(Joe Lewnard/Daily Herald) Justine Coffin

For some young people, weekends, spring break and summer vacations are meant to be spent recharging their batteries by spending time with friends, playing sports, or going to the beach. Some, whether by necessity or by choice, spend a large portion of their free time taking summer school classes, and/or trying to build up their bank accounts by working summer jobs. Other teens choose to devote large portions of their free time to helping others by doing volunteer work. Justine Coffin has been volunteering with Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) in Rolling Meadows for more than two years, and feels that her volunteer work is a very important part of her life. “I have fun with the kids and the adults,” she said. “I like to see them have fun and advance socially through the NWSRA programs.” NWSRA is a non for profit organization comprised of 16 park districts located in the Northwest suburbs. The association provides weekly recreational programs for children and adults with disabilities. Programs include bowling, swimming lessons, arts and crafts, cooking, team sports, piano lessons, Special Olympics training and horseback riding. In addition there are opportunities for social clubs, special events, summer day camps, overnight trips and inclusion in park district programs.

When Coffin was in seventh grade she began volunteering at the Special Olympics Area 18 Track and Field Meet which provides athletic competition for Special Olympics teams throughout the Northwest suburbs, and operates out of the same office as NWSRA. She loved it so much that she sought out additional opportunities to be of service at NWSRA, and in September of 2003, she began volunteering at school day-off special events. Staff members soon recognized her great compassion and responsibility in working with the participants and began requesting her to help with their individual events. In February 2004, she was invited to go through the formal orientation process so that she could volunteer on a regular basis. She was assigned to the International Music Faire and Busy Bodies programs. The Music Faire program is offered to adults with cognitive disabilities to teach them new types of music, and Busy Bodies is a community traveling program for teens and young adults. In the summer of 2004 Coffin volunteered with the "Out of this World" camp for youth with physical and visual impairments, and in the fall she helped with events such as a Special Olympics Volleyball Tournament, a Halloween Dance, and Parents Night out. In the summer of 2005, she accepted a part time position with NWSRA at a camp in Schaumburg for children with learning and behavior disorders, but continued with her volunteer work, and added helping with the Special Olympics Volleyball Tournament, the NWSRA swim team and the Olympics District Basketball Tournament to her volunteer activities. Currently she is enjoying her part time position as a coach for the NWSRA Dolphin swim team, but continues to volunteer for a NWSRA Saturday program, and is on the planning committee for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life event to be held in April 2007.

NWSRA staff members describe Coffin as being, “Extremely dedicated, and able to form relationships with several participants she has seen across many programs. These relationships allow her to respond to the needs of participants who many not easily be able to express themselves. She is more than willing to assist participants in any way asked, lead group activities or even assist with difficult behaviors. She has a positive, fun loving personality and relates and communicates phenomenally with participants and staff. She goes above and beyond what is asked to seek out extra responsibilities.” Kristin Troy, NWSRA volunteer coordinator, expressed her appreciation by saying, “I am new to this position, but feel very fortunate to have inherited such a dedicated and caring volunteer.”

Coffin is looking forward to her senior year at Prospect High School, and is planning on pursuing a career in special recreation or special education after graduation. While at Prospect she has participated in water polo, as a member of the swim team, belongs to the Book Bites Club, and has been involved with the Prospect Service Club, and countless other volunteer activities such as the Channel 11 Pledge Drive, Lutheran Home Fall Festival, the Student Council Kids Night Out, and the Salvation Army Frontline Feeding program.

“Justine is a pretty amazing young lady,” said Dave Jacobson, a teacher, and Service Club director at Prospect. Her dedication to helping people in need is quite extraordinary. Whatever she does, she does to the fullest. She is a very hardworking student and we are very fortunate to have her at Prospect.”

Coffin is a resident of Arlington Heights, and her family includes her parents, Sheila and Lew; and her sister, Danielle. It must be noted that this remarkable young woman has given so much to others, and accomplished so much in her own life despite her own learning disability which has challenged, but not hindered her. She maintains a B average, while taking Advanced Placement classes at Prospect. She was honored recently for her dedication to others as one of the finalists at the Caring Hearts Awards Recognition Dinner sponsored by The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago.

“I strongly encourage all young people to volunteer, but shop around until you find something you really enjoy,” Coffin said. “Volunteering should be fun – not a chore.”

For more information on how YOU can become involved in making your community a better place, call The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago (all ages) at 847-228-1320, or the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (ages 55 or better) at 847-228-1006, or visit their website at www.volunteerinfo.net.

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