Crowe Horwath & Chicago Cares: Making a Difference for CPS

Crowe Horwath LLP has been a Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon sponsor since 2006, helping make many school renovations a reality. Chris Wagner was one of sixty-six Crowe Horwath LLP employees to join us this June at the 17th Annual Serve-a-thon, painting and building at R.H. Lawrence Jr School for Mathematics and Science. His recap of his volunteer experience can be found here, on the Crowe Horwath Blog. Many thanks to Chris and the Crowe Horwath team for allowing us to share it with you.
 

Over the summer, my fellow Crowe Horwath volunteers and I boarded a train bound for downtown Chicago to participate in the 17th Annual Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon.  Little did I know how gratifying this experience would be!  We were in for an adventure filled with a lot of hard work and a little bit of compassion.  The event began at Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears, with an inspiring kickoff emceed by my friend Gaynor Hall, a WGN/CLTV reporter, and words of wisdom from Governor Quinn and Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman.  From there, “Team Crowe” hopped on a bus and traveled to the far south side of Chicago to begin our assignment, R.H. Lawrence Jr. School for Mathematics and Science.  The school had seen better days: walls needed painting, furniture was ancient and time-worn (a bookshelf in the teacher’s lounge dated back to 1954), and landscaping was sparse on the school grounds.  We could see our sweat and TLC were needed and would go a long way in sprucing up the inner city school.  Fresh coats of paint in classrooms and hallways, hand painted murals in common areas, and hand crafted benches and planters on the school grounds gave the building a fresh look and a landscape for the imaginations of the students who attend the school.  Our mission was a huge success and the look of appreciation on the school principal’s face made it all the more worthwhile.  The day was such a rewarding experience that we’ve already committed to participating in next year’s event!


The opportunities for activities and events such as the Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon that are available to me while working at Crowe have given me great sense of accomplishment and pride in my firm. What experiences have you had that make you proud to work for your company?

To view more photos of this event, click here.

Thank You, Intrepid Chicago Cares Leaders!

The 17th Annual Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon was a resounding success thanks to you - OUR FEARLESS LEADERS! A HUGE thank you to everyone who led one of the 38 inspiring projects, those who volunteers and even those of you who could not lead or volunteer but suggested others to do so! THANK YOU. Without you, important work that improved the loves of nearly 30,000 Chicago students could not have taken place.

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!

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.

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. 

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!

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?