Agencies
Services
Summer 2023 Newsletter
Update from the Executive Director
Happy Summer, Illinois! As the new Executive Director for the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, I want to take the time to ‘thank you for your service’ and with humble appreciation, thank you for the opportunity to continue my service to communities across the State of Illinois. I have worked in various roles across my career in the human service industry surrounded by dedicated and compassionate team members. I have found the same here with the Serve Illinois team, the Board of Commissioners, and the incredible networks of volunteers across the state.
I look forward to learning about, listening to, and seeing and being Service. Being a small part of each community, each project, and each opportunity to celebrate Service.
I look forward to traveling across Illinois to meet and see all examples of volunteerism to provide our support, begin new relationships, and revitalize old ones.
The Serve Illinois Commission will lead in building community in partnership and with a commitment to servicing the state of Illinois.
Yours in Service,
Andres Fernandez
Serve Illinois Executive Director
Update from the Chair
Happy Summer, Illinois! As the new Executive Director for the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, I want to take the time to ‘thank you for your service’ and with humble appreciation, thank you for the opportunity to continue my service to communities across the State of Illinois. I have worked in various roles across my career in the human service industry surrounded by dedicated and compassionate team members. I have found the same here with the Serve Illinois team, the Board of Commissioners, and the incredible networks of volunteers across the state.
I look forward to learning about, listening to, and seeing and being Service. Being a small part of each community, each project, and each opportunity to celebrate Service.
I look forward to traveling across Illinois to meet and see all examples of volunteerism to provide our support, begin new relationships, and revitalize old ones.
The Serve Illinois Commission will lead in building community in partnership and with a commitment to servicing the state of Illinois.
Yours in Service,
Andres Fernandez
Serve Illinois Executive Director
Data Snapshot
Focus on Service
Volunteer Spotlight
Lindsey Sadler - Volunteer Spotlight (August 7th, 2023)
"In early 2023, I reached out to my local youth soccer league in my hometown of Anna, IL. I am the mother of a special needs child and I am always looking for opportunities for my son to be included. I quickly found out that there was a strong need for a special needs sports team in our area. Upon bringing my idea to the Union County Soccer League, I was approached by parents in other counties about coming to ours to play because no such team existed in their towns either. I quickly went to work volunteering all my free hours to this new Special Needs Program. I worked on this team every hour I wasn't at my full-time job. I had a vision initially - I wanted the program to be free to special needs families. Special needs families
often have financial hardships relating to their child's diagnosis. I approached businesses in my town and presented them with my idea. I created a program plan, purpose statement, budget, and schedule. The purpose of this team is to celebrate players of all abilities. Using a social soccer program structure, this team exists to serve children with physical and developmental disabilities and for players that might be more comfortable participating on a less competitive team. This program is open to any boy or girl, ages 3-13. It is designed to bring the excitement and fun of playing soccer to players who traditionally have not had a place in the youth soccer system. Union County Soccer League encourages participation and passion in youth soccer and this team is a part of UCSL and participates under their guidance.
Fast forward to March 2023 - The Warriors Special Needs Soccer Team has their inaugural game and I see my dream come to life. I have 19 players, a handful of devoted volunteers, and myself. It is absolutely heartwarming to see my community embrace minds of all kinds, and their level of support has been overwhelming. But, the best part of all is the smiles and the laughter from my players. One parent confided that their daughter loves soccer again, because of this team. Another shared she'd never seen her son smiling so much! And that is why I do this. It's always been about them and for them and that is how it will remain. I hope to continue this program for as long as I possibly can. GO WARRIORS!"
Tonya Powers - Volunteer Spotlight (July 7th, 2023)
Tonya Powers Serves as Executive Director for Homeless United for Change (HUC) on a volunteer basis. Tonya brings together numerous organizations, churches, and people in who provide in-kind and money donations for community organizing projects and to feed the chronically homeless at the Overflow Shelter in Springfield, IL. Tonya initiated the project years ago to help nurses excel at their work by bringing them in to serve as volunteers with HUC. This project continues and allows them to earn community service hours which enables them to climb their career ladders. Tonya also brought in two churches as well as numerous
independent people who also serve with her and because of her to help the chronically homeless.
She serves on the Board of Directors of Body of Christ of Buffalo on a volunteer basis. Tonya has a talent for bringing people together for fun activities such as movie nights and skating nights and does photo shoots with her pets bringing joy to both adults and children. And, she organizes fundraisers to support well needed church projects. She also bakes the best pumpkin rolls and donates the proceeds to the church on special occasions.
Tonya also volunteers at SouthTower community church on several projects as well always to help others.
Lynn Eichorn - Volunteer Spotlight (June 6th, 2023)
Lynn Eichorn, a former teacher with a deep love for both children and reading, has been fostering the promise of literacy with Reading Power for over seven years.“The time I spend at Reading Power is so positive and energizing. Seeing students improve their reading skills and gain self-confidence is a gift,” Lynn shares. Lynn started out tutoring one or two days a week, and then because of the bond she felt with her students, she has been volunteering up to four days a week so no student would ever miss out on a tutoring session.
When she’s not at Reading Power, you might find Lynn enjoying a Notre Dame football game, a Cubs baseball game, or walking her two dogs. She is now also spending some of her days babysitting a new granddaughter.
Reading Power is a literacy nonprofit headquartered in Lake County, IL. They provide in-person one-to-one tutoring to students at risk of reading failure during the school day.
Nominate a Volunteer!
