CHICAGO SHINES THANKS TO THIS VOLUNTEER’S HELPING HAND

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Brooke Brown. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Brooke Brown caught the volunteerism bug at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her employer teamed up with Chicago Cares, an organization that mobilizes volunteers to build a stronger, more unified Chicago, to create a mixed-media mural out of broken glass. Inspired by the organization’s ability to create something unique during a challenging time, Brooke wanted to learn more. Looking to make a greater impact on the city, Brooke went to the Chicago Cares website and started researching volunteer opportunities. It was then that her journey began.

Fast forward to the present day, and Brooke now serves as a volunteer leader for Chicago Cares, spearheading initiatives that are incredibly diverse. She volunteers two to three times a week, tackling assignments that often require physical labor and an ability to manage others. On Mondays and Tuesdays, you might find her doing text banking, where she recruits people from the neighborhood to get involved with short-staffed projects. On the weekends, you can find her cleaning up trash on Lake Shore Drive or respectfully guiding clients through their food selections at the local food pantry. She has even participated in creating haunted houses for the neighborhood children, so they can have a safe environment to enjoy Halloween. In 2024, Brooke led over a dozen projects with community partners across the city. When help is needed, Brooke is ready and willing to lead the charge.

Ezekiel Alexander, a volunteer relations coordinator at Chicago Cares, has known Brooke for about a year. He describes her as a problem solver who always takes the initiative to get things done, but still manages to make everyone laugh.

“One thing about Brooke is that she’ll go out into the field and just bring a lot of smiles to people’s faces. She does a lot of outdoor work, which can be very grueling and dampen spirits. But she’s going to get it done, and she’s going to get the mood lifted,” explains Ezekiel. “She’ll be volunteering for a couple of hours somewhere with a lot of sidewalk heat, even with people who may not have volunteered before. She has a great impact on people.”

In 2024, Brooke completed around 100 hours of volunteer work across 44 projects. When asked what inspires her to dedicate her free time to helping others, Brooke is candid about her motivation.

”At some point in everybody’s life, you’ll need some type of help, whether it’s financial, emotional or otherwise,” says Brooke. “I just think it’s important to do your part, because you never know when you may be on the receiving end of that.”

Whether it’s washing clothing at local shelters or gardening at a nearby farm, Brooke is always willing to dedicate her time to make Chicago a better place. However, she’s not seeking special recognition. In her own words, Brooke says she’s always looking to “show up, get the job done and go home.” But with that hardworking attitude, Brooke has made a significant difference in her community. Brooke’s dedication to both the city of Chicago and her mission to help others is a testament to just how powerful volunteering can be.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Brooke? Find local volunteer opportunities.