Here are the top 5 reasons WE NEED YOU!

5. Because You’re New to the City. It can take a while to find your niche in a place like Chicago and Serve-a-thon is a wonderful way to meet new people who share your passion for service, as well as a chance to see thriving neighborhoods that you didn’t even know existed! At Serve-a-thon, many of our volunteers are part of corporate teams, so it can also be a fantastic networking opportunity.

4. Because You Love to Work With Your Hands. Painting, building, landscaping; these aren’t the sort of projects that most apartment-dwellers get to tackle very often. At Serve-a-thon you can give your two hands to paint a hallway and when we combine it with the work of thousands of other volunteers, it means improved learning environments for over 15,000 Chicago Public School students.

3. Because You’re Competitive. Sometimes the greatest motivator is the chance to win! Serve-a-thon isn’t just about improving schools, it’s also the largest fundraiser for Chicago Cares. Get your friends together to form a team and then challenge another group to see who can collect the most donations. Your alumni club can challenge your arch rivals, your company’s business department can take on your marketing department, or maybe it’s finally payback time for that softball team that beat you in intramurals last season. There’s nothing wrong with a little healthy competition, especially when it’s the Chicago community that ultimately wins!

2. Because You’re Artistic. From mosaics to murals, Serve-a-thon has a project for the artist in you. Many of our site principals have talked about the positive impact that inspirational art has in the day-to-day lives of their students. You can be part of making these beautiful works of art come to life, leaving a lasting impact on the school community you’re serving.

1. Because It’s Not About You! The number one reason to join us for Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon is to support the needs and affirm the value of over 15,000 students in our city. The funds raised will also sustain more than 200 ongoing group volunteer projects around Chicago, all year long. Everyday we have to deal with the needs of our own jobs, our own health and our own families. Serve-a-thon is a chance, for one day, to focus on the needs of others in our community; and that may be the best reason of all to get involved.

Serve-a-thon is June 9 and registration closes on Monday, June 4.
Sign up to join us today!

With over 98% of the enrolled students coming from low-income households and nearly 10% needing special education, this can feel like a lofty goal at times. However, under the careful leadership of Principal Shabazz, Ross Elementary is making a difference in the lives of hundreds of students and creating an encouraging environment to learn and grow.

Many Chicago Cares volunteers leave a service event at Ross Elementary wanting to come back for more, and that is precisely what three volunteers have done following their time at this year’s Celebration of Service in January. Two college students have chosen to come back to the school on a monthly basis to help organize library books, design bulletin boards, or complete whatever other task Dr. Shabazz assigns. Another volunteer brought in craft supplies for a group of 3rd-5th grade girls to create and decorate their own book bags based on a story they had read.

Part of what makes Ross Elementary so special is the dedication of the students to learn and their willingness to challenge themselves to meet their goals. The Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund is an award designed to, “give high school scholarship assistance and educational support to Chicago students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.” As part of the application process, students must demonstrate academic potential, strong character and financial need.

This year two students from Ross Elementary received this prestigious scholarship. One will be attending Chicago Hope Academy downtown, and another will be attending Wayland Academy, a college preparatory school in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

The students, staff, and administration are very protective of the work that Chicago Cares does at the school. Last year, Dr. Shabazz caught students (not from the school) attempting to steal the plywood murals that volunteers completed during Serve-a-thon 2011. He caught the offenders and made sure that they completed service hours at the school for every mural taken.

You can support the inspiring work of neighborhood schools like Ross Elementary; join us for Serve-a-thon on June 9. Registration closes on June 4, so sign up today!

In preparation for June 9, we want to share a few of the school stories that you’ll get to experience first-hand at Serve-a-thon. Chicago Cares has been working with these schools for months to ensure that the work that you accomplish as a volunteer will have a lasting, positive impact on students and the community.

