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Governor Pat Quinn proclaimed May 7 -11, 2012 as Senior Corps Week in Illinois. Senior Corps connects volunteers 55 and older with people and organizations to serve as mentors, coaches, or companions to those in need. As part of the press release of the proclamation, some of the projects around the state were mentioned including the  project of HOSC’s RSVP program.

• Arlington Heights – May 9, 2012. RSVP will participate in the Senior Celebration Day, which is open to all seniors. Information about volunteer opportunities will be available. Other activities include free health screenings, “Ask the Doctor” panel and entertainment.

Read the Governor’s proclamation.

 RSVP is joining in the nationwide celebration of Senior Corps Week, May 7-11, 2012. The week is dedicated to celebrating, recognizing, and highlighting the extraordinary contributions that RSVP volunteers make through their service in our communities each and every day. Senior Corps Week spotlights the impact of the more than 450,000 Senior Corps program volunteers in communities across the nation.   HandsOn Suburban Chicago is proud to have been the sponsor of the RSVP of Northern Cook and Northern DuPage Counties since 1992. This program matches people 55 and older with local organizations that work to better the community. Annually over 950 volunteers work with 130 nonprofit organizations throughout 45 cities and towns in Northern Cook and Northern DuPage Counties.

 

While we have chosen to spotlight the five following individuals’ volunteer experiences, RSVP acknowledges the significant contributions of all of our senior volunteers who continue to donate their time, talents and resources to making a difference in the lives of so many.

Thank You – You Are Appreciated!

 

Fred Geinosky, RSVP Volunteer at Sheila Ray Adult Center

Fred Geinosky

After retiring in 2002 as a Senior Systems Director for Allstate Insurance Company, Fred Geinosky decided to put his MBA and years of finance experience towards a number of volunteer activities. Among these is the AARP Tax-Aide Program. It is the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service made available to taxpayers with low and moderate incomes, with special attention given to clients age 60 and over. For the past 10 years, Fred, along with 16 other volunteers, has been preparing tax returns for seniors at the Sheila Ray Adult Center in Elk Grove Village. Fred states that, “During each of the past few years, we’ve averaged 450 to 500 federal returns here at our Elk Grove Village site.”

Tax preparation services are provided on an appointment only basis and no qualified client – limited to the scope of his or her schedule, – is ever turned down by Fred and his fellow volunteers. The facilities, computers and handling of all the publicity, and scheduling of appointments is provided by the Sheila Ray Adult Center.

Fred speaks proudly of his fellow volunteers at the Sheila Ray Center who, “willingly donate their time, knowledge and efforts.”

Promoting economic opportunity to economically disadvantaged persons is what this group annually strives for and their rewards are clearly evident. “Nationally acclaimed organizations may charge an average of $200 per tax return. Multiply that figure by 450 to 500 federal returns! Since our services are free of charge, we’re looking at an annual cumulative savings of between $90,000 and $100,000!” As Fred Geinosky puts it, “Our greatest satisfaction comes from seeing the smiles on our clients’ faces and hearing their thanks as they walk away with their returns, completed free of charge.

Richard O’Brien, RSVP Volunteer at Sunny Hill School, Carpentersville

Richard O'Brien

Teaching kids the Japanese art of origami while learning how to count in Spanish? Such is only a fragment of Richard O’Brien’s curriculum at Sunny Hill Elementary School in Carpentersville where, for the past three years, he has been volunteering as a tutor/teacher’s assistant every Monday through Wednesday during the school year.

A retired high school teacher, Richard currently works with first, third, fourth and fifth graders, usually on an hourly, one-on-one basis, addressing each student’s area of academic need.

“As a grandfather of five from elementary to junior high age, I really enjoy working with the young ones at this more personal level that certainly was not the norm when teaching high school!”

As Sunny Hill School incorporates an 87.6% percentage of low income families and a 55.89% level of limited-English proficiency, many of its students encounter certain obstacles to learning. It is especially difficult, he observes, for first graders who are making the transition; they must be given extra time and attention until they become acclimated to their classroom environment.

One of the challenges Richard himself confesses to is, “…my limited ability to speak Spanish which is the number one language spoken in the students’ homes.” Surprisingly, he adds, “When I started there three years ago, tutoring strictly fourth graders, I was asked not to speak Spanish…the majority of these older students are bi-lingual.” He goes on to say, “The kids get a kick out of helping me with my Spanish! They’ll say, ‘Okay, Mr. O’Brien, now we’re going to count to ten: uno…dos…tres…!’”

When tutoring his young pupils, Richard likes to bring to the classroom the experiences of his various travels and years spent living abroad. “I introduced them to the Japanese art of origami and a favorite project of ours is making paper cranes. It’s fun to spark their interest and see how creative they get.”

One of Richard’s most memorable accomplishments involves a brief, historic play with a subtle social message. “Four of our fourth grade girls and I performed this play for the class. It was so well received that we ended up giving seven performances to other classes in that wing of the school! It was such a compliment to the talent of these little girls and a great source of pride for me.”

It would seem that once a teacher, always a teacher, and as long as there remains a need at Sunny Hill School, Richard O’Brien has undoubtedly found his special niche!

