Top 10 things I will not miss in moving...

My Top Ten Countdown of things I will not miss from 201 Penny -

10. Rolling from one side of the room to the other from the heavy slant of the building in the back office;

9. Being stopped from rolling from one side of the room to the other by the heavily cracked plastic floor tarp;

8. Bumping into Phil Thacher or Karen Hippchen in a desk six inches from mine while backing into Leah who is a whopping two feet from me;

7. The noise of copy machines and shredders in the morning (or any time of day);

6. An office without walls;

5. Carrying a sweater and t-shirt with me in my brief case because I never know what the office temperature will be;

4. A toilet that runs more than I do;

3. Moving large buckets to catch the water as it cascades through the hole in the roof;

2. Not knowing as I exit my car whether I might get sucked up into some giant hole in the parking lot; and

1. Using a credit card to break into a closet at the bottom of narrow dark stairs so I can turn off our old phone system, turn it back on again and pray that it will work.

History is fun and I will miss many of the quirks that made life interesting and while I will be able to hear to actually use a phone I will miss some of the closeness tight quarters engender - I was actually getting good at playing Twister.

I WILL MISS –

The tangible reminder of the blessings of God as I look at the office now used by Judy and remember that small office was our first office which I shared with two people at one time -- so I think I’ll be lonely in an office of my own;

The memory of volunteers working to put in the reception window and door as we continued to expand our present space;

The memory of volunteers who laid the carpet in the reception room – one of whom is now home with the Lord;

The memory of a client who elicited the help of her parents to decorate our reception area and seeing God work in her life so that years later she would sit on our board of directors (Amy Echevarria);

The memory of the client who didn’t do a great job painting the conference room but so badly wanted to give back for all he had received.

But MOST OF ALL

I am VERY excited about the new ministry opportunities God is providing through this wonderful new space.

I THANK HIM that clients will no longer have to take several buses to come see us but can take a bus that will stop at a covered bus stop right in front of the building.

I THANK HIM that we will be handicap accessible and not have to force people up two sets of stairs.

And I REJOICE in the knowledge that new memories are about to be made and that they will include each of our volunteers as we gladly serve together.

How Jannette Simmons Administers Justice

Jannette accepted the Lord when she was 7. She is grateful she had a mother who instructed her in the way of the Lord to the best of her ability. Since childhood, she saw her mother's involvement in ministry. Jannette remembers, "she took me with her to many places sharing the gospel and doing Bible classes for children in poor neighborhoods. I saw her pray for the sick, visit prisoners and do all types of things for God. In the same way, I have followed her example since I was small and participated in the local church where I grew in different ministries."

God developed a passion in Jannette's heart for hurting women who were in need - those who are broken and wounded by different circumstances in life. In 2000 she had the opportunity to start a social work center for women. This center was in one of the most impoverished communities in her town. It was supported by an international ministry (SI) and women who had low education, who were emotionally wounded and had low self-esteem could come to the center to be taught and take part in development projects. Jannette longed to see the restoration of God's work in their lives, just as He had worked in hers. The center still functions and is blessing the people in the community.

In 2002, after six year attending University, Jannette graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration. She married Roger Simmons the same year and his testimony and walk with God impacted her life in many areas. They have two children Abigail is 4; Josiah is 4 months) who are a great joy in their lives. They have now been living in the U.S. for two years and are trying to establish themselves. Both Jannette and Roger work and volunteer for Administer Justice answering phones, scheduling appointments, interpreting and translating Spanish and working with other volunteers.

Jannette heard of Administer Justice for the first time through Executive Board Member Karen Schultz, and later through her husband Roger. She feels it is an honor to participate in this ministry and believes in what AJ is doing. "For me, it is an excellent opportunity to serve the community as well as minister to the Hispanic Community," says Jannette. We are grateful for all the Simmons family does to Administer Justice for those in need.

