It is not just the school down the street, but the school down the road

 Originally posted by Kris Smart and re-posted on the HandsOn Blog.

It is not just where your kid goes, but where every kid goes that makes a real difference in the future, in the community, in the city you live in, in the country you are from.

The first time I walked into a Chicago Public School was a Saturday morning after riding a school bus across town with 40 other Chicago Cares volunteers.  We met at a coffee shop, then gathered on the bus, and rode through the vast diversity of Chicago’s neighborhoods towards McCormick Elementary School in Little Village.

When I got off the bus, I stepped onto the asphalt of the playground and noticed a US Map painted on the blacktop next to a World Map.  The colors were bright, and kids were hoping from one state to the next, looking at the different countries, laughing.  When they noticed us, they smiled and ran over to the volunteers to greet us.

In the classroom, a second grade class, we sat in the low tables, tiny chairs with construction paper and glue sticks, glitter and sand.  We talked about Oceans, who lived in the Ocean, what was the water made out of? We talked about creatures and sand and we learned together about coral reefs.  I told them about my Ocean, the Pacific, and how as a girl I would collect shells walking along the water’s edge.

We made our own oceans out of 2 liter bottles, water, sand and salt.  There were smiles, and laughter, and glitter in our hair.  They were happy.  These kids, who come out every Saturday to discover their world with a group of equally committed adult volunteers.

That was in 1998. All those second graders have graduated High School and many moved on to College.  Many of those volunteers are still going every Saturday to McCormick Elementary School to make a difference for the next set of second graders.

 

We do this.  We do this every day, not not just Saturdays, and not just at McCormick.

We build community when we get involved. At the pantry.  At the senior center.  At the homeless shelter. At the Park.  At the home for women and children fleeing domestic violence.

We build community when we pack a box of food for a family.  We build it when we play bingo with a senior who is otherwise isolated.  We build it when we work with an adult to create a resume and cover letter.  We build it when we turn a lot into a garden, growing produce for the community.  We build it by getting involved. By being a part of something larger.  By forging a connection.

We build it through service.

On June 12, I will watch the sunrise over my city from the south side of Soldier Field.  I will stop a moment from unloading boxes from the back of a truck or setting up computers in my tent to see the light hit the glass and reflect back off skyscrapers. I will drink in the way it makes Lake Michigan dance.  And then I will continue to ant boxes, unload trucks, set up computers and get ready for the 6,000 Chicagoans who will join me that day in building a better city.

 

We will not only paint, landscape, organize libraries and create murals and mosaics at over 40 schools in one day, but we will raise money to make it possible to support communities across Chicago through service the other 364 days in the year.

If you can, think about coming out.  Or sponsor me! Every dollar counts, and you know what? So does every hour.

Meet Attucks Academy

Over half of the 285 students of Attucks Academy are homeless, making the school their most stable and structured environment and often, their only source of meals. Despite these barriers, their test scores in math and reading have jumped 82% and 29% respectively in the past 2 years! Join the Attucks Team and give the students a learning environment as bright, warm & inviting as the school culture the administration has fostered!

Leader Spotlight: Julie Katz

Julia Katz has been volunteering since high school, although her service with Chicago Cares began in 2008. Her experiences started with many different senior services programs and quickly flourished into volunteering on a regular basis. In 2009 Julia volunteered at her first large event with Chicago Cares, Celebration of Service. Since then Julia has volunteered as a leader for many Chicago Cares large scale events including Serve-a-thon and many business shares projects.

When asked what her favorite part of volunteering with Chicago Cares has been thus far Julia said “The large events are fun. There are tons of people, tons of energy, and tons of excitement.” Julia enjoys being apart of the service events. She says, “So much gets done in one day. We help so many people all at once.” Julia’s passion for service has helped Chicago Cares make an impact over the years in many different issue areas and communities around Chicago.

At the 17^th Annual Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon Julia will be working as a project site manager at one of 41 schools our volunteers will be beautifying this year. Julia will be a part of a team of ten other leaders at Hamilton Elementary School on Chicago’s north side. While working with over 200 volunteers and ten leaders, Julia will help with painting classrooms and murals, and painting the U.S. Map in the playground, among other tasks.