Nick Grasso, RSVP with Palatine Emergency Management Agency

Nick Grasso

Nick Grasso, will tell you that he and his family have experienced 25 years of fulfillment and prosperity in the city of Palatine. A community-conscious man, Nick continually strives to give back to his immediate neighbors and fellow citizens, by serving as a volunteer in many local areas.

One of his involvements is with the Palatine Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), an organization which provides emergency services and disaster relief to the community’s 68,000 residents. To become a volunteer for PEMA, it requires 20 hours of classroom training and two online classes in addition to various exercises that must be completed at the end of the training session. “While this may seem grueling and extensive,” he said, “it only scratches the surface of what is required in preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies and disasters both natural and manmade.” He uses a severe thunderstorm as an example: “In the aftermath of a violent storm, our group goes wherever we are needed. Maybe it’s directing traffic at the intersection of Hicks and Dundee Roads after a power outage. Sometimes it’s filling and providing sandbags to potential flood areas or setting up barricades in front of fallen power lines in a subdivision. Sometimes it’s assisting the Palatine Public Works in the removal of fallen branches that are blocking streets and sidewalks.”

Nick also extends his volunteer services to managing the Map Your Neighborhood (MYN) program described as “a new educational tool being used by PEMA to promote neighborhood disaster preparedness” or, as Nick simply puts it, “Neighbors helping neighbors”. In times of multiple emergencies—floods, ice  storms, tornados, and chemical spills that cause prolonged power outages—MYN volunteers serve as back-up crew to police, firefighters, paramedics and public works personnel whose mission is to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people in the shortest amount of time, and this can become overwhelming to them. “In the days that pass before professional first responders can get to a specific area, local residents need to be self-reliant, maybe for as long as two or three days. Through a detailed 9-step process, we teach them how to take care of themselves, their family, their home and then how to assist their neighbors in the hours and/or days immediately following an emergency.”

When Nick isn’t working with fellow volunteers at PEMA and MYN, he’s busy delivering meals to Palatine’s homebound sick and elderly. The “Meals-on-Wheels” program consists of six residential routes, with the volunteer on each route using his or her own vehicle and paying for their own gas. “We are usually on the road each weekday from 10:30 a.m. until about noon. Each recipient receives one hot meal and one cold pack.” In addition to bringing meals, Nick extends another kind of service to those on his route: a friendly and often sympathetic ear. “The majority of these people live by themselves—usually widows and widowers who get lonely. I try to spend a little extra time chatting with them.” He also derives pleasure from the knowledge that the Palatine “Meals-on-Wheels” program enables seniors to remain in their own homes, enjoying an extended quality of life. “These are people who want to be independent for as long as possible and it’s a good feeling to be helping to foster that independence.”

Since 2008, Nick Grasso has served as a volunteer in Palatine and plans to continue his involvement. “Life has been good to me and my family. If by volunteering, I can improve the life of one person, one family, one neighborhood, then I will have done something meaningful.”

Maria Albrecht, RSVP Volunteer Schaumburg Township Senior Services

Maria Albrecht

Maria Albrecht is a retiree who enjoys working with her hands. For 26 years, they were kept busy assembling control and communication devices for the Larry McGee Company in Buffalo Grove. She confesses that, “When I retired from there three years ago, I became very depressed just being around the house all day. I was bored and restless and no longer felt useful to anyone.”

Determined to conquer those feelings and move forward, Maria joined the Schaumburg Township Volunteer Program and suddenly her days were filled and her hands were busy knitting various articles of clothing for residents in need! “I knit a lot of different things—baby blankets and baby outfits and lap afghans for the handicapped.” Her unique specialty, however, is knitting hats for those serving in the military. She explains that these are hats worn underneath soldiers’ helmets for extra warmth, comfort and protection, especially during combat.

“I knit between 20 and 25 of these hats per month. They’re of a one-size-fits-all variety and I always make them in dark colors—black, brown, navy and the like. To date, I’ve knitted about 240 of these under-helmet hats for our troops.”

Maria does her knitting at home and then brings her finished products to the Schaumburg Township location whereupon they are distributed to families and the hats are delivered to a VFW for shipment to the military. “Our people in the military are volunteering their services.

They’re away from their families and are making great sacrifices for our country. I’m not able to donate money, but I can make contributions in small ways like this.”  Maria views her second career as a “win-win situation.” “I’m again working with my hands and again feeling useful and needed.” More importantly, she adds, “I’m able to help others.”

Bob Smith, RSVP Volunteer HandsOn Suburban Chicago Veteran Programs

Bob Smith

Bob Smith’s first major volunteer effort was to the service of his country. Upon completion of high school, he enlisted in the military, attached to the US Army 5th Special Forces serving in Vietnam. Decades later, he became involved with several veteran related groups, among them Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans’ Advisory Board for the State of Illinois and the National Vietnam Veteran’s Art Museum in Chicago. He is also one of the founding members of the Warriors’ Watch Riders for the State of Illinois, and upon moving to Rolling Meadows in 1998, helped create the first Veterans Committee. The purpose of the Veterans’ Committee in Rolling Meadows is to recognize and honor services of its community’s veterans. As their mission statement affirms…“we will honor our nation’s warriors here at home and support their families while they fight for us abroad…”

“Over the last twenty years of living in the northwest suburbs, my volunteer focus has been on veterans and their issues. I average at least 40 hours per month volunteering for veterans’ groups or working in an advisory role for organizations like Warriors’ Watch Riders or serve directly as a mentor for returning veterans.”

