Before
joining the Lincoln Park Community Shelter, I studied English and History at
the University of Wisconsin – Madison. I later attended DePaul University, where
I received a Masters Degree in English. Upon completing my Masters Degree, I
began work as the Director of Communications for The Shakespeare Project of
Chicago, a non-profit theatre that brings the words of William Shakespeare to
life with free performances and dramatic readings throughout the city. At the
same time, I was teaching English Composition at Harper College and Morton
College.
My
relationship with the Lincoln Park Community Shelter unofficially began in
January, 2012, when I attended an orientation to become a volunteer. I was so
eager to be a part of this incredible organization that I checked nearly every
volunteer opportunity box. I began by cooking dinners at the Shelter with a
group of friends, later I contributed by bringing in sack lunches. The very
dedicated Volunteer Coordinator extraordinaire, Elli Krandall, suggested that I
use my editing experiences to help guests with their cover letters. I took her
recommendation and began coming to the Shelter every other Tuesday to help guests
write and edit their cover letters.
During one
of these visits, I only had one guest sign up to meet with me and discuss his
cover letter. I asked him what it was about his job experiences that he wanted
to express or further convey in his cover letter. His answer: “Why I came to be
living here today”. This is when it occurred to me that the LPCS did more than
just give a rooftop, job assistance, and food to 35 homeless men and women. The
LPCS was giving 35 individuals a chance to tell and change their stories. Each
person that stays at the LPCS found themselves without homes for vastly
different reasons; however, their goals are the same. I realized, then, that I
wanted to have a more active role in changing the stories of these men and
women. It is for these reasons that I am thrilled to accept the position as the
Community Relations Manager at the Lincoln Park Community Shelter.
--Meghan Freebeck, Community Relations Manager
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