Volunteering Does Your Body Good...

“Volunteering makes the heart grow stronger,” said David Eisner, CEO. “More than 61 million Americans volunteer to improve conditions for people in need and to unselfishly give of themselves. While the motivation is altruistic, it is gratifying to learn that their efforts are returning considerable health benefits.”

This quote is from a study conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service click here.  Just amazing!  Who would have thought when I signed up to tutor elementary kids in reading or serve dinner to the homeless, I was actually treating my body to some TLC?  

Friends, here is life-changing information.  This is information that will make you go directly to our website, www.chicagocares.org, and register to volunteer more than you ever have before.

Volunteering benefits both mental and physical health; for many of us, this is great news.

1. Volunteering increases self-confidence. A healthy boost to your self-confidence, self-esteem and life satisfaction is what the doctor ordered. Doing well for others and the community, provides a natural sense of accomplishment.
2. Volunteering combats depression. Reducing the risk of depression is another important benefit of volunteering. It keeps you in regular contact with others and helps you develop a solid support system.  This, in turn, protects you against stress and depression when you’re going through challenging times.
3. Volunteering helps you stay physically healthy. Volunteering is good for your health at any age, but it’s especially beneficial in older adults. Volunteering has also been shown to lessen symptoms of chronic pain or heart disease.

Well, I know what I’m going to do right before I log off my computer, what are YOU going to do?

Why Volunteer? Why Not?!

At Chicago Cares, we are fortunate to have a lot of amazing and very dedicated volunteers who understand the importance of service and realize all rewards associated with it.  Occasionally, however, we hear questions from outsiders who don’t fully grasp the purpose of or privileges involved with volunteering.  We would like to highlight some of the many reasons you should volunteer, and you may be surprised by some of the benefits!

Make a Difference

It’s a given that volunteering provides an opportunity to help others and to make an impact on the world.  You can contribute to a cause that you care about, share your passion with others, and give back to your community.  By committing a bit of your time, you can support families, improve schools, beautify your neighborhood, changes the lives of children and youth.  But your contribution doesn’t stop with each hour you give.  According to the Independent Sector, a volunteer’s time is estimated to be worth an average of $20.85 per hour!  That means that by volunteering, you are enabling monetary resources to be stretched further and spent on other initiatives and local improvements.

Make Friends and Social Connections

Facebook, Twitter, and social media are great, but human interaction is even better!  Get out in your community, meet new people, and make new friends.  If you have recently moved, volunteering is a great way to check out your new city or neighborhood and start making connections!  Volunteering is also a great way to build professional contacts and network with a variety of people.  Love connections have also been known to happen at service projects from time to time – but we make no guarantees!

Help Your Career and Build Your Resume

Volunteering can help you learn new skills to add to your resume, and it looks great to employers and schools.  It’s also a great way to develop communication, teamwork, and leadership skills!  If you are considering a career change, volunteering your time at a local agency or non-profit can help you explore new possibilities.  If you are unemployed, volunteering can fill employment gaps on your resume and allow you make important networking connections!  You can stay sharp and use your skills in a productive way that also benefits others. 

Better Yourself

If you feel like you need a change, challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone and expand your horizons.  If you crunch numbers all day, get involved with artistic or creative projects.  Or if you don’t interact much with children or seniors, try it out!  Many people find they feel better about themselves, and discover new passions or skills when they volunteer.  It can also provide a sense of belonging and purpose to those who are going through life transitions.  AARP recently reported that chronic loneliness is becoming an increasing problem among those age 45 and older; yet, they also found that people who volunteered were less likely to report being lonely that those who did not. 

Keep Learning

By working with non-profit organizations and public schools or agencies, you can learn a lot about local government and municipal operations. Through educational programs with children or adults, you could freshen up your math skills, brush up on your Spanish, or make a connection between history and current events.  Volunteers may also find hidden talents or learn something new about themselves in the process!

It’s Good for Your Health

In a survey released by UnitedHealthcare, volunteers reported reduced stress levels and said that volunteering made them feel healthier; additionally, it suggests that volunteers even have healthier BMIs than people who do not volunteer.  This survey also shows that people who volunteer are more satisfied with their lives and optimistic than non-volunteers.  And according to a report released by the Corporation for National and Community Service, several studies have shown that volunteers have lower mortality rates, better health, and lower levels of depression.

If That Isn’t Enough…

In case you still are not convinced, Chicago Cares Service Events Coordinator, Megan Germain, explains her motivation for volunteering:

“I would not consider myself a very religious person, rather more spiritual, but Luke 12:48 says, “To whom much is given is much required.”  I certainly do not have oodles of time and money to give away; however, I still have a lot to be thankful for.  I have a warm, safe house, a loving family, and nutritious food at every meal.  

Money may not be something I can easily part with, but I can sacrifice an extra hour or two a week that I would ordinarily spend in front of the television or on Facebook.  My time is better used helping others to achieve safe, warm housing or a good meal.  Much has been given to me in life, via pure luck, hard work, or other’s generosity.  It is merely my civic duty to pay that forward.  Imagine if everyone were to give of their time as it equates with the blessings in their lives - what would the world be like?”

Spread Some Cheer...Throughout the Year!

It’s that time of year once again!  Feasts are being planned.  Gift lists are being made.  Festive moods and generous spirits are abundant.  Right around this time, Chicago Cares starts receiving calls from people who want to volunteer in a way that will make someone’s holiday a little brighter.  We also want to spread the cheer and have several opportunities for those wishing to give back all season-long.  Please note that our Thanksgiving programs filled up quickly, as do all of our holiday celebrations, so be sure to sign up early!

