We love our volunteers from the Latin School of Chicago! That’s why they are this month’s volunteer of the month! Congratulations and thank you to all volunteers from Latin School past and present.
1. How did you hear about Inspiration Corporation?
Latin School of Chicago’s Service Learning Coordinator Sarah Bunger first heard Lisa Nigro tell a story at The Moth, and Nigro’s bio listed Inspiration Corporation as part of her work. Because Sarah was looking for great opportunities for Latin School of Chicago students to serve in meaningful ways, she reached out to the Volunteer Coordinator at Inspiration Corporation a couple of years ago for a meeting.
- What is the most enjoyable part of volunteering for you?
The people. It’s always nice seeing the “regulars” and hearing their stories. Inspiration Corporation and the Living Room Cafe have so easily established a “homey” atmosphere. People feel comfortable here with their friends and family.
- What aspect of volunteering are you most excited about? What is the most challenging?
It’s exciting to know you’re part of a community. It’s exciting to see the same folks come back and to know their drink orders ahead of time. It’s great to make those connections. It’s challenging when you feel like you can’t serve someone quickly enough and/or you don’t have what the guest needs. It’s sometimes challenging to serve in this one aspect when you know a lot of folks need service in various other parts of their life.
- What is your volunteer background?
Latin School of Chicago has a long history of student volunteerism. Most recently, Latin School of Chicago students and faculty volunteered over 10,000 hours during the 2013-2014 school year.
- Why do you volunteer?
Latin School of Chicago sees itself as part of the community–the city of Chicago but also its neighborhood partners. In this case, Uptown is our partner and we are happy to be included in the community. We serve because working together is how everything gets better and more connected.
- Describe one of the most interesting experiences you’ve had as a volunteer.
Some of our students had to clean the insides of chickens in the kitchen once. They weren’t used to it, but the dove right in and got the job done.
- What have you learned from your volunteer experience?
There is so much to learn from serving. Ultimately, it’s that we are all connected in this world. When you serve another, you benefit yourself as well. We have a banner at school that is hung during our Service Fair every year. It’s a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that reads “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” Latin School of Chicago definitely believes that.