September Volunteer Spotlight - Julia Weeger!

This month is a unique one, because we are spotlighting a volunteer who has held  a number of roles with LPCS! Not only has she been a stellar volunteer, she is also remembered for her time as the LPCS Volunteer Coordinator AND as an Interim Housing Coordinator! Congrats to our September Spotlight, Julia Weeger!

We chose to spotlight Julia Weeger this particular month because of the gratitude we feel toward her for her extra special help during the month of August. As many of you already know, we always have a few weeks in between Volunteer Coordinator positions where there is no one to fill the spot (scary!). While staff can do many things, this is really a position that deserves full time attention. To help bridge the gap, Julia Weegar came back to LPCS to serve once again!

Julia served first as Volunteer Coordinator. She was best known amongst the volunteers as a friend first and foremost, and a staff member second. Julia really enjoyed working on the track activities, because it was an opportunity to get to know volunteers on a deeper level, directly talking about similar interests and goals. Julia also developed a very deep relationship to the Guests at LPCS, which led to her becoming an interim housing coordinator as well – she really has done it all!

“I am always happy to help where I can. Working with LPCS as the Volunteer Coordinator, and later as an IHC, was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. It's the people--the volunteers, the staff and, of course, the Guests- and all the talent, dedication and humor they bring, that make LPCS such an amazing organization. I'm happy that I can still be a part of it.” – Julia Weeger

Taste of Fall Tickets now on sale!

Join us and support LPCS! Friday, October 18th at Gallery 1028 This year's event is going to be even tastier than previous years, with many new vendors and signature cocktails. The Tony Bondi Project will return with brand new music, the Ultimate Tasting Raffle has nearly doubled in size, and we will have opportunities for you to take bottles of wine home that very night! New to this year, there will be an Art Gallery featuring LPCS Guest and Graduate work as well. All of the proceeds will go toward helping our Guests overcome the financial hurdles that would prevent them from opening doors to their own homes. This event will surely sell out, so be sure to get your tickets early! Click Here to register. Some restaurants include (but are not limited to): Pastoral Cheese and Wine Bowtruss Coffee Roasters The Refinery Basil Leaf Cafe Viaggio Geja's Cafe Cafe Vienna SaiMai Thai A Special Thanks to our Sponsors: Cornerstone Sponsors: Arnstein & Lehr LLP with Norman Jeddeloh MB Financial Rivers Casino Community Sponsors: Associate Board, LPCS Doejo The Greatest Good Suburban Pulmonary James and Marcia Tarabori Hotel Lincoln Friend Sponsors: American Sleep Network (ASN) In Kind Sponsors: Eva Ho Photography International Label and Printing Co. Prost Tennile Sunday Photography and many more...	Kick Off Party at Prost! Thursday, September 19th, Prost In an effort to raise money and also excitement for the delicious event, we will be hosting a Happy Hour event at Prost (2566 N Lincoln Ave.) on September 19th from 6PM-9PM. For only $20, you will receive 2 free drink tickets for a beverage of your choice, appetizers will be served, and a chance to give back to LPCS in a fun way with family and friends! At the event we will also showcase some of the Guest artwork that can be purchased at Taste of Fall. All of the money raised will go directly toward the cost of hosting Taste of Fall. Big thanks to Prost for helping us with this contribution!	Kick It Home, Chicago! September 21st, 9AM-12PM at Jonquil Park Mission: To bring together homeless shelters across Chicago in an effort to build relationships with one another, form a sense of teamwork and accomplishment between the Guests and staff, raise awareness to the community and break stereotypes about the homeless population, and offer an entertaining outlet for exercise and activity. Purpose and Goals of the League: Internally, the league will give the staff and the guests a chance to interact and develop group activity skills. In any profession, people must be able to work in groups as strongly as they do independently, and this will emphasize that importance. The guests will also have the opportunity to be a part of the community in an active way, with an emphasis on the importance of exercise and remaining healthy. Professionally, the league will allow the staff to meet people that are involved in various shelters throughout Chicago. This is a great way to build relationships and lines of communication. By developing relationships with other shelters, we are always reminded that we are a part of the same goal even if we have different modes of reaching that goal. We can get ideas from one another and inevitably, strengthen our own program by connecting to other people. What may have worked for one shelter can help another and what is not being utilized by one shelter can be passed along to the next.
Want more information about any of these events or interested in a sponsorship?  Contact Meghan at MFreebeck@lpcsonline.org

Meet Lauren, newest member to the LPCS Team!

Hello, everyone! My name is Lauren Kirby and I am thrilled to fill the Volunteer Coordinator position for the next year. I was born in Omaha, Nebraska, but Cedar Rapids, Iowa is where I consider home. I recently graduated in May from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. I love to read, enjoy the outdoors, travel, and most importantly, spend time with friends and family. 

I discovered LVC (Lutheran Volunteer Corp) from an LVC alumna, which I am so grateful for! The goal of being a member of LVC is “building community, working for justice, and living simply and sustainably”. We had orientation last week and then a few free days to venture around the great city of Chicago. 

