Jordon Wohlner

Sleeping late, afternoons at the beach, sports, and hanging out with friends at the mall are all typical activities for teens during the summer. Summer school and part time jobs are also added to the schedule for many young people. Jordan Wohlner of Arlington Heights has chosen to spend a good portion of her summer volunteering with children of parents who work at the Arlington Park Racecourse. Wohlner's sponsor from her Spanish Honor Society class at Buffalo Grove High School told her about the program, and working with the Spanish-speaking children at the race track seemed to be a perfect match for her. “My parents encourage me to volunteer; I enjoy volunteering; I love kids, and I am seriously considering doing this again next year,” she said. “I receive a tremendous sense of satisfaction from helping others, and would certainly encourage other young people to get involved in some type of volunteer activity.” Wohlner volunteers each day, Monday through Friday. She works most days from 9 a.m. until noon, but on Wednesdays she stays until 2 p.m. Her duties include helping 30, three and four year-old boys and girls who are in the "red" group, with puzzles and games. She also distributes morning snacks and reads to them. On Wednesdays, she helps with lunch, the afternoon snack, and assists with supervising the older children during their trip to the swimming pool. "Jordan is one of the most helpful and cheerful girls we have. She comes every morning and the kids just love her," said Marilyn Tantillo, Family Education Coordinator, District 214, Community Education Program. "I am totally impressed by all the high school students, and all the time they give to our program. We truly appreciate all the help we receive from the kids, and of course, from our wonderful senior volunteers."

District 214, Community Education Program coordinates the summer camp which operates seven days a week in partnership with the Arlington Heights Racecourse. Support is also provided by other organizations including the Master Gardeners of the U of I Extension Program, CEDA Northwest (which provides food for breakfasts, snacks and lunches,) the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, and the Arlington Heights branch of the Jr. Achievement Program. There are 190 children in the program - boys and girls ages 3 – 13, who are children of the racetrack's backstretch employees and trainers. Most of the families are only at the Arlington track for the summer, and the children attend school in other locations during the winter months. The children are divided into five groups, and they are supervised by group leaders, group assistants and volunteers. There are over 40 youth and adult volunteers in the program, and nine or ten are on duty each day. The volunteers include a mom, and some older brothers and sisters who were once part of the program who have returned to help out. Tutoring in math and reading is provided, as well as arts and craft classes, computers, soccer tournaments, and a wide variety of other opportunities for growth and development. The children even received help in planting and tending a garden.

Wohlner is looking forward to her junior year at Buffalo Grove High School in the fall, and will be serving as Student Council President. She runs track and cross county, and tutors kindergarten through fifth grade students at a local elementary school. Math and science are her favorite subjects, and she is planning on a career in foreign affairs and economics. Her family includes her older brother Michael; her sister, Jennifer, and her parents Roger and Kyung. She enjoys reading, shopping, biking with her Dad, other outdoor activities, and especially spending time with her family and friends.

Hundreds of opportunities are available for people of all ages, including teens, families, seniors, and groups, for on-going, as well as one-time volunteer assignments. Call The Volunteer Center, 847-228-1320 (all ages), or the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, 847-228-1006 (mature adults 55 years of age or better) for information as to how you can become involved, of check their website www.volunteerinfo.net.

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