As a Warriors’ Watch volunteer, Bob “accompanies” fallen service men and women as they are brought home from their tours of duty to their final resting places.

“At the request of the veteran’s family, Warriors’ Watch Riders will escort the fallen soldier from the airport or state line to the location of the service. We provide a flag line protecting the family and friends during their time of remembering and honoring their loved one.” Bob adds that, “Warriors’ Watch Riders also escort active duty military members to their assignments overseas or as they come home on leave after being away from family, it is a way to acknowledge their sacrifice and service to our country.”

Reflecting on his multi-faceted volunteer work with assorted veterans’ organizations, Bob said, “I have been very privileged over the years to work with so many volunteers and supporters that have a heart for the veterans.”

“The Warriors’ Watch Riders envision a day when every member of the United States Armed Forces, at home and abroad, and their families, feel appreciated, honored, respected and loved by the citizens they risk their lives to protect.

Our RSVP program has many volunteers to be proud of, these stories share some of the successes and impact our members make in our community.

To get involved in the RSVP program visit www.volunteerinfo.net or call Linda McLaughlin at 847-228-1006 ext 118.

 

HOSC was proud to nominate Linda Kielas for the 2012 Governor's Volunteer Service Award

Linda Kielas, an RSVP volunteer since 2006, was presented the 2012 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for the Northeast Illinois Senior Corps Member category during a reception at the Executive Mansion in Springfield on April 19th during National Volunteer Week.  Linda volunteers with the Palatine Emergency Management Agency.  HandsOn Suburban Chicago staff member, Linda Trilling, the Program Manager of Disaster Services, as well as the Palatine Village Emergency Manager, Tom Smith, attended the reception.  Linda Trilling nominated Linda for the leadership and service she has dedicated to the Emergency Management Agency.

“Every day in Illinois, thousands of volunteers donate their time and talents to help others and to build stronger communities.” Governor Quinn said. “We honor these individuals who have made a difference in our state and set an example for others to follow with their initiative, creativity and energy”. 

Linda, a retired Registered Nurse, has documented over 3200 hours as a Senior Corp/RSVP member and has committed her volunteer service to emergency preparedness. Her medical background has led her to be the past coordinator of Palatine Medical Reserve Corps, an active member of the Palatine Fire Rehab Team and a Citizen Emergency Response Trainer.  Linda is also a CPR/AED trainer and has certified over 145 residents with this life saving skill. 

“Linda certainly is most deserving recipient of this award.” Tom Smith said. “She epitomizes what volunteerism is all about. Palatine Village, PEMA and all her fellow volunteers could not be more proud.”

As if she is not busy enough in Palatine, Linda shares her gift of experience by volunteering with the Illinois Medical Emergency Response Team. She is ready to deploy at a moment’s notice to provide medical assistance during an disaster. 

Linda is a treasured RSVP volunteer who “Leads with Experience”.  If you would like information on RSVP or Emergency Preparedness volunteering, contact Linda Trilling at HandsOn Suburban Chicago, 847 228-1320.

Last night the 2012 Impact Award Recipients, Impact Award honourable mentions, nominators and nonprofit agency representatives joined the HandsOn Suburban staff, board members and the selection committee for the 2012 Impact Awards Reception. It was a fun night as HOSC board members shared each honoree’s story of service and the recipients took a moment to share about their experience. Descriptions of the recipients and honourable mentions have been posted on our web site.  A big thanks to Baxter International for sponsoring the reception and the Palatine Whole Foods for providing Italian themed gift baskets! Also, a huge thank you from the team here at HOSC to the selection committee: Karen Michalski, HandsOn Suburban Chicago Board Member; Mike Skowron, HandsOn Suburban Chicago Volunteer; Debbie Nelson, Interim President Schaumburg Business Association; Tiffany Lewis, former HOSC AmeriCorps VISTA; and Chris Cambell, Executive Director Executive Network Group.

Congratulations to all of the Impact Award Recipients and honorable mentions! We are proud to honor you all of you for going above and beyond and displaying the true spirit of volunteerism. You have all truly made our community a better place!

Below are a few photos from the evening. Click here for many more!

Outstanding volunteers recognized at Impact Awards Reception

Palatine Whole Foods provided Italian themed gift baskets

HOSC board member congratulating award recipient

Nominators, nonprofit agency representatives and family members joined in the celebration

HandsOn Suburban Chicago (HOSC) participated in the ITT Technical Institute (Mt. Prospect campus) Volunteer Fair on April 10th along with 18 area organizations.

The objective of this volunteer fair was to expose ITT Technical Institute students to the many opportunities available in volunteering, demonstrate how their efforts can make a difference in the community, while at the same time enabling them to garner valuable professional experience.