I just returned a couple of weeks ago from three months in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, working with military children living on base; it was quite the experience as well as a learning opportunity! I also got to live the Hawaiian life, which included snorkeling, skydiving, surfing, and going to a Luau.

I can’t wait to jump into this position and hold up the remarkable reputation of LPCS. I have a long term goal of working in the non-profit world as well as working toward social justice. I have only heard great things about LPCS and feel incredibly fortunate to work with this organization. I am eager to work with and get to know wonderful people and am very pleased to be here! 

By: Lauren Kirby, Volunteer Coordinator 

Attending a Luau in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Thoughts on making change from Washington

As I reflect on my visit to Washington D.C., I think about the sequester cuts, social security policies, how to “reel-in” your legislators, and the goal set to end homelessness.

As I learned, the sequester cuts are the most drastic cuts in a long time. A main cut they will eliminate in full or in part is the HUD program. As early as next month and in continuing months about 100,000 families across the country will be homeless because they will lose their rent subsidies. As of today, July 23^rd, 2013 the senate will bring this cut to the floor.           

So how do we want to assure a legislator is keeping in his mind one’s request for assistance? First of all, never write pages of information as legislators and their staff receive hundreds of phone calls, e-mails, and letters and they can’t even think how to prioritize each, so send a simple-basic one page letter; it’s okay if another two to four pages are graphs or stats. Never spam the legislator. He may take that as disrespect and pressure. I personally am against loud rallying. If I were a legislator, I would prefer up to four or five persons in my office to address their concerns.  Invite the legislator to a ribbon cutting event, or to give speeches or be a main speaker at your event. Legislators value these options more favorably and with that your organization just “reeled-in” that legislator.

I learned a lot during my stay in Washington sponsored the National Alliance to End Homelessness and really enjoyed the sessions, being able to see sites in Washington D.C., and the plane ride. 

By: Albert L

           

My Reflection from Washington, D.C.

On July 13^th we met at the Lincoln Park Community Shelter. We arrived with many things to accomplish in mind that day. The main reason for the gathering would be the trip the Graduates were taking to Washington D.C. My reason too! Some planned to leave early the following Sunday morning (July 21). Most by plane, and one by train. All bound for Washington to give and gather information for the National Conference on Ending Homelessness.

Once we arrived in D.C., there were no plans so we registered into the conference and Erin treated us to a double-decker bus ride around Washington. We saw the White House, the Capitol building, and the Smithsonian.  D.C. is beautiful. In the evening, Erin forced us to consume a fantastic Chinese dinner. It was great.

Monday morning John and I made it to the air and space museum and then lunch. We gathered up and went to our classes. I chose two classes on Rapid Re-housing. With the implementation of the HEARTH Act, it seems to be what is going to replace today’s shelters. The presenters talked about how to start up Rapid Re-housing, what works well and what does not, and other agency’s accomplishments in other cities. In the evening we were lucky to see a documentary film on homelessness by Mark Horvath (@Home). It brought tears to my eyes. A great film for what’s wrong in this country and what can cure it.

Tuesday took me to a domestic violence class and other classes on homelessness and how to help yourself when you can. I got to take class on Moving on from Permanent Supportive Housing: Creating Successful Exits. This class helps to move on with what works for the individual to become more independent. That evening, Albert and I made it over to the Smithsonian’s American History Museum, where we saw Archie Bunker’s chair and a great exhibit on the American military involvement in wars over our history.

On Wednesday some of our group were able to go to Capitol Hill and meet with our congressmen and senators to convey our interest in the issue of homelessness and our personal stories. It was a touching and powerful moment.

We went home at about 5:30 that evening. It was a trip I won’t forget. And I thank you for letting me represent Lincoln Park Community Shelter as a Graduate.

By:  Zyg D

Volunteer Spotlight - Leona Lee

Leona Lee

We are thrilled to have Leona as our Volunteer Spotlight this month! Leona teaches an art class to our Guests every week

Leona came to LPCS years ago as a volunteer with her Art Class to work with Guests and Graduates on a project that would benefit LPCS for years to come. If you ever visit the LPCS dining room, you have probably noticed the beautiful mural along the wall. This was made by Leona with several other students and the Guests of LPCS. The paint is magnetic so our Guests can leave notes!

Every since then, Leona has been leading her own art class at LPCS every week! She generously provides the supplies and comes every time with new and creative ideas. Our Guests love the opportunity to work with their hands and to make something that they are proud of.

Currently, Leona is working with some artists on creating projects that will be on display and on auction at our upcoming fundraiser, Taste of Fall. If you are interested in seeing some of these works and even have a chance to own your own, be sure to check out our event on October 18^th.

Why do I volunteer at LPCS? It is the most rewarding thing I have ever done. It is a privilege to teach such wonderful people, to see their growth and blossoming at LPCS. In the coming year, I am eager to explore how photography can be mixed with other artistic media, in ways the guests can use to express themselves visually.