March’s Employee of the Month

Several people have nominated Zane over the last few months.  Here’s a bit of what they had to say about him:

 As a CRSS/CPRS in the Drop-In Center, so many of our visitors and staff know Zane.  He makes people comfortable very quickly and has been able to form helping relationships with so many Drop-In Center visitors.

 He can be counted on to go above and beyond nearly every day. Zane truly enjoys connecting with clients, helping them improve their lives and daily situations, and reach their goals.

 Not only does Zane do a wonderful job working with clients, but he is also a great coworker. He always has a smile, and a greeting, (usually a fist bump) for everyone he passes. Not to mention, he continuously offers help to coworkers, regardless of whether the problem is big or small.

 Zane Muse exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond. His unwavering dedication to helping others extends far beyond the guests in the Drop-In Center. Whether it’s offering a kind word, lending a helping hand, or simply being there when someone needs him most, Zane is always ready to make a difference.

 His punctuality and reliability are a reflection of the incredible commitment he brings to everything he does. Zane’s selflessness, hard work, and passion for providing support are invaluable to our team. He is not just a team member; he is a true catalyst for positive change, and his impact resonates far beyond his daily tasks.

 Zane’s drive to help and inspire those around him is a gift to all of us, and we are fortunate to have him on our team. I have no doubt that his future holds even greater opportunities, and I am excited to see the amazing things he will continue to accomplish.

 Zane Muse is truly making a difference, and the world is a better place because of him.

New Leadership

We are so pleased to introduce to you two new members of the CBHC administration!  Over the last two months, Anquarnette Aaron has joined CBHC as Director of Quality, and Paula Huggins has joined as our new HR manager.  Both were immediately thrown into the deep end as their roles were heavily involved in the Joint Commission Surveys that just happened.  Now that that’s over, we’ve got a bit of breathing room to introduce you to them! 

 Annquarnette Aaron, Quality Assurance and Safety Manager 

Greetings, I am Annquarnette Aaron, born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. I am the second oldest of seven children. I spent my teenage and young adult years in Decatur, Georgia. I am happily married to Michael Aaron, a U.S. Army Veteran. Together, we have four children: NaJee (26), Tyler (25), Kiya (24), Justice (19), and one grandchild, Nazir (24 months).  

In November 1994, I enlisted in the active-duty Army as a Healthcare Specialist after attending South Georgia College and Dekalb Technical College Nursing Programs from 1991 to early 1993. I served in the Army for 23 years, during which time I was assigned to various international and domestic duty assignments, including three tours in the Balkan Region and three terms in the Middle East. Upon honorable discharge and retirement, I immediately took on roles as a healthcare administrative, data quality specialist, and risk management specialist. 

Professional Interests: 

My notable achievements include being a certified Project Management Professional, Quality Assurance and Patient Safety Manager, Community Outreach Leader, and a DoD Contractor. My dedication extends beyond my professional career to my roles as a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. My commitment to community service is evident through my involvement with organizations such as Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., The Order of Eastern Star, The Daughters an Auxiliary of Prince Hall Shriners, and The Nightstalker’s on Wheels Motorcycle Club, where I serve as National Secretary. 

As a retired U.S. Army First Sergeant and healthcare professional, I have engaged with diverse organizations to shape the present while honoring the past, with the aim of creating a prosperous future.  

Serving as Quality Assurance and Safety Manager for CBHC reignites my passion for providing quality services while offering the right programs to ensure the safety of employees and clientele. Pursuing higher education has further enhanced my analytical thinking skills, enabling me to develop continuous improvement strategies to assist healthcare agencies in meeting regulatory requirements. 

Hobbies: 

Writing poetry, community service, reading, mentoring youth, and motorcycle riding. 

Paula Huggins, Human Resources Manager 

Paula Huggins is a seasoned human resource professional with experience, primarily in the healthcare industry. She is passionate about building strong relationships with employees and leadership, fostering a positive workplace culture, and aligning HR strategies with organizational goals.

Professional Interests: 

 Paula is dedicated to providing support that enhances employee engagement and drives company success.   

 She holds a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri.  

