Additional Opportunities to Learn and Serve on MLK Day
Although we will not be hosting our MLK Day of Service in person this year, we would like to provide volunteers meaningful ways to honor the extraordinary legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We have some suggestions for individuals or families to engage in productive activities to help advance social justice in this unsettling year of racial strife. We are inviting volunteers to make the no-sew blankets that have been a part of our MLK Day of Service since we began in 2005. See below for project details and drop-off requirements.
Also listed on this page are additional educational and impactful service resources for people of all ages and interest levels.
No-Sew Blanket Project Details
I. Make your blanket(s) in your own home, then drop them off at the Community House either on MLK Day or the following Saturday. We will deliver them to local nonprofits that support at-risk and homeless communities.
II. Drop off your completed blanket(s) at the Community House on MLK Day, Monday, January 18th or January 23rd between 10am and 1pm only on both those days. The VC board members will be collecting the blankets at the Community House in Winnetka in the Pine Street Parking lot entrance with the large awning.
III. You may purchase your own four yards of fabric at a local fabric store, or buy one of the Volunteer Center’s limited supply of 36 blanket sets (includes four yards of fleece fabric) we have available for $20 each.
- NOTE: If you are interested in buying one or more of our 36 blanket sets, email the Volunteer Center at info@volunteercenterhelps.org for information about how to reserve your blanket sets and when and where to pick them up. The blankets are on a first come-first served basis and we will have them available until all sets are purchased.
IV. Blanket Instructions
Additional MLK Day Educational and Service Resources
People across the United States may choose to make an immediate impact with hands-on traditional service projects that support the homeless and other poverty stricken communities, but there are other ways to honor Dr. King’s legacy of furthering equality and civil rights in a direct, educational way that helps us understand and support racial justice. This is an opportunity to honor the legacy of Dr. King, and continue his mission to empower and strengthen local communities.
*Please participate in the HEROS – Healing Everyday Racism in our Schools Virtual Workshop, Jan 17th, 2-4pm:In partnership with HEROS, the Volunteer Center is proud to invite N.E. Metro Community Members to register for this Virtual Workshop on Sunday, January 17th from 2-4pm. Educational and productive online workshop that features five breakout Session appropriate for adults, parents and teens to learn how we can become The Beloved Community. Additional information and Registration here.
A note about volunteerism in honor of Dr. MLK, Jr.: Dr. Bernice King (Daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King and Director of The King Center in Atlanta, Georgia): ”And so in terms of volunteerism, this is a marathon that we’re talking about when you are committing to eradicating, dismantling racism. It’s not a sprint. It’s not a singular act. It’s continual struggle, it’s continual work, it’s continual education, it’s continual stretching, it’s continually getting out of your comfort zone, it’s continually being willing to share power. It’s continual sacrifice.”
The United Way of Illinois Launches ’21 Week Equity Challenge. Participate!
From Martin Luther King Jr. Day (1/18) to Juneteenth (6/19), participants will complete weekly learning assignments about equity, racism, bias and more. The 15-minute assignments include readings, videos, and questions for participants to consider. Upon completion, they’ll receive a digital certificate and tips and tools to help continue the conversation in their local community. Information and registration here.
This MLK Day on Monday, January 18th, the organization 9/11 Day encourages you to honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by taking a moment to visit 911day.org and performing one of the good deeds we’ve curated in observance of the 26th annual MLK Day of Service. As a federally recognized day of service, we at 9/11 Day are proud to support MLK Day. Our website features more than 50 activities you can consider for MLK Day or any other day of the year. Most of our online service ideas are 100% free for you to perform and can all be completed quickly and safely from your own home computer or mobile device.
Please take a moment now to visit 911day.org to learn more. Also consider visiting the official federal website for MLK Day as well.