Peeling paint at Stevenson

Stevenson Elementary serves families living in the southwest side of Chicago. Serve-a-thon volunteers will be doing a variety of projects at this site, including painting classrooms, hallways and the playlot; landscaping the outdoor areas and creating an inspirational mural. The parents at Stevenson could not be more excited to have Chicago Cares volunteers serving their school! Along with the general preparations that have to be made, parents will be showing off their hospitality by cooking a meal for all of their site volunteers, welcoming them into the Stevenson community.

Great Expectations at Hale

Also located on the southwest side, Hale Elementary School has a vision that, “All students including those with disabilities and English Language Learners, are educated in the least restrictive environment to their full potential and are prepared to take their place in society as literate, compassionate, productive and responsible citizens.” None of the staff can remember that last time their walls were painted, so it’s been at least a decade since this school has seen the simplest of cosmetic improvements. Besides painting, volunteers at Hale will also work on the school’s playlot, build benches for classrooms, create murals and more.

Out-dated paneling at Fairfield

Fairfield Elementary Academy is located in the West Englewood neighborhood and is home to another group of committed parents. This school has not been painted in over 15 years and the hallways are covered in a dark, safari-themed paneling. Neither the principal nor the students are especially inspired by this old-fashioned design, so parents are spending their free time stripping the paneling and preparing the walls for Serve-a-thon volunteers to paint. By doing this time-consuming work themselves, Fairfield parents and teachers are ensuring that your work will have the greatest impact on their students.

Holden students love the playlot volunteers painted in 2011

We’ll return to Holden Elementary this year, a site that included mural, hallway and playlot painting at Serve-a-thon 2011. This bright school in Bridgeport encourages students to think creatively and supports their work with artistic installations throughout the building. Volunteers at Holden will continue the painting theme with the school’s lunchroom and classrooms. In addition, the school’s preschool building will receive 4 exterior murals to welcome even the youngest students to an exciting day of learning.

We’re proud to be able to support that work that these and many other dedicated communities are doing to create amazing schools in every Chicago neighborhood. As a Serve-a-thon volunteer, you are showing students in these schools that they are valued members of our Chicago community. Your work may be cosmetic in nature but it is so much deeper in impact.

We hope that you’ll join us at the Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon!

With just two and a half weeks left until Chicago’s premiere service event, we’re busy putting the finishing touches on our Serve-a-thon plans! Of course, like all Chicago Cares projects, we can’t truly succeed without help from our dedicated community of volunteers. Our core belief is that together, we can make a difference; which means we need you!

Here are 5 simple ways that you can help us make Serve-a-thon a success!

1. Register
   Serve-a-thon registration closes on Monday, June 4. If you’ve been meaning to get to it, now is the time! The impact of Serve-a-thon is greatest when we are able to accomplish all of the projects planned at our Chicago Public School sites. Without enough volunteers, some projects have to be cut. With a strong volunteer showing, we can help our local schools receive all of the benefits of service that they need and do it quickly and efficiently!
2. Recruit
   If you are already signed up, then invite a friend! Like we said, having a large number of volunteers to accomplish so many different tasks is really what makes Serve-a-thon so special. Asking friends and co-workers to join your Serve-a-thon team will also give you a more memorable service experience as you spend the day serving and celebrating together!
3. Fundraise
   The money raised at Serve-a-thon allows Chicago Cares to operate hundreds of volunteer programs each and every month, free of charge to the people and organizations that we’re serving. In a recent survey, 100% of our community partners said that Chicago Cares programs are important to their work and 63% of our community partners said that they have been able to increase services to their clients thanks to the work of Chicago Cares volunteers. Your Serve-a-thon donations will be used to strengthen Chicago on a daily basis.
4. Wake Up Early
   If you’re a morning person, consider joining our Serve-a-thon Hospitality Crew! You will help the helpers by serving volunteers as they get checked in and charged up for their day of service. You’ll have a backstage pass to the opening rally at Daley Plaza and you’re invited back in the afternoon to join us for the closing celebration, complete with free food, drinks and live music.
5. Lead
   If you’ve been volunteering with Serve-a-thon for a while and feel that you may be ready for something different, consider becoming a Serve-a-thon Leader. You’ll get to meet new people as you work with the leader team at your Chicago Public School site and you’ll build real-world skills in project management and leadership. You’ll see a whole new side of Serve-a-thon when you sign up as a leader!