HOSC staff members, Emily Mihalcean and Patty Neuswanger, met with 16 current ITT Technical Institute students plus faculty and program directors to discuss how students might add additional relevant experience to their current academic endeavors by using their skills to help HOSC member nonprofits achieve their goals.

“Students are really interested in sharing their knowledge and getting involved,” said Patty Neuswanger, Schools and Youth Program Manager. 

Students pursuing Information Technology fields were very interested in the HandsOn Tech Chicago program. This initiative provides IT consulting to nonprofits and is managed by national AmeriCorps VISTA members supported by HandsOn Network and Google. 

“It was great having the opportunity to speak with each individual student at length, pinpointing their specific strengths and areas of interest. So many of the students seemed genuinely excited to have the opportunity to apply their skills in ways that will benefit the community,” said Emily Mihalcean, Managed Project Coordinator.

“HandsOn Suburban has been around for over 40 years but many area colleges and universities do not realize what a great resource we are for connecting students to learning opportunities through volunteerism,” said Neuswanger.    

HOSC is working to launch new Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) initiatives starting at the elementary level and that requires developing relationships with local colleges, universities and technical schools.  Within the capacity of such programs, college students serve both as academic tutors and mentors while also demonstrating to younger students the power and value of community service and volunteerism.

Chris Smith and Emily Mihalcean from HandsOn Suburban Chicago (HOSC) and Suellen Wolk, Penni Raphaelson and two staff members representing United Way of Northwest Suburban Chicago, joined Zurich employees in Schaumburg on March 29, 2012 to celebrate their commitment to community and its 100 year anniversary of insuring America. As part of Zurich’s year-long celebration, Zurich officially kicked off “100 Ways,” a challenge to the 10,000 Zurich employees in North America complete 100 projects of service alongside organizations like the American Red Cross, HandsOn Network, Habitat for Humanity, and the United Way throughout 2012.

For decades, HandsOn Suburban Chicago (formerly The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago) has worked closely with area businesses, large and small, to support employee volunteerism in the community. HOSC is pleased to have an opportunity to expand this support during 2012, to be a volunteer management resource to assist Zurich in North America employees in Schaumburg and throughout their offices in the United States and Canada with identifying and executing dozens of projects customized to fit within Zurich’s three primary focus areas: children in need, sustainable community development and health/safety.

HandsOn Suburban Chicago (HOSC), in collaboration with Community Consolidated School District 21 (CCSD21) is working to develop student leadership skills at Cooper, Holmes and London Middle Schools by providing an unique entertainment opportunity for students at all three schools.

As an offshoot of the CHiL21 Mentoring Program, student leadership teams at each school, supported with staff and community member assistance, will plan and execute an afterschool event at their respective schools in the month of May.

The objective of CHiL Out Days is to not only engage students in leadership and to learn life skills, but to provide their student populations with a chance to participate in a variety of activities currently not available as afterschool activities or clubs. Each school is offering between four and twelve individual activities, ranging from sports like floor hockey, dodge ball and rock climbing to artistic endeavors like origami, clothing design, acting and tai chi.  

The concept was launched in May of 2011 with each school providing the same four activities (soccer, cooking, video games and dance) and students allowed to make two choices.  The 3:30 to 5:30 event window allowed for two separate sessions of each activity and students made their choices in advance.

This year the scope of CHIL Out Days has been expanded.  Each school is selecting their own unique activities based on the discretion of the student leadership team and what they believe would be most appealing to their student population.  The second and perhaps more significant change is that not only are students planning the events, but they will be actively involved in executing the activities on the event day. 

London’s Assistant Principal, Diana O’Donnell says, “This opportunity has provided an authentic learning experience for students to utilize their strengths and plan an event for others.” She goes on to say that these opportunities are rare and hopes to see other schools model this initiative of engaging and challenging youth to become leaders. “It fulfills a need for students to learn leadership and life skills while also benefiting the student body in general,” said O’Donnell. 

Each school has already had their preliminary strategy meetings and between the three schools that includes about 62 student leaders, representing 6th, 7th and 8th grades.  Last year CHiL Out Days allowed over 400 students to enjoy a fun afternoon of positive, engaging entertainment and HOSC is optimistic that number will be even larger this year.

Gregg Crocker, Director of Community Service Education, CCSD21 has witnessed these student leaders at work in their strategy sessions and agrees that there are far reaching benefits. Crocker added, “when students are involved in real projects and allowed to make decisions, ownership emerges and they learn to walk past the word, NO.”

Student leaders have demonstrated their enthusiasm and skills through some creative efforts. A team at London is developing an iMovie production showing the variety of events that students can participate in while at CHiL Out Days.  Publicity posters and entertaining scripts to be shared as part of the school’s morning announcements, delivered in both English and Spanish, are part of the strategy to capture the attention of the student population and increase participation.

Obviously to make such events successful, there is a great deal of collaboration and planning between students, teachers, school administration and HOSC.  There is also a need for donated materials so activities can be accomplished and in order for all students to participate free of charge.

Patty Neuswanger, HOSC’s Schools and Youth Program Manager expressed that this is a great opportunity for members of the community and local businesses to get involved in the area schools by sharing their skills and resources. “We are always looking for volunteers to get involved and share their interests and expertise. Initiatives like this also provide area business a chance to donate supplies, share the skills of their employees and generate some publicity for their businesses, “Neuswanger said.