Join an MLK Day On-line Observance, The Beloved Community Global Summit on January 14th and 15th
Sponsored by The King Center in Atlanta, Georgia. This is an opportunity for mission aligned individual organizations who are dedicated to creating the Beloved Community to come together and share ideas. Participants will hear from a myriad of national and international individuals who share their vision for a more just, humane, equitable and peaceful world. https://thekingcenter.org/event/2021-king-holiday-observance-beloved-community-global-summit/
From the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS – Americorps)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Historical timeline of the Day, Traditions, MLK Day Stats, and How to Observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Support the Efforts of The Lawndale Christian Legal Center (LCLC) – An Important Restorative Justice Organization
Lawndale Christian Legal Center: “We can put just justice back in the criminal justice system. We’ve already begun in North Lawndale, one of the most segregated, under-resourced and heavily policed neighborhoods in Chicago.” LCLC is working to break the arrest/incarcerate/release/repeat cycle that continues to threaten young lives and decimate the North Lawndale community. They negotiate peace within the community and help emerging adults find a more constructive solution to repair harm than incarceration. This is a valuable opportunity for those who work within the criminal justice system. Join their efforts – LCLC.net
AGE ORIENTED PROJECT RESOURCES
Your children are for the most part not too young to learn to understand ways to embrace people of all colors, abilities and cultures. Understanding the history of racism and how far we still need to go to create Dr. King’s “Beloved Community” in this country is an essential part of volunteer participation.
YOUTH SERVICE AMERICA -YSA– Youth Changing the World – http://ysa.org/antiracist/
Resource for Youth of all ages like how to plan and implement and Anti-Racist Service Project, toolkits for Youth changing the World, Kits
YSA Book/Reading Lists for Youth
TIME: https://time.com/5848192/childrens-books-about-race/
Embrace Race- 20 Picture Books for 2020: Readings to Embrace Race, Provide Solace & Do Good
https://www.embracerace.org/resources/20-picture-books-for-2020
10 Children’s Books About Racism And Activism To Help Parents Educate Their Kids
LISTEN. LEARN. ACT TO END RACISM:
https://www.pointsoflight.org/listen-learn-act-to-end-racism-november-2020/
KEY TAKE-AWAYS FROM THIS EVENT INCLUDED:
• Do the necessary work: Before you can take actions against racism, it’s important that you do the necessary work. You need to not only do the research to understand the issues, but need to do some self-reflection about your views on racism as well.
• Power in the people: The real solutions come from the power of the people. You need to first listen to understand the issues and then have the right people at the table.
• Move from being safe to brave: Safe won’t solve the problems that we’re in, so we have to be brave to speak truth to power. We have to challenge thoughts and know that in doing so we may make people uncomfortable.
• We created these systems of inequity: When it comes to systemic racism, it’s important to remember these systems were created by people. We are all a part of a system, and to dismantle racism we need to make individual commitments to not be silent in these environments.
• We have the power to create change: We as individuals collectively have the power to change what we’re calling, ‘systemic racism’ by starting with ourselves and making a commitment in the environments where we find ourselves. We need to ensure we are identifying and exposing systems of racism, while offering suggestions on how we build a new table with everyone at the table represented.
TEENS THROUGH ADULTS
HOW TO BE AN ANTIRACIST, by Ibram X. Kendi
IBRAM X. KENDI is a New York Times bestselling author and the founding director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University. A professor of history and international relations and a frequent public speaker, Kendi is a columnist at The Atlantic. In How to Be an Antiracist, Kendi takes readers through a widening circle of antiracist ideas—from the most basic concepts to visionary possibilities—that will help readers see all forms of racism clearly, understand their poisonous consequences, and work to oppose them in our systems and in ourselves.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
The following questions were provided to enlist thought provoking discussion opportunities to understand Anti-Racism.
- In How to Be an Antiracist, Kendi shares his own experience with racist thinking. How does his honesty help give us space to acknowledge and name our own racist behaviors and attitudes?
- Kendi writes, “The only way to undo racism is to constantly identify it and describe it—and then dismantle it.” Why does he believe we need to call out racism when we see it, even if it can be uncomfortable to identify?
- The book’s central message is that the opposite of “racist” isn’t “not racist.” The true opposite
of “racist” is antiracist. “The good news,” Kendi writes, “is that racist and antiracist are not xed identities. We can be racist one minute and an antiracist the next.” What does it mean to have to constantly rea rm your identity as an antiracist? Is there any benefit to the fact that you can’t just decide you are “not racist” or an antiracist and be done with it?