“Juila did a fantastic job. She is extremely enthusiastic and hardworking.  She was disappointed that she was unable to complete most of her tasks because of the rain, but wanted to return to do the map of the U.S. on the playground anyway.” Says Genevieve Sullivan of Chicago Cares – Serve-a-thon 2009

On behalf of all the staff at Chicago Cares, THANK YOU Julia for all your dedication and hard work. Your involvement and leadership skills help Chicago Cares reach more people with every event you participate in.

Big Day. Better Schools. Brighter Futures.

BIG DAY.

Why is it so important to revitalize Chicago Public Schools? Studies have shown that physical environment of a school influences how well a student learns and even the ability of teachers to teach effectively. Even more important are the stories that principals of Serve-a-thon schools share with us: here are the stories of two schools we will transform on June 12, Attucks and Fort Dearborn.

BETTER SCHOOLS.

Fort Dearborn in Auburn-Gresham

In the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood on the city’s far south side, more than 200 volunteers will participate in transforming Fort Dearborn Elementary School into a vibrant place to learn and grow. Fort Dearborn is located in the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood and educates more than 550 pre-K through 8^th grade students. The school sits in between multiple gang turfs so the safety of the children is a constant concern. Principal Arey Desadier, hopes to gain more community involvement in the future, and strives to make the school environment a comfortable home to students during the day. In addition to the ongoing work of educating the students, the school administration and teachers hope to increase attendance and parent involvement.

Auburn-Gresham has a turbulent past: development in the early 1900’s, riots in the 1960s and gang violence in the 9’s and 2000s. For many students living in the area, Fort Dearborn is their most stable home. Serve-a-thon volunteers will support this “home” and show the students that Chicagoans care by giving the classrooms a bright, clean coat of paint. Join a Serve-a-thon team to make Fort Dearborn a brighter school.

Attucks in Grand Boulevard

Attucks Academy, located in the Grand Boulevard neighborhood, is home to the largest population of homeless students in the city. With more than 160 students that are currently homeless, it is more important than ever for Chicago Cares to be present in the community and at the school.

Until two years ago, Attucks students attended class in another building twelve blocks from the current location. This significant change means that Attucks has had to combat the change in location while still serving the same kids from a city area twelve blocks away. Nevertheless, in the same two years, test scores in math and reading have risen 82% and 29% respectively. Principal Dr. Perry attributes the success to the culture and atmosphere she and her staff have strived to establish and maintain over the years.

Serve-a-thon volunteers will paint classrooms and create mosaics and murals to promote school spirit and academic achievement, making it possible for the students of Attucks to enjoy a brighter, more inviting school in which to learn and grow.  Want to be part of the transformation team at Attucks? Join the team today.

BRIGHTER FUTURES.

Studies have indicated that the physical environment of a school influences how well a student learns and even the ability of teachers to teach effectively. If paint is peeling, the lunchroom hasn't been painted in 18 years and the exterior of the building is uninviting, this can become a distraction from learning and teaching.

On the other hand, a bright and freshly painted environment sends a positive self-esteem message to students or clients that they are worthy of a clean and beautiful facility.

When the federal government assessed the condition of America's schools in 1999, it estimated that $127 billion was needed just to bring facilities to "good" condition. In Chicago, the school budget has been slashed, with administrative and capital expenses being first to go so that every dollar can support the educational process. In the face of deep budget problems, Chicago’s schools need the boost that comes from a coat of paint, a new garden and colorful murals now more than ever.

On June 12, 6000 Serve-a-thon volunteers will combat these challenges and make a difference for our schools. Serve-a-thon volunteers will brighten more than 400 rooms and over 100 hallways and stairwells in 41 schools, sending a positive message to the 25,000 children and adults who study, play or receive services in those buildings.

THANK YOU to our Corporate Sponsors!

The generous donations from our top Serve-a-thon sponsors make it possible for Chicago Cares to strengthen the city and meet critical needs all year long.

For a complete list of our sponsors please click here.

