Leader Spotlight: Lexi Tarnow

Volunteering with Chicago Cares became a lot more exciting in February 2009 when Lexi Tarnow joined our organization. Lexi started volunteering at a variety of ongoing hunger and health programs and quickly transitioned into a leadership role within her first six months. Since then, we’ve heard that every project with Lexi is like a party!  She is passionate about the work that happens at her projects and makes sure everyone knows how important their role is in the process.

Lexi shared some information with us about her program ‘Shopping on Broadway’:

“This project is very unique in its set-up, but not in its mission.  Like many projects within Chicago Cares, even though we volunteers are often behind the scenes, what we have accomplished does not go unnoticed.  With each list we check, and each shopping cart we fill up, we are essentially getting our clients food that will sustain them and their families for the coming days and weeks.  Nothing is better than realizing that!  [Shopping on Broadway] and many [Chicago Cares] projects can be summed up by this quote: ‘No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another’ (Unknown).”

We also asked Lexi what she enjoys most about her Chicago Cares leadership role. This is what she had to say: “Just one day a month not only helps the clients, but new friendships are also made between all of us which strengthens our community!  An outgoing bunch, we chat and catch up on each others’ lives all while shopping, restocking shelves, and bagging groceries.  That camaraderie is something each of us looks forward to, not to mention what makes my leadership role so fun…and easy!  This project wouldn’t be nearly as successful without the ‘A Team’!”

Since Lexi’s projects are so popular, we wanted to know what leadership trick she would pass on to others. She said, “If your project allows it…tunes!  Music keeps the energy up and the clients love to sing along (and dance) too!”

Chicago Cares appreciates Lexi’s energy and enthusiasm. You can meet Lexi at ‘Shopping on Broadway’ projects one Saturday each month.

November Leader Spotlight: Mike Brunlieb

The Students on Stage program at Hinton Elementary school is quickly gaining interest with students, thanks to team coordinator Mike Brunlieb, who brings lots of energy and planned activities for students at each project.   Mike joined Chicago Cares two and a half years ago and quickly saw potential for improv and acting programs for children. As a leader for Students on Stage Mike is able to pull from his personal knowledge and experience as an accomplished improv performer in Chicago and share it with eager youth.

When we talked with Mike he shared some of his amazing experiences with his programs.  As students begin the program they are sometimes very resistant to learning improv or feel awkward, but quickly begin to open up, letting their intuition guide them. He sees improv and acting as an opportunity for the youth to drop their pretences and toughness.

“I think that improvisation is unique in the way allows people of different ages and backgrounds to create something together. When people drop their cool, and start really playing, especially people who would normally have little contact with one another, something wonderful happens. There's nothing like it!”

Mike stands out as a leader for this children’s program because he takes the time to sit down with the kids and get to know them, laugh with them, and listen to their stories. The students have told us that they are excited to return to his projects. 

Mike enjoys the leadership role for the program because it allows him to include colleagues from across different theaters in the city as guest speakers. He also uses the opportunity to expose the students to a variety of styles, techniques, and skills.

Thanks Mike for your commitment to Chicago Cares, your program at Hinton Elementary, and the many students and volunteers you work with at each project!

Leader Spotlight – Dena Hicks

Dena Hicks may have had her first volunteer experience with Chicago Cares in 2001, but it was hardly her first brush with service. Dena’s family instilled the importance of volunteerism and the act of giving back at a very young age. Those lessons have inspired Dena to work with the community.

“I believe it is important to take an active role in our community to keep our neighborhoods strong, enjoyable places to live.” ~Dena Hick

Dena took her volunteering experience to the next level in 2006 when she agreed to be a team coordinator for a children’s education program with Chicago Cares. Although Dena has volunteered with many different issue areas, she feels a special calling to children’s programs. “I really enjoy watching the kids get excited about the new things they are learning. It’s rewarding to see their imaginations process these new tools and get excited about what they can do with all that new knowledge,” says Dena. 

In the past few years Dena has taken her volunteering another step further, assisting with refining curriculum for the Children’s Education and Development department’s programs. Her expertise has been a huge help, especially with programs like Just Click Here. In addition to her work with children’s programs, Dena is also a member of the Chicago Cares leadership council. Her dedication to Chicago Cares and service is a true inspiration.

On behalf of the Chicago Cares staff, we would like to say “THANK YOU Dena!” for all your hard work, dedication and inspiration. Your leadership and awareness for service are an inspiration for so many others to get out into the community and give back.