- What is the first step you, personally, will take in striving to be an antiracist? How will you check yourself and hold yourself accountable if you notice you, or someone else, is being racist?
- Kendi thinks that we should assess candidates as being racist or antiracist based on what ideas they are expressing and what policies they are supporting—and not what they say is in their bones or their heart. Do you agree with him? Why or why not?
- Anyone who values immigrants from European countries and devalues immigrants from Latin America is guilty of racism. Have you ever been guilty of this type of racism? Discuss the unique resilience and resourcefulness people possess if they leave everything in their native country behind and immigrate to another, as Kendi examines in the chapter on Ethnicity.
- There’s a stronger and clearer correlation between levels of violent crime and unemployment levels than between violent crime and race, but that’s not the story policymakers have chosen to tell. Discuss why you think this is. How might our society and culture change if policymakers characterized dangerous Black neighborhoods as dangerous unemployed neighborhoods?
- Why do you think it is so hard for people to not assess other cultures from their own cultural standards? How does doing this trap people in racist ideas?
- Inequities between Light and Dark African Americans can be as wide as inequities between Black and White Americans. How have you seen colorism play out in real life and/or in the media?
- Kendi writes, “White supremacist is code for anti-human, a nuclear ideology that poses an existential threat to human existence.” How are white supremacists and their ideology actually harmful to all of humanity—including white people?
- Kendi makes the case that to be antiracist, one must stand against all forms of bigotry. Why is standing against other bigotries so essential to standing against racism?
- Kendi closes the book comparing racism and cancer. What do you think of this comparison?
- Kendi believes we can defy the odds, heal society of racism, and create an antiracist society. Do you? Why is hope so central to the antiracist movement?
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AND DEDICATION TO SOCIAL JUSTICE!
January 11, 2021
invites you to join in a thought-provoking discussion about justice
in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 8, 2021
We’ll post holiday volunteer opportunities as we receive them, so check back regularly. In the meantime, you can also peruse our listing of nonprofits and contact them directly
to see if they need volunteers.
Holiday Baking Volunteers Needed
Do you enjoy baking, singing holiday songs and spreading cheer? We are looking for volunteers to sign up to support Lambs Farm Bakery & Country Store during our busy holiday season. We need help at the Bakery making delicious treats which helps provide income and meaningful employment for the farm’s residents that includes people of all abilities. Tasks that you may help with are: baking, packing, chocolate-making, labeling, cookies, bread, truffles, dog biscuits, muffins, granola, jams…it is our busy time of year so anything goes!
When: November through December, Monday – Saturday
Where: Lambs Farm Bakery and Country Store production areas
Available Shifts: 9:00 am – 12 Noon, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Contact: Angela Ramert, email asr@lambsfarm.org
Holiday Gift Program and Food Pantry Donations Needed
The New Trier township is collecting donations for their Holiday gift Program and the Food Pantry.
For details visit their website here.
December 15, 2020
To our generous volunteers:
The current Coronavirus Pandemic is challenging us to protect our own health which also keeps others well. As a result, it has also brought us a new formula for social norms which require distance and isolation from family and friends — and make traditional ways of volunteering and human connection particularly challenging. As usual, compassionate volunteers are eager to support the frontlines as much as they can. But we will get through this together!
THE VOLUNTEER CENTER OF N.E. METRO CHICAGO’s
SAFE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Important Universal Ways to Help All Nonprofits
- Donate Financial Support: If you were going to give time, give that value in other ways. Resources are needed now more than ever. Help that pet shelter, senior home, or advocacy organization that had to cancel its spring event keep its doors open. If your company gives you paid time off for volunteer time, see if they will convert that to cash to match your donated funds.
- Donate technology, hardware and software: Get your company involved too. Most nonprofits don’t have these important resources to operate and promote their efforts. Work with your company to donate critical technology if possible.
- Use Your Voice: Post on your social network to advocate for them and their cause.
- Educate Yourself on the Issues: Awareness of issues and the impact of these environmental forces on our communities is a necessary step for us all to take action, particularly when we transition from emergency response to recovery.
