When you meet those that work here you'll immediately know how much they care about the mission and the people. As a volunteer, they were very quick at getting my plugged into opportunities to give back. I just moved to Chicago last year and am glad Chicago is the new home of so many new people and Erie House was one of the first organizations I found that was helping. Can't wait for the Christmas gift drive and wrapping event!
I have been volunteering with Erie Neighborhood House as a mentor in their TEAM program for over 10 years now. I love being able to meet with my student each week to not just help them with homework but also whatever is going on in their life. The students are always bright and ambitious and it so wonderful working alongside them and their families as they decide what they will do after high school.
I've been volunteering with Erie for 3 years as a mentor and it has been a great experience! I started volunteering at Erie because I was new to Chicago and wanted to be able to give back to my new community. I wasn't sure what to expect but Erie's mission spoke to my heart.
I think working with teenagers can scary at times but so rewarding. I have been able to watch and help my student with not only her classwork but with becoming a responsible young adult. Over the course of the last several years I have watched my student go from fighting about homework to immediately talking about what things she would like my help with to complete.
Additionally, the Erie House staff is extremely supportive of both the students and mentors. They are friendly and any questions or concerns are quickly answered. Overall, I look forward to continuing volunteering with Erie.
I just entered my fifth year of mentoring at the Erie Neighborhood House TEAM program. The program is set up well with seventh through ninth graders coming on Monday nights and 10th through 12th graders attending on Wednesdays using this they do a great job of catering to the students age-based needs with different workshops and activities like college and workplace prep for the older kids and basic writing practice for the younger kids. The time spent during team is worthwhile as the staff are good at keeping it focused and productive. I can tell that they have the respect of the students and that says a lot. Also, they keep the volunteers well-informed and are very helpful if an issue arises, or if flexibility is needed. Finally, it is a joy to meet with the students every week to do homework, play games, or just talk about how life is going. It’s possible they teach me more than I teach them. I would recommend.
Hi - my name is Andrew and I'm entering my third school year as a volunteer mentor in Erie House's TEAMs program. I initially reached out to Erie House as I am in the neighborhood, but I wasn't really sure what I would be getting myself into.
I knew I aligned with the mission on Erie House’s website, but I wasn't sure how they were at executing. Day 1 I could see the impact they had on the students - I wouldn't realize until later that what I saw was only scratching the surface of the work they do. The program I am involved in prepares students for the next stage in life – whether that is high school, college, etc. During the mentor session, there is time for students to ask questions and address any troubles they may be having with their curriculum. Erie House does an excellent job of prepping students for necessary testing for high school/college enrollment, giving them opportunities to complete service hours, scholarship opportunities, etc – the list goes on. Not only does Erie House help students excel academically, but they provide a safe space for the students to be kids. Part of being a kid is having fun – and going to Erie House is fun! I was amazed at how close all the students are to each other. Some have known each other for years, and at times, it can really feel like a tight knit family. The students are not only receiving support from the staff and mentors, but from other students.
I can’t express enough how much I have enjoyed my short time at Erie House and how much I look forward to being a part of their success for years going forward.
Erie House has supported countless immigrant / low-income communities over 15 decades. As a teenager, they helped provide me with year-round programming, school-year mentorship, and guidance towards college. Without them, my immigrant parents and I would have likely been scrambling to figure out lots of these application/aid processes.
After graduating college, I became a volunteer, then a board member. They offer that same sense of community, whether you are a participant, a volunteer, or a board member. It's truly one of the best communities I could have found and am grateful for their service.