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Volunteer Spotlight
Spring 2023 AmeriCorps Cohort
School is back in session and we are thrilled to kick off Spring Programming this month! Just a few weeks ago, we welcomed our Spring 2023 AmeriCorps Cohort and they are excited to help Chicago HOPES for Kids provide another successful semester full of fun learning! Read on to learn more about our incredible cohort:
School is back in session and we are thrilled to kick off Spring Programming this month! Just a few weeks ago, we welcomed our Spring 2023 AmeriCorps Cohort and they are excited to help Chicago HOPES for Kids provide another successful semester full of fun learning! Read on to learn more about our incredible cohort:
Laflanicea Branch
Laflanicea is a Chicago native and has returned to Chicago HOPES for Kids as an AmeriCorps member! Laflanicea first decided to join HOPES due to her previous involvement working at local neighborhood community centers and wanted to gain exposure working in homeless shelters to better meet the needs of our students. She is most excited about the opportunity to serve children and families in their time of need, especially now given how hard COVID-19 has hit Chicago communities. As a volunteer, Laflanicea believes you begin to develop a deeper understanding of how your work directly and positively impacts others. Service is a great opportunity to learn and grow as well as to help those who need it most. Laflanicea loves to swim, knows how to make killer grilled cheese sandwiches, and would love the opportunity to teach our students how to play double dutch. We are so excited to have Laflanicea back on our team!
Clara Cadwell
Clara is from Oak Park, IL and is another returning AmeriCorps member! Clara was most interested in working with Chicago HOPES because she loved how passionate the organization is and how directly involved we are in the communities we serve. She is most excited about the opportunity to improve our students’ reading abilities and build up their reading confidence. Clara believes that being a volunteer means being able to practice empathy and to be a good leader. Clara loves to spend her free time exploring the city’s limitless options of restaurants and food, visiting local thrift shops, and listening to music. We are so excited to have Clara back on our team!
Daniel Gantner
Daniel is from St. Charlies, IL and one of our newer AmeriCorps members. Daniel first decided to join our team here at HOPES because of the opportunity to make tangible impacts on kids who need it. He is most excited about the chance to build lasting connections with his fellow AmeriCorps members plus establish relationships with the students we serve. Daniel views being a volunteer as someone who can utilize their skills to do something that makes the world a better place, no matter how big or small! Daniel enjoys making music and is a photographer. We are so excited to have Daniel on our team!
Jacqueline (Jackie) Navarro
Jackie is from Cicero, IL and is another one of our newer AmeriCorps members. Jackie became interested in Chicago HOPES for Kids because of the opportunity to gain experience working with children. She is most excited about being able to see how happy our programs make our students, especially when we’re able to give them special items like Halloween costumes. To Jackie, being a volunteer means being a good helper. In her free time, Jackie enjoys watching Netflix and making songs. We are so excited to have Jackie on our team!
Nishi Daftari
Nishi is from Naperville, IL and is a newer AmeriCorps member. Nishi first joined Chicago HOPES because she loved how hands-on and direct her role is; she can’t wait to make a difference in the lives of those we serve! Nishi is most excited about working with HOPES because she will be able to watch our students grow and help them learn during our programs. To Nishi, being a volunteer means being able to give her time for a cause she believes in. Nishi loves to sing during her free time. We are so excited to have Nishi on our team!
Kenna Zeigler
Kenna is from Hudson, OH and is a returning AmeriCorps member! Kenna decided to serve with Chicago HOPES for Kids again because she loved her past volunteering experiences with HOPES during the Summer 2021 semester and wanted to continue supporting the amazing work we do for our students! She is most excited about getting to see our students grow their academic confidence. Kenna believes that being a volunteer is an opportunity to contribute to her community. One fun fact about Kenna is that she’s visited 44 states! We are so excited to have Kenna back on our team!
Ella Smith
Ella is from Illinois and has been an Americorps member since last semester. Ella joined Chicago HOPES for Kids because she felt that our mission spoke directly to her heart. As someone who endured struggles of her own while growing up, she knew the profound impact just one person can make. It is her life’s goal to be able to inspire and uplift the students who are far too often disregarded and overlooked. Ella is most excited to have the opportunity to build long-lasting, positive relationships with our students, help our students understand and cope with their own traumas, and potentially ignite a passion within them! To Ella, being a volunteer means she is able to truly make a difference in this world by simply giving a little bit of herself. Even though she is only one person, Ella knows that her impact can be tremendous and really help shape our world for the better. Ella is an artist and guitarist. We are so excited to have Ella on our team!