Quick and (Somewhat) Easy Suggestions to Help
- Donate Gift Cards from local restaurants, services, and retailers to shelters who house low income individuals, families and seniors, and residential disability facilities. Buy some for yourself and celebrate after life returns to normal.
- Give Blood – Consult the Red Cross and ask how you will be protected from infection.
- Be Social to Someone Lonely or in Need– but not in person! Be a friend to a homebound senior. Reach out to your neighbor, your relatives or your local senior center. Contact The North Shore Senior Center in Northfield for their suggestions –847-784-6000. Bring meals, groceries, books, etc. Connect via email, phone, Skype or Zoom with your family or a group of friends!
- Take a Walk with a friend at the same time — but not the same location and route. Then chat on the phone and cheer him or her up while you walk.
- Prepare Meals: With CPS closings, many students are left with no breakfast or lunch. In one community, parents are preparing “Grab and Go” boxes of breakfast and lunch for pick up at a school parking lot.
- *Clean Out & Donate (when able): Use this time at home to clean out your closets and donate your gently used items to a homeless shelter (see our nonprofit list on this website) or one of the local rummage sales that donate the proceeds to nonprofits. Christ Church Winnetka and Winnetka Congregational Church. Please check their sites for updates on sales. But don’t stop that closet cleaning!
- *Note: We have learned the drop-offs locations for these Rummage Sales are closed for a while to keep support staff and others safe with so much inventory. Continue your tidying, but consider putting your donations aside for a bit. Keep checking with the sales for drop off instructions and the actual Rummage Sale dates as they most likely will change as well.
SPECIFIC VOLUNTEER CENTER NONPROFIT PARTNER REQUESTS
Please support our nonprofit partners –There are many ways volunteers can continue to safely provide help and support
The Volunteer Center of N.E. Metro Chicago contacted its nonprofit partners (featured on this website) to see if they needed any support from volunteers to help them continue their unique missions. You may find additional information about each of these nonprofits by visiting this page on our website. Whether it is financial support, food or clothing donations, meal deliveries or safe social and educational connections, below is what we have heard so far. Please contact us – info@volunteercenterhelps.org if you are aware of additional needs and nonprofits that could use volunteer help and other important assistance. We will continue to update this Guide as new needs are posted.
NEW URGENT REQUEST FOR DIY or PURCHASED MASKS AND CAPS!
URGENT NEED ASAP! Great project to share with your family, friends and service groups. The Volunteer Center is responding to a volunteer who lives on the North Shore who has many family members working in the ER and on the front lines in hospitals and other medical facilities who still are in urgent need of additional PPE equipment – specifically masks and surgical caps. They are eager to receive purchased or DIY fashioned coverings for multiple uses. The Volunteer Center is helping her enlist volunteers to make the equipment. There is a minimum goal of 300 masks and 150 caps. She has identified the facilities that need them and will deliver as the VC hands them off to her. If the goal is exceeded, we will deliver to additional needs.
If you have a favorite DIY pattern, use it. If not, try these:
Face Mask with Pocket from T-shirt
Easy no sew, no elastic
To make caps, DIY Easy Scrub Caps
RESOURCES for Masks to Purchase:
9 Retailer fabric masks to purchase
N95 masks for purchase – will arrive by Monday, April 27th
DROP OFF LOCATIONS:
The Glencoe, Keilworth, Northfield, Wilmette and Winnetka Public Safety Departments have generously agreed to serve as drop-off facilities for your PPE donations.
Glencoe: drop off box inside their Public Safety vestibule located at 325 Hazel Avenue in Glencoe
Kenilworth: 419 Richmond, Kenilworth Police Station vestibule
Northfield: 1800 Winnetka Road, Northfield in front of the Fire station under the canopy by the US flag drop off box.
Wilmette: Wilmette Police Dept, 710 Ridge Road.
