We search for role models in our lives and as we grow older, I think that we lose the fascination with those that achieve greatness through celebrity. Those who make a difference in the lives of others become a flash of blinding light and if you blink, you miss them.

To the unsung hero – it was worth it.

I continue to stay involved because I know our impact on the community is real, and the knowledge that I’ve been a part of that difference is truly rewarding. I’ve met some incredible people along the way and continue to learn from their stories. I’m currently a member of the Volunteer Committee and hope to expand my reach in the future. I think the thing I enjoy most about YLS involvement is the opportunity to work with other young professionals that share my values and want to make a difference in the community. The energy and enthusiasm for each YLS cause is infectious.

One of the most interesting experiences I have had with the United Way was the Give 5 Flash Mob event. The event was designed as a “public theater” event to help raise awareness about families in crisis in Chicago and draw attention to the United Way’s Give 5 campaign. Dozens of United Way volunteers simultaneously dropped their coats to reveal LIVE UNITED t-shirts and froze into living statues scattered throughout Daley Plaza. Flash Mob members struck a pose they found relevant to the cause and some grabbed signage with facts about families in crisis. It was one of my first experiences with the United Way and one that opened my eyes to the power of taking action.

A more recent YLS event that I enjoyed was when the Volunteer Committee partnered with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago to host a Fresh Produce Day for families in the West Humboldt Park area. We worked closely with the Kelly Hall YMCA staff and a number of other volunteer groups to package and distribute fresh produce to local families who wouldn’t otherwise have access to these types of foods. The opportunity to interact with those community directly impacted by our efforts was incredibly rewarding. The knowledge that I was able to help those families was truly empowering for me.

I LIVE UNITED by challenging others to find a cause for which they’re passionate and encouraging them to be a part of the change.

Jason Mueller
JP Morgan Chase
& YLS Volunteer Committee Member

On Thursday, Feb., 18, 11 Young Leaders Society (YLS) members took time out of their busy schedules to help high school students at the Bronzeville Chicago Youth Center prepare for the college scholarship application process. YLS members were joined by the Chicago Youth Center (CYC) College and Career Readiness staff. The mission of the Chicago Youth Center is to “invest in youth in underserved communities in Chicago to help them discover and realize their full potential.” By mentoring these young students, YLS members were able to help them maximize their chances of receiving a scholarship and a higher education.

The evening began by breaking into small groups with the students to review a sample scholarship application. YLS members shared insights with the students on their own college preparation and application process, and worked with the youth on developing ideas for their personal statements.

The groups also participated in brainstorming activities and discussed essay formatting. After assisting with the scholarship application, YLS members held one-on-one mock college scholarship interviews with each student. CYC staff videotaped some of the interviews to use in future college and career readiness counseling.

Toward the end of the event YLS members shared their observations from the mock interviews and encouraged the students to keep reaching for their goals.

“I have a loss of words with describing my feelings towards the mentoring event,” said Maceo Thompson, YLS member. “Twenty years ago, I was sitting at the other side of the table. My role at that time was to listen and absorb the wealth of knowledge, wisdom and experience from those who wanted to expose me to something more than my immediate surroundings. And, thanks to them, I learned that the city wasn’t limited to my community.”

The event at CYC was a wonderful opportunity for YLS members to spend quality time with students preparing for college, and it provided the students with an opportunity to ask our YLS members about their college experiences and career paths. To learn more about the event, check out a blog by Jasmine Shaw, YLS Communications Committee Vice Chair.

Sharon Moreland (left) receives her Diamond Donor certificate from United Way of Metropolitan Chicago employee Rhonda Washington (right)

Habilitative Services, Inc is a multi-faceted human service agency on the West Side of Chicago, developing and providing resources to promote maximum independence, personal responsibility and dignity for mentally, physically, socially and emotionally disabled persons.

Sharon Moreland is the Executive Assistant to the CEO, and served as the Campaign Leader for the 2009 campaign. When I met with Ms Moreland she told me that she had been giving to United Way since her “IBM days”. Further conversation revealed that she had given during her employment at Pitney Bowes as well as continuing to give at Habilitive Services, Inc.

