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.