Winnetka: drop off box inside their vestibule located at 410 Green Bay Road in Winnetka
ALONE.TOGETHER. Let’s Make a Difference and Get This Done! More details – info@VolunteerCenterHelps.org
NEW Group Service Project Opportunity. The Lawrence Hall youth and families of our DCFS, Foster Care, Transitional Living and residential youth are in need of some supplies and items. We would love if some volunteers can assemble care packages for them. We ask that all care packages MUST be pre-made/prepackaged before drop off. All drop offs MUST be scheduled and set for a specific date and time. Some of the care packages are broken down below:
Transitional/Independent Living
• Extra cleaning supplies, soap and food for TLP youth
• Games, books, headphones, and food for community youth
• Hygiene bags and Food bags Hygiene Bags ▪ Toothbrush/Toothpaste ▪ Deodorant ▪ Carmex/ChapStick ▪ Kleenex ▪ Soap ▪ Hand Sanitizer ▪ 8 pr. Rubber Gloves
Food Bags ▪ Microwave Popcorn ▪ Tuna Kit ▪ Microwavable Rice Bowl ▪ Pringles Potato Chips ▪ Fruit Cup ▪ (2) Rice Krispies Treats ▪ (1) Bowl of Cereal ▪ (6) Packages of Instant Oatmeal
- activities for the youth to do while not in school: books, games, portable DVD players
- medical supplies as needed
Foster Care
- Supplies: masks, vinyl gloves, hand sanitizer, and child friendly wipes
- Games for children, art supplies
General
- Games, snacks, food for the youth and staff on residential units
- Care packages for the staff and their families who might find themselves in need during this time
- Incentive gifts for direct care staff (ie gift cards)
- yardwork/garden/flowerbed planting
Please contact Lawrence Hall – Monique Davis (mdavis@Lawrencehall.org) to coordinate a date and time to drop-off care packages in bulk! All drop offs will be at our Main Campus location.
If you’re in a low risk situation, this link will take you to a form where we have several opportunities to volunteer with some of our elderly and other high-risk residents: picking up groceries or medication, helping with cleaning, or even just giving them a call a few times a week to check in and chat.
If you have stable income, this link will take you to a page where you can donate specifically to help with the cost of rent for those in our community who have been furloughed or lost their jobs because of the safety precautions enacted. We thank you in advance for any and all ways you can help.
At Lambs Farm, we currently need PPE (personal protective equipment) supplies for our staff to use while caring for participants. If volunteers are asking how they can help, please forward this request.
Lambs Farms needs: gloves, goggles, gowns, alcohol, thermometers.
Please send supplies directly to: Lambs Farm, Attn Vicky Raier or Katie Bouwens, 14245 Rockland Road, Libertyville, IL 60048
Masks needed. If you (or anyone you know) is able to sew, here are instructions on how to sew a mask. We have the filter inserts, but we do need help sewing these masks. If you are able to help with the masks, please let Shama Valame know by e-mailing her at svalame@clearbrook.org The mask can be dropped off or shipped to 1815 W. Central Rd. Arlington Heights IL. 60005. Thank you!!
Make a personal connection with Center for Enriched Living (CEL) members and make a real difference in their lives with CEL’s #PanPals.Many of these members have limited interaction with family members on a regular basis, and with the Coronavirus that has been compounded. With CEL’s programs transitioning to virtual, they now don’t have access to the friends and support they rely on.
Simply click https://www.centerforenrichedliving.org/panpals/ and choose a member (or members) to send a letter, card or picture to and let them know you’re thinking of them. You can also support our efforts to combat social isolation and keep our members connected by donating here. Your gifts are what allow our staff to keep working so they can deliver virtual programs for those with online access.
New Trier Township Food Pantry
793 Elm Street, Winnetka, 60093 847-446-8203
URGENT NEED! Our local New Trier Township pantry has a very diminished stock of food and paper supplies. Now more than ever, pantry users are in need of help. The pantry is eager to continue to serve these families in need. Donations of either checks or cash will help pantry staff purchase exactly what is needed. Checks should be addressed to New Trier Township Angel Fund, Inc.. Or, donate any non-perishable foods and paper goods MTW &F (closed Thursdays) between 10am and 2pm. As the township offices are on lock-down, you must call Brian Leverenz in advance 847-446-8203 and set up a drop off. Something you could also do is organize a food drive with your friends and neighbors. Leave a note at your neighbors’ giving them a specific day and time you will pick up donations and then set up with Brian Leverenz the date and time you will drop off. Terrific family project while you’re all homebound together. Plan it out!
