Joyce Marks

Life in Arlington Heights must have seemed pretty quiet to Joyce Marks when she first arrived in this country as a war bride. She grew up in a suburb of London England during World War 11, and experienced the trauma of spending a great deal of her time in a bomb shelter before she met and married her soldier husband, Fred Marks, in London before settling in Arlington Heights where they raised their two daughters. For the past ten years Marks has dedicated a great deal of her time and energy to volunteering at Voice of the Retarded in Rolling Meadows and has proven to be a very valuable member of the VOR family. Although she doesn't have a family member herself who is mentally challenged, she does have a dear friend with the organization who has a son who is affected.

Voice of the Retarded is a national, nonprofit organization speaking out for people with mental retardation and their families. VOR provides advocacy and educational support to families of persons with mental retardation. In addition to family-to-family networking, they advocate in the legislature, courts and media nationally for the respect of family decision making with regard to the services and supports required by their adult children with mental retardation, regardless of service setting.

“I am very impressed with the work done by VOR, and I derive tremendous satisfaction to be of help,” said Marks. “I especially like the fact that they work diligently to keep elected officials, policymakers, the media, and the courts aware of the extreme needs of people with mental retardation, especially people with severe and profound mental retardation. It is very important that legislation be passed to provide funds for surveillance and support because some of these adult people are alone and need help to obtain assistance,” Marks added. .

In order to efficiently and regularly communicate with, and educate, the thousands of families across the country, VOR sends out regular mailings. Mailings are also used to generate nearly all of its annual revenue through mail solicitations. Marks participates in these mass mailings each week, ranging from less than 500 to as many as 3,500 pieces, depending on the project and time of year. Usually she assumes responsibility for these projects, but when needed, other volunteers help, including her friends, Caroline Walsworth, and Gayle Cooley. In addition, Marks has also contributed her services to helping VOR's state affiliate, the Illinois League of Advocates for the Developmentally Disabled, prepare mailings, identify grassroots constituents, and other advocacy/office tasks.

Tamie Hopp, Director of Government Relations and Advocacy, expressed her appreciation for all the support and hard work contributed to VOR when she said, “The total success of the organization is based upon the contributions of the volunteers. Joyce has contributed many, many hours of her personal time to help with mailings and other projects which has enabled VOR to remain in communication with our many members around the country.”

“Joyce is a real sweetheart,” said Joanne Kluck, VOR Administrative Associate.” She doesn't forget anybody; she is a very kind and considerate person.”

Before her retirement, Marks was employed by Arlington Heights School District 25 for 12 years as a school secretary. She helped to found, and served as the first president of the local League of Women Voters. She is a member of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, and was recognized as a finalist in the 2007 Caring Hearts Awards nominations at The Volunteer Center Annual Recognition dinner in March. She volunteers with the Read To Learn program at the Arlington Heights Library, where she helps adults learn to read, and to expand their knowledge of English. She loves to travel, especially visiting in England, and her hobbies include reading, and knitting stoles that she donates to churches. Marks family includes her daughters, Peggy Kocian, of Wilmette; Bonnie Sommer, who lives in Germany; her four grandchildren, and her two great grandchildren.

Voice of the Retarded is just one of the hundreds of challenging volunteer assignments available locally for people of all ages. For more information contact the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (mature adults age 55 or better) 847-228-1006; The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago (all ages and groups) 847-228-1320, or check their website www.volunteerinfo.net.

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