Meet Your AmeriCorps: Elliott

I am an advocate. I am a capacity builder. I am a VISTA.

Hi! My name is Elliott Dionisio and I’m serving as the AmeriCorps VISTA Days of Service Specialist for Chicago Cares. 

This is actually my second term serving with AmeriCorps; for 10 months in 2009, I served in the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps. NCCC members are required to wear the AmeriCorps uniform (or as it’s colloquially referred to, the ‘A’) every day for the entire workday, and needless to say the routine was a little drab. VISTA does not have this requirement, but each time I do wear the ‘A’ – in the office or casually – I can say I take more pride adorning it than at any time I suited up during NCCC. What began for me as a way to get out of my parents house has now become a cherished part of my identity. And I owe this in large part to not only the work I accomplished in NCCC, but to the work I’m currently doing for Chicago Cares.

My primary responsibility at Chicago Cares is to recruit and offer support to volunteers for our two large-scale annual service events, the Celebration of Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King (held in January) and Serve-a-thon (in June). I’ve mapped recruitment strategies, created tip sheets, hand-delivered posters to business owners, passed out flyers to the Loop lunch rush and answered countless e-mails and phone calls to spread the word about these two awesome opportunities. Writing this, I’m engulfed in the onrush of volunteer management for Serve-a-thon (and the event still seems like a long way off!).

Answering the messages of folks interested in Serve-a-thon is a pleasure, and whether I need to walk them through the registration process step-by-step or simply forward a document, I derive a great sense of satisfaction from ushering people to service. Rallying new groups to Serve-a-thon is a bigger challenge, and often I cannot understand why folks don’t immediately jump on board when I describe to them the scope of Serve-a-thon! But publicity is publicity is publicity, and I know that every interaction I have with a member of the community raises awareness of the wonderful work of Chicago Cares.

Years down the road, when I will have encapsulated my VISTA service term with Chicago Cares into a single memory, I’ll take the most satisfaction from having exposed hundreds if not thousands of people around Chicago to an organization they’d never heard of before. Chicago Cares is so simple in concept, and makes an impact so large, that it will always be the first stop I recommend to interested volunteers in the Chicagoland area.  

And I’m sure to have this conversation again and again any time someone asks me about the ‘A’ on my shirt.

The Life of Serve-a-thon Project

Cbeyond Volunteers Make an Impact Through Business Shares

Two weeks ago, Cbeyond volunteers brought their outstanding attitudes and dedication to Perspectives/ITT Math & Science Academy, dedicating 168 volunteer hours to paint classrooms and build work tables and a portable tool box for the school's Robotics Team!

Feeling inspired to make an impact at a CPS school yourself? Join us at the 17th Annual Serve-a-thon and give some very deserving students the learning atmosphere they deserve!

Leader Spotlight: Phillip Kinnison

Phil Kinnison has volunteered with Chicago Cares since 2001. He started his service with our organization as a volunteer for the largest service event in Chicago, Serve-a-thon. Over the years, Phil has served as a volunteer at our large scale service events, Serve-a-thon and Celebration of Service, with his company Accenture. In 2008 Phil stepped up to the roll of Bus Ambassador for Serve-a-thon and has been volunteering in a leader capacity ever since. 

Aside from being a Serve-a-thon project site manager, Phil has volunteered in a number of other roles with Chicago Cares. He has participated in our ongoing program at Cabrini Connections, and has been a leader for our Youth in Service department. Phil also volunteers with PAWS Chicago. “I like the opportunity to work with my hands as opposed to being at a desk all day,” says Phil. Even while traveling for work, Phil still can’t get away from volunteering. He has volunteered with our partner affiliates in Washington DC, Greater DC Cares; and in Philadelphia, Greater Philadelphia Cares.

This year Phil is a primary project site manager at Hedges Fine and Performing Magnet Cluster School for the 17^th Annual Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon. He will be working with a team of six other project site managers and over one hundred volunteers to help revitalize this Chicago public school. With the help of Phil’s leadership skills and dedication to volunteering, Chicago Cares volunteers will transform 14 classrooms, two administrative offices, the lunchroom, and the assembly hall into bright and better learning environments. 