Counseling Center of the North Shore (CCNS)
992 1/2 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka, IL 60093 (847) 446-7787
The Counseling Center of the North Shore’s clinical staff is operating remotely, proving telehealth therapy sessions via HIPAA-compliant videoconference and telephone (www.ccns.org). However, the Winnetka Thrift Shop, the primary source of funding for CCNS, is temporarily closed. You can support CCNS in two ways: 1. Make a donation online at www.ccns.org/donate, and 2. Purchase Winnetka Thrift Shop items online at Poshmark.com, ebay.com, and soon the Winnetka Thrift Shop’s online store. Information at www.winnetkathriftshop.org.
Beacon Place
603 S. McAlister, Waukegan, IL (847) 497-5787
We are collecting food right now to distribute to our families here in Waukegan. With the shutdown of restaurants and bars, many of our families are not going to be paid for several weeks. We are in need of shelf stable food like canned goods, pasta, rice, beans, etc. All donations can be dropped off at our center located at 603 S. McAlister, Waukegan, IL p.(847) 497-5787
If anyone has any questions they may call Barbara LaFasto, Co-Founder of Beacon Place (847) 609-6768.
Family Focus of Evanston
2010 Dewey Avenue, Evanston, IL, 60201 847.475.7570
IMMEDIATE NEED – Help Line of Technical Support for parents in their after school program who are struggling with e-learning – either access or knowing what to do. Looking for volunteers who could form an online help resource.
Our early childhood team and DCFS team are receiving calls from families who have lost their jobs or hours have been severely cut who are in desperate
need of diapers, formula, food. They are loading their cars with what we have on hand and making deliveries. We could use some help with the purchasing and delivering of these items. Our teams are getting worn out. Colette Allen. Director of Evanston, Family Focus – Evanston, 2010 Dewey Avenue, Evanston IL, 60201, Ph: 847.475.7570
Meals on Wheels
847-316-1337
Currently our greatest needs are donations of hand sanitizer and financial support. Please consider a gift of either. If you are able to help with hand sanitizer please call our office (we are working remotely – calls are being forwarded to the Volunteer Coordinator at 847-316-1337 to make arrangements for drop off. If you are able to assist with a monetary gift please go to our website https://mealsonwheelsnei.org/donate
Bernie’s Book Bank
917 N Shore Dr, Lake Bluff, IL 60044 (847) 780-7323
Use your time at home to sort through children’s books (ages birth through 6th grade) that you no longer need and donate to Bernie’s Book Bank
A Just Harvest
A Just Harvest is not open for sit down meals and has suspended its food pantry until further notice. Volunteer orientations are also suspended.With the help of our partners, our nightly hot meal is being offered “to-go” from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.This also means that opportunities for on-site volunteers are greatly reduced at this time.
**HOWEVER, we could use help in the purchasing, ordering and/or delivering of supplies. (please find LIST here). Financial gifts are crucial in sustaining our work in this crisis. (please DONATE here).
The Sports Shed
Due to the COVID-19 situation and the NCAA Tournament cancelation, the Sports Shed Bracket Challenge has been cancelled. We are thinking of all athletes and families who are facing sickness, disappointment and hardship at this time. If you would like to still donate to make summer AAU basketball possible for girls in programs like Lady Reign Basketball please do so below.
Lady Reign gives 80 girls on six teams the opportunity to compete in tournaments that set them up for higher level of play and possible scholarship opportunities.
Refugee One
The Josselyn Center
847-441-5600 x 1
Affordable Tele-Mental Health Services. We are here for you by Zoom or phone: Call 847-441-5600 x 1 to schedule an appointment. Tele-psychiatry • Tele-therapy-Case management • The Living Room (ages 18+) • Supported employment (ages 18+)
Our Living Room is a free service staffed by Peer Specialists. To talk with our Peer Specialists, call 847-496-3170 Monday-Friday between 9am – 5pm and Saturday 9am – 2pm.Josselyn accepts Medicaid, Medicare, most private insurance, and we have a sliding fee scale. If you have other medical questions, please consult with your primary care physician or pediatrician.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO HELP YOU DURING THIS CHALLENGING TIME
Setting Up Zoom info: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPlbiZUSoW4
Thank you Women’s Exchange for this Zoom help: Click Here for a Helpful YouTube re: Using Zoom
Tips and Technology Suggestions for Working at Home and More from Executive Service Corps
https://mailchi.mp/execservicecorps/workathomewithkids?e=ee3f53ffd5
Supporting Families During COVID-19
https://childmind.org/coping-during-covid-19-resources-for-parents/
World Health Organization
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
What to do if you have been exposed:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html
Thank you for your kindness and generosity — and for your participation in our volunteer community.