AJ's Gift Registry

• Gift Cards to Office Max, Office Depot or a restaraunt to thank volunteers.
• Cash along with a birthday card - $20 will pay for the legal appointment of a client who may not be able to afford the fee.
• Stamps
  o Regular .42
  o We also use many $1, .17 and .59
  o Pre-cancelled stamps for mass mails. Sold in rolls of 500 for $25
  
  Office Supplies
• Paper (Office Depot Item # 348037) – around $36 a case
• Peel & Seal Envelopes (Office Depot Item # 918887) – around $23 a box
• Office Depot® Brand Double-Window Envelopes, #9, 3 7/8" x 8 7/8", White, Box Of 500 (Item # 633712) - about $30.50/box of 500
• Business cards (Item # 388302) Office Depot® Brand Laser/Inkjet Matte Business Cards, 2" x 3 1/2", Pack Of 1,000 Cards – around $28
• Labels
  o (Item #612111) Office Depot® Brand White Laser Labels, Address, 1" x 2 5/8", Box Of 7,500 – around $57
  o (Item #220496) Office Depot® Brand White Laser Labels, Shipping, 2" x 4", Box Of 2,500 – around $57
• Post its (Item # 426035) Office Depot® Brand Self-Stick Notes, 1 1/2" x 2", Assorted Bright Colors, 100 Sheets Per Pad, Pack Of 24
• Legal pads (Item # 268671) Office Depot® Brand Glue-Top Writing Pads, 8 1/2" x 11", Legal Ruled, 50 Pages (25 Sheets) Per Pad, Canary, Pack Of 12 Pads
  
  Storage for our CD’s:
• CD Binder & refill pages:
  o (Item # 630490) Find It™ Gapless Mega CD/DVD Binder, 224 Capacity, Black – about $15
  o (Item # 630510)Find It™ CD Binder Sheets, 11.5" x 10.38", Pack Of 15 - $about $15
  
  Toner for Xerox copiers:
• Ink for C2424 must be purchased from Xerox. It is $100 per box of ink and you need $450 to get free shipping. Black/Magenta/Cyan/Yellow - $100 each
• Ink for Phaser 8400 can be purchased online through suppliesguys.com
  Xerox Phaser 8400 Compatible Full Set Ink Bundle (this gives you 3 sticks of each color: black/magenta/cyan/yellow)Code: 8400FULLSETBUNDLEPrice: $185.00
  
  Fun Fair Items:
• Bouncy house $160
• Kiddie Striker $40
• Slide $250
• Cotton Candy machine $40
• Frozen drink machine $115
  
  Other Items:
• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Cleaning supplies
• Trash bags
• Coffee, coffee filters, creamer
  

Send us an electronic card from Dayspring http://www.dayspring.com/ecards/ or send us a card (with money maybe) which we will open at our virtual party. Encourage your friends to join and maybe get a group of you to sign an electronic card to send us at http://www.groupcard.com/. Wrap any of the above and drop it off and say hello. Then visit our website on the 14th and join our video party as we celebrate nine years of service to our community. Thank you for your support!

Volunteers Celebrated at 2008 Justice for All Banquet!

On October 16, Administer Justice hosted its first Justice for All Celebration Banquet to honor the more than 330 volunteers who make it possible to provide low-income legal and tax services to more than 3,000 families this year. Nearly 200 people attended the event at the Holiday Inn Ballroom in Elgin which helped raise awareness of the need for low-income professional assistance and $22,000 in support of the agency.

Three individuals received awards for their outstanding contribution to making justice possible for many in the community. Theresa Buskey (pictured right with Judy Berndt) of Sleepy Hollow received the True Justice Award given to an attorney who demonstrates concern for the poor through the provision of free legal services. Theresa volunteers three days a week for Administer Justice, has helped hundreds of clients and donated more than 700 hours this year alone. Board member, attorney Jim Pluymert of Dundee, and staff tax attorney, Judy Berndt of Huntley presented the award.

Scott McNamara of Proof of Design, Inc., (pictured above with keynote speaker Bob Love)Algonquin, received the Barnabas Award in recognition of his encouragement and outstanding contribution to Administer Justice. Scott donated over 1,000 hours to the organization to create Administer Justice’s new website, www.administerjustice.org, award-winning on-line database, volunteer scheduling and communication program, Justice Center Online, and other technology assistance. Board chairman, Randy Schulenburg of Algonquin and staff program coordinator, Teri Jacobs of Huntley presented the award.

Dan Hammershoy of Streamwood (pictured right with wife Julie)received the True Mercy Award in recognition of his commitment to serving the poor through Administer Justice. Dan is a paralegal who volunteers one day a week on his day off and has donated over 200 hours so far this year. Board member Karen Schultz of Dundee and volunteer, volunteer services director, Peggy Strom, presented the award.

