INFANT WELFARE SOCIETY OF CHICAGO 3600 W. Fullerton Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647 773.782.2800 fax 773.782.5042 info@infantwelfare.org
Auxiliary
INFANT WELFARE SOCIETY of CHICAGO
Supporting a tradition of visionary care
a legacy of caring
The year was 1978, and Maria Penland was excited about her new part-time job with the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago Auxiliary. For the previous three years, she'd held a full-time job doing ad layouts for a major retailer, but with two young children at home, she wanted to reduce her working hours.
That said, she wasn't thinking long term even in regard to this new job- perhaps a few years at most. Her oldest son, Michael, was seven when she started at IWS, and Steven was just two years old. She describes the job as "an ideal opportunity" - one that allowed her to work outside the home but also enabled her to have the family time that has always been a priority with her.
Suffice it to say, Maria's predictions about the length of her employment proved to be way off the mark, because on September 11, 2008 she celebrated her 30th anniversary with IWS and the Auxiliary.
Strictly clerical
When Maria started at IWS the job was strictly clerical. Her position was created at the behest of IWS Board Member Vernon Armour who acknowledged the fact that the Auxiliary could use more administrative support. In 1995, Maria was promoted to her present position of Auxiliary Coordinator in recognition of the increasingly important role she held within this organization.
Redefining her role
Maria's job has changed a great deal in the last 30 years. Whereas her early days at IWS were all about typing letters and answering the phone, today it's far more likely that her time will be spent on coordinating major Auxiliary projects or overseeing the management of our Resale Shop. Maria wears a multitude of hats now, including that of our Auxiliary newsletter designer.
Then and now
Maria smiles when she talks about the Clinic when she first joined the staff. "When I started here thirty years ago, it was a much different place. Patients were given just two times for their appointments - 8:30 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. This equated to long waiting times for patients to be seen, for it was basically 'first come, first served'. There were about 9,700 patient visits annually when I joined the staff. And the Dental Department had just one chair." Today, appointment scheduling at the Clinic is a model of efficiency and patients are seen at or very close to their appointed times. In fiscal year '08, there were over 59,000 patient visits. And that lone dental chair has now grown to seven.
The Auxiliary, too, has evolved in the last three decades, but some things have remained constant. The Auxiliary continues to enjoy a broad geographic spectrum with its 16 Chapters. And from the time Maria joined the staff, our Chapters have distinguished themselves with their innovative fundraising, hosting a wide array of benefits each year. From her first day forward, Maria has provided whatever support was necessary in bringing all of those events to fruition - over 1,000 in 30 years' time. Perhaps the most important constant over the years is Maria herself - with her steady support, thoughtful counsel and seemingly limitless supply of information.
Suffice it to say, Maria's predictions about the length of her employment proved to be way off the mark, because on September 11, 2008 she celebrated her 30th anniversary with IWS and the Auxiliary.
Strictly clerical
When Maria started at IWS the job was strictly clerical. Her position was created at the behest of IWS Board Member Vernon Armour who acknowledged the fact that the Auxiliary could use more administrative support. In 1995, Maria was promoted to her present position of Auxiliary Coordinator in recognition of the increasingly important role she held within this organization.
Redefining her role
Maria's job has changed a great deal in the last 30 years. Whereas her early days at IWS were all about typing letters and answering the phone, today it's far more likely that her time will be spent on coordinating major Auxiliary projects or overseeing the management of our Resale Shop. Maria wears a multitude of hats now, including that of our Auxiliary newsletter designer.
Then and now
Maria smiles when she talks about the Clinic when she first joined the staff. "When I started here thirty years ago, it was a much different place. Patients were given just two times for their appointments - 8:30 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. This equated to long waiting times for patients to be seen, for it was basically 'first come, first served'. There were about 9,700 patient visits annually when I joined the staff. And the Dental Department had just one chair." Today, appointment scheduling at the Clinic is a model of efficiency and patients are seen at or very close to their appointed times. In fiscal year '08, there were over 59,000 patient visits. And that lone dental chair has now grown to seven.
The Auxiliary, too, has evolved in the last three decades, but some things have remained constant. The Auxiliary continues to enjoy a broad geographic spectrum with its 16 Chapters. And from the time Maria joined the staff, our Chapters have distinguished themselves with their innovative fundraising, hosting a wide array of benefits each year. From her first day forward, Maria has provided whatever support was necessary in bringing all of those events to fruition - over 1,000 in 30 years' time. Perhaps the most important constant over the years is Maria herself - with her steady support, thoughtful counsel and seemingly limitless supply of information.
Maria has been the constant and welcome face of the Auxiliary to each of its members for the last 30 years. We are fortunate that she chose IWS as her home and let the Auxiliary enter her heart.
- Vivian Kaczmarek
Celebrates 30 years at IWS