Remember to invite friends’ spouses/significant others. I got a group of my girlfriends to register, and them told them to invite their boyfriends. Several of them are now joining our team. This was an easy way to get more people to sign-up.
-Megan

Aside from just emailing your potential team members, I think it’s important to reach out to those you think might be interested in service or volunteering personally, whether it’s face-to-face, a phone call or an individual email. It also gives you an opportunity to learn a bit more about your team members and what types of volunteer opportunities that they are interested in. If they aren’t able to volunteer for Serve-a-thon, they still may be able to volunteer for another Chicago Cares project.

Another tip is to talk about the projects you’ve been involved in so that your team members know what type of impact Chicago Cares programs have and how their participation plays an important role in that impact.

Lastly, in an email communication to your potential team members, list who is already on your team. That might help persuade others to join in on the team building experience.
-Ruth

Just spread the word! When you’re trying to do something for a good cause, don’t be afraid to talk to people and share the message. We went straight to the top and had a meeting with our AD, who then let us talk to all the coaches. It may not be everyone’s thing, but it never hurts to share the goal.

Also, it’s okay if people don’t respond, don’t take it personally. There are so many pressing issues in this crazy world we live in that they may have other items on the top of their agenda. It doesn’t mean that your project or their project is more or less important. At the end of the day at least you plant a seed and maybe next year they may be inclined to participate or donate. Sometimes the first step is getting it started. You can’t finish the race unless you start it!
-CeCe

There’s still time to build your Serve-a-thon team, or join the race and get started!

Unfortunately, all of this energy has the potential to cause delays and frustrations as you travel to your Chicago Cares projects across the city. There are no direct restrictions at any of our sites, however with security on high-alert for all mass transit options and closures within the Interstate system, it’s a good idea to give yourself extra time to navigate the city.

The CTA has created a helpful webpage where you can find the schedule of necessary bus re-routes. The ‘L’ is expected to run normally since it operates on a private right-of-way. However, an increase in riders may cause some delays, so it’s best to plan accordingly.

If you travel by Metra, be sure to take a moment to review their revised schedules. Metra has implemented a wide range of safety measures during the NATO Summit. Passengers may see an increased law enforcement presence and K-9 units.

In addition, the following safety measures apply to riders of all Metra lines during the three days (May 19, 20 and 21) of the summit:

1. Riders may be subject to search and/or screening before boarding or while en route.
2. Riders may carry only one bag not exceeding 15 inches square and 4 inches deep. Boxes, parcels, luggage, backpacks and bicycles will not be allowed on trains. Banned items cannot be stored at Metra stations. They must be removed or they will be disposed of.
3. Riders may not carry any food on the trains. Liquids and personal effects (such as makeup) must be less than three ounces in size. This includes coffee and other beverages. Breast milk can be carried but is subject to inspection and should be declared during any screening.
4. Riders may not carry any type of tools, pipes, stakes, wood or weapons, including pocket knives and pepper spray, on the trains.
5. Law enforcement personnel must identify themselves and present their credentials and any weapons. Armed security guards will need to provide proper credentials and be subject to verification prior to boarding.

Failure to comply with these safety measures or instructions from law enforcement personnel, or attempted avoidance of screening, will result in ejection from the station or further police action.

To get up to the minute information about traveling in Chicago, you may want to consider signing up for Notify Chicago. This free subscription will provide you text or voicemail alerts related to traffic disruptions, weather alerts, health alerts and major incidents.

It may take a little longer but you can still have a great weekend volunteering in Chicago. Just be sure to plan your route, check for last-minute alerts and fill your iPod with some new podcasts to keep things interesting if you end up delayed.