Stay healthy and safe.
March 20, 2020
March 9, 2020
Any nonprofit looking to grow its large donor base cannot afford to miss this game-changing training program. Register Today!
The Volunteer Center and the Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce invite you to a luncheon and a results-based program lead by Sherry Quam Taylor, President of Quam Taylor LLC. Sherry teaches nonprofit leaders how to shift from small-dollars to investment-level donations. Working with Sherry, you’ll learn how to confidently prepare and ask for the donations that fully fund your programs and mission every year.
Luncheon and Program
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
11:30-1:30
Kenilworth Assembly Hall
410 Kenilworth Avenue, Kenilworth
Together, we’ll each create a practical step-by-step path to grow your organization’s funding. And she’ll also share the things you might be doing that are keeping larger donors from giving to you. You’ll walk away with hands-on strategies you can use immediately to help you get larger donations.
Check out Sherry’s Website: www.QuamTaylor.com
Sherry’s Results Speak for Themselves…
Sandi was struggling to grow her charitable giving. Working with Sherry she learned the 3 most important things she needed to prepare for solicitations. After she applied them, her organization’s annual gala grew from $75,000 in 2018 to over $200,000 in 2019.
Bing was struggling to secure and grow larger gifts for her nonprofit. Major corporations gave regularly, but their gifts were relatively small. Using the engagement strategies she learned in Sherry’s program, Bing built relationships with the decision makers. This strategy grew an annual gift from a major financial institution from $5,000 gift to $25,000 the 1st year.
David was faced with the high start-up costs of a Capital Campaign for his new Nonprofit. David knew he had a few large donors in his network, but didn’t have knowledge or experience in asking for large gifts. He invested in Sherry’s LET’S GROW 90-Day program — and secured a $300,000 lead gift in the first 60 days of the campaign.
…and Sherry’s Clients Sing Her Praises
After years of not really having a solid strategy to increase our donor base or gift dollar amounts, this program has given me the tools, resources, and confidence I have been looking for. (Kim, Founder and Executive Director of ARTS)
I’ve met or exceeded my fundraising goals while working with Sherry – she’s coached me to successful high 5-figure asks! (Simone, Executive Director of Naomi’s House)
This program is a game-changer. Your expertise and guidance is sincerely appreciated and we look forward to what’s to come. I am grateful for this opportunity. (Jeannine, Board Member)
Register Today!
Walk-ins are discouraged.
Questions?
Volunteer Center: info@volunteercenterhelps.org
Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce: director@winnetkanorthfieldchamber.com
January 15, 2020
January 7, 2020
COVID-19 is not stopping the Volunteer Center from again helping people in need at Good News Partners (GNP) this Thanksgiving! Any individual, family or group looking for a way to safely help may fill either a cloth or double bagged paper bag or small box with all the items in the list below, then drop it off between 10am and noon on Thanksgiving morning to 1600 W. Jonquil, Chicago (Rogers Park area off of Howard).
Although there is no contact with residents this year, it will still remain a very beneficial experience for all participants as it sets the tone for a thankful day in a very challenging year. Reservations are not required, but masks are, of course! The staff is prepared to receive the generous donations. Thank you for your help!
The List:
Cereal
Peanut Butter
Coffee
Pasta
Tomato sauce
Canned fruit and veggies
Soup (microwavable bowls)
Canned Tuna
Canned Chicken
Cookies
Questions? Contact info@volunteercenterhelps.org
November 5, 2019
21st CENTURY COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIES FOR YOUR NONPROFIT
Nonprofit Directors and Communications Officers, please join the VC — and 2 industry heavy-hitters — for breakfast and a highly motivational training program designed to help you build effective marketing and communications strategies for your nonprofit. This will be a thought-provoking workshop that will also be a valuable opportunity for you to network with other nonprofits facing the same challenges you are. The VC will also share a comprehensive local media contact list for attendees. Registration Required by November 18 am. Registration form below.
