News
Kudos for Village volunteer driver program in the Chicago Tribune. Read the article. Become a volunteer driver.
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Lincoln Park Village Launches Community Volunteer Program Serving Pre-School Children
Our first volunteers describe their experiences with the children.
Woody Allen says, "Ninety percent of life is showing up." But volunteers at Lincoln Park Village believe, it's also about making a difference.
Dipping their toes in the waters at St. Vincent de Paul's Pre-K Center for the first time, debut volunteers were eager to swim the length.
"The children are enchanting," says Pam Washburn, her cane quickly transformed to a magic wand, in the eyes of imaginative pre-schoolers. "It's a chance to see and hear pint-sized negotiators learn to share, discover the world, and share their candid wisdom."
Melaine Stephens observed a clever lesson in delayed gratification as a little girl waited, totally absorbed, for sand in an egg timer to slide to the bottom, her teacher's signal that it was her turn to play with a toy someone else grabbed first. A little boy announced "It's a guitar!" to Barbara Sandler, as he strummed away on a red cardboard brick. The children were eager for the extra attention the volunteers could offer, listening to them, asking them questions, reading them stories, guessing which hand held the marble, or cheering them on as they built a Lego block tower .
For members who love the spirit and candor of kids and want to make an impact early, and with special appeal for grandparents who want to get extra practice or live far away, (Melaine Stephens' addition) three to five year olds await at St. Vincent de Paul Center.
For more information, contact Bob or Melaine Stephens at 773-348-7553 or melwstephens@hotmail.com. An orientation for new Village volunteers has been arranged for Tuesday,
March 8th at 10 am at the Center, 2145 N. Halsted. Volunteers can sign up for other times/days/orientation sessions and to tutor grade school children.