Volunteer Spotlight - Curtis Ksenak

Our June Volunteer Spotlight, Curtis Ksenak, jumped into the LPCS team like a kid into a swimming pool on the first day of summer! Originally introduced to us through our Board President, Gil Matar, as a new member of the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce, Curtis was interested in using his skills to help LPCS. 

Curtis currently works with Responsive Network Solutions, a tech support company that helps small to mid-sized businesses with their computer and tech needs. From the moment we were put in contact, we put Curtis to work! LPCS is always in need of people to help out with our computers, printers, scanners, and all other tech related items – Curtis was the perfect addition to our Tech Team, the group of people we call upon whenever we have an issue we are unable to solve on our own. As a small staff in a non profit, this support is invaluable!

Since then, Curtis has become a regular sight at LPCS, joining us in the morning before work, staying for entire days, and even coming back on weekends and evenings to help with anything that needs fixing! He will tackle anything from a simple networking error to an entire overhaul of our Server, Curtis is dedicated to finding solutions for LPCS. 

In addition to the Tech Support he offers us on a constant, and last minute, basis, Curtis has also joined our Associate Board. The Associate Board is made up of a group of LPCS supporters and volunteers that works with staff and the Board of Directors to develop and implement plans to make LPCS a stronger and thriving, long-term organization. 

We cherish Curtis and his dedication to LPCS; we greatly appreciate all that he does for us and the time that he provides!

“Having worked for a number of non-profit organizations, I know the budget constraints these type of organizations face on a yearly basis.  As a result, I volunteer for LPCS as a way to reduce the costs associated with the organization’s IT system.  The staff and Guests of the Shelter are absolutely amazing and I know when I walk into the Shelter I will always leave with a huge smile on my face.  If you need a place where you want to volunteer to actually make a difference in people’s lives, the LPCS should be your choice.”-Curtis Ksenac

**If you are interested in learning more about the LPCS Tech Team, please contact Meghan at MFreebeck@lpcsonline.org

Metamorphosis Party 2013 - Transforming Lives

Thank you so much to everyone who joined us at Metamorphosis Party 2013! We reached our goal in raising over $100,000 to benefit programs of the Lincoln Park Community Shelter, and even surpassed last year's amount!

Rather than tell you about the event, I thought it would be more fun to just show you! Check out some of these great photographs taken by Tennile Sunday Photography.

LPCS is all set to go!

There were some great prizes to be won throughout the night; some people took home dinners at Geja's Cafe, Cubs tickets, bottles of wine, Graduate Photography, and shopping sprees at the Wheel!

Nancie King Mertz painted a scene from Cafe Brauer live at the event.

Compassion in Action recipient, George Kuhlman

The Jazz Quartess Trio played all night

Maria is all set to start her bidding

This quilt was handcrafted by members of Saint Pauls UCC. Congrats to winners Brent and Ann C.

Let the bidding wars begin!

 You can see many more photos from the event at our facebook page. Thanks again to Tennile for capturing the event. You can order photos from the event at her website as well.

Hope to see everyone again next year!!

National People's Action

Over a long weekend in April, I traveled to Washington D.C. with a group of Lakeview Action Coalition members to attend the National People’s Action (NPA) annual conference.  The theme for NPA’s 40^th conference was “40 Years Toward Justice.”  Over 500 people attended with the purpose of collective action for justice, and “to take back our democracy and economy from the corporations and 1% that have stolen them from us.”

As soon as our group arrived in Washington, we joined a rally and march organized by National Nursed United around the “Robin Hood Tax.”  We were even given felt Robin Hood hats to wear.  It was energizing to be with so many people who are passionate about change on that sunny day, even after a 14 hour bus ride.  What was the purpose of this rally and march to the federal reserve?  We wanted to bring awareness and encourage Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and the White House Representative Keith Ellison’s proposed “Inclusive Prosperity Act” that would create a small tax on big Wall Street transactions.  This is a tax of ½ of a percent or less on big Wall Street transactions, which could generate up to $350 billion each year for investments in America -- health care, fighting HIV/AIDS, jobs, safety net, fighting climate change, and affordable housing. 

On Sunday, I participated in a breakout session on Housing Justice, where member organizations shared and strategized what we could do to ensure safe affordable housing for all.  I was proud to share the efforts LAC, who has organized around the decline of affordable SROs, lobbied for affordable units with the developer of the former site of Children’s Hospital, and demanding that CHA lease up their available units to individuals and families in need.   I learned about more work we can be doing around defining affordability, and eliminate barriers for returning citizens.

Sunday afternoon (after my chance meet up for lunch with former LPCS Case Management Intern Katie McNamara) was time for some direct action.  I found it incredibly powerful to join with over 500 people to put pressure Ed Demarco, the FHFA Acting Director to resign so that we can finally fix millions of loans and keep families in their homes.  Imagine the neighbors’ surprise when all of the people were on Ed DeMarco’s front lawn!  The voice of the people was heard by Obama, who nominated Representative Mel Watts to be the new regulator of Fannie Mae.  An article in the Huffington Post yesterday suggested that “Housing Activists Convince Obama to Dump

Additionally, we put pressure on Eugene Ludwig, of the “Fix the debt” campaign, a front group for corporations who want to avoid paying their fair share of taxes by making middle class and working families pick up their tab. 

Monday, our last day in the nation’s capitol was our chance to spend time on Capitol Hill.  NPA conference members attended the Senate Judiciary Hearing on Immigration, putting pressure on legislators to keep families together, who become torn apart by current immigration laws.  After the hearing, we split into our own organizations’ groups to meet with state legislators on Capitol Hill.

The group of LAC leaders who took the trip included Mary and Norm.  Mary currently lives in transitional housing, after becoming homeless due to job loss when experiencing medical problems.  Norm lives at the Lakeview YMCA has been working hard to preserve the single room occupancy (SRO) housing in the community.  The issues that we are advocating to solve in this community are part of national campaigns.  Attending the conference with so many others who fight for justice adds to my passion for working one on one with Guests in an effort toward solving homelessness and advocating for economic justice. 

On the last day of National People’s Action conference, the symbolism of butterflies struck me, creating an overlap between personal change for our Guests and community change regarding immigration reform.  I had not known until NPA conference that Monarch butterflies have become a powerful symbol of beauty and freedom for the immigrant rights movement.  Every year, monarch butterflies fly thousands of miles over the invisible borders that separate Canada, the United States and Mexico, and then return.  Their migration is natural.  Another natural process is the ability to create change in one’s life.  Our annual fundraising gala, Metamorphosis Party, symbolizes the empowerment of our Guests to make positive change in their lives.

 

By: Brianne Spresser