Tuesday, November 19
8:30-10:30am
Winnetka Community House
620 Lincoln Avenue
Winnetka
Susan Noyes
Founder & Publisher of Make It Better Media Group
Susan will discuss “Activating Your Audience”, highlighting best communication practices that have proven to build awareness of and support for successful nonprofits – particularly online. This Amplification & Connection Strategy is particularly effective in improving sponsorships, donations and ticket sales for major fundraising events.
Chris Hogan
Managing Director of i3Insights and Executive Service Corps Member
Chris will cover “Marketing Your Nonprofit”, with focus on applying Marketing Positioning to define and solidify your nonprofit’s image in the hearts and minds of your constituents. He will provide you a framework to help you articulate your nonprofit’s unique benefit, and why your constituents will believe it, over other relevant non-profits.
About Our Presenters
About Susan Noyes
In 2007, Susan founded makeitbetter.net, a small, community website. It blossomed into a multi-platform publishing company, serving similar demographics throughout Chicagoland, Marin County and San Francisco Bay Area — with a vibrant digital ecosystem, print magazines, custom publishing partnerships, videos, awards and signature events.
All three publications–Better, Marin Magazine and SPACES and their corresponding digital platforms help generate those powerful, positive connections that will inspire you to live, love, work and play with greater purpose.
She also launched the Make It Better Foundation and annual Philanthropy Awards in 2012. She occasionally appears on CNBC’s Closing Bell Investor Roundtable. Susan practiced law for Sidley & Austin from 1983-1989, then focused her efforts as a philanthropist, and uber volunteer while raising 6 children. She serves on multiple Chicago nonprofit boards including American Red Cross Chicago Chapter, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, and Poetry Foundation.
Better, formerly known as Make it Better began as a small website 12 years ago and has grown into a multi-platform publishing company, serving similar demographics throughout Chicagoland and the San Francisco Bay Area — with a vibrant digital ecosystem, print magazines, custom publishing partnerships, videos, awards and signature events.Better’s dream continues to be to create, strengthen, and connect communities across the country. Simply put, Better helps generate those powerful, positive connections that will inspire you to live, love, work and play with greater purpose.
About Chris Hogan
Chris is the Founder and Managing Director of i3Insights, a marketing and consumer insights consultancy across many industries. Chris is also a member of Executive Service Corps (ESC) an organization which provides consulting for non-profit organizations. He brings to his clients the knowledge gained and lessons learned from 35 years of experience working in consumer insights, shopper insights, analytics and category management. Chris has also taught consumer research as an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Chicago.
Previously, Chris was SVP Consumer Insight & Analytics at ConAgra. His responsibilities included insights and analytics for both the Consumer and Commercial Business Units. Prior to ConAgra, Chris had a variety of insight positions with increasing responsibility at Kraft Foods including: VP Consumer Insights & Strategy Kraft International responsible for consumer and shopper insights in 70 countries around the globe; VP Category Management Kraft North America responsible for the creation and leadership of Kraft’s Shopper Insights team, as well as leading the Category Management initiatives for the Kraft Sales organization; Director Consumer Insights for multiple business units across the Kraft U.S. portfolio of products.
i3 Insights was founded by Chris Hogan, after Chris successfully accumulated 30+ years of experience leading Insights, Analytics and Category Management teams at multiple Fortune 100 companies. This includes both U.S. and International experience identifying marketing insights that drove Brand Strategy, Brand Communication, Innovation and Category Management Opportunities. As a result, i3 Insights provides an uncommon level of both breadth and depth of knowledge in activating consumer insights, shopper insights, analytics, and strategic marketing that influences, inspires and impacts your business results. Chris also is an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Chicago,teaching consumer research design and analysis.
For more information, email Barb Tubekis at barb@volunteercenterhelps.org, or call 847-441-7665
November 4, 2019
