How do volunteers make a difference, you ask?

National Volunteer Week is April 15 - 21st this  year. The week was established in 1974 and is an opportunity to celebrate the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to come together to tackle tough challenges, and build stronger, more resilient communities.

Each year, we highlight organizations or individuals who have been volunteers at H.O.M.E. We want to thank the volunteers who lend their time, talent and voice to make a difference in the lives of low-income seniors in the City of Chicago. I hope their stories will inspire you to serve too!

Ken Campagna

Ken has been a volunteer with H.O.M.E. for six years. As an Ignatian Volunteer Corps member, he works side by side with one of our Home Repair Specialists two days per week. He has said,  “Bringing light and warmth to so many elderly two days a week creates a very worthwhile IVC mission for me and for the many professionals who work in the H.O.M.E. community.”

Jeff McDonald 

We first met Jeff in 2009 when he showed up at our office with a $20,000 check from his employer's foundation. Ever since then, Jeff has been connecting H.O.M.E. with his past and present employers as donors and volunteers. Last summer he led his company, in a volunteer project with our Painting Program. After the project, he ran a mini-fundraising campaign at his office, introducing several new donors to H.O.M.E.

Loretta Reed

Loretta served on H.O.M.E.'s Board of Directors for 17 years and stepped down last year. She has been a faithful supporter, Treasurer, and keeper of H.O.M.E. history. Her leadership and dedication to our mission helped us serve thousands of low-income seniors during her tenure. 

Kornel Simons

Kornel and his wife Coleen have been donors to H.O.M.E. for many years. They found out about H.O.M.E. through his wife’s family, who are close friends of the Crowley family (for whom our Pat Crowley House was named.) When Kornel retired from teaching, he wanted to volunteer with an organization that could use some of his handy skills and eventually reached out to H.O.M.E. He has been volunteering at Pat Crowley House now for several years, doing anything from refurbishing apartments to changing light bulbs. 

Other Volunteers

Last year 488 volunteers helped us by painting and sealing drafty windows in seniors’ homes, preparing meals and planning parties and events for our residents and a host of other activities. Our volunteers come from a variety of places including faith based groups, school and alumni groups, corporate groups, families, groups of friends and individuals on their own.

Volunteering doesn't just help out those in need—at H.O.M.E. we're confident that you'll gain insight, experience and a fresh world view after interacting with our clients and residents.

For more information about our Volunteer Services, please call Mike Laz at (773) 295.2709 or send an email to Mike.

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