Ken Nicolai with the Salvation Army, Elgin, shared the story of how Administer Justice was able to help reunite him with his mother, Wilma Lipps, a deaf-mute. With Wilma watching on he shared how a series of tragic events had separated them. How he had found her in a mental institution, not because there was anything wrong with his mother, but that is where deaf mutes were placed many years ago. With no funds for an attorney, Wilma needed help. Ken came to Administer Justice. Volunteer attorneys Judy Berndt and John Noverini helped establish a guardianship so Wilma could come live with Ken in his home in Elgin and begin to learn how to communicate with her son and grandchildren.

Keynote speaker Bob Love provided a powerful story of hope in the midst of adversity as he shared his struggle with not being able to speak because of severe stuttering. A former Bulls legend, Bob lost everything following a back injury and was busing tables when his employer gave him the opportunity for speech lessons. Bob never gave up hope. Education, faith and perseverance led him to rejoin the Bulls as an ambassador of hope.

Founder and Executive Director, attorney Bruce D. Strom shared the story of Administer Justice. How after leaving a very successful private practice in 2002 he found himself alone in the organization’s first 8x10 office unable to print an envelope and cried out, “I must be crazy. What in the world am I doing here.” The distinct answer he received was, “My will. For whatever you do for the least of these you do unto me.” Since that day in October 2002 the organization has grown from one person, helping 23 clients, with $2,000 in revenue to an organization of more than 330 volunteers including 134 attorneys serving more than 3,000 people with revenue of more than $349,000.

The Judson University Chamber Singers were in attendance for the evening’s entertainment. The event closed with long-time supporter and 90-year-young George Newitt leading in “Great is Thy Faithfulness”. For photos of the event visit the organization’s web site or Facebook page.

Administer Justice is a tax-deductible non-profit organization whose mission is to administer justice through a comprehensive program of educational outreach, legal assistance, financial counseling and conflict resolution services to empower the powerless, give hope to the hopeless and show mercy and compassion to those in need. Administer Justice is located at 201 Penny Ave., Suite 420, E. Dundee, IL 60118. To view more photos of the event please visit our Facebook Page or website at www.administerjustice.org.

Meet Volunteer Deb Wolf!

Deb Wolf has been volunteering with Administer Justice for many years. One event you are bound to see her coordinating is our annual Fun Fair.

Deb works part-time as a legal assistant in Elgin. Her afternoon shift allows her time to volunteer at church one morning a week and attend a women's bible study, yoga class and keep up with cleaning at home. She also serves her church in the Women's Ministry and sings on the Worship Team one Sunday each month.

Deb's interest are far and wide. Making her own jewelry since high school, her sisters usually arrive to visit her with bare ears in the hopes Deb will make some earrings to match their outfits, which she does gladly. She also loves to cook and in the summer cans vegetables from their garden, saying "You'll never taste a better canned tomato than one you put up yourself." Friends and family take a special liking to her bread and butter pickles. As for scrapbooking, she uses her desktop publishing as a time saver since regular scrapbooking takes too long for her. With her computer she can print 8x10 pages and insert them right into the album, adding special stickers if they're on sale.

Deb heard about Administer Justice just as the founder, Bruce Strom, was applying for non-profit status. He was opening an office and looking for volunteers to help run it and she previously heard wonderful things about the legal clinics he held at Fox Valley Church one Saturday morning each month. As it happened, Deb had been praying for a way to use her "office gifts" to serve the Kingdom and the Lord had been preparing her heart. Bruce welcomed Deb and soon she was doing the bookkeeping for half a day each week. One winter day, Bruce came up with the idea for a Fun Fair. Deb helped at that first Fun Fair and has really enjoyed serving on the Fun Fair planning committee every year. "When you come to Fun Fair this summer, look for me. I'm one of the ladies selling food."

Deb feels that volunteering is a way to put faith into action. She wants people to understand that there is no hardship in volunteering - when you serve God, He makes it joyful and fulfilling. "Whether I'm working alone at my computer designing the programs for Fun Fair or selling hot dogs there, it's fun for me. Hearing the children laugh at the fair is a wonderful bonus!"

06/06/06 Brings More Than Apocalyptic Doom

June sixth brought more than Hollywood’s premiere of the sci-fi thriller The Omen to town. Volunteer Peggy Sue Strom, of the East Dundee low-income legal service provider Administer Justice, turned sixty-six years old on the sixth day of the sixth month of Administer Justice’s sixth year in operation. Family and friends gathered at the offices on Penny Avenue, to celebrate with flowers and cake. When asked how she felt having such an historic birthday, she replied, “One of my favorite architects is Frank Lloyd Wright. He experienced much personal pain in his life but still felt the longer he lived the more beautiful life became. I whole heartedly agree!” Peggy says she hopes to have the living longer part down, but feels that she gets to see the beauty in everyday life through her work with Administer Justice.

