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We were born on a kitchen counter in a recipe box...
Back in the '60s, a local activist began compiling a list of people interested in helping with specific community needs. Her collection of note cards soon outgrew the recipe box where they were stored. The woman shared her idea with the Arlington Heights Clergy Fellowship, who in early 1969 conducted a survey which determined that there was an abundance of people willing to volunteer, but no organization to direct them to the many opportunities available. A steering committee then met with interested agencies and school districts. The Volunteer Service Bureau of Northwest Cook County began operations soon after, on May 1, 1969, inside a cramped high school office. From these humble beginnings, The Volunteer Center - as we've been called since 1987 has become a force for change in suburban Chicago. Please enjoy this glimpse at our archives.
1969
Founded as The Volunteer Service Bureau
1970
Branch offices open:
Harper College (central office)
Mt. Prospect
Palatine/Rolling Meadows
Prospect Heights
Elk Grove, Arlington Heights
200 volunteers registered.
School districts predominate as agencies.
Funding from school districts received.
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| The Volunteer Service Bureau – now called The Volunteer Center used its bee mascot as the centerpiece of a float in the 1970 Independence Day parade. |
1971
50 agencies signed up as members; funding sources expanded:
United Fund
Churches
Service Clubs
1972
Gov. Ogilvie presents Community Voluntary Action plaque to TVC at Governor's Conference on Voluntary Action.
Some corporate support received.
1973
Volunteer placements centralized at one location.
1975
Staff works at Harper College to develop accredited courses in volunteer management.
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| The Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner has been a hallmark of the Volunteer Center since its founding. Here, Executive Director Jane-Renée Weakley congratulates a young award winner at the 1976 ceremony. |
1976
First Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner was held.
1977
Daily Herald begins a weekly column listing volunteer opportunities called: "The Volunteer Bureau." The column still exists today under the name: "Get Involved!"
1985
Social Service Directory Published.
1987
Name changed to The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago. Began corporate volunteer outreach program to interest corporate employees.
1988
Professional Development workshops created to train agency volunteer coordinators.
1992
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, a specialized program for people age 55 and better, was added.
1993
Helped form Volunteer Centers of Metro Chicago, a network of 11 Volunteer Centers.
1997
The Tribune Company helps establish The Volunteer Center’s first website.
1998
America Reads Grant program awarded.
Tutor-Mentor Partnership with District 214 and two major tutoring programs for at-risk children and teens established.
2002
A private foundation awarded a capacity building grant to help The Volunteer Center expand programs and improve technology.
2003
Homeland Security Grant program awarded to help RSVP expand disaster response efforts with local communities.
2004
AmeriCorps*VISTA program grant awarded, with two full-time VISTA members assigned to help build the capacity of the center to serve the poor.
2005
Mary Fitzgibbons named Agency Executive Director of the Year 2004 by the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago.
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| The Volunteer Service Bureau's "bee" logo |
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