Read to Learn Adult Literacy Volunteer Program
The Read to Learn Adult Literacy Volunteer program helps adult members living in Chicago’s Northwest suburbs who do not meet the criteria of literacy as defined in the National Literacy Act of 1991. This program began with eight students and eight tutors in 1985 and has since trained over 5,000 community volunteers, and serviced over 10,000 adult beginning readers.
The Read to Learn program is committed to improving the quality of life in the community by raising the level of literacy among adults. The volunteer led program has demonstrated achievements by helping adults to gain employment and improve employment, communicate better at work and as a consumer, better understand the health professionals, and be involved with their children's education.
Sister Carmen Community Center
The Sister Carmen Community Center has been providing emergency assistance to people in need since the early 1970's. Originally started by a group of volunteers headed by John Fiorini and named for a Catholic nun named Sister Carmen, the Sister Carmen Community Center provides emergency assistance and works with community members to achieve self-sufficiency.
Emily Kubin
When Emily was 17 years old, she saw how the economy was affecting her community and decided to help those in need by using her skills with yarn to make them wool hats for the winter. As a result, she started the Emily's Hats for Hope Initiative in December 2011. To date, Emily has made and collected over 5,350 winter hats.
Lauren Hontz
Lauren Hontz started Lauren’s Luggage when she was nine years old because of a devastating fire at her home in which her family lost most of their belongings. Amongst all the items they received as result of donations, Lauren and her older brothers found comfort in the blankets and stuffed animals they were given. As time went on, the family began to receive more donated items than they could use. Therefore, Lauren came up with the idea to save the extra items and give them to other kids affected by fires. Over the past year through Lauren’s Luggage, Lauren has collaborated with fire departments and other local organizations collect and deliver a blanket for each child and necessities to families affected by fires and other disasters.
Amanda Moore
For more than 15 years, Amanda Moore has given of herself tirelessly by dedicating her time and talent to volunteering with local charities and events to make a difference in the world. Most notably, Amanda serves in various capacities as a volunteer with the non-profit organization, Manataka American Indian Council, to preserve and educate others about the American Indian culture. Since 2006, she has been the drum keeper and ceremonial drum leader. Each year, she travels to a considerable number of locations in United States and makes annual pilgrimages to drum, sing, and teach others to do traditional beadwork, shawl making, and dream catcher creation along with many more American Indian cultural practices. Amanda also serves as fundraiser and works with the Manataka American Indian Council and the Arkansas Native Plant and Wildlife Center to raise funds annually for their Feed Our Friends fundraiser to assist with the rehabilitation of injured wildlife so that they can be released back into their natural environment.
In addition to her work with Manataka, Amanda serves as a board member for the Hot Springs Farmers Market in Arkansas where she plans and executes events with the purpose of broadening people's awareness of health related items. Amanda volunteers her time with other non-profit organizations including the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and the Women's Foundation of Arkansas.
Steven Cooley
Steven Cooley started the STRAP program to provide mentoring and life skills to at-risk youth. As a deputy sheriff, Steven provides courtroom security for a juvenile court. Through his days spent in the courtroom, Steven realized a tremendous need to provide mentoring and life-skills training to teenage males, primarily those living in single-parent households.
As a result, Steven organized a group of lawyers, judges, and other members of his community he met through his work as a deputy sheriff to obtain the use of an office building and enlist volunteers to develop a mentor program. The program assigns mentors to young men, many of whom have been involved with the juvenile court and are at risk to become repeat offenders. In addition to the mentoring functions, the participants receive training in basic life skills as well as assistance in developing the maturity and self-control needed to make better decisions and stay out of trouble.
Steven is an example to others and his local community that concerned citizens can start programs that have a positive impact on the lives of children.