Peggy started working with Administer Justice when she took over for Mendy Sears in November of 2005 assuming the Volunteer Services Coordinator position. Peggy is in charge of more than 150 volunteers who have found Administer Justice a fulfilling organization in which they donate their time. Peggy Strom first became aware of Administer Justice when her son attorney Bruce Strom (previously from the Elgin law firm of Strom, Repay & McCutchan) noticed a need of justice for all, especially in the Fox Valley area where most who need legal representation in court cannot afford an attorney. In 2000, Strom put together a part-time law clinic out of Fox Valley Church in West Dundee. By 2002 the demand for pro-bono legal counsel was outgrowing its tiny space in the church. Strom left his senior partner position at an Elgin law firm and moved into its present location in East Dundee, where he and other volunteer attorneys provide free legal services to a wider range of clients.

In its sixth year, Administer Justice now has three main aspects that go beyond an information-only clinic. In addition to legal services, Administer Justice provides mediation services as well as financial services, including a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. Peggy Sue Strom oversees the volunteers who serve a variety of ways in the busy offices of Administer Justice.

Written by Esther Peters, Summer Intern from Trinity Christian College

True Mercy Award

Dennis Rens honored at Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast for his contributions to Administer Justice.
Holding a statue of the Good Samaritan with a caption which read, "Whatever you have done for the least of these you have done for me." Dennis Rens accepted The True Mercy Award from our Executive Director Bruce Strom. Following is the text of what was read to announce the award:

The True Mercy Award is awarded to a recipient who demonstrates a heart for the weightier matters of the law - justice, mercy and faithfulness. The individual must model true faithfulness through humble service whatever the task; true mercy through caring for those in need; and true justice through love for all those with whom they serve. In this way the recipient puts into practice the words of Zechariah 7:9 - "This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Administer true Justice; show mercy and compassion to one another."

This is the first year for making this award and the recipient is someone who has modeled well the characteristics for the award. In the summer of 2002 when God finally got me to shut down my private practice, I was looking for an office. Helen and I talked about renovating a room in our house and were praying for a place when our friend Randy Schulenburg offered an area in his office if we would come and put in walls and a door. Our recipient put in the very first door that allowed access into our 8x10 office for me to meet with many in need. That office remains my office today, but we have grown and added five more offices. Our recipient took out the original door to my office and put in the new door leading into the main office. He put down the carpet in the main office and the reception room. He made the games for our Fun Fair last year and provided the games for this year and served tirelessly doing whatever was needed the entire day both years. In every way, he has demonstrated true faithfulness whatever the task.
Our recipient is a very humble man who demonstrates true mercy to those in need. In 2003 he expressed a desire to learn more and help those struggling financially and he served on our initial financial services council. He regularly attended meetings, went through training and developed outlines and scriptures to aid counselors. When our first financial services director’s term expired, he graciously agreed to serve in that capacity. As our financial services director he has met with many individuals and families in need and offered true hope and security. In this position he has also provided leadership to our Low Income Taxpayer Clinic and took two days off of work last year to travel to Philadelphia for training with the IRS. He created the power point presentation now used by our LITC presenters to educate low income taxpayers of their rights in order to help provide them with needed benefits to provide security particularly for those who are primarily Spanish-speaking. Our recipient has demonstrated true mercy by caring and counseling many in need.

Our recipient has served on our executive board of directors and offered wisdom and counsel to our board. Finally, our recipient has graciously modeled and involved his family in serving at Administer Justice. His wife, Penny, has served wherever there was need from the moment Administer Justice opened its doors on a full-time basis and her children, Jessica and Nick have stuffed envelopes, folded brochures, set up games and served in many other ways. He is even creating a new generation of little servants as he awaits the birth of his first child. You’ll have to name him Justice. Whether laying carpet, installing doors, creating games, power point presentations, taking time off work, teaching, counseling, involving his family, or leading, this man has exemplified in every way what it means to Administer true Justice and show mercy and compassion to one another. It is my great privilege and honor to award this first True Mercy Award to Dennis Rens.

Congratulations Dennis!