Grant Strategy and Major Gifts at the YWCA will introduce our presenter and act as Rotary host.  

 

 

     Our April social at the Chavez Restaurant turned into a birthday party for Isa our Exchange Student from Brazil who is being hosted by Samantha and Eric Hochmann.  There were 23 people there including members from Loves Park Rotary and their Exchange Student Sarah from Columbia.  Isa and Sarah both attend Harlem High School.  The highlight of the evening was when Isa opened her many presents and the staff from Chavez sang happy birthday in first Spanish and then English.  Thank you to everyone who showed up to celebrate with Isa.  Also during the evening Elise Cadigan talked Isa into making another presentation to the club on May 14th so mark your calendars and listen to Isa's adventures this past year.

 

Isa and Sarah

 

Nice turnout

 

View from the other end of the table.

 

Can't have a birthday party without fried ice cream

 

 

Isa and Sarah with Samantha and Eric Hochmann in the background.

 

Isa with her card signed card from Rockford Rotary which also included some cash collected at our regular meeting.

 

 

     Rockford Rotary will be helping out at the Northern Illinois Food Bank at the following time:

 

 

      

     If you have any questions contact Mary Maxted - marymaxted1@gmail.com or 815-985-5538

 

     Rockford Reads Reads has been the main focus of our Literacy Committee for a long time. We can be proud of having this program run for 24 years and we will continue to be the face of Rockford Reads.

     We would like to explore ways for our literacy impact to expand and grow. If you are interested in serving on the Literacy Committee, please contact Kathy Kwiat-Hess.

     Our 2025-26 goal for the Rotary International Foundation Annual Fund is $13,000.  So far, members have contributed $9,570.  In addition, members have contributed an additional $4,131 to the other six funds including Polio Plus.

     Our other goal is to have 100% participation.  To date, 33 members have contributed to the Foundation out of our total membership of 83 which is 39.7%.

     Congratulations and thank you to the following members who have contributed to this year's campaign.

 

 

 

     

     On Tuesday, April 21st, a group of our members and guest worked at the Northern Illinois Food Bank and served over 780 families that day.  Congratulations to President Paul, Pete, Helen, Dave, Kent, and Suzanne for help with this worthwhile project.

 

 

     Our April 16th meeting was our annual High School Recognition Program.  This year's program featured seniors from seven different Rockford High Schools both public and private.  The following students were recognized for not only their academic accomplishments but also their activities outside of school, working with various organizations around the Rockford area.  As far as their career choices at this time in their lives we counted: 2 doctors, 2 mechanical engineers, 1 psychologist, 1 veterinarian, 1 pharmacist, 1 business major, 1 geology major, 1 athletic trainer, 1 park ranger, and fortunately only 1 lawyer.   

 

    William Lewis

   Ala'Jhanae Thomas

 

Rotary Lunches 

 

     We will continue to serve lunches for $12 each week.  We currently are having food from the Sandwich Shop, but we will alternate each month between Beef-A-Roo and the Sandwich Shop.  Monica will be more than happy to take your money for lunch. 

 

Jim Coffey, Secretary