Finding your do-gooder niche

I'm Karen and I'm a volunteer-holic...and have been one for a long time.

Years ago I enjoyed volunteering at then St. Francis Hospital in Evanston in labor and delivery. It was fascinating to see the healthcare system in action while I was not on the receiving end.

Though not a mother or medico, I taught a lot of new moms about breastfeeding. Fed babies. Diapered them. Charted their input and output. Lots of mom's came in through a clinic. Their English was negligible. I think it is important that parents in the U.S. know enough English to keep their kids safe. For example, knowing the difference between "once" in Spanish and English is important when giving kids medication.

Given that, my next volunteer gig had me working with immigrants through what was then Travelers and Immigrants Aid, now Heartland Alliance. I tutored English as a Second Language. I worked with the fabulous Brian Brady, now the head of the Mikva Challenge. One of my favorite outcomes was working with Luis, who was even shaky in his use of written Spanish. By the time I was done with my tour of service, he was translating for me. 

In the early 90s, I co-founded PICTURE THIS Projects, which in its later years worked with homeless young adults, so the issues and myths around homelessness I am keen on. 

All of this is a preamble to this: Pick your battle(s). If issues around homelessness resonate with you, work on that. Don't feel bad you can't do everything. We all have finite resources of time, cash and brain space. Being a freaking human has its limitations, the gods have explained to me. 

I'm a Rotary club member, aka I'm in an organized group of do-gooders. One Rotarian doesn't like doing the "busy work" (like stuffing backpacks with school supplies), because she feels like that is work for church groups. She wants to do work that few others can do, work she and her peeps are uniquely qualified to do. Another prefers local service project over global ones.

Pick your spot. Find your niche.

For more information about helping the homeless in one way or another, I'd go to The Night Ministry or Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

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Since the On The Table Evanston dinner in May 2018, I've been pondering new ways to help people find their do-gooder niche.

Here's what I've come up with: Meet the Helpers: an uplifting speakers series

You’re invited to celebrate neighbors who are going above and beyond. These are neighbors who are doing what they can--with what they've got--to help their corner of the world be the best it can be. 

When and where: TBD, early 2019. The first speakers' night is expected to take place in Evanston.

Organized by myself and friends, this speakers' series aims to soothe those who are inflamed by the nature of our times, as well as encourage neighbors with ideas about what needs doing to get going.

The name of this series comes from Fred Rogers’ mom. Mr. Rogers once said when he saw scary things in the news, his mother would say to him, ”Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” He found comfort and hope by recognizing there are so many caring people in this world. These helpers are not just first responders, but our neighbors who've stepped up to help.

Who will be featured? TBD. I'd love your suggestions.

How will this be financed? Partnerships, donations, variable ticket price and by individuals and organizations. This series will launch Spring 2019, if backed.

I'd love to see you at one of the Meet the Helpers speakers nights.
Stand by for dates and places.

August 2019 UPDATE: The Meet the Helpers speakers nights
are on hold for now for a variety of reasons. If you want to
talk to me about getting it back on track, I'm here.

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