“Phil is a solid leader. He is good at troubleshooting and has become quite the leader,” says a Chicago Cares staff member of Phil.

From all of us at Chicago Cares, THANK YOU Phil, for all your hard work and dedication. The enthusiasm and inspiration you bring to every project help spread the message of Chicago Cares. 

AmeriCorps Spotlight -Joyce Cruz

Chicago Cares AmeriCorps Role: Youth in Service HandsOn AmeriCorps Member

In honor of AmeriCorps week, Chicago Cares staff members sat down with each of our 5 AmeriCorps members to find out a little more about them and their service year. Here is what Joyce Cruz had to say about her experience so far this year. 

How did you hear about AmeriCorps and what made you decide to do a service year?

I heard about AmeriCorps through a friend that was doing AmeriCorps*NCCC. I was about to graduate from college and wanted to stay involved in volunteering and motivating others to get involved in their communities. 

Have you done any other AmeriCorps programs?

Before Chicago Cares I was an AmeriCorps member with NCCC in Sacramento, CA.

What drew you to Chicago Cares specifically?

At the end of my NCCC 10 month commitment, I started looking at other AmeriCorps opportunities closer to home. I found the posting for Chicago Cares through the AmeriCorps website and started to research the organization as a whole. I was really drawn to Chicago Cares and their Youth in Service program because of their commitment to teach the value of volunteerism to youth.

Tell us about your favorite part of AmeriCorps so far.

My favorite part of NCCC was the program really helped challenge me to step outside of my comfort zone and to learn how to live and work with the same people for our entire service year. So far, my favorite part of AmeriCorps with Chicago Cares is working with people in our office to come up with creative new ideas and then putting them into action. I no longer look at an idea and think, ‘how will that work’. Now I think, ‘how can we make this work’.

What are you most excited about working on before your service year ends?

Definitely Summer of Service. I’m really excited to be immersed in the schools we’ll be working with. I think it will be great to see the students really think about the issues in their communities and learn how take the actions to address them.

What skills have you learned in your year that you’ll take with you to your next job?

I’m less awkward talking to strangers. I’m a lot better at things like cold-calls, asking people to step up and lead projects, and building relationships with volunteers and community partners. I’ve also learned a lot about marketing, and how you present a volunteer opportunity in different ways to different people.

What are you plans for after AmeriCorps?

I would like to keep working for in the nonprofit field. I think eventually I’ll go to graduate school for a social service related career.

AmeriCorps Spotlight - Elliott Dionisio

Chicago Cares AmeriCorps Role: Days of Service Specialist AmeriCorps*VISTA Member

In honor of AmeriCorps week, Chicago Cares staff members sat down with each of our 5 AmeriCorps members to find out a little more about them and their service year. Here is what Elliott Dionisio had to say about his experience so far this year.

How did you hear about AmeriCorps and what made you decide to do a service year?

I always had a history of community service. When I got laid off from my first job after college I decided to look into AmeriCorps for my next adventure. The NCCC program appealed to me because I’d get to travel, be a part of a team and it would provide me with some good experience before I go back to school. I then wanted to continue with another year of community service and liked the position offered at Chicago Cares because it was a stable position at one organization and would provide me with a chance to learn lots of new things.

Have you done any other AmeriCorps programs?

Yes. I did NCCC based in Sacramento, CA, October 2008-July 2009.

What drew you to Chicago Cares specifically?

I felt the organization was very elegantly structured. It seemed to have a structure that was strikingly simplistic on the outside and very easy for volunteers to get involved in. I wanted to be a part of something that sustained itself so well.

Tell us about your favorite part of AmeriCorps so far.

I like having the chance to communicate with people. I like getting in touch with team captains and building relationships with them. I like being a resource for people and showing people the ropes and helping them through our systems. I love that I get to spread the word about Chicago Cares and our events and get people engaged.

What are you most excited about working on before your service year ends?

