A Personal Journey

A Personal Journey – Lori Goodman, Winnetka Board

“A bunch of us took a bus to Juarez, Mexico. We slept on floors and volunteered building homes for families – these families were struggling mightily for survival, but amazingly happy. “

It is truly profound how people you encounter by chance in life can have such a profound effect on you. My husband Adam and I were bright-eyed students at University of Colorado – Boulder when we met Betty and Bill Fischer. Bill was Vice President of Budget and Finance at UC Boulder. In addition to being Bill’s wife, Betty was actively involved in the community, and wasn’t shy about getting others involved in good causes. Graciously, selflessly, the Fischers took us under their wing. I couldn’t really explain to you exactly why they did – but I think Betty and Bill may have seen a bit of themselves in Adam and me. They encouraged us, counseled us on marriage and even helped us write our wedding vows, actually acting as witnesses in our little make-shift ceremony.

Like many young married couples, we scuffled along in the early days post-grad, dealing with many of the same issues couples struggle with today. We faced career, family and the standard issues of early life, but as a ‘mixed’ couple (Adam is Jewish and I’m Catholic), we also sought meaning and purpose in determining the role of faith in our lives. After a time living in Louisville, we eventually found ourselves back in Colorado, where we began working with the homeless in downtown Boulder. We really got involved, giving regularly, handing out blankets and adopting families.

It reminded me of my own childhood. Though we never formally talked about philanthropy, we did believe in giving back. In addition to attending church and tiding, my father, as a dentist, provided free dental care for the parish nuns and priests. As a man of faith, it was just something you did for your community. It was only years later that I realized my father also grappled with meaning and the role of faith in his life. It’s a continuing quest for him.

My quest again evolved when we began working with a church group that did mission work in Mexico. This was a completely different world for us – a real eye-opener.

A bunch of us took a bus to Juarez. We slept on floors and volunteered building homes for families. The homes weren’t extravagant – just these basic block houses which we could assemble as a group. But the families we helped were so grateful– they were struggling mightily for survival, but amazingly happy.

As fate would have it, Bill went on to accept a position at Northwestern University, where we were reunited with Betty and Bill. Like she had before, Betty immediately got me involved with the community, connecting me with the Evanston Woman’s Board, where I met another great mentor, Peggy Barr. Peggy and the women of the EWB accepted me with arms wide open, and I have found our work – raising funds, securing in-kind donations, working with children, families and seniors in Settlement programs – unique and rewarding.

Today, my work with the EWB continues in my role as Board President (my turn to mentor, I suppose). Sadly, Bill passed away. Betty now lives in Colorado, and we still keep in touch. She is still a big supporter of the EWB and the Settlement. Adam and I have one daughter in college, and another soon on the way. And my “evolution” continues as well. I am now taking classes part time, studying to be a pharmacist. I know it is unusual for someone at my stage of life to pursue, but the idea of working in a community pharmacy and helping people in need of support and guidance strikes a chord with me. Where I go after that, I’m not sure, but I’ve enjoyed the journey so far, and the many people who have assisted and inspired me along the way.

Volunteer Highlight

Volunteer Highlight – John Conneely, Adventure Stage Chicago

“My life changed when I found out I liked learning; I realized learning how to do something and teaching others was even better.”

I reluctantly admit (and many would whole-heartedly agree) that I’ve always been a bit of an enigma. It was clear early on that the “beaten path” was probably not going to work for me .

I left the word of business at the ripe old age of 40. I had been pretty successful and accomplished as a managerial operations consultant in manufacturing, reorganizing businesses to improve their output and performance – to take them to the “next level”.  When I went into the businesses world, I really connected with the people and was  able to be part of the rehabilitation of numerous companies and do a lot of good. But after a number of years doing that work I was burnt out. I was looking for both a change, and to find some “meaning” in life.

The roots probably stretch back to my upbringing. I grew up in Sterling, Illinois, a town of about 15,000 people, 100 miles west of Chicago. Small-town living, a big family and teachers in my life were a huge influence on me and my path. I grew up with five brothers and sisters, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. So from an early age, caring, sharing and connecting was natural – it’s what you did. My father was a true role model in that regard. Sterling was an “old school” industrial town. That nose-to-the-grindstone work ethic was part of the town DNA, and ran through my father to us.

But it was an experience in high school that really resonated with me. I was what you’d think of nowadays as a “slacker” student – I did just enough to get by. My sophomore English report on “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” was technically what you might call “cheating”; it came together by watching the movie and skimming the book. My English teacher could smell a rat and could have called me out, but instead said, “this report will be much better when you finish the book” – a second chance. I did read the book – and loved it. I learned to be a ‘reader’. A life-long learner was born.

I always carried this experience with me. After my business career, I decided to pursue a Masters Degree in Education from DePaul and, six-degrees-of-separation later lead to my connection with Northwestern Settlement and Adventure Stage Chicago. It began in the early days of Noble Street High School. I taught for four years at Noble as part of a new program to add engineering to the school curriculum. I had never been an engineer before – or a teacher before for that matter – but I found it a wonderful challenge to impart this knowledge in “layman’s” terms to students, at the same time I was learning and discovering myself; essentially the same approach I’d used in my business life. Through Noble, I came to know Tom Arvetis and Adventure Stage Chicago. I’d always appreciated the arts and knew I wanted to help kids, so ASC was a natural fit. After leaving Noble and my teaching career, I’ve embarked on a journey that finds me volunteering with nonprofits across the city, often in my familiar role trying to take them to the “next level”” . I am now working with Tom and his team on a project that I feel can be truly transform ASC and the Settlement. The marriage of theater and performance arts and the delivery of social services to meet the communities  needs is very unique, and can be a model for other organizations doing similar work to help others.