Safe travels!

PAs are vital in making sure that other volunteers get the attention and direction that they need and help ensure that everyone has a great day of service! If you can’t commit to the entire day, or just prefer to serve behind-the-scenes, volunteering as a PA may be the perfect fit. There are opportunities for early birds and late starters; you can sign up for one or both shifts.

And of course, no matter what time you volunteer, all of our PAs are welcome to join us back at Daley Plaza for our evening celebration with free food, drinks and live music!

For Early Birds (6:30 am-10:00 am):

Check-in

• Meet and greet registered volunteers as they sign-in for the event.
• Assist with youth and adult volunteer check-in process
• Assist with Bus Ambassador check-in

Hospitality Crew

• Help with behind-the-scenes operations such as bus loading and lunch distribution.
• Welcome volunteers as they arrive
• Assist with the volunteer check-in process
• Labeling event buses
• Bus loading
• Distribute lunches to volunteers

Volunteer Assistance

• Welcome volunteers and provide assistance at the information tent.
• Welcome volunteers as they arrive
• Serve coffee to volunteers
• Assist volunteers at the information tent

For Late Starters (1:30 pm-5:30 pm):

Check-in

• Welcome volunteers as they return from service projects and assist them with the sign in process.
• Assist with the bus unloading process
• Help to check-in volunteers

Logistics

• Help with the set up of food and beverage tents and assist with food and beverage distribution at the after party.
• Welcome volunteers as they return to Daley Plaza
• Assist with the volunteer check-in process
• Help to serve beverages and food to volunteers as we celebrate a day of service

Many of his experiences including being a veteran and being homeless have led him to Chicago Cares as well as the other organizations of service where he spends his time. Melvin is the President/CEO of Thomas Bridgmon Outreach Ministries. Melvin started this outreach ministry in 2009, which helps address the hunger issues homeless individuals experience on the weekends. He is currently a student at Olive-Harvey College majoring in Computer Sciences. We are proud to have Melvin as a leader and we are inspired by his dedication to Annual Events and his overall service to the Chicago community.

Chicago Cares: Melvin, can you share with us how long you have been volunteering with Chicago Cares and what projects you have led?

Melvin: I have been a volunteer leader for three years. My first role as a leader was leading the letter murals project at Scott Joplin during Serve-a-thon 2010. The following year, I lead the same project at Betsy Ross during Serve-a-thon 2011. I was very proud to participate at Betsy Ross because I am an alumnus of Betsy Ross. In 2012, I returned to Betsy Ross as a Primary Leader during the Celebration of Service.

Chicago Cares: The impact that volunteers such yourself can have serving in their own communities is tremendous! What has motivated you to devote your time to volunteering and leadership?

Melvin: As a veteran and formerly homeless individual, I received help from people who cared about my condition. Their commitment inspired me to return the wealth of help through volunteering, by feeding the homeless, reading with children and tutoring individuals on using computer programs. Although Chicago Cares is my home, I volunteer with the Chicago Food Depository on food recovery events at McCormick Place. It is our job to help our neighbors.

Chicago Cares: What is your favorite neighborhood to serve as a volunteer?

Melvin: I really don’t have a specific neighborhood. Since I am on public transportation, I volunteer in an area that doesn’t require a long commute.

Chicago Cares: What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an Annual Events leader? How did you overcome it?

Melvin: I had a bad experience the first year I led a letter mural project. I was short of volunteers in order to finish my project on time. I had to work on two of the murals simultaneously. And a few of my volunteers claimed they had to use the wash room. I was left with four murals staring me in the face. Unbeknownst to me, they recruited their friends to help me. When my volunteers came back to work. They told me they had been watching me work. One of my volunteers got me a seat and told me to sit down and eat my lunch. Another volunteer took the leadership role. She told everyone else to direct all questions to her. It was a bad situation that turned out to be great.

Chicago Cares: What advice would you share with others who are interested in becoming a volunteer leader?

