Voices of our Network
Spring 2012 Newsletter
Musings from the ED
Collaboration. Often we hear that organizations do not work together enough. They don't collaborate to pool resources and talent to realize stronger collective health and results. It's a word we often hear when discussing leadership and how we should aspire to run our organizations. At Public Allies Chicago, it is not only one of our established organizational values; it is infused into our culture and all that we do. And it is because of our commitment to Collaboration that PA Chicago is as vibrant, renewed and strong as it has ever been.
As our Allies complete their year of service, they are fully engaged with each other and the community on their Team Service Projects, their host organizations and our staff to realize true impact at over 30 non-profits. They have provided us with valuable feedback on the effectiveness and health of our program. Our new staff is building, assessing and improving our program model and in the process, establishing a culture of collaboration internally with our host organizations and in all that they do with a spirit that is infectious.
Our new board of directors and our Emeritus Board have established a strong culture of collaboration by elevating the scope and scale of our events and networks. Key funders and thought partners such as AmeriCorps, McCormick Foundation, Crown Family Philanthropies, Polk Bros, Driehaus and the Owens Foundation have worked with us to focus our development strategy, strengthening our program in a still challenging economy. PA supporter and partner, Starbucks Coffee Company, helped us execute impactful service events across Chicago this past Thanksgiving, on MLK Day and during our recent Week of Service. Hundreds of residents in need were supported and engaged thanks to this important collaboration.
Our National Office continues to work with us in crafting a vision of what Public Allies can and will be in the communities of Chicago and with the launch of our CEO's new book "Everyone Leads" we have a new platform to discuss our approach to leadership and community change. Public Allies will be an even stronger presence in Chicago because our Allies, our board, our supporters and our partners move together to serve and to build lasting change in our great city. Thank you for your support and for your partnership in this wonderful journey.
Written by Steve Sullivan (Public Allies Chicago Executive Director)
While Serving Others
The traditional service days at Public Allies Chicago have taken on new life and energy this program year and we’ve helped a lot of people and had a ton of fun doing it. This past November we teamed up with our friends at Starbucks, Dominick’s, and Target to collect and distribute Thanksgiving groceries to families across the city. What started out as colorfully decorated grocery carts asking shoppers to donate ingredients for their favorite Thanksgiving dish, resulted in making over 60 home deliveries that came complete with a Thanksgiving Turkey.
The service fun didn’t stop there either. In January we tried a new approach to the Martin Luther King Day of Service by having each Team Service Project group use January 16th as a way to launch 6 months of service rather than just a day long project. Working collaboratively with their community partners and volunteers from Allstate, our Allies hosted peace building workshops, prepared healthy meals for the homeless, handed out information to teens about safe sex, and hosted a clothing drive for homeless teens on the city’s north side. Read more about how those projects have continued in the TSP portion of this edition of the newsletter.
In March we celebrated AmeriCorps week and hosted six unique service days to raise awareness about the power of AmeriCorps. Allies, Alumni, and other AmeriCorps members joined the PA staff as we painted a portion of the Irving Park YMCA, removed 60 bags of litter from Chicago’s streets, cooked lunch for 40 homeless women, helped glean apples at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, played bingo with seniors at the Southside Y, and built a prom dress boutique for low income girls, phewww just typing it brings back memories of how exhilarating it was.
Relive each moment with us by checking out the photos on our Facebook page!
Written by Ebony Scott (Public Allies Chicago Program Director)
Lessons in Leadership
It’s fair to say that Cre Walls’ relationship with Public Allies Chicago was predestined. Crediting the organization with helping to shape him and his life, becoming a member on the Public Allies Chicago advisory board was only a matter of time. After being introduced to Public Allies in 1995 through a PA alum, the following year he joined the incoming class of Allies. After graduating from the program, he stayed connected to the organization for six years before joining the Public Allies Alumni Network.
This August will mark Walls’ first full year on the PAC board. As the only alum on the Board, Walls is enjoying his experience and credits his fellow board members as inspiring him to push himself to be better in his personal life. Walls is happy to be able to continue to share what he knows with others and connect his personal resources to the Public Allies mission.
Written by Chidori Harris (2nd Year Ally, 2012)
Ally Lesson in Leadership
Before starting Public Allies, I had begun a documentary with two friends, but my vision for the end was unfocused and it seemed easier to push the work aside than push forward. I was allowing in uncertainty to the point that I remained stagnant on the project.
In my first weeks at placement, I was tasked with coordinating restaurant partners for the National Runaway Switchboard’s annual benefit. It seemed straightforward, but I quickly learned the process was more involved. I found myself scrambling to organize communications with multiple restaurants, responding to the same questions several times, and growing frustrated with the partners’ erratic responses, among other things. After reflecting on this experience, I have realized that it is my own internal uncertainty that brings me to a halt. Taking the time to step back and re-organize the bigger picture of a project has allowed me to control that feeling and lead effectively.
Currently, I am the lead on developing and designing a new LGBTQ poster for the agency, producing three videos for the website, writing several monthly articles for agency publications, and creating blog content. I’ve realized my ability to prioritize and confidently communicate a shared vision of my various projects is paramount to success and avoiding becoming overwhelmed.
