In December of 2011, I found out I could no longer live with my grandmother and was forced to leave. As a result, we became homeless and looking for a place to live. Although I was uncertain about what steps to take first, I knew I had to find a way to support my daughters.

While trying to find permanent housing I was referred to MELD, a program that offers support and resources to young moms and dads. Upon speaking with a representative from MELD, I was informed that I would be placed on a waiting list for the MELD Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP).  This program  helped me secure a two-bedroom apartment for my family.

Meanwhile I met Darius Smith, the MELD Young Dads Group Facilitator who encouraged me to remain strong and optimistic about my future. He enrolled me in the Young Dads Group where I found support from other fathers like myself.

On February 1, 2012, my life drastically changed, I was able to sign the lease for my new apartment.  I am working hard to improve my life situation and support my family.

Currently I am employed at Burger King and studying for my GED at theWashington Park Community Center.  MELD has made it possible for me to achieve permanent housing so I can focus on attaining my goals.  For that I am very grateful!

The annual MELD Note cards feature the photography of 8 local photographers – Steve Pitkin, Brad Nordlof, Brian Thomas, Bob Cholke, David Olson, Nels Akerlund, Jeff Anderson and Tom Clabough. Jeff Anderson’s photography of Anderson Gardens is the feature of the MELD Mother’s Day Card.  The card verse is general and can be used for all occasion greetings.

Locations where MELD Cards and Note Cards can be purchased (starting April 13)

• Stone’s Hallmark Stores – 2508 S. Alpine Rd. and 5901 E. Riverside Blvd.
• Pepper Creek – 7295 Harrison Ave.
• Annie’s Gift’s and Home Accents –  1643 N. Alpine Rd
• Ender’s Flowers – 1631 N. Alpine Rd.
• Nihan and Martin – 1660 N. Alpine Rd.
• Poska – 2213 E. State St.
• Crimson Ridge -  735 N. Perryville Rd.
• Porch –  3065 N. Perryville Rd.
• Benson Stone -  1100 11th St.
• Village Green – 6101 E. Riverside Blvd and 2640 N. Main St.
• Jenny’s Gift Shop – SwedishAmerican Hospital – 1404 E. State St.
• MELD office – 3703 N. Main St.
• Online at www.rockfordmeld.org

MELD Cards are $5.00 each.  Set of 8 Note Cards is $10.00 – each note card in packet features a picture or scene of each of the 8 photographers.

For more information about the cards or MELD programs, call the MELD office at 815-633-6353 x10.

About This Event

Download the Registration Form (pdf)

Register on line

Awards and WIN CASH JUST FOR RUNNING!
*Cash prizes will be given to top 3 overall male and female 8K finishers and 2 Mile finishers. For 8K – 1st-$225, 2nd-$150, 3rd-$75. For 2 Mile – 1st-$100, 2nd-$50, 3rd-$25. *Masters Prize-$100 to top Masters (40 years of age and older) Male and Female 8K and $50 to top 2 Mile finishers. *Medals awards will be given 1,2 and 3 place finishers in 8K and 2 Mile races in each age division.

**To help Celebrate 20 Years of the Rockford MELD Run and Walk there will be a chance for one 8K Runner that finishes the race to win $200 and one 2 Mile Runner that finishes the race to win $200.  Random Draw and must be present at Awards ceremony when winners are announced.  Awards ceremony will be immediately after races finish (approx. time between 8:30 and 9:00am)

Extras
*DRY FIT T-Shirt guaranteed to first 400 entrants. *CHIP TIMING *Lots of water *Door prizes drawn from entrants registered thru July 2. *Goodie bags, fun toys and ballons for all kids.

Sponsors
Thanks to all our sponsors: Prime sponsors – Aqua Aerobic Systems and Greenlee. Major sponsors – Entre Computuer Solutions, OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, SwedishAmerican Health System, Riverside Community Bank, Meridian, Liebovich, Crusader Clinic, Rockford Health System, Rockford Bank & Trust, ThermoFisher Scientific, Metrology Resource Group, Alpine Bank and Peak Fitness; Supporting Sponsors – Reno & Zahm LLP, Miller,Buettner & Parrot, Clinkenbeard and Associates, Haymarket Pub, WIPFLI, Rasmussen College, Runner’s Image and Jim Orlando Photography.

Late Registration and Packet Pickup
**LOCATION FOR PACKET PICK UP AND LATE REGISTRATION: Tuesday, July 3, 3:00PM -7:00PM at Carlyle Brewing Co. – 215 E. State St., Rockford, IL. If you are coming from out of town and are unable to come to packet pickup on Tuesday, July 3, you can pick up race packet on July 4th morning, starting at 6am-6:45am at the race location. N. Madison St.at the Trolley Station. Look for PACKET PICK-UP SIGN.