For more information about CHiL Out Days at Holmes, Cooper or London Middle School, to volunteer your time or to donate supplies, please contact Patty Neuswanger at schoolresources@volunteerinfo.net or call 847.228.1320×108.

HandsOn Suburban Chicago Seeks
Applicants for National Service Program

HandsOn Suburban Chicago, (HOSC) is a nonprofit whose mission is to inspire, equip and mobilize people to volunteer and take action that builds vibrant and prosperous communities HOSC serves Northern Cook and Northern Dupage counties with specialized programs throughout the Chicagoland area.  HOSC is looking for exceptional people to fill three year long positions in the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program, a federally funded initiative to eradicate poverty. 

VISTA candidates must be motivated, organized, and committed to service. Familiarity with technology and Microsoft Office programs is essential. A bachelor’s degree is a major plus, as is advanced proficiency in a foreign language, especially Spanish. 

The VISTA members will receive stipends and benefits for their full-time work on year-long, capacity-building projects in the following needs areas:

 ● Volunteer Recruitment and Training: targeted recruitment of volunteers to serve diverse populations; training nonprofits to work with youth volunteers, educational outreach

● Resource development: fundraising and/or grant seeking

 Deadlines:

VISTA Start Dates Application Deadline June 11-14, 2012 April 09, 2012 July 17-20, 2012 May 20, 2012 August 13-16, 2012 June 16, 2012

 

 Contact Info: Mary Fitzgibbons, Executive Director, HandsOn Suburban Chicago. 

Tel. 847-228-1006.  www.volunteerinfo.net  Email: maryfitz@volunteerinfo.net

 HandsOn Suburban Chicago, headquartered in Arlington Heights, has been helping social service agencies to meet community needs since 1969. Our programs include volunteer recruitment and referral, professional development training, consulting services, including technology assistance and direct service initiatives.

 For 40 years, AmeriCorps*VISTA has been helping bring communities and individuals out of poverty. Today, nearly 6,000 AmeriCorps*VISTA members serve in hundreds of nonprofit organizations and public agencies throughout the country. VISTA applicants must be at least 18 years of age (there is no upper age limit). VISTA members receive a modest living allowance, (must be able to live on about $900 a month; health benefits, and student loan deferment. Upon completing their terms of service, (40 hours a week full-time for one year) VISTA’s receive an education award (about $5000) or a cash bonus, ($1500) as well as non-competitive eligibility for federal civil service jobs. For more details about VISTA, visit www.americorps.gov.

For AmeriCorps Week (March 10th-March 18th), AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers from HandsOn Suburban Chicago located in Arlington Heights, Illinois, will be working with two local schools to initiate projects that address the environment and hunger.

At Cooper Middle School in Buffalo Grove, VISTAs are in the planning stages to head up a school beautification project that will coincide with Earth Day. Also, at Jack London Middle School located in Wheeling, VISTA volunteers are collaborating with school staff, local garden clubs as well as community members on implementation of an exciting and new school garden. Working together and with the support of VISTAs, school and community members are mapping out the garden, designating responsibilities and are thinking about long term goals like the addition of a greenhouse.

Experienced gardeners, builders or those who just want to get their hands dirty are more than welcome to join these activities.  This initiative also provides an opportunity to local businesses to get involved through the donation of supplies for the project.  For more information, please contact the Schools & Youth Program Manager at HandsOn Suburban Chicago, Patty Neuswanger at 847.228.1320 or by email at schoolresources@volunteerinfo.net.

Last week, as the result of a devastating tornado in Harrisburg, located in Southern Illinois, six people died and about 100 people were injured.  Among those responding to the disaster were local emergency managers from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.

Tom Smith, Palatine Emergency Management Coordinator and Diane Logsdon, President of the Northern Illinois Emergency Management Consortium, were deployed to southern Illinois Saturday, March 3, 2012 and spent 12 to 16 hours a day for the next three days working with local responders.

In 2002-03, an on-going Homeland Security Grant was awarded to HOSC’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, RSVP, to help expand disaster response efforts with local communities. At that time, HOSC began a partnership with the Palatine Emergency Management Agency/Citizen Corps which currently has nearly 200 active volunteers. Forty-five members of HOSC’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program serve with the local Palatine Citizen Corps and its CERT team in skills-based leadership roles.

Also deployed to the Harrisburg area were Barrington Deputy Fire Chief John Feit and Bob Dunne, Emergency Management Coordinator at Northfield Township.

Some information above was taken from a Palatine Patch story and submitted by Northern Illinois Emergency Management Consortium. Click here to see full story.

While the total damage is not yet compiled by Federal Emergency Management Agency, this community of 9,000 residents needs your help. Your donations will help the community start to rebuild and provide directly for those community members now in need. 

