2024 Volunteering

A wrap-up of how and where WJW volunteered in 2024.

WJW staff volunteered in all kinds of ways in the past year. Staff are encouraged to volunteer, and every employee can use up to 20 hours of working time per year for volunteering with an organization of their choice. WJW also has a Volunteer Committee to organize programs and opportunities. Check out some highlights of what we got up to in 2024!

Connor

Last summer, Connor was instrumental in creating and running WJW's very first summer workshop for teens. He was also the creative force behind the Peppermint Plinko tree for Helping Hands, a design contest which creates decorative trees for kids spending the holidays at Lurie Children's Hospital.

Diane

Diane is an active volunteer with many organizations. She serves as Chair of the Cornell University North Shore Alumni Admissions Committee and is Secretary for the Chi of Delta Gamma (Cornell) House Corporation Board. This year, she participated in a postcard writing campaign for the presidential election though the Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs, and registered local high school students to vote through Wilmette's League of Women Voters. She also serves on the Wilmette LOWV's Affordable Housing Committee. She assisted with sorting donated clothing and supplies for arriving migrants through the Village of Wilmette, and fundraised for the University of Illinois Dance Department's “Dancing on the Ceiling” performance.

Heidi

2024 was the first year that WJW participated in Habitat for Humanity's Women Build program. Heidi was one of nine WJW staff members who volunteered and fundraised for Women Build, and participated in a build day in Chicago's Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood. Heidi also mentored a graduate architecture student through the AIA Chicago Diversity Scholarship program.

Herb

Herb serves as the chair of his son's Local School Council in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood, and he helped out at a local animal rescue shelter in Southwest Michigan. He also volunteered for campaigns to encourage voting in the 2024 election.

Jane

Jane volunteers weekly at Inspiration Corporation, an organization with programs for those experiencing homelessness. With other WJW staff, she also volunteered at the Marillac St. Vincent Food Pantry. WJW has a partnership with Marillac and the food pantry is a recurring volunteer opportunity that WJW participates in several times a year. Jane also led WJW's first Women Build team!

Joi

A member of WJW's Volunteer Committee, Joi had a busy year of volunteering! She lent her help to the Marillac Food Pantry, the Intro to Architecture Workshop for teens, and our Women Build team. To round out the year, Joi volunteered with our entry in the Helping Hands holiday tree contest/event.

Keith

Keith also volunteered at the Marillac St. Vincent food pantry. The WJW crew stocked the shelves and then helped people coming through the line bag up their groceries.

Liezel

Head of WJW's Volunteer Committee, Liezel does a good deal of behind-the-scenes organizing and finds new opportunities for staff to participate in. Liezel was instrumental in creating and running our Intro to Architecture Workshop, as well as contributing to our Women Build team and the Helping Hands event.

Maggie

Maggie serves as the Co-Chair of the Associate Board for Renaissance Social Services, and helped to plan and promote the Stand up for the Homeless fundraising event at Zanies. In addition, she serves on the Marketing and Communications and DEI Committees with other Associate Board and Board of Directors members for Renaissance. Maggie participated Women Build team and travelled to Chicago to participate in the build day in October. In addition, Maggie volunteered with Valley Interfaith in Cincinnati, helping to distribute Thanksgiving meals.

Michelle

Michelle serves on Renaissance Social Services’ Board of Directors and also volunteered at ARCO’s Bike Ride for the Kids, as well as our WomenBuild team.