GOOD NEWS PARTNERS
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The organizations that comprise Good News Partners are ones that are vital to the North of Howard community in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood. New Life Interim Housing (the shelter for homeless women and their children), the Jonquil Hotel and the transitional housing units are generally filled to capacity because of the great need. My experience for at least 10 years has been volunteering at New Life individually and with my church. The women and extremely grateful for the time we spend with them serving meals throughout the year, and at Thanksgiving and Christmas, providing back packs and school supplies, and special events at Mother's Day. They have told me often how blessed they and their children are by our presence. Most recently, since this past summer, I have served as a member of the Board of Directors and the Personnel Committee.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Helping the children.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Change the lives of hundreds of people and totally revitalize the neighborhood.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Since 1985 our church, Blacksburg Presbyterian Church in Blacksburg VA, has taken youth to work for a week at GNP and since 1991 GNP has spent a weekend in June at BPC. What has impressed me the most over this time is to see how influential and important Good News Partners has been in the life of the children--giving them love, structure, opportunities, and support. Most exciting is seeing so many of these young people become caring, committed, responsible adults--because of the nurture the received from GNP. The difference GNP makes in the lives of so many is amazing, but I am especially impressed with the difference they make in the lives of our young people.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing how it so positively affects young people.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Have more experiences outside the neighborhood for the young people.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Living and working with the community at Good News Partners--getting to know the young people and the people in the neighborhood.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
AMAZING! The commitment of staff and volunteers is fantastic! I have been a close friend of the president Bod Ogle for many, many years and his incredible foresight, commitment, care, and ability to "make things happen" is phenomenal.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Change the lives of many, many, many more people, helping them from hopelessness, homelessness, and despair to lives of hope, homes, self-respect, and opportunities to use their gifts and talents.
Ways to make it better...
I could have spent more time at Good News Partners. It is always very difficult to leave our brothers and sisters in Chicago.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
The transition of leadership now that Bud Ogle is retiring.
One thing I'd also say is that...
The deep commitment and caring of the staff to the neighborhood and to EVERY individual that comes to Good News Partners is truly remarkable.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Good News partners is a wonderful organization. Bud Ogle has spoken at our church and is a man filled with passion for helping those in need, always looking for the best opportunity to make that happen. My personal experience has been primarily with the New Life Women's shelter. We have gathered with the residents both at our church and at the shelter. The staff is organized and gracious of our efforts. The shelter is clean and the women appear to take great pride in the personal space the shelter provides them. All appeared well cared for and the children are happy and playful. A real sense of community can be felt when in the presence of this group.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Hearing the stories of women who are living at the shelter who feel blessed beyond words by the compassion, support and assistance, the shelter has provided them.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Getting to know these women, knowing that their basic needs are being met for this time so they feel HOPEFUL about their future and motivated to move their lives forward in a positive direction. It is so inspirational.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Kind, passionate, committed, organized and very gracious and grateful for our efforts to connect with them and the residents there.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Help so many more people!! Good News does things right - always looking at the long term: how to make the biggest impact for the most people by doing their homework, thinking things through, planning ahead and then reaching out for help.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I first visited GNP on a site visit for a potential donor. I was immediately impressed with the way the staff lives out their mission of bringing dignity and opportunity to each client they serve. I was greeted at the front desk by a resident who lives in GNP housing, I learned how they incorporate their clients in apartment renovations, and witnessed residents who help manage the properties. Each encounter showed me how respect, training and decency positively influence an individual's development and healthy sense of self. Furthermore, the director of the program has chosen to move into the very neighborhood he serves and to become a strategic player in bridging community through genuine relationship.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
witnessing successful families transition from transient housing to established, self sustained housing through GNP's support and guidance.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
raise their profile to leverage more partnerships with builders/developers in the community to help acquire more apt. buildings, train clients, etc.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
their model of moving folks from a crisis shelter through a series of increasing self sufficient housing arrangements really does work! GNP is successful in keeping homelessness at a minimum in their community and empowering their residents to independen
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
the kind who treat their constituents with dignity and respect, offering life skill training and skin in the game opportunities for their residents to make a difference for themselves and fellow clients. They're the real, compassionate, involved, commitd
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
become a beacon of hope for all of Chicago neighborhoods by first being a great model of ridding homelessness/encouraging self sufficiency (not dependence on hand outs) and could plant more neighborhood launches of the same model.
Ways to make it better...
I had allowed more time to witness all the amazing support programs they offer, tour more of the facilities, engage with more clients.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
the vicious cycle of poverty that repeats itself on going.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I am entirely impressed with this org's program, commitment, vision and results.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I have brought two different groups of youth to volunteer at Good News Partners. Both groups were a mix of ages, ranging from 12 to 18. On both occasions, GNP provided age appropriate projects at a variety of locations that were meaningful and contributed to the overall mission of GNP. Both times, I was impressed with the breadth and depth of work that GNP does in the community.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my conversations with residents at the Jonquil. It is clear to me that GNP is providing a quality environment for at risk families and youth.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
their flexibility and adaptability when working with a large group of youth volunteers.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
professional, skilled, experienced, and compassionate.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
transform the neighborhood in which it is located.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
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