Monetary donations for the disaster relief should be directed to the following organizations:

• Southern Illinois Community Foundation, Harrisburg Disaster Relief Fund
  (All contributions collected will be paid to the Southern Illinois Community Foundation, Harrisburg Disaster Relief Fund. All donations are tax deductible.)
• The Salvation Army/ 10 West Locust/ Harrisburg, IL 62946
• Christian Compassion Care Center/ P.O. Box 422/ Harrisburg, IL 62946
• American Red Cross, Little Egypt Network/665 N. Airport Road, Suite 112/ Murphysboro, IL 62966

 Thank you and please indicate “Disaster Relief” on your donation.

Non-Monetary Donations

Those that wish to contribute in addition to monetary donations have been asked by Saline County officials to limit their donated goods to cleaning supplies, trash bags, rakes, and gloves. These donations will begin to be collected at the former “Mad Pricer” Grocery Store starting Wednesday, March 7. It is located at 701 N. Commercial, in the Arrowhead Shopping Center in Harrisburg. Donations contact information in Saline County is:

• Dan & Lisa Masters
  Ministerial Alliance
  618-449-1050
• or Chris Winkleman
  618-841-4456

For further information on the Harrisburg tornado or Illinois Emergency Preparedness and Planning for Emergencies and Disasters, go to:

ready.illinois.gov   

HandsOn Suburban Chicago (HOSC), in collaboration with Community Consolidated School District 21, has completed the second Trimester of the CHiL 21 mentoring/tutoring program at London and Cooper Middle Schools, serving a total of 70 students and engaging 65 mentors.

The program, which started as a pilot program in April 2011 was designed to enable students who wanted extra help with homework to stay after school, complete homework and also connect with a mentor who could serve as a role model.  The second trimester ended February 28th and continues to grow as students, mentors and staff  are seeing the positive impact this program delivers.

Joel, a sixth grader at London is happy to be in the program.  “Before CHiL, my math grade was a D-.  I’ve been getting better grades and now it’s up to an A-.”

London’s Assistant Principal, Diana O’Donnell shared that students are feeling successful, making improvements in their grades, reading fluency and math skills.  “This program is strengthening their overall feeling about school.”

O’Donnell says beyond just the academic benefits, kids enjoy the affective part of CHiL.  “They have an opportunity to build relationships with adults who have careers and experiences and learn from them.   I look forward to continuing the program.”

The beauty of the program is that it offers benefits to not just the students.  Tom Odishoo, who has recently retired, has served as a mentor since the program’s inception.  He said he’s always wanted to teach and help youngsters. “ I’ve met some great students and it’s been a lot of fun.   I feel I’ve really helped the students.”

The program runs simultaneously at Cooper and London Middle Schools on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 3:30-5:30.

Mentors are high school students, college students training for their education degree and community members who want to make a difference.

The final trimester for CHiL will begin on April 9th.  Anyone wishing to learn more about mentoring at either school, please contact Patty Neuswanger, Schools and Youth Program Manager at schoolresources@volunteerinfo.net

HandsOn Suburban Chicago takes a leadership role with helping local agencies leverage volunteer management best practices to overcome the growing gap between available funding and increasing community needs. Next week, February 28-March 1 volunteer managers, many of them new to the field, will come together for HOSC’s three day Excellence in Volunteer Management Certificate Course. Attendees will learn about best practices in volunteer management and find out more about a new “effective nonprofit management” concept that is taking hold across the country. Any organization can choose to become a “service enterprise.”  Each attendee will take home all the tools and resources needed to start or expand any volunteer program. Each day a professional panel will be available to answer questions and help find solutions for program challenges.  Recent trends and research from corporate, foundation and government sources will also be shared. 

The Reimagining Service cross sector initiative has verified that nonprofit leaders, who know how to integrate volunteers effectively throughout their organization to support program staff, can make their dollars go AT LEAST TWICE as far. We are seeing that the Boards and leadership teams of innovative nonprofits are looking more closely at their volunteer management programs as a strategic option, especially during these hard economic times when resources are so scarce both in the business and the nonprofit sectors. Since local, state and federal government programs are faced with debt and serious financial challenges, HOSC is excited to be able to offer a service solution that can help nonprofits help more people in need with less funds with only minor infrastructure adjustments. We predict that in the near future, organizations with effective volunteer programs will be getting more attention from both funders and the media. 

Meanwhile, many organizations that have been around for many years are just now seeing the importance of developing a “formal” volunteer program, launching new volunteer driven projects or starting a new enterprise within a nonprofit that can be sustained primarily by volunteer support. Learning more about effective volunteer management can lead to more corporate partnerships, program efficiencies and return on funder investments.  There are a few spaces left in next week’s class, sign up today. Since attending a course like this is just the beginning of what could be an organizational transformation, our experienced staff and pro bono partners will be ongoing resources for all attendees.  We have included a few quotes from former EVMTS alums for your review.

 Thanks again for a great class!  I took and passed the CVA exam in May. I am working on my portfolio now. Having taken the EVMTS recently was a benefit.

Elise C. Wall, Manager of Volunteer Services, Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice, Geneva, IL

 It was an honor joining you for the training sessions and I appreciate the inspiration you have given me to develop a professional volunteer program.  While it is difficult to find the time to review the information, I enjoyed taking the test and putting my ‘optimistic hat’ back on! 