But understanding the destination and walking the path are two different things, and I’m enjoying this journey. I think we can accomplish some great things with ASC, and love the opportunity to help make the dream come true.

Giving Back

Giving Back – Ashley Welnhofer, Chicago Board

“When a friend asks you to do something, you usually do it, right?” Ashley Welnhofer

In the fall of 2009, my oldest, dearest childhood friend from Wilmette, Suzan Garnett, suggested that we should join Northwestern Settlement’s Chicago Board. Her mother (who was on the Winnetka Board) said it would be great way for us to give back to the community and meet new people in the city. Being her spirited and convincing self, Suzan managed to also convince a few of our mutual friends to join as well, so Lisa Drake (from Kenilworth), Molly Haunty (from Barrington) and Christine Leiz (from Westfield, NJ) Suzan and I decided there was safety in numbers.

We showed up to our first board meeting not knowing what to expect, and immediately became immerse in the Board’s work. The upcoming Spring for the Settlement fundraiser was taking place in just a few short weeks and it was all hands on deck! The five of us “newbies” banded together, hitting local stores every weekend to make connections and solicit donations, and managed to wrangle a number of high-end items for the raffle and auction in the 11^th hour.  It wasn’t easy, but we did it, and it was worth it. In addition to raising much needed funds for the Settlement that night, we newbies joined the other board members in blowing off some steam at the event and breaking it down on the dance floor. Is there a better way to make new friends? From that moment we were hooked – we’ve been Chicago Board members ever since!

Through the Settlement, not only have the five of us grown closer (as if that is even possible), we’ve aggressively made a point of recruiting many new members, who invariably become good friends. We continue to grow the CB each year, and collaborate with the other Settlement auxiliary boards – especially as many of our members have extended family involvement.

I personally had the opportunity to serve as our board’s President for the majority of my membership during the last two years, and I found this leadership role extremely rewarding.

What the Settlement Means to Me

What the Settlement Means to Me – Julie Montgomery, Winnetka Board

 I think everyone has a “sweet spot” of compassion – for my mom, Joanne Smith, it was always the “working poor.”

 The idea that you could work the longest hours and still struggle to provide for your family touched her      immensely.  I remember being a little girl and asking her why she tipped the attendant in the Marshall Field’s parking garage, and hearing her reply – “Because he is trying.”

Perhaps this was her cause because she was a child of immigrants and had personally experienced discrimination. Maybe the tough reality of her grandmother, who ironed all day in “the big houses”, or of her father, who quit school after 8th grade to sell newspapers and pick apples in order to bring money to his family made the early impression.

Her passion for “fairness” – to address social and financial inequality – was evident in myriad ways throughout her life, particularly in her work with the Settlement.  When she joined the Winnetka Board in the 1970s, she found joy and life-long friends who shared the same hope. It also made an impression on me that I wouldn’t fully realize until later.

My mom died in 1993. Her very last visitor was Mary Henderson, a fellow board member who came by to pay her respects.  It was one of the most touching events of my life.  The memorials for her were sent to the Settlement – just as she wanted.

I had joined the Winnetka Board in 1991 and was immediately “hooked.  My “sweet spot” had always been education in urban schools. In 1994, I began tutoring at Peabody Elementary, and soon, several Board and community members joined me.  Peabody was a real eye-opener. I saw classrooms without enough pencils or textbooks; teachers who erupted in anger and cried in defeat. But mostly I saw the shortfall in urban education – the stark difference when compared to my own children’s suburban school experience – the lack of “fairness”. At the time, I had no way of knowing how much my own family – my husband and daughters – would be affected by profound experiences at the Settlement.

When the Settlement started Noble in 1999, my husband Bob was invited to join the first School Board – what a world class experience that was for him!  He had the opportunity to learn first-hand the challenge of education and the results of vision.

When Bob retired, we used our experience at Noble and Peabody to get more involved with other schools in Chicago and Michigan, helping design and implement literacy, mentor and leadership programs. I also volunteer at Rowe, still grateful that the Settlement is addressing my sweet spot of compassion and the needs of our community.

The Settlement has always encouraged families to get involved, and both of our daughters did.  My youngest daughter, Elizabeth, first visited the Settlement at 7 years old, when we came down to pack groceries at Christmas.  From this joyous experience, she developed a long, special friendship with Marie Burnside, a faithful supporter of the Settlement, 70 years her senior.

In contrast, she also saw the neighborhood’s tragic side – the reason why we stay involved. We were invited to be “Principal for the Day” at Peabody one year, the same day one of the students was murdered in drug related violence, right behind the Settlement.  She would tell you that half of the kids in the class she was assigned to that day raised their hands when asked if they knew another person who was killed by guns. It was a very quiet trip back home to Winnetka.

After college, my daughter Virginia became a school nurse for Chicago Public Schools.  Many of her students faced tough realities – not having enough food, beds, heat or medical help. Right away she went to the Settlement to see Belna. Belna knows everything that can help a family in crisis and was willing and eager to share her knowledge and resources. Now Virginia has a different job, and for the first time manages others.  One of her employees is a young, single mom who happens to be a Rowe parent. It takes her 2 hours on a bus to get to work.  When Virginia described to me the struggle this woman faces just to get her kids to school and herself to work, she got really choked up and said, “Mom, she tries so hard.”

Life certainly comes full circle.  The motto of the Settlement is “Nurture, Educate, Inspire”, and you might think that this is just for the West Town families they serve. But in our family’s case, we have received as much as we’ve given. We count ourselves fortunate to be a part of the Settlement family, and look forward to our future together.