Most of our children’s programs that take place at various schools and agencies around the city will be celebrating the season with special activities and field trips, especially on December 4.  You can also pack food baskets at Breakthrough Urban Ministries in East Garfield Park on December 22 to ensure that local families can enjoy a warm Christmas dinner together.  On December 24, you can help prepare and serve a hearty holiday meal for the women at Deborah’s Place on the Near North Side.

Chicago Cares is also going caroling on December 11 and 18!  Break out your fuzzy hats and warm up your vocal chords – although no choral experience is required!  Join other volunteers and some Chicago Cares staff to bring joy to seniors at several nursing homes and independent-living facilities around the city!  Song books and refreshments will be available, as well as transportation between the sites.  Remember to sign up early to secure a spot!

We are grateful for the abundance of eager individuals who want to volunteer this time of year, and we often hear from our partners that they also see an increase in volunteers around the holidays.  This season certainly brings out the best in people and some are disappointed if there isn’t space left at special holiday projects.  On behalf of all those we serve, we would like to encourage everyone to remember that the needs being met on holidays can also be met every other day of the year, too!  If your favorite project is already full, why not try a new one the following week or maybe even the following month?   After the holiday festivities have quieted down and people have returned to their regular schedules, you may just cross paths with the same seniors or same children on a day when they really need some extra attention – and that interaction may mean the world to them.

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.

Lead at Chicago Cares' Annual Celebration of Service!

Celebration of Service is coming up on Saturday, January 15, 2011 and with the holidays fast approaching, that day will be here before you know it!  On this day, we celebrate the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. of community and non-violence.  To that end, we also celebrate the fact that people are the answer.  Community and non-violence cannot be achieved simply out of legislation, financial contributions, or a quiet life.  It takes many people to participate and invest, and it takes leadership to help drive this change.

 In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time: the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence.  Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation.  The foundation of such a method is love.”  As a Project Site Manager (“PSM”), you can be an example of this love through service and leadership.

During Celebration of Service, Chicago Cares will send out approximately 4,000 volunteers throughout the city of Chicago to aid schools and non-profit agencies in facility improvement and beautification projects, as well as engage youth, seniors, and adults with disabilities in fun, interactive and educational programs.

We need experienced leaders to join this effort and make a difference in both the organizations we serve as well as in our individual volunteers.  This is one day that can lead to a year of excited school spirit for a student who will be walking down newly painted halls; one day where memories of conversations had between seniors and youth will be remembered fondly; one day that can jump start a lifetime of service for a volunteer! 

Watch your e-mail for an invitation to sign up as a Project Site Manager soon.  The team at Chicago Cares will make sure you receive all the training you need to make this day a success.  Thank you in advance on behalf of all the lives you will be affecting!

Thank You, Leaders!

During the holiday season most of us reflect on our year and our family, and start to get introspective.  During Thanksgiving you might share your thankfulness for others around the dinner table with family and friends.  In the spirit of thankfulness, the Chicago Cares family wants to personally say “THANK YOU” to all of our treasured leaders and volunteers!

We love all of our volunteers, but without the dedication of our leaders we wouldn’t be able to serve even a small percentage of the organizations we partner with or offer opportunities for even a portion of the volunteers that we have!  Below are just a few of the many reasons the Chicago Cares team loves our leaders. 

“I am thankful for the amount of time and dedication each of our leaders gives to their programs and students.  Our leaders are the most energetic, inspiring people!  I am motivated every week by their stories and updates.”  -Alisha G. Flores

“I’m thankful for our volunteer leaders because their impact extends beyond any one project they lead.  Each Youth in Service project is just as much about encouraging youth volunteers on a path of continued service as it is about meeting community needs.  The multiplying effect our leaders can have is humbling.”  -Erin Rasler

“I love that our leaders get so invested in their programs – they are really dedicated to the work they do and constantly help us improve our programs.  With all the projects we have every month, it’s impossible to be at every one and see where we can improve.  Having such great leaders at our projects enables us to make sure all our programs are the best they can possibly be for our community partners and volunteers.”  -Joyce Cruz

"Chicago Cares leaders are the only reason I haven’t gone COMPLETELY bald…” – Dan Alberti

So THANK YOU LEADERS for your passion, enthusiasm, commitment and for encouraging us through the busy times so we don’t lose our hair!  Without you Chicago Cares could not exist.

Giving Students a Chance to Explore Their Passions at Hinton

Every time I am asked the question, “Which school is your favorite to work with?” I immediately know the answer: Hinton Elementary. Hinton is one of my favorite schools to work with because the students are excited to learn alongside the volunteers and the activities completed have a huge impact in students’ lives.

Saturday mornings at Hinton elementary are special, with students being able to choose from four Chicago Cares education programs: History Hunters, Students on Stage, Read-with-Me, or School News. This enables the students to explore topics that they do not have the time to investigate during the regular school day. These programs also represent a space for creativity as well as promote a way for students to develop critical social skills, both which provide support for academic achievement.

For me, participating alongside the 3rd through 8th graders at Hinton Elementary School is a relaxing way to spend a Saturday morning. I am always greeted with big, smiling faces from the students, who are energetically eager to participate in the day’s activity.

What I like the most about participating in the programs at Hinton is that there is something for all of the volunteers to choose from, depending on their own personal interests. And, the big, smiling faces that the students have at the close of each Saturday program make me count down the days on my calendar until the next project.