Stephanie Heyer, Volunteer Coordinator, Taltree Arboretum & Gardens, Valparaiso, IN

It was a great training series and you’ll be happy to know that I have already been sharing the information with colleagues and began work on my plan to implement the wonderful tools I learned in your class.

 Jackie Endsley, IBEW Local 1547, Anchorage, Alaska 

I’m thrilled to report that we recently received a grant that is allowing me to spend about one day per week focusing on our volunteers and shaping a volunteer program.  Thank goodness for the Excellence in Volunteer Management Training I took from you.

Irene Brown, Administration and Volunteer Management, Barrington Area Council on Aging, Barrington IL

 After visiting Rome about 12 years ago, and having visited the Catacombs–the ancient tombs of the earliest Christians, I really believe that Valentine was a real person (and given antiquity, there most likely were others with similar names or name). And who, indeed, was one of the many martyrs of his time.  After having studied about the early history of Rome, it is also indeed true for a period of their history, that real love, and marriage was greatly disdained in the Roman culture. The emperor Claudius felt that if men weren’t married, they wouldn’t mind as much going off to fight in wars.  So, he made it illegal to marry at one point.  In many cultures and situations of the world today, the challenges of truly loving are as great or greater as the early Roman times.  In our small corner of the world, we too are not immune to the struggles of life. 

Today, we celebrate the triumph of love over difficulties and the thankfulness we feel for our friends,  families and communities.  We feel thankfulness for the chances we have to add love to our environments, however small sometimes we feel those loving acts of kindness are, and how difficult the challenges are.

I hope you enjoy this special day set aside to especially remember the joy of love, the joy of giving.  I am so thankful for you who volunteer and you who support them –you exemplify the meaning of love in the many kinds acts of service you routinely perform.  Because of your efforts and sacrifices, so many people are helped that otherwise would not be helped! 

I hope you have a great Valentine’s Day!

Sincerely,

Mary Fitzgibbons

Executive Director
HandsOn Suburban Chicago

For decades, HandsOn Suburban Chicago, formerly known as The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago, has been recognizing outstanding volunteers in our community for the positive impact they make on the lives of others. This year, we are continuing this tradition and inviting you, members of our community and local organizations, to nominate a volunteer(s) for their inspiring service to the community. Whether significantly addressing a community need, or going above and beyond in their volunteer service, we want to know about the people who make our community a better place! Please fill out a nomination form and tell us what makes your nominee special. Award winners will be recognized in local media outlets during National Volunteer Week, April 15th- April 21st and will be honored at our annual Impact Awards reception to be held during National Volunteer Week. To see photos of last years reception and event click here.

2012 IMPACT AWARDS CATEGORIES

1. Emerging Leader(s) Award: The award recognizes a young volunteer or volunteer group, in grades 1-12, who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their community and show the resolve and passion needed to make a difference in the community and the nonprofit sector in the future.
2. Community Champion Award: The award recognizes a volunteer or volunteer group who consistently makes a difference through innovative and much needed volunteer roles.
3. Lead with Experience Award: Inspired by the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), the award recognizes a volunteer age 55 and better that consistently uses his/her experience and leadership skills to inspire and mobilize others to make a difference.
4. Environmental Impact Award: Sponsored by Altria, this award recognizes an exceptional volunteer or volunteer group that has made a significant impact on the environment.

Awards to be announced, HOSC will recognize the recipients of the Business 2 Community and Volunteer Program of the Year Award through a separate nomination process.

Business 2 Community Award: The award recognizes local businesses and corporations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to employee volunteerism and making an impact on their community.

Volunteer Program of the Year Award: The award recognizes exceptional volunteer programs for outstanding achievement in utilizing volunteers to address a community need, and making the organization’s dollars go further through effective volunteer management.
 

IMPORTANT DATES

End of Nominations: March 2nd

Winners Announced: April 12th

National Volunteer Week: April 15th-21st

Impact Award Reception: April 19th

On January 24, 2012, HandsOn Suburban Chicago (HOSC) hosted a Volunteer Leader Certification Course. Nineteen people from various organizations and with widely different levels of experience attended the two-hour course, which was free and open to anyone. Emily Mihalcean, an AmeriCorps VISTA with HOSC led the course with assistance from staff and other VISTAs. The course covered basic topics in volunteer leadership that included tips on planning and executing volunteer projects, as leading and inspiring volunteers, and gave attendees an opportunity to put course content into practice by discussing various case studies. VISTA Stephany Ross gave a special presentation on using Google Voice to communicate with volunteers via text message.  One course attendee stated, “I’ve led volunteers for 30 years, but this helped me improve and think through the effective leading of volunteers.” Another participant said that this was a “great refresher course, but for those with little experience in managing volunteers- this class is an eye opener!”

 In order to receive certification, course attendees will need to commit 8 hours to leading volunteer projects over the next 6 months. Several attendees have already been engaged in planning upcoming activities and projects.

In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, HandsOn Suburban Chicago (HOSC) and 400 students from three middle schools in Community Consolidated School District 21 participated in service projects and diversity awareness activities.

An array of fleece scarves created by CCSD for MLK Day Events.