Melvin: Always place yourself the position of the person you are leading. Be compassionate, everyone’s time is precious. With that being said, volunteer your skills unselfishly. The reward is serving the best interest of our neighbors. Inspire everyone around you no matter how bad you feel. Sooner or later someone will cheer you on and make your day.

Congratulations to Melvin for being May’s Leader of the Month!

If you are interested in learning more about being a leader with our Annual Events Service Team like Melvin, contact Kim Thomas or call 312-780-0800 ext. 125. Registration is open for the 19th Annual Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon on June 9th, 2012!

Panelists included Nobel Peace Prize winners and leading peace activists from across the globe. Seeing people from different cultures and walks of life interact in respectful, appreciative, and collaborative dialogue was refreshing.

The Summit was purposefully focused on youth this year. Being in a room filled with engaged students was very powerful. Through the excitement, though, the ultimate question, “What can I do about it?” loomed at all times. Thankfully, there is an answer.

Professor Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Laureate, 1997, shared it loud and clear when she was asked how to get involved and be a part of making a difference, “Volunteer!”

Jody started as a volunteer and worked her way into a life of full-time peace advocacy. Jody recommended to everyone listening that they start by finding an issue they care about. Then, find an organization that does something for that issue and volunteer with them. Finally, continue to learn and grow and share what you learn with others.

Here’s your chance. Follow the theme of the summit and “Speak Up, Speak Out” by volunteering with Chicago Cares.

Find a project that you feel makes a difference in your community. Go to that project, volunteer your time, volunteer your energy, volunteer your mind. Be open to learning from the people who work at the organization, from the clients you are spending time with, from your volunteer leader, and from your fellow volunteers. Then do it again and talk about your experiences. Share what you’ve learned, share how it made you feel, and continue to ask questions.

My hope for peace and equality is one of the many things that drives the work I do at Chicago Cares. I hope I can help you find what you are passionate about. Come be a part of building the future of our community. Volunteer.

Today’s post is by Wendy Neuert
Director of Human Service & Community Service Partnerships

As an organization that builds education programs, we have had the honor of getting to know some of Chicago’s best teachers. We witness, firsthand, the inspiration that dedicated educators provide to students throughout our city, on a daily basis.

Our staff took a moment to reflect on the teachers that helped shape our paths during our years in school. What we discovered, is that it is often the things that seem to go unnoticed that have the greatest impact. Here are a few of our stories.

“Mrs. Huffman, my 5^th grade teacher, taught me to dream big and care for others. She not only inspired me to go out of my comfort zone and try new things but taught me the importance of being an active and compassionate citizen.”
Emily Collins
Senior Coordinator, Education

“My fondest teacher memory was of my high school French teacher, Madame Crachiola.  Her classroom was off the main hallway and I would have to pass it before going home for the day.  Every day I would stop in and say goodbye to her and we would just have a little chat. It was just enough time for me to let off some steam and process my day and I always left her classroom a little lighter and ready to take on the rest of my post-school day. Taking the time to recharge and re-energize with thoughtful conversation has been a lesson that I carry with me through today.”
Amy DeLorenzo
Coordinator, Human Services

“I will always remember my 8^th grade teacher Mr. Stallings. He challenged me to work beyond my abilities and skill level. For a long time this was very frustrating, but he was persistent and always believed in his students. The self-confidence that I gained from his class still affects me to this day.”
Richard Jablonski
Coordinator, Corporate Volunteer Programs

“After several pop quizzes in French class included the word ‘restaurant’ our French teacher, Madame Ver, asked the class why we kept getting the spelling wrong in French. Many excuses later, she taught us the spelling in French was the same as in English! Moral of the story: don’t complicate simple things-life is complicated enough by itself.”
Elise Cochran
Office Manager

Thank you to all of the teachers who gave their time and talent to help ensure that each of us would grow up to be well-rounded citizens. Your service to the community is one of the guideposts that has led us to our present work and continues to give us hope for the future.