September Leader Spotlight: Christine Pellini

Completing service hours had been requirement for Christine in high school and it wasn’t until after participating in the Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon that she realized how much fun and purpose-filled volunteering could be. “Volunteering makes me appreciate what I have and gives me the opportunity to meet new people,” says Christine. She now volunteers with Chicago Cares and the Susan G Koman Breast Cancer 3-day regularly.

Christine particularly enjoys leading one-time large scale projects through the Business Shares program. “It’s amazing to see the amount of work that can get done in a single day if you just have people to do it.” She likes the ease and organization of Chicago Cares’ projects, “It’s easy to search online to find the perfect opportunity,” she says.  “It lets me do something I love without having to do a ton of work to prepare for it.”

Christine also enjoys projects that get children from the school community involved; it’s a powerful experience to see the corporate volunteers and youth work together towards a common purpose and goal.  One of her favorite moments was at a Business Shares project in her home town of Melrose Park, watching volunteers mentor and guide students in their work. The excitement of the youth and the dedication of the volunteers are what keep her coming back to lead time and time again.  She hopes that the kids at her projects will grow to love volunteering and act on service like she does.

“It is not hard to be inspired to continue to volunteer after seeing children’s reactions when they see a newly painted mural in their lunchroom or see the look on their face when they realize that those people are there to work on their school because they care, not because someone is paying them.”

~Christine Pellini

Thank you, Christine, for all that you do with Chicago Cares Business Shares! You are a true inspiration to children, volunteers, leaders, and the Chicago Cares staff!

Leader Spotlight - Andrew Thorp

Andrew Thorp has been volunteering since high school, continued to volunteer throughout his college career and eventually made his way to Chicago Cares. “I saw an advertisement on a CTA bus [for Chicago Cares] and signed up that night,” Andrew reflected.

In just two years of volunteering with Chicago Cares, Andrew has clocked nearly forty hours of volunteer service through our ongoing programs. Andrew spends much of his time serving children’s education programs, but recently found a passion for the Ginko Garden project in Uptown. “I am looking forward to getting some much needed sun and learning a thing or two about gardening at Ginko Organic Gardens,” Andrew said when asked what he most was looking forward to this summer.

In addition to his role as a team coordinator at Ella Flagg Young School on the city’s North Side, Andrew has used his skills and knowledge to help the Education and Development team create curriculum for Young school.  His dedicated involvement with the school provided valuable insight to the planning process. It’s people like Andrew, who consistently go above and beyond, that allow Chicago Cares to have such a dynamic presence in the community.  

“Chicago Cares has given me the opportunity to work with some amazing people, volunteers and students alike. I am always surprised by the passion that leaders, students, and volunteers bring to each event.”

– Andrew Thorp

THANK YOU Andrew for all that you have done and continue to do for Chicago Cares. Your contributions and hard work make it possible for programs like Story Time and Sports League at Young School to be such a great success and a meaningful experience for all involved.

Leader Spotlight – Stacy Collins

“I hope through my positive energy and attitude I’ve inspired young people to continue their community service.” ~ Stacy Collins

Like many Chicago Cares leaders, volunteering has always been an integral part of Stacy Collins’ life. Stacy has dedicated time to many organizations before her work with Chicago Cares - as a big sister in the Big Brother Big Sister program in Indianapolis, she helped guide young teens as a mentor and friend for two years.

Volunteering through Chicago Cares since 1998 and serving as a Youth in Service Leader since 2007, Stacy has been a constant and present role model for Chicago youth, much like her work as a Big Sister. When asked about her favorite part of service, Stacy said, “I like having the opportunity to show youth volunteers that volunteering and giving back to the community is fun and rewarding.”

Stacy currently leads Youth in Service projects, serving seniors breakfast and offering companionship once a month. “I enjoy being a positive role model for youth volunteers and a ray of sunshine for seniors who deal with issues of isolation on a daily basis.” Witnessing this positive interaction between senior residents and teens is the inspiration that keeps Stacey going as she helps build the ethic of lifelong service in the next generation.

THANK YOU Stacy for all that you have done and will continue to do for the youth of Chicago. Your dedication and enthusiasm for service have helped motivate young adults in the direction of service learning and community volunteering. Leaders like Stacy enable Chicago Cares to have a dynamic presence in the community!

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.

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. 

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.