London Middle School participated in two Speedy Service Projects, with a total of 100 sixth and eighth grade students conducting two service projects.  Students made fleece scarves and attached encouraging notes.  Scarves were donated to Bessie’s Table in Des Plaines and Journeys from PADS to Hope, both organizations which help individuals in need of food and warm clothing.

The projects were unique in that each group was divided into work crews with specific tasks, including volunteer leaders and reporters.  The students not only executed the project, they also managed it and reported their fellow students’ reactions.  “It feels good to contribute to the local people that are going through tough times and need help,”  stated one London eighth grader. “Even something as simple as a scarf with a reassuring message can make a huge difference.”

While service projects were being conducted at London Middle School, another activity titled: Diversity: Different Yet The Same was offered in the school commons.  Students were blindfolded and led through an obstacle course with little guidance in order to experience what it might feel like to have a disability. Students then engaged in a discussion about what it felt like to be reliant on someone else. They also discussed the importance of equal opportunities for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, or level of physical and mental ability.

Students at London Middle School experience what it’s like to be visually impaired during the MLK event.

Oliver Holmes Middle School in Wheeling also participated in the same scarf service project, with 36 more scarves produced and given to Connections for the Homeless, in Evanston.  The student reporters captured students’ impressions.  “I feel sad because this is for the homeless and homeless are freezing cold and don’t have anything to keep them warm,” said sixth grader, Alexa.

Sergio M said he felt connected with the project.  “I feel good and part of something bigger.”

Students at Cooper Middle School in Buffalo Grove participated in MLK Day with a program called Diversity Through Dance.  Eighth grade students gathered in the school gym to watch a performance by Free Flow Dance Crew, a group of Buffalo Grove High School students with diverse ethnic backgrounds.  Each crew member spoke briefly about their ethnic background, their interests in unique dance styles and how they got involved in dancing before they launched into a high-energy dance routine.

Following the performance, the students were divided into smaller groups and each Crew member taught their specific dance style to their group.  The program ended with the students circled around the dance crew as they engaged in an impromptu freestyle “dance-off”.

Cooper Middle School, Assistant Principal Bob Gurney said, “the teachers and students were very happy with the presentation.  The teachers felt like the students got the message while also having a lot of fun.”

HOSC is able to provide more programming through the  AmeriCorps VISTA grant that provides VISTA members to help in such volunteer initiatives that engages youth and youth leaders in community service and awareness.  Four current VISTA members, Catie Krasner, Emily Mihalcean, Stephany Ross and Lisa Horn organized and prepared these activities at the three schools.

Patty Neuswanger, Schools and Youth Program Manager at HandsOn Suburban Chicago (HOSC)  felt this year’s MLK Day activities were better than ever.  “The service projects were really embraced by the students and I think they were amazed at how great the scarves looked.  It was a quality final product.”

A special thanks to Free Flow Crew members (Ken Banting, Maurice Brimage, Colin Imperial, Mark Makogon, Akkina Abraham, Nashaly Ramirez & Eli Davis) for the Diversity Through Dance presentation and to Jo-Ann Fabrics in Arlington Heights for the generous discounts on purchases for scarf making supplies for the service projects.

Sixth graders at London Middle School create personalized messages for the fleece scarves.

Eli Davis from Free Flow Crew demonstrates his dance steps to Cooper Middle School Students.

HandsOn Tech, the new nonprofit technology program from HandsOn Suburban Chicago, has selected the 33 organizations that will receive full technology assessments this year. Nonprofit organizations from the city of Chicago and suburbs submitted applications through December of 2011, and selections were made after the New Year. The selected organizations will receive a team of skills-based volunteers that will evaluate the organization’s current technology infrastructure and will solve some of the organization’s most pressing technological issues.

Many nonprofit organizations are slow to adopt new technologies that can help them save money or become more efficient in their work. This has been especially true in the past couple years with the advent of cloud computing. Cloud computing refers to the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server. The HandsOn Tech program will focus on implementing these services, as many of them including Google Apps, Dropbox and Salesforce, are free for nonprofits. After an assessment, a nonprofit organization could be able to share and collaborate on documents in real-time, efficiently manage data with online databases, effectively promote their organization online and in social media, and more.

HandsOn Tech was founded in August of 2011 by HandsOn Network, Google and AmeriCorps VISTA to improve nonprofit organizations’ ability to serve their constituents with new technology. The consulting service is one of three main aspects of the program. The other two are technology workshops for nonprofits and classes for low-income community members. All services are free for nonprofits and community members.

Nonprofits were chosen from all parts of the Chicagoland area. Some are located in the northwest suburbs, some are in the downtown area, and some operate on the south and west sides of the city. All nonprofits chosen displayed great enthusiasm for using new technologies to improve their ability to serve the community.

HandsOn Tech program is a new national program that was founded by HandsOn Network, Google, and AmeriCorps VISTA. With seven sites around the country, AmeriCorps VISTAs will be working to improve nonprofit technology capacity through their in-depth consulting services and weekly workshops. All services are free to nonprofits, and bring volunteers from leading technology corporations throughout the city. To learn more about how your nonprofit can get involved, visit their website at www.volunteerinfo.net/hotc.