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.
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.
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!
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!
“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 KilbournPark, 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.
