Jesuit Volunteer: Rebekah Ray
Graduate of: Calvin College
Agency: Chicago Mutual Housing Network (CMHN)

Rebekah’s a training and technical assistance provider for CMHN, a nonprofit advocacy and training organization for affordable housing co-ops. “In a city where three families compete for every unit of affordable housing, we help low- and moderate-income families create affordable and safe communities. My job is to develop workshops to train residents in the leadership, business, and community development skills they need to run their own successful housing communities.”

Jesuit Volunteer: Meg Duffy
Graduate of: St. Joseph’s University
Agency: Friends of Battered Women and their Children

Meg’s responsibilities at Friends of Battered Women and their Children include facilitating a dating violence prevention program for junior high and high school students and helping a support group for youth who have witnessed domestic violence.

“My work has really opened my eyes to the problem of domestic violence. It allows me to go out to many of the middle schools and high schools in Chicago and bring an awareness of domestic violence and teen dating violence to students.”

Jesuit Volunteer: Mary Warin
Graduate of: University of St. Thomas
Agency: Trilogy

Mary is an employment services coordinator at Trilogy, which yearly helps about 400 people with psychiatric disabilities achieve their fullest potential, increase their quality of life, and get integrated into the community. Mary meets with clients to develop treatment plans, help them manage their responsibilities, and monitor progress.

“I have an overwhelming desire to advocate for people with little voice in our world. Mentally ill people are often overlooked and forgotten. I now possess the ability and ambition to change that. I’ve learned to appreciate the small things in life and to take nothing for granted because my clients inspire me to do so.”

Jesuit Volunteer: Annie Urbanski
Graduate of: St. Joseph’s University
Agency: Esperanza Community Services

Annie’s on staff at Esperanza Community Services, which offers an innovative method of education and training to children and adults with developmental disabilities. She helps implement individual goals for trainees and accompanies students to special activities including swimming, gym, festivals, music, and field trips.

“Dividing my time among six workshops has increased my awareness of the need for life-skills training and creative-expression outlets for my clients. Every day my job is rewarding when a client succeeds by creating a new painting or finishing a rug on the weaving iron.”

Jesuit Volunteer: Kathleen Celio
Graduate of: Santa Clara University
Agency: Chicago Legal Aid to Incarcerated Mothers (CLAIM)

At CLAIM, Kathleen provides clients with legal aid and education, conducts intake interviews, and consults with attorneys to determine a course of action for clients. She also organizes classes and helps train other volunteers.

“The reality of my job hit me only when I went to Cook County Jail for the first time in September. My stomach was in knots as I anticipated meeting women whom I’d serve for the year. Expecting the worst, I surprisingly saw aspects of my own mother, friends, and family in distraught women seeking advice and love. My job has challenged me to understand that in every member of the poor and marginalized is the face of a relative and loved one.”

Jesuit Volunteer: Jeana Visel
Graduate of: Kenyon College
Agency: Howard Area Community Center

At the Howard Area Community Center Jeana teaches adult education and computer literacy classes, works with special-need students, recruits volunteers, offers emotional support and motivation to help students stick with the program, and provides career counseling.

“I teach math, reading, and writing to my students, most of them African-American, Nigerian, and Sudanese. They teach me about their heritage and the reality of living their culture in Chicago. Outsiders might call them ‘poverty level,’ but they’re rich in the things that matter: they know what love is, and they know that they deserve respect. Their courage in returning to their studies after so many challenging life experiences is remarkable.