Hobbies: 

Outside of work, Paula enjoys serving at her church, attending live music concerts and Broadway plays, cooking, spending time with family and friends and playing with her beloved bulldog, Luey. 

History of St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated annually on March 17th, is a global festival that honors the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick. While it’s now associated with parades, green beer, and festive attire, the holiday’s origins are rooted in religious tradition.

St. Patrick, a 5th-century Romano-British Christian missionary, is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. According to legend, he used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish people. Over time, St. Patrick’s story became intertwined with folklore, and his feast day evolved into a celebration of Irish culture and heritage.

In the 17th century, Irish immigrants brought their St. Patrick’s Day traditions to North America, where the holiday gained popularity. By the 18th century, St. Patrick’s Day parades were commonplace in major cities like New York and Boston.

Today, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated worldwide with parades, festivals, and traditional Irish music and dance. It’s a day to embrace Irish culture, enjoy good company, and perhaps even indulge in a pint of green beer!

Additional Fun Facts:

🍀 The first St. Patrick’s Day parade in the United States was held in Boston in 1737.
🍀The Chicago River is dyed green on St. Patrick’s Day.
🍀The shamrock is not the only symbol of Ireland; the harp is also a national symbol.
🍀St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday in Ireland, but not in the United States.

So raise a glass of your favorite green beverage and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with friends and family!

Need a GED

If someone you know is looking for a GED look no further than the East Saint Louis Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Center (ESL-HEC).

The ESL-HEC is offering FREE GED classes.

What is ESL-HEC? 

The East St. Louis Higher Education Campus provides educational opportunities, childcare assistance, dental services, and a myriad of other programming opportunities for residents of southern Illinois. 

HEC operates programs funded through federal, state, and local grants to deliver a multi-generational approach to educational programs and services that provide opportunities for education, life skills, and economic mobility for the entire family. 

 Adult Education and Literacy 

Pathways to Empowerment Through Life-long Learning 

The Adult Education and Literacy department at SWIC provides FREE instruction and programs specifically for individuals: 

•  Aged 16 or above 
• Not currently enrolled in high school 
• Lacking a high school diploma or its equivalent GED/HSE credential 
• Wishing to obtain a State of Illinois High School Diploma (formerly GED/HSE) 
• Desiring to earn a certificate in a vocational or trade program 
• Facing difficulty speaking, reading, or writing in English.

Adult Education and Literacy instruction is available at the following campuses: 

Adult literacy and education instruction available at the following campuses: Belleville Campus, Sam Wolf Granite City Campus, Red Bud Campus, and East St. Louis Wyvetter Younge Campus.

For more information, visit Swic.edu/community/adult-education or call 618-874-6373.

Run, Walk, Skip, or even Roll …The .1 K Is Back

Would you run, walk, skip, jump, or roll 328 feet then party for good cause? The .1 K to support O’Fallon, Illinois VFW Post 805 gives you a chance to do exactly that.
This short run that goes a long way towards helping veterans and military families through VFW Post 805. At the length of just one city block with a water break in the middle, it’s truly a “run” everyone can finish. Race at your own pace!

And don’t forget, there are plenty of fun activities after the race for kids and adults alike.

VFW 805 is a 501(c)19 organization which qualifies for tax-deductible donations.

If you’re interested in “bragging rights”, a good time, and supporting a great cause, then register here!

Legal Aid from the Land of Lincoln

The Drop-In Center staff met with Levora Taylor, Paralegal from the Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, Inc. on the services available to qualified individuals in the surrounding communities.

Land of Lincoln will be in the Drop-In Center monthly to meet with any guests that need their services. Anyone interested in contacting Ms. Taylor or the Managing Attorney can reach them at the information below.

Levora Taylor
Paralegal
Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, Inc
Dorothy O’ Cook Community Law Center
8787 State Street
Ste 101.
East St Louis, IL 62203
email: ltaylor@lincolnlegal.org
Phone (618) 398-0958 ext.2228
Fax-(618)398-4813

Megan Kinney
Managing Attorney
8787 State Street Ste. 101
East St. Louis, IL 62203
(618) 398-0958

Fun Pi Day Activities