Written by Colin Packard (1st yr Ally, 2012)
imPACT & Growth
One Word at a Time
Storytelling, one of the oldest human traditions, has sparked the imaginations and inspire change in communities for thousands of years. I have been working with a great TSP team on this time-honored tradition. We are focusing on collecting and sharing stories from homeless youth, a group typically underrepresented in our society. I, along with the others in my team, hope to empower these homeless youth through the art of storytelling. We are hosting a website, youthstorymosaic.com and will be posting these stories in a variety of forms.
All members of our team and our partner organization, Alternatives, INC, bring with them many skills that are successfully advancing our project. I am very fortunate to be able to bring my valuable skills of technology, radio, editing and writing to the team. I have gained valuable insight into humanity and I have already been able to make a positive and lasting impact on our community, enjoying the collaborative effort all of us contribute on this project. I and my TSP group hope to showcase the true humanity and inherent value of people and spotlight the voices of the homeless that are typically missing from society. I am doing that, one word at a time.
Written by: Michael Matsey (member of Team Z - Storytelling Team Service Project)
Teen Sexual Health
As part of Team A, we decided to team up with the Illinois Caucus of Adolescent Health (ICAH) to create and develop a new curriculum. This curriculum will educate and promote a positive approach to adolescent sexual health for teens in the Chicago area. This unique peer-to-peer delivered curriculum will cover an array of topics such as: LGBTQ sexual health, healthy relationships, intimacy vs.sex, bullying & cyberbullying, resources beyond the classroom, HIV Prevention, Living with HIV, pregnant and parenting adolescents, and many more.
I’ve been truly amazed by my team’s commitment to this project. I’ve learned the importance of team unity in these last few months because of this experience. I know as a team, we’ve had ups and downs but we always find a way to pull through and remain on track towards reaching our goals. The youth leaders we’re working with have really inspired me as well. When I was in high school I never did anything nearly as exciting as this for my community. The strength and confidence they demonstrate is infectious and it only encourages me to continue on strengthening this project. I’m really looking forward to see the end results and impact.
Written by: Cecilia Benitez (member of Team A - Teen Sexual Health)
Trainings in Action: 2nd Year share her thoughts
“Be the change you want to see in the world.” is one of my favorite quotes and a core part of my leadership philosophy. I believe it is important to start with an ethical foundation and build your leadership skills from that foundation. I have used the Public Allies Chicago values and trainings to continue to build my foundation. One way I have done this is through my 2nd year Ally project.
Part of our training curriculum is to implement what we are learning by creating a non-profit organization. My organization’s focus is to help homeless veterans find jobs with dignity and respect in the emerging green market. The trainings on program development, program evaluation, board relationships and fundraising have taught me what is necessary to start and lead a non-profit. Being able to apply my learning to my personal passion of helping veterans adds to my interest in learning about the topics in the 2nd yr curriculum.
I am confident that by the end of my 2nd yr experience, I will have a clear, well thought out, and focused vision of my organization becoming a reality.
Written by Jessica Klinge (2nd yr Ally, 2012)
Re-Launch of the PAC Advisory Board
The advisory board of Public Allies Chicago is fully committed to the goal of building tomorrow’s leaders today. This is precisely what attracted me to the organization when I was approached by Steve and Ebony to work with Public Allies.
The diversity Public Allies embraces is reflected in the advisory board which includes executives and entrepreneurs from both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Each board member is excited by the difference the Allies make at our partner organizations. We want to build on that foundation by ensuring a strong network is in place for fundraising and support from a variety of corporate and government organizations with a vested interest in improving the quality of life in the Chicago area through education and service.
While external relationships are important to growing Public Allies, we also want to build ties with the Allies by participating in classroom activities, service projects and individual mentorship. Upcoming events include a new program “Our Kids Can Lead” conceived by board members Avanti Singh and Timoli Matthews to teach children how to build their own service projects. We are eight strong today and will continue to actively recruit new resources to expand the great work you are doing!
Written by: Richard Jander (Public Allies Chicago Advisory Board Member)
Alum Spotlight
I am constantly shocked with how much things can change in such shorts amounts of time. The past three years I have attended three “Meet the Allies” events. The first two were against my will and part of the Ally “experience” (just jokes) but this year I attended willingly as an Alum guest/ volunteer.
“Meet the Allies” has gone from a small gathering in the Public Allies office with a couple speakers and a refreshment corner in 2010, to an extravaganza complete with buffet, mandatory coat check, and an all out Starbucks nestled in the corner of an expansive ballroom at the luxurious Union League in 2012. At first I felt out of my league, however, I quickly got caught up in the Allies elaborate presentations. Similar to years past, these Allies are doing fantastic work that will have long lasting impact. I met with an Ally who works to bring nutritional meals to individuals who lack access to healthy food choices and another Ally has helped start a national coalition to advocate on behalf of skilled immigrants looking to re-establish their professional careers. My most rewarding moment was seeing individuals I had encouraged to apply to the program talk confidently about their accomplishments and future goals.
“Meet the Allies” was a great reminder of the fabulous work coming out of Public Allies. While I am sure the venue and refreshments will continue to fluctuate, I am pleased to see Public Allies Chicago’s commitment to developing new leaders has yet to change.
Click here to check out some memorable moments of the evening.
Written by: JD VanSlyke (Public Allies Chicago Alum 2010 & 2011)
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