Once Serve-a-thon wraps up, I’m excited to sit down and write out everything I learned so that anyone coming into my position has a great base of information to start from. The position is a lot of learning along the way but the more resources that can be provided at the start, the better. I value taking the time to make sure the next person is prepared and continuing the legacy of the position for Chicago Cares.

What skills have you learned in your year that you’ll take with you to your next job?

I have learned a lot about professional corporate relations. I’ve also learned a lot about messaging things in an effective way by framing things correctly and choosing the right words for the right audience.

What are you plans for after AmeriCorps?

I plan to go to law school!

AmeriCorps Spotlight - Erik Rosen

Chicago Cares AmeriCorps Role: Youth in Service HandsOn AmeriCorps Member

How did you hear about AmeriCorps and what made you decide to do a service year?

I heard about AmeriCorps through City Year. I was interested in doing City Year in Chicago because I heard about their service work. Exploring service-oriented options, I thought Chicago Cares would be more challenging, and I would be able to build more skills and use the skills I already have. I just graduated last year and was unsure of what I wanted to do, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to get some experience in the non profit industry, while at the same time giving back to the community I was brought up in. Honestly, I didn’t actually know this was an AmeriCorps position when I applied. I found out when I interviewed.

Have you done any other AmeriCorps programs?

No, this is my first AmeriCorps position.

What drew you to Chicago Cares specifically?

Being able to work with youth and to have the opportunity to enhance their academic and social skills through service.

Tell us about your favorite part of AmeriCorps so far.

I think it’s being on site and working at the projects. My favorite thing is developing relationships with community partners and getting to know them, not just as site representatives but as people. Also, becoming familiar with areas of the city I might never have ventured into before has changed my perspective on a lot of issues and areas in the city.

What are you most excited about working on before your service year ends?

Summer of Service. We’ll be working with several high schools to teach students about what Youth in Service does, focusing on different issue areas, and putting what they’ve learned into action with different service projects. We’re taking more of a hands-on role with the students.

What skills have you learned in your year that you’ll take with you to your next job?

Organizational skills and being able to pay greater attention to detail. I was a big picture person before, and although it’s good to see things that way, it’s definitely helped that I can now take into account everything that will go into a project.

PepsiCo Volunteers Make an Impact on CPS

Last year volunteers from PepsiCo helped make Avalon Park School a more engaging learning environment, painting dingy stairwells, brightening classrooms and creating murals. Want to be part of the impact this year? Don't forget to register for Serve-a-thon! Click here for more information about registering and how you can be involved!

AmeriCorps Spotlight – Regan Bertke

Chicago Cares AmeriCorps Role: Volunteer Development Specialist for Ongoing Programs

In honor of AmeriCorps week, Chicago Cares staff members sat down with each of our 5 AmeriCorps members to find out a little more about them and their service year. Here is what Regan Bertke had to say about her experience so far this year.

How did you hear about AmeriCorps and what made you decide to do a service year?

Originally I heard about AmeriCorps from my mom, who works for Habitat for Humanity. They had an open position in 2008. I was in Toledo at school and money ran out, so I decided to come back home to the ‘burbs and help build houses. I wanted to work more behind the scenes in my second year.

Have you done any other AmeriCorps programs?

I was in a State/National program in 2008-2009 with Habitat for Humanity. I worked at project sites training and leading volunteers on the projects that day. I was outside every day—no matter rain, sleet, cold, snow, whatever. The worst day I worked, it was 10 degrees below zero and had snowed a few inches the day before. The snow then froze overnight and we had to use a pick-axe to clear out literally 3 inches of solid ice from the first floor of a 3-bedroom house that we were working on. My arms never hurt that bad in my whole life.

What drew you to Chicago Cares specifically?

I really like working with volunteers—I think it’s special that they are so willing to give up their time, money, and resources to help. I like being able to foster the relationship between volunteers and the people, projects, and organizations they’re helping. It’s great that there are so many people willing to give up their Saturdays to hang out with seniors or read to kids or improve a garden and I just wanted to be part of that.

Tell us about your favorite part of AmeriCorps so far.