Thina Tim
Thina is from Los Angeles, CA and is a newer AmeriCorps member! Thina decided to join our team because Chicago HOPES peaked her interest in helping kids in need, specifically with literacy. She is most excited about being able to work 1:1 with our students. Being a volunteer is important to Thina because it allows her to help others and serves as a great way to meet other people with similar interests. Thina loves the outdoors – taking a walk or riding a bike are just some examples of how Thina spends her free time. We are so excited to have Thina on our team!
Mia Hainer
Mia is from San Francisco, CA and is another newer AmeriCorps member! Mia was initially drawn to Chicago HOPES for Kids’ mission to better the education of children who live in underserved communities. She is most excited to learn about varying Chicago communities and help educate our students through our programs. To Mia, being a volunteer means learning from people more experienced than myself and giving back to the community. In her free time, Mia loves to read and take photos. We are so excited to have Mia on our team!
Sloane Shabelman
Sloane is from Glenview, IL and is one of our newer AmeriCorps members! Sloane became interested in HOPES because she has always been really passionate about the issue of homelessness in Chicago. Sloane decided to take a gap year before attending college and believes this opportunity will expand her skills and involvement in the community. Sloane has previous experience doing volunteer work with families experiencing homelessness; once she found out about HOPES, she knew it was a perfect fit and an amazing opportunity for her! Sloane also loves working with kids, especially in an academic environment. To Sloane, being a volunteer means giving back to those who need it most and making a positive difference in the lives of others! In her free time, Sloane loves to watch her favorite sitcoms. We are so excited to have Sloane join our team!
Tatiana Rodriguez
Tatiana is from Elgin, IL and is one of our newer AmeriCorps members. Tatiana became interested in Chicago HOPES because she loved the concept of our programs. She wants to help in any way she can, and she believes giving back to the community is amazing. Tatiana is most excited about meeting new people, especially the students. She is excited to help our students learn as well as learn new things herself. To Tatiana, being a volunteer means helping others in the best way possible while being mindful of the fact that you need to make sure you are being respectful to others. In her free time, Tatiana loves to travel to new places and immerse herself in other cultures. She also enjoys playing basketball, both recreationally and competitively. We are so excited to have Tatiana on our team!
Laflanicea is a Chicago native and has returned to Chicago HOPES for Kids as an AmeriCorps member! Laflanicea first decided to join HOPES due to her previous involvement working at local neighborhood community centers and wanted to gain exposure working in homeless shelters to better meet the needs of our students. She is most excited about the opportunity to serve children and families in their time of need, especially now given how hard COVID-19 has hit Chicago communities. As a volunteer, Laflanicea believes you begin to develop a deeper understanding of how your work directly and positively impacts others. Service is a great opportunity to learn and grow as well as to help those who need it most. Laflanicea loves to swim, knows how to make killer grilled cheese sandwiches, and would love the opportunity to teach our students how to play double dutch. We are so excited to have Laflanicea back on our team!
Clara Cadwell
Clara is from Oak Park, IL and is another returning AmeriCorps member! Clara was most interested in working with Chicago HOPES because she loved how passionate the organization is and how directly involved we are in the communities we serve. She is most excited about the opportunity to improve our students’ reading abilities and build up their reading confidence. Clara believes that being a volunteer means being able to practice empathy and to be a good leader. Clara loves to spend her free time exploring the city’s limitless options of restaurants and food, visiting local thrift shops, and listening to music. We are so excited to have Clara back on our team!
Daniel Gantner
Daniel is from St. Charlies, IL and one of our newer AmeriCorps members. Daniel first decided to join our team here at HOPES because of the opportunity to make tangible impacts on kids who need it. He is most excited about the chance to build lasting connections with his fellow AmeriCorps members plus establish relationships with the students we serve. Daniel views being a volunteer as someone who can utilize their skills to do something that makes the world a better place, no matter how big or small! Daniel enjoys making music and is a photographer. We are so excited to have Daniel on our team!