Location
Rockford, IL – on N. Madison St.,in front of Trolley Station, Rockford, IL. Parking on side streets

Questions? Contact:
Karen Tilly
Phone: 815-633-6353 x11

Click here to email the Administrator

For questions regarding the MELD Run, contact the MELD office at 815-633-6353 or the Race Director, Mike Broski at 815-378-1045. THE JULY 4TH RACE IS ON–RAIN OR SHINE! Start and finish – same location- on N. Madison St. in front of Trolley Station. See you Wednesday, July 4th!

It was December 23, 2009, when I found out I was pregnant;  I was 14 years old and had no clue how I was going to tell my parents that their youngest child of five was pregnant, when they had already gotten the worst news they could possibly get.  Just two week before, my parents got into a car accident.  We found out my mother had broken a few ribs and my father had lung cancer.  Then, I had to tell them I was pregnant.

When I told my mother, she was disappointed in me.  Who wouldn’t be?  But she told me it was another thing we had to go through together.  My father, on the other hand, did not take it so well.  He said I was too young and that I wasn’t ready to go through any of it.

My boyfriend was abusive and manipulative, but I was too in love to see it and too scared to leave him once I did see it.  I became so stressed, my blood pressure rocketed, my liver and kidneys were shutting down; they had to take my baby at just over 6 months.  The doctor thought I was going to die and that my baby might not make it either.

I had to focus on my own recovery the day my daughter was born.  The doctor told me I wouldn’t be able to see her until I had my own health under control.  Nevaeh was doing remarkably well;  she was breathing on her own, but she needed a tube feeding to eat.  She was only three pounds when she was born.  She couldn’t come home until she started to gain weight consistently.  Nevaeh got to come home with me after 15 days of being in the NICU.

While I was in the hospital, I got to see firsthand how my boyfriend treated others who were important to me.  Seeing him disrespect my family gave me the strength to move on and focus on my baby.  I didn’t want Nevaeh to grow up thinking its okay for people to treat her badly or for her to see her mommy get hurt or treated badly.

As you can see now, I am still here and healthy, and so is my little girl; she is now 19 months and very healthy and happy.  I don’t think I could have done it without the help from my family and the Meld parenting group we have at my high school.

I was in class when I was called down to the counselor’s office to be told about the Meld parenting groups held by Terry Lynch for teen moms and moms-to-be.  At first, I didn’t think I would be interested because I had already been cut down by so many other people that I just didn’t want to meet any more people who would look down on me for the mistakes I had made.  It was my first day in the Meld group, and I had already felt as if we were a family.  I immediately felt that this was where I was supposed to be; I was not the only one in this situation.  I have people to talk to that I actually trust, people I can literally tell anything to, and they will not judge me for it.

I enjoy the Meld group because I know when I walk into group meetings, I am not alone.  There are other young mothers that are still going to school, working, and taking care of their babies, just as I do.  It is nice to have people to talk to who actually understand what I am going through and to compare different discipline techniques to see which ones work the best for me and my daughter.  Our Meld group leader always has different ways to approach situations we come across as well.  The Meld group not only gives me a sense of belonging, but also has taught me and continues to teach me how to better my communication skills, budget my money, relieve stress, and properly care for my baby.

I have been in the Meld group at my high school for three years now.  It has taught me so much about being a good parent.  It is hard to say where Nevaeh and I would be today without the help we have received.  We both can’t say thank you enough!!!!

It’s perfectly fine to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. Consider it a present to yourself for another year of hard work. But allow us this chance to remind you the simple way this ever-expanding and consuming holiday began – with honoring a mother and child.

It’s a significance that’s not lost on the dedicated board and staff of Rockford MELD. Every day we’re committed to the dozens of mothers and their children, as well as fathers, in need of direction and support that is our mission. A ‘guiding star’ if you will, in lives that can be so easily lost among a society that is sometimes – and understandably – busy finding its own way.

This greeting of the season is sincerely meant to offer you all the best and thank you for your past support in guiding our young parents to build strong families and lives. We, however, hope it also gave you a chance to pause and reflect on the truer meaning of the holiday.

Rockford MELD asks that you please find it in your heart to remember a mother and child who will be seeking shelter tonight and wanting the care and compassion tomorrow that they’ll need to give their lives meaning and purpose. Thank you.

Warm Wishes of Peace and Joy this Holiday Season from the Board of Directors, Staff and Young Families at MELD

Mike Robinson
MELD Board of Directors President

I have been in the MELD program for a year now and they have been a great help to me and my daughter. Without the program I don’t know where I would be. I could have ended up on the streets, had to move from house to house, and could have even lost my daughter. The assistance of the MELD program has helped prevent that for me and my daughter, and for that I am truly thankful.

MELD offers support and resources to our young moms and dads.

Learn More about MELD Programs