My job here has been my favorite part so far—if this were a full-time paying job, it would be close to my dream job. I like being able to train and develop leaders with skills that they can use not just at Chicago Cares, but also  take on to their professional lives. I also really enjoyed going on site visits and being able to see the faces of all the people our leaders are helping—it put a more human touch on the work.

What are you most excited about working on before your service year ends?

I’m excited to be a part of Star Awards this year. It’s really important that we show our volunteers how much they do for us and for the community. They are giving up something personal when they volunteer for us—they could be spending that time with their family or friends or just taking a break from life. Volunteering is part of their life, but it’s also something more for us and for the community and it’s great that we recognize that.

What skills have you learned in your year that you’ll take with you to your next job?

My communication skills have gotten a lot better, having to talk so much with strangers on the phone and on email. I’ve learned to express myself in a way that I’m still appreciating them even if I want to reach through the phone and strangle them. I also feel much more confident with my writing skills now, after writing and editing the E-calendar. It’s time-consuming but fun trying to figure out how best to communicate what we’re doing at all levels of the organization, as well as what leaders are interested in and want to know about. It’s definitely a tedious and frustrating process of writing and editing to get the articles perfect—or as close to perfect as possible—but it’s also worth it.

What are you plans for after AmeriCorps?

Get a J-O-B. I’m taking a camping trip right after my term is up in September in the U-P in Michigan. It will be great to just relax—no phone calls, no emails, just getting away from civilization and people in general. Then I’ll come back and start hunting, here in Chicago or in D.C.—wherever someone likes me enough to give me a job.

AmeriCorps Spotlight - Erin Sutton

Chicago Cares AmeriCorps Role: Service Events Specialist AmeriCorps*VISTA Member

In honor of AmeriCorps week, Chicago Cares staff members sat down with each of our 5 AmeriCorps members to find out a little more about them and their service year. Here is what Erin Sutton had to say about her experience so far this year.

How did you hear about AmeriCorps and what made you decide to do a service year?

I have always been really interested in service. As an adult, I focused my energy on organizing community service projects for my fellow students at the University of Michigan. I always thought I wanted to do the Peace Corps, but then heard about AmeriCorps through my family and decided to check out the website. The VISTA positions really seemed to fit my interests and skills.

Have you done any other AmeriCorps programs?

No, Chicago Cares is my first position.

What drew you to Chicago Cares specifically?

Well, I went to school in Michigan and wanted to move somewhere else. Through the AmeriCorps website, I found the posting for Chicago Cares and was really drawn to the mission of the organization. What I like most about the Chicago Cares model, is not just bringing volunteer opportunities to people in Chicago, but through the leadership process, building, training and encouraging people to step up and become leaders in their communities.

Tell us about your favorite part of AmeriCorps so far.

I really like getting to know all of the Chicago Cares staff members, volunteers and leaders. Celebration of Service was a big highlight for me this year; I love watching everyone’s enthusiasm on the day of the event and seeing all of our Bus Ambassadors and Roadies in action was really inspiring.

What are you most excited about working on before your service year ends?

I’m definitely excited about Serve-a-thon this year. I’m excited to see the whole event from start to finish and to get to know all of the Roadies and Bus Ambassadors. I am also excited to help with the process of finding new ways to improve our leadership program and to leave ideas for the next AmeriCorps member in the position.

What skills have you learned in your year that you’ll take with you to your next job?

I’ve learned things this year that I didn’t realize I ever would. Things like basic web design, database management and refining my skills in MS Office. I’ve also learned a lot about working as a team for the benefit of the entire organization and bringing new and creative ideas and watching them in action.

What are you plans for after AmeriCorps?

I hope to start law school in fall 2011.  In the meantime, I would like to stay in the non-profit field. Ultimately, I’m interested in using my law degree to work for an NGO or human interest organization.

Get Active with Serve-a-thon to Support Chicago Cares

Chicago Cares’ largest fundraiser, the17^th Annual Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon ,takes place on Saturday, June 12. Volunteers, leaders, and staff have been working hard to spread the word, recruit 6,000 volunteers and get every Chicagoan excited about the city’s largest day of service.

Every donation – no matter the size – makes a difference to Chicago Cares.

