Engagement

Jean-Alix Peralte serves as a Board Member for Haiti Outreach. Through his leadership and fundraising efforts, over $100,000 was raised in a single night to support sustainable access to clean water in Haiti.

The Bike & Pedestrian Advisory Committee is an advisory committee which makes recommendations on the implementation of a comprehensive bikeway and pedestrian plan, including the identification of improved connectivity between communities, promoting a safe and fun bicycle experience in an around the Village’s boundaries through education programs and safety campaigns, and coordinating with surrounding agencies to create a complete bicycle and pedestrian network.

John Clark, an avid cyclist, joined the advisory committee because of his commitment to promoting the use of alternative modes of transportation by encouraging bikeway use for the causal user, children, adults, and experienced bicyclists. This Spring, John volunteered in the Village sponsored bike safety inspection and education program to develop safe bicycling practices for young children.

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois operates as a non-profit organization that builds courage, confidence, and character in girls to make the world better place. Jennifer Morales, PE, ENV SP volunteered to share her perspective on being an engineer as part of a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) presentation that served to inspire girls and encourage them to see how they can improve the world through careers in STEM.

APWA is an organization that provides educational opportunities to members by increasing awareness of the vital role of public work in everyday life, supporting causes to advance the profession and provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and information. John Clark has been an active APWA member having served as past Treasurer and is currently the Vice President of the APWA Chicago Metro Chapter - Lake Branch. John used his musical talents as part of a team that created an award winning, educational video titled “You’re Welcome”, as a thank to all the public works professionals for their hard work.

For the 2021 Holiday Season, Peralte-Clark staff directed a donation to Emory University to support the development of an antiviral drug initially discovered by Emory’s non-profit drug development company, DRIVE. According to data from a Phase II clinical trial in the United States, the drug appears safe and reduces SARS-CoV-2 to undetectable levels in COVID-19 patients after five days of administration.

Molnupiravir, previously known as EIDD-2801, can be provided as a pill in an outpatient setting, which could be a step up in ease of distribution and convenience. Although Remdesivir and antiviral monoclonal antibodies have received Emergency Use Authorizations from the FDA, they must be given intravenously or by injection. In addition, drugs like Molnupiravir could flexibly tackle SARS-CoV-2 variants, which have emerged as a concern in recent months.

In late October, Peralte-Clark launched a six-week campaign in support of the Toys for Tots holiday drive sponsored inside the Exchange at 44 Vail building! The office goal was to donate a minimum of 44 gifts for the toy drive. To encourage participation, each toy donated by staff earned one entry into a random drawing for a Mystery Prize Raffle. Other methods were devised to earn raffle tickets and encourage “friendly” competition including trivia games, minute to win it challenges, and a crossword puzzle (where knowledge of Toys for Tots history was essential).

Our final tally was 63 toys donated, a whooping 143% of the established goal. The Mystery Raffle Prize drawing with a fabulous collection of 7 prizes was held in conjunction with our first–ever Pot-Luck Lunch.