Email the Following Information to DHS.ServeIllinois@Illinois.gov:
- Nominator Name
- Nominee Name
- Nominee Address
- Picture of Nominee
- Description of Nominee's Volunteer Activities
Volunteer Opportunities
To have your volunteer opportunities added to our website, please email your volunteer opportunities to DHS.ServeIllinois@illinois.gov with "Volunteer Opportunity" in the subject line.
Upcoming Events and Deadlines
AmeriCorps Member Recruitment Corner
Public Allies
Public Allies Chicago is a social justice organization committed to changing the face and practice of leadership by recruiting and training talented emerging leaders, with a passion for social impact, to create meaningful change in our city. Our Allies are diverse, equity-centered, innovative problem solvers, dedicated to mobilizing community assets to develop solutions to
local challenges. In partnership with nonprofit partners, we deliver our nationally recognized, values-driven, results-led apprenticeship to advance our mission to create a just and equitable society and the diverse leadership to sustain it.
With Michelle Obama as its founder, it has been 30 years since Public Allies Chicago launched a community-based asset model that changed how emerging civic leaders are developed and engage with Chicago communities. With Mark Payne and Bianca Cotton, two Black Public Allies program alumni at the helm, Public Allies Chicago is focused on imparting knowledge and opportunities to Allies centered around Asset Based Community Development (ABCD), and how building upon assets can fuel the next 30 years of Public Allies.
Public Allies Chicago’s leadership understands that Chicago is rooted and grounded in community and is recruiting Allies from communities that may have been overlooked. These diverse community members have overlayed this asset-based leadership approach in community-based institutions, local and national government, health care systems, and philanthropy; resulting in racially inclusive practices, community-focused problem solving, and a long-standing, anti-racist network of nearly 10,000 changemakers committed to social justice and equity.
Potential members can contact Gabriela Martinez at gabrielam@publicallies.org
Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House
Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House AmeriCorps members focus on the CNCS focus areas of Education, Healthy Futures, and Economic Opportunity for Opportunity Youth. They also coordinate services for homeless veterans, expand the capacity of the community to support and manage volunteers, and community implementation of safety initiatives. Lessie Bates AmeriCorps approaches the needs of the children and families of East St. Louis, Illinois.
Potential members can contact Kwanzaa Wright at kwright@lbdnh.org or call 618-874-0777
Chicago HOPES for Kids
Chicago HOPES for Kids provides comprehensive support to Chicago students and families experiencing homelessness. We are committed to our children’s educational development and long-term empowerment through academic support, dedicated mentorship, and basic needs services. We are committed to offering direct academic services and holistic investment for the long-term resilience, school success, and future prosperity of Chicago children experiencing homelessness.
Potential members can contact volunteer@chicagohopesforkids.org
Special Features
Southside Blooms Recognition Pop-Up
On May 16, 2023, Upstate Volunteer Programs Coordinator Cecilia Maciel Martinez visited Southside Blooms, an initiative by Chicago Eco House, to provide Governor's Certificates of Appreciation for their most outstanding and committed volunteers. Southside Blooms is a farm-to-vase florist on the Southside of Chicago, providing unique and fashion-forward arrangements while maintaining an uncompromising dedication to the environment and surrounding communities. Every purchase directly contributes to job creation for youth and young adults from under-resourced and
marginalized communities. Their flowers are “beyond-organic” because they do not use pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers.
The volunteers recognized were Andy Brown, James Harris, LaShawn Etheridg, Warren Skipper. and David Lapidus. Pictured above are Chicago Eco House Founder, Quilen Blackwell, and after-school student workers.
Illinois National Service Summit
On June 3, 2023, Serve Illinois hosted the Illinois National Service Summit virtually This one-day power-packed summit brought together over 30 Illinois AmeriCorps programs, program staff, AmeriCorps members, and alum. Summit attendees picked topics that addressed career and work development, understanding the issues that matter, and a mental wellness seminar. Reports indicate the summit was a huge success! With so many experiencing web fatigue and screen time overload, our team worked diligently to ensure that all attendees had a first-class virtual experience. According to Jen, an Illinois AmeriCorps Program Manager, “The vFairs platform makes it feel more interactive and not just plain old Zoom meetings, so that helps.” Our Downstate Volunteer Programs Coordinator and summit host Jacob Jenkins worked with the programming team to ensure this year's theme “The Journey Ahead”, was visible in the site design and functionality.
Points of Light Conference
Serve Illinois staff attended the Points of Light Conference from June 14th-16th, 2023 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile and had an amazing time meeting national and international volunteerism professionals, attended informative sessions, and even had the opportunity to hear from Emmy winner,
Sheryl Lee Ralph. Points of Light is a yearly gathering for those who are passionate about civic engagement. The points of light mission is to inspire, equip and mobilize people to take action that changes the world. Pictured above (left to right) are: Kimberley Doyle, Cecilia Maciel Martinez, Allison Miller, Rachael Tuxhorn, and Jacob Jenkins.
Serve Illinois' Inaugural Day of Service
On June 23, 2023, Serve Illinois hosted its inaugural day of service. Five organizations, La Casa Notre, C-U at Home, The Center for Youth & Family Solutions, Connections for the Homeless, and Northeast Community Fund, served as host sites. Youth homelessness was the focus of this year's awareness and action campaign. Our team met with each site and identified projects to improve the organization. Serve Illinois recruited and galvanized volunteers to do gardening beautification, food boxing packing, and organizing clothes and food pantries. Serve Illinois would like to extend a very special thank you to all of the host sites as well as to all of the volunteers who traveled from near and far!
Stay up to date!
Visit our social media accounts:
To be added to our newsblast, please email DHS.ServeIllinois@Illinois.gov with "newsblast" in the subject line.