Our fundraising goal: $830,000

Our fundraising progress as of May 7: $672,000

How can you take action to help us meet our goals?

AmeriCorps Week: Honoring a History of Dedication to Service

Every year, thousands of Americans commit to serving our country through volunteerism and living a year of poverty. They are AmeriCorps. These dedicated service members are men and women, young and old, coming from all different backgrounds. They serve behind the scenes and on the front lines in the battle against poverty in the United States.

While the 1930’s saw the creation of National Service Corps with the initiation of Civilian Conservation Corps, shortly followed by AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) and Senior Corps in the 1960’s, AmeriCorps programs were not nationally recognized until President Bill Clinton signed the National and Community Service Trust Act in September of 1993. The bill established the Corporation for National and Community Service as the umbrella for all AmeriCorps programs, which now include: Learn and Serve, AmeriCorps National Direct, AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps NCCC, YCC (Youth Conservation Corps), and SeniorCorps.  One year later, the first class of AmeriCorps volunteers were sworn in. 20,000 individuals would be dedicating a year of national service in more than 1,000 communities nationwide. More than 15 years later, the AmeriCorps programs swear in more than 85,000 volunteers every year to serve and partner with nearly 2,000 community and nonprofit organizations.

AmeriCorps Week Events - How Can You Show Your Support?

As a part of a national effort to increase awareness of AmeriCorps programs and show appreciation for its current and past AmeriCorps members, Chicago Cares will be hosting and co-hosting events between May 8 - 15, AmeriCorps Appreciation Week. Below are a few of the events planned to honor and highlight our outstanding team of AmeriCorps staff and alumni.

Monday, May 10: Social Networking Event  at Cactus Bar and Grille 
5:30 PM - 9 PM 

Join AmeriCorps Alumni of Chicago and current AmeriCorps staff as they talk about life during and after a year of service. You can learn about each AmeriCorps program, as well as talk to past and current members about their experiences.

Friday, May 14: Speaking event at EF International Language School

Chicago Cares AmeriCorps members will present and dialog with international college students about what it means to be a National Service Member. Current and past AmeriCorps will speak about the benefits of being an AmeriCorps member and how it can aid in members' professional futures and development.

Saturday, May 15: Seeds of Service
9 AM - 2 PM

In cooperation with AmeriCorps Alumni of Chicago and Northwestern Settlement Project YES, Chicago Cares' current and past AmeriCorps will join community members and other AmeriCorps in an effort to revitalize Humboldt Park. 

These are just a few of the events being hosted by Chicago Cares and the AmeriCorps Alumni Group of Chicago. If you would like to sponsor an event for the Chicago Cares AmeriCorps staff members, or would like to make a donation on behalf of our AmeriCorps members please click here. You can also e-mail rbertke@Chicagocares.org for more information about the weeks’ events and how you can show your support!

Meet Your AmeriCorps: Regan

I am an advocate. I am a capacity builder. I am a VISTA.

When people ask me what I do I say, “I am an AmeriCorps member serving a year of National Service.” Then, it is always the same response, “Oh, what is AmeriCorps?” My elevator speech mode officially kicks in. I tell them about the service I am doing, explain exactly what AmeriCorps is, and then the kicker, “well, if it is National Service, are you paid?” they ask. “Yes” I say. “About 105% of the poverty rate of Chicago.” Then come the gasps and oohs and aahs. I just sit back, smile, and think, I don’t care, I love my job!

Living out a mission can be tough. It takes courage and strength to push though and educate others on something you find compelling and worth knowing. It is not a job for everyone. It is, however, the job of AmeriCorps members all across the country.

My name is Regan Bertke, I am an AmeriCorps VISTA completing a year of service with an organization that lives out a mission to help communities and people in need; Chicago Cares. I started my year of service in September of last year; my goal, to build capacity in the organization through volunteer development. Now half of my year of service is over and what do I have to show for it? A lot!