Jacqueline (Jackie) Navarro
Jackie is from Cicero, IL and is another one of our newer AmeriCorps members. Jackie became interested in Chicago HOPES for Kids because of the opportunity to gain experience working with children. She is most excited about being able to see how happy our programs make our students, especially when we’re able to give them special items like Halloween costumes. To Jackie, being a volunteer means being a good helper. In her free time, Jackie enjoys watching Netflix and making songs. We are so excited to have Jackie on our team!
Nishi Daftari
Nishi is from Naperville, IL and is a newer AmeriCorps member. Nishi first joined Chicago HOPES because she loved how hands-on and direct her role is; she can’t wait to make a difference in the lives of those we serve! Nishi is most excited about working with HOPES because she will be able to watch our students grow and help them learn during our programs. To Nishi, being a volunteer means being able to give her time for a cause she believes in. Nishi loves to sing during her free time. We are so excited to have Nishi on our team!
Kenna Zeigler
Kenna is from Hudson, OH and is a returning AmeriCorps member! Kenna decided to serve with Chicago HOPES for Kids again because she loved her past volunteering experiences with HOPES during the Summer 2021 semester and wanted to continue supporting the amazing work we do for our students! She is most excited about getting to see our students grow their academic confidence. Kenna believes that being a volunteer is an opportunity to contribute to her community. One fun fact about Kenna is that she’s visited 44 states! We are so excited to have Kenna back on our team!
Ella Smith
Ella is from Illinois and has been an Americorps member since last semester. Ella joined Chicago HOPES for Kids because she felt that our mission spoke directly to her heart. As someone who endured struggles of her own while growing up, she knew the profound impact just one person can make. It is her life’s goal to be able to inspire and uplift the students who are far too often disregarded and overlooked. Ella is most excited to have the opportunity to build long-lasting, positive relationships with our students, help our students understand and cope with their own traumas, and potentially ignite a passion within them! To Ella, being a volunteer means she is able to truly make a difference in this world by simply giving a little bit of herself. Even though she is only one person, Ella knows that her impact can be tremendous and really help shape our world for the better. Ella is an artist and guitarist. We are so excited to have Ella on our team!
Thina Tim
Thina is from Los Angeles, CA and is a newer AmeriCorps member! Thina decided to join our team because Chicago HOPES peaked her interest in helping kids in need, specifically with literacy. She is most excited about being able to work 1:1 with our students. Being a volunteer is important to Thina because it allows her to help others and serves as a great way to meet other people with similar interests. Thina loves the outdoors – taking a walk or riding a bike are just some examples of how Thina spends her free time. We are so excited to have Thina on our team!
Mia Hainer
Mia is from San Francisco, CA and is another newer AmeriCorps member! Mia was initially drawn to Chicago HOPES for Kids’ mission to better the education of children who live in underserved communities. She is most excited to learn about varying Chicago communities and help educate our students through our programs. To Mia, being a volunteer means learning from people more experienced than myself and giving back to the community. In her free time, Mia loves to read and take photos. We are so excited to have Mia on our team!
Sloane Shabelman
Sloane is from Glenview, IL and is one of our newer AmeriCorps members! Sloane became interested in HOPES because she has always been really passionate about the issue of homelessness in Chicago. Sloane decided to take a gap year before attending college and believes this opportunity will expand her skills and involvement in the community. Sloane has previous experience doing volunteer work with families experiencing homelessness; once she found out about HOPES, she knew it was a perfect fit and an amazing opportunity for her! Sloane also loves working with kids, especially in an academic environment. To Sloane, being a volunteer means giving back to those who need it most and making a positive difference in the lives of others! In her free time, Sloane loves to watch her favorite sitcoms. We are so excited to have Sloane join our team!
Tatiana Rodriguez
Tatiana is from Elgin, IL and is one of our newer AmeriCorps members. Tatiana became interested in Chicago HOPES because she loved the concept of our programs. She wants to help in any way she can, and she believes giving back to the community is amazing. Tatiana is most excited about meeting new people, especially the students. She is excited to help our students learn as well as learn new things herself. To Tatiana, being a volunteer means helping others in the best way possible while being mindful of the fact that you need to make sure you are being respectful to others. In her free time, Tatiana loves to travel to new places and immerse herself in other cultures. She also enjoys playing basketball, both recreationally and competitively. We are so excited to have Tatiana on our team!
