Volunteers

GETTING STARTED: Find and Organize Volunteers
Working together, we can make a difference in our neighborhoods and our city. "For democracy to work, all must take part in finding solutions ... otherwise, we will be part of the problem," says Jeanne Bradner, former director of the Illinois Office of Voluntary Action, in her book, Passionate Volunteerism.

The motto of Keep Chicago Beautiful adds a new twist to this sentiment: "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the pollution." Being part of the solution has many rewards. Just watch: volunteering will create the magic of community spirit in any neighborhood.

Get the Ball Rolling

A young couple moved into a neighborhood from across town. Used to a very active block association, they were surprised to find it so quiet in their new community. After asking around, they were able to track down the last president of the community group, who was ill and had been unable to do any community organizing for years. Posting signs in local businesses and on the library's community bulletin board, the couple organized a community meeting around a spring clean up. A handful of people showed up. But there were enough to make people notice. The next meeting drew more attendees, and today the community group is thriving (and still doing spring clean ups).

Go to the Source Most neighborhoods have existing organizations. If you're not sure, you can check the sources above or ask at the local branch library, local schools, or your alderman's office. If your neighborhood has a festival, organizers are probably involved in community affairs year-round. If you want to learn how to start a block club from scratch, call the Mayor's Office of Inquiry & Information, 312-744-5000 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, 312-744-8599). Be sure to: publicize your meetings well; elect officers who can set the agenda for meetings, keep minutes, and manage any treasury; and involve everyone, young and old. Keep America Beautiful offers five steps to success: (1) get the facts; (2) involve the people; (3) plan systematically; (4) focus on results; (5) provide positive reinforcement.

Foster Partnerships

Residents, financial institutions, insurance companies, corporations, and the city have joined hands to stimulate reinvestment in many Chicago neighborhoods under the umbrella of Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago. The independent nonprofit uses its resources to help redevelop problem properties and attract residents and businesses. A strong component is helping neighborhoods organize community networks.

Join in See how your efforts can help or be helped by Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago. Call 312-738-2227 to find the nearest local office. This program is targeted at predominantly minority low-income neighborhoods in which many homes are privately owned.

Work with the City and the Police

One dormant community group got reinvigorated after a city-sponsored question-and-answer session. These are held twice a year by a City Hall representative in each of Chicago's 50 wards. After that meeting, which centered on community concerns about crime, some of the attendees published flyers about what they had learned. Lots of volunteers-business owners and residents-came forth to take part in a local CAPS (Community Alternative Police Strategy) program. Under this program, the beat cops have gotten to know community members. They, in turn, have formed a neighborhood watch group that has, among other things, made recommendations for improved lighting and published flyers on anti-crime tips.

Get the Information Call 312-744-5000 to find out when city officials will be in your neighborhood. Or call that same number to set up a meeting of your own (with three weeks notice) on the topic of your choice with a representative from City Hall. If you know you're interested in CAPS, call the Neighborhood Relations office at your local police district. Call 312-744-5000 to find the number of your local police district.

Enlist Many Groups

A neighborhood group planning a clean up sought the involvement of the local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and several environmentally oriented groups whose roots were outside the community. The result: a big crowd and a dramatic difference in the neighborhood's appearance.

Make Some Calls Consider teaming with other groups, even if they're not in your neighborhood: school groups, service organizations (such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and the Boys Clubs and Girls Clubs), women's organizations, fraternal organizations, ethnic societies (call The Illinois Ethnic Coalition for its directory of ethnic groups, 312-368-1155), conservation groups, veterans organizations and their auxiliaries, garden clubs, historical societies, labor unions, and church groups. These organizations always are looking for activities, and they can share their successful strategies with you.

Think, too, about some of the newer groups pledged to community service:

City Year, 312-464-9899, runs a community service corps of young people and stages a one-day festival of community service each year involving people of all ages.
Chicago Cares, 312-715-4250, matches busy working people to short-term volunteer projects, such as cleaning parks and playlots.
The Chicago Social Club's Take Action! newsletter, 312-883-9596, provides a clearinghouse for neighborhood groups to recruit volunteers for cleanup and beautification projects from across the city.
Friends of the Parks, 312-922-3307, was founded to help preserve and protect the city's 563 parks.
Friends of the Chicago River, 312-939-0490, works to protect and enhance the Chicago River and its watershed.
The Forest Preserve District of Cook County, 708-771-1057, runs the Youth Opportunity Corps, an education and career development program for disadvantaged youth. These 150 young people help with projects throughout the forest preserves.
The Green Team, 312-747-2121, is a corps of volunteers assembled by the Chicago Park District to travel throughout Chicago neighborhoods urging the public to help preserve the parks.