Under her leadership, the Habilitative Services, Inc. campaign increased from about $200 in 2008 to just over $1500 in 2009! In February I returned to visit with the staff to thank them for their outstanding campaign and to present Ms. Moreland with her Diamond Donor certificate and pin commemorating 25 years of giving to United Way. The employees were excited, and commented that “no one has ever come just to say thank you to us”, one employee said that he “felt bad that he didn’t give more”.

I want to say thank you again to Ms. Moreland and all of the staff at Habilitative Services, Inc. for making a difference in the community every day in the work you do and for extending that work to the community at large through the United Way Campaign.

Right away, he reminded us that “we are in a crisis of historic proportions.”

Maybe a lot of us are numb at this point to the use of the word “crisis.” It can evoke anything from memories of being on the brink of nuclear war in October 1962 to having three sick kids and a proposal due at work. Maybe “crisis” has lost a little of its meaning.

But the Governor is absolutely right. Things are dire here in Illinois. And we can’t afford to just close our eyes, plug our ears and keep digging.

There are vastly different opinions on how to deal with the budget mess we’re in. But cuts alone can’t be the answer — especially in human services. Governor Quinn addressed this directly in his speech:

“Now, there are some people who say we should just cut across the board until we close our 13 Billion dollar deficit and our spending equals our revenues – even if that means draconian cuts in health, human services, education and public safety.

But that approach is both heartless — and naïve.

Taking a chainsaw to our state budget for schools, for healthcare, for human-services, and public safety, is wrong.

Does that mean we can’t make any meaningful cuts in our state spending?

No.

But it means that we must consider the financial impact – as well as the human cost – of every cut we make.”

United Way of Metropolitan Chicago and our partner agencies see families in crisis every day. Jobs have been lost. Incomes and savings have shriveled up. People need help now more than ever.

We need your help, too.

We’ve updated our Advocacy page with a number of actions you can take today to tell Governor Quinn and the General Assembly that now is the time for their leadership.  We are counting on them to protect vital human services as they do what needs to be done to turn around this budget crisis.

Click here to take action today.

Requireemnts: Bachelor’s degree from a four year college or university or equivalent of education and experience are preferred. The ideal candidate will have 2 years experience managing volunteers and/or staff. Customer service and communications skills, full proficiency and experience in latest version of Microsoft Office Environment (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and experience in general database concepts and use are essential.

If you are interested in applying for this particular position, please click here to complete the Prescreen Assessment and attache your cover letter and resume.

Sunday, New York Times Magazine: Increasingly, education reform links to teacher quality. This is a big deal. We usually talk about class size, economic status, family involvement, out of school time – all important factors. But there’s another one. Who is your teacher?

Monday, Newsweek: After “Who’s your teacher” we ask, “And how much are they paid?” Michelle Rhee, chancellor of DC Public Schools, proposes increasing teacher salary based on the performance of their students. She also proposes letting go of teachers who underperform. The latter point breaks with the American Federation of Teachers, working to protect tenure.

Tuesday, State of Illinois Governors Office (also Tribune, Chicago Public Radio, even Huffington Post): Quinn proposes cutting $1.3 Billion out the education budget to save Illinoians on a tax increase. The measure is estimated to layoff over 13,000 teachers.

Wednesday, New York Times: A panel of educators composed of national governors and state superintendents created a new “road map” for American public education. If states approve these common standards, we can finally be on the same page when discussing and working toward acheivement at the national level.

And I haven’t even talked about local successes:
Urban Prep Charter Academy in Englewood is sending 100% of their graduating class to college!

State of Illinois made the second round of the Federal Race to The Top grant. Illinois will present our case this month, with grant awards announced in April.

Finally, here’s a really great summary article with an even greater headline: Obama is not even trying to be an education President. Seems true enough.

In its 5th year, this unique program serves to reward our current Leadership Givers as well as to provide a powerful incentive for giving at the $1,000+ level. Participation in the Raffle continues to grow each year. More than 1,700 Leadership Givers from 118 companies throughout Chicagoland entered the Raffle to win 28 exciting prizes donated by 18 generous corporate sponsors.

The 2009 sponsors are Aon, AT&T, the Chicago White Sox, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Fortune Brands, Inc., GE Capital, Harris Bank/BMO Capital Markets, ITW, KPMG, Motorola, National City Bank, now a part of PNC, GE NBC Universal, Nicor, Northern Trust, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Microsoft, and William Blair & Company.

To see the list of winners and their prizes, click here: 2009 Leadership Giver Raffle Winner List