National Service Summit

IDHS-Serve Illinois hosted the 2024 Illinois National Service Summit on May 20, 2024, in Chicago. The summit celebrates our AmeriCorps members while introducing young adults to resources, information, and opportunities to prepare them for their next stage in life. The summit also serves as a convening of current and potential providers of National Service in Illinois.

This one-day, power-packed summit featured dynamic presenters, an alumni panel, networking opportunities, and a resource fair.

Over 130 individuals attended the summit, representing organizations from across the state, which included Casa Romero, Southside Long-Term Recovery Group, University of Chicago C4P, Girls Scouts of Northern Illinois, Boys and Girls Club of Chicago, JUMP, Lessie Bates, Illinois Justice Corps, Public Allies, Literacy Volunteers of Illinois, Gardeneers, Up2Us Sports, Herrin House of Hope, Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center, WIU Peace Corps, Linda & Bill Gantz Boys and Girls Club, Relay Graduate School of Education, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago Hopes for Kids and Association House.

A total of four workshops were available to attendees with dynamic presentations, including:

• Reaching & Retaining Youth Requires a Youth Mindset: Tapping into the World of Youth Development, One Memory at a Time presented by Dr. Jarmese Sherrod and Janese Sherrod
• Cultural Competency Training: Understanding the Impact of Historical, Intergenerational, and Migratory Trauma on the Individual and Community by Dr. Pamela Fullerton
• Opportunities After AmeriCorps: Peace Corps service and fully funded Graduate School by KMC

Mission or Compassion? How to Show Up for the Mission and Your Team by Chante Gamby.

An alumni panel and networking opportunities were available to attendees to connect with others passionate about National Service. Public Allies alum Lillie Sellers and Cre Walls and City Year alum Aira Lheiz Aquino provided insightful information and touching stories about their time in AmeriCorps.

The resource fair included colleges and organizations that provided information throughout the day, including City Colleges of Chicago, Peace Corps, Chicago State University, Illinois Department of Mental Health, Illinois Department of Central Management, SIU School of Medicine - Behavioral Health Workforce Center, University of Chicago - Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, National Civilian Community Corps, and Forest Preserves of Cook County.

A special thank you for all presenters, resource fair participants, the alumni panel, and all who attended for making the 2024 Illinois National Service Summit a success!

We hope you can join us next year!