Our Experience Volunteering for the Literacy Chicago Non-Profit Organization
I found the opportunity on www.idealist.org. We have always enjoyed volunteering. We painted classrooms with Chicago Cares and built houses with Habitat for Humanity. I thought that helping a company move would be more manual labor as well, but it turned out to be so much more.
My daughters learned what it was like to work in an office environment. They now really understand how learning to alphabetize really is important. They learned the importance of shredding confidential information and the length of time you have to keep certain documents before you can destroy them. They learned that you can never have enough boxes. I believe they would say learning the key codes to get into the different doors was the coolest. The staff was wonderful and very appreciative for all the help we gave. We packed boxes, moved books, and sorted through various files. I was even given the pleasure of sitting in as the teacher for a class. I was very nervous and hesitant, but it was nice to see how their organization worked. My daughters made signs for upcoming classes and posted them throughout the office. They got a lot of pleasure out of seeing their signs posted for all to see.
In addition to the wonderful experience, we were given access to a wide variety of books that we can use in our school. Although we went there with no expectations, it felt like we were getting paid for helping them. Some of the books included: Shakespeare, Chinese/English dictionary (from China), Algebra, Physics, Chemistry, and more. I could have never afforded all of these and am extremely thankful for these gifts.
It was an amazing experience for me. I felt like I was not only taking my daughters to work with me, but working with them. They showed me how much they know and how eager they are to learn more. My daughters were exposed to real world experiences that most people do not see until they are adults. My oldest has no desire to work in an office. That is what makes volunteering so great for teenagers. They can get a little taste of a variety of jobs before they decide what they want to do with their life.
Published by JoAnn Selke
I am a mother of three beautiful daughters and have been married to my wonderful husband for almost 18 years. You could say that I have been blessed. Currently, I feel like the wealthiest woman in the worl... View profile
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2 Comments
Post a CommentYou are so right, Catherine. They could always use more tutors. I encourange anyone interested to visit their website at www.literacychicago.org for details.
Another great way to volunteer with Literacy Chicago is as an Adult Beginner Reader Tutor. I did this for over a year, and loved every minute of it. I worked through the Morgan Park Presbyterian Church, and was trained through them as well. This was all part of the Literacy Chicago Tutor Program, and was a very fulfilling experience. Plus I became great friends with my student!