May Leader Spotlight: Barbara Scott

“There is no greater feeling than leaving a project knowing that you have been a part of helping to change people's lives for the better. Or the environment for that matter!” ~ Barbara Scott on volunteering

Barbara Scott has been volunteering with Chicago Cares since 2002, helping Chicago Cares live out its mission of service to Chicago communities and families through her service at multiple programs in a variety of issue areas. Her first project was at Kilbourn Park, the Chicago Park Districts’ only organic greenhouse. After years of volunteering, Barbara made a commitment to be a leader for Chicago Cares. Today, Barbara is a team coordinator at Beaubien Woods, a forest preserve restoration project, and a back-up team coordinator for Job Coaching at Open Door Shelter, a turn-a-round shelter for runaway youth.

When asked what her favorite project is, Barbara told us it was difficult to choose! “It is hard to pick a favorite; there have been so many wonderful moments in all of them, but, if I had to pick one it would be Beaubien Woods.” Barbara shared a story about a memorable experience at her favorite site, telling us, “during a break at Beaubien Woods, Laurel, the site steward, told us a little song of how to tell the different Oak species apart.  A couple of months later, some of the same volunteers were back and when someone asked how to tell what the different Oak trees look like - they broke into song!  Laurel was so surprised and happy that they had remembered!”

Barbara’s dedication and hard work has created an exciting environment to serve and volunteer within. “Barbara has an incredibly sunny disposition and is very friendly with volunteers. She has a way of getting the most reserved volunteer into a project and working,” says Dan Alberti, a Chicago Cares staff member. Her energy and passion for service help Chicago Cares play a vital role in the community.

Volunteers like Barbara help Chicago Cares make a profound impact. On behalf of all the staff at Chicago Cares, THANK YOU Barbara for your dedication to service and to the programs you love.

Make a Difference on May 8 - Renovate Ruiz Elementary!

Want to make a big difference this Saturday? Join volunteers from The Home Depot in renovating  Ruiz Elementary School while members of the Mexican National Soccer Team lead Ruiz students in a skills clinic! Volunteers will work from 9:30 - 3, painting indoors and outdoors and repairing the school's courtyard. Help us bring this school back to life! No prior registration needed! Volunteers 18+ can contact adavis@chicagocares.org to sign up. Tell your friends!

Hunger in America: Are You Being Called?

Hunger is not a foreign concept or a thing of the past. It is not selective or mindful of those it affects. Hunger is a pandemic that is sweeping across our nation at an increasingly high rate. There are ways to stop it, but we need action; we need dedicated people to step up and be outspoken about hunger and its affects on our nation’s people. 68% of pantry programs and 42% of soup kitchens have no paid staff and rely solely on volunteers to manage and maintain their programs. Without the support of regular, consistent volunteers, organizations that can make the most progress in addressing critical hunger needs in their neighborhoods, cannot fully realize their potential.

Feeding America is a national organization dedicated to hunger relief. Working daily with individual agencies which include food pantries, soup kitchens, and residential shelters, Feeding America is the largest hunger relief organization in the U.S. Their partner agencies can be found in all fifty states as well as The District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Every year, Feeding America receives and allocates more than 2.6 billion pounds of grocery and food products to 61,000 agencies nationwide.

Englewood – On the Brink of Re-Discovery

Englewood came to life at a time when the rest of Chicago was literally blazing. After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed much of the city, many residents moved to the outskirts of downtown, making Englewood the new home of many fleeing Chicagoans. Englewood quickly became the host of the Chicago Junction, a merge of several rail road lines that ferried goods and passengers to and from the city, as well as across the country. With such a quick and prosperous start to the new community area, Englewood was seen by many as the “it” spot of Chicago.

Soon after the railroads emerged in Englewood, the shops and markets arrived. In the 1920’s Englewood was the second busiest shopping district in Chicago, topped only by the loop itself. By the 1960’s, Englewood even boasted a pedestrian mall. However, the mall did not bring in the people, money, or neighborhood revitalization the community had hoped for. By 1980 the mall was abandoned and classified as a “failed project,” and for many of the shops it was too late to relocate. Although trains services were still in operation, a steady decrease of commuter train traffic sealed the fate of Englewood. A once fast-paced and highly desirable shopping location for so many turned into a desolate community lacking resources it needed to thrive.