Compassion Takes Action Blog

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 [...]

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. London Middle School participated in two Speedy Service Projects, with a total of 100 sixth and eighth grade students conducting two service [...]

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 [...]

Start the new year off right by volunteering; helping others is a fun way to meet new people, gain new insights about the world, and make a difference. We at HandsOn Suburban Chicago strive to help make volunteering as easy and quick as possible. As a volunteer clearinghouse, HandsOn Suburban Chicago partners with over 160 [...]

HandsOn Suburban Chicago is starting out the new year by offering trainings, workshops and webinars to  help nonprofits implement best-practices in volunteer and nonprofit management, as well as to learn about new solutions to challenges that nonprofits face.  Volunteer Leadership Certification Course: January 24, 2011, 6:00pm – 8:00pm -Learn how to successfully plan and execute volunteer projects [...]

On January 24, 2012, HandsOn Suburban Chicago (HOSC) will host a Volunteer Leader Certification Course that is free and open to the public. This course is designed for any volunteer who manages other volunteers, and will provide individuals with the knowledge and tools necessary to lead successful volunteer projects. The course will cover the basics [...]

These are challenging times for our nonprofit community. Nonprofit agencies have to do more with less as demand for their services is increasing while federal, state, and other funding is cut. One hopeful answer to this critical situation is to effectively unleash the power of volunteerism. As one of the few nonprofits in suburban Chicago with [...]

A  ”Fast Forward”  workshop was presented at Oakton Community College on December 5, 2011.  RSVP Program Coordinator for HandsOn Suburban Chicago, Linda McLaughlin, partnered with Advocate Lutheran General Hospital’s Volunteer Manager, Magda Scanlon to speak to attendees in a current career transition about the importance of volunteer work while in a job search.  Workshop topics covered: Why Volunteer [...]

On Saturday, December 3, 2011 75 residents of Inverness on the Ponds Community gathered to celebrate with friends and neighbors the holiday season.  While sharing the spirit of the holidays the community residents provided for those less fortunate by donating 145 food items for the Palatine Food Pantry.  It is humbling to see so many [...]

On November 29, representatives from HandsOn Suburban Chicago attended a student volunteer fair at Niles West High School. The fair was open to all students during their lunch hours, and provided them with information about local volunteer opportunities. HandsOn Suburban Chicago staff and VISTAs spoke with an estimated 75 students, and gave demonstrations on how [...]

In partnership with numerous social service agencies in the area, HandsOn Suburban Chicago has prepared a listing of holiday needs and opportunities and we hope it will be a useful resource for you and others who seek to adopt holiday activities.  By adopting just one child, providing one meal, or visiting a lonely senior you can brighten the [...]

On Tuesday, November 15, Chris Smith, HandsOn Suburban Chicago’s CEO/Chief Operating Officer, was invited by Marc Dennison of the Park Ridge Kiwanis to speak at their weekly meeting held at The Summit of Uptown, Park Ridge. The topic was the Importance of Volunteering. Chris thanked the group for their service which extends to many organizations [...]

HandsOn Suburban Chicago (HOSC) worked closely with Community Consolidated School District 21 (CCSD21) to complete a pilot program for an afterschool tutor/mentoring program in April 2011.  The pilot program was such a success that the program was implemented at both London Middle School in Wheeling and Cooper Middle School in Buffalo Grove for the entire [...]

Don’t miss the interview with Chris Smith,  HandsOn Suburban Chicago’s Chief Operating Officer on Linked Local Network Radio , Thursday, November 10th at 4:00 p.m. In addition to growing volunteer and nonprofit connections, HOSC is making new, lasting relationships with corporate America.  The Linked Local Network Presents Radio Show interviews business professionals, owners and leaders in the Chicago [...]

Bringing Business and Nonprofits Together to “Make it Work” as they Support the Region SCHAUMBURG, IL October 26, 2011 / In honor of Make a Difference Day activities extending through October 2011, Schaumburg Business Association and HandsOn Suburban Chicago are partnering to launch a Nonprofit Services Section as part of the 2011 SBA EXPO for [...]