New Crew Member!

We would like to introduce a new member of our crew, Matt Thomas.  Matt has just started volunteering with us, and has earned his stripes among the group as a loyal, patient and fun volunteer.  Matt has a real knack for working with these students. He has really bonded with one student in particular.  When we first met this kindergartener, we immediately saw signs of dyslexia.  Teaching this 5 year old how to write his name has been a difficult and sometimes patience testing challenge.  Matt however, has shown great composure and has given him tools to remember and recognize letters to write his name as well as other words.  Although he still writes his Js backwards, Matt's hard work and dedication can be seen every day at the top of his homework. 

This is what Matt has said about his experience working at the Kelly YMCA.

“My name is Matthew Thomas, and I am a junior at DePaul University.  I am a Psychology major with a minor in Marketing.  I am originally from Plymouth, Minnesota and have just recently started volunteering with the Hoops and Hopes Kelly YMCA program.  I began volunteering in September 2010, out of personal interest and because some of my friends were involved with the program.   So far I have gone every Monday and Wednesday possible because I have developed a strong bond with many of the students we interact with and learn about.   Going to the YMCA has become a source of personal enjoyment and entertainment throughout my week.    My goal for volunteering with Hoops and Hopes is that I can help these kids with their daily school work and hopefully motivate them to push themselves to their fullest potential.”

The meaning of education according to Hoops

Sam and I took a different approach to this week's update.  Most of time, this blog is written in our voice. This week we wanted to focus on sharing the voices of the students and staff. We asked the students and staff at Kelly Y a simple question.  Before we give the question and answers away, we want to preface the reason for asking it. 

Originally, when we started volunteering at the Y, our Hoops and Hopes group was primarily focused on activities, sports and having fun with the kids.  Although this is still a component of our service, we now have shifted our focus to academics.  Playing, goofing off and running around helped us bond with the students quickly.  As we grew closer and learned more about them, we began to recognize that the needs were not just for fun.  A major change the staff and Hoops established at the Y is that before any student is allowed to play in the gym or in the game room, they must complete their homework and have it checked.  While we still try to encourage fun in the homework room, we challenge our students to not only get the work done, but to understand and want to understand what they're learning. 

The students we asked vary greatly.  We asked boys and girls of all ages, some of whom are getting straight A's, and some of whom struggle in the classroom. We also asked a few staff members to comment and reflect on their personal definition of education. 

Ryan, age 8 said, "It is Frasier International Academy. I like to ride the bus and go to school."

Mr. Maddox (Executive Director) said, "A process which we can measure success.  The greater the education, the greater the success."

Trevon, age 9 said, "When you learn how to do new things.  I just know it is something that will help me in life."

Janell, age 8 said, "When people learn.  If you get a good education, you can get a good job."

Lariel, age 6 said, "Fun! And good for you."

Jharve, 13 said, "Something you should take very seriously. Something everyone needs to succeed in life."

Ms. Sylvia (runs homework room) said, "It's learning while growing.  It doesn't start in school.  It starts and ends at home."

Anteynette, 6 said, "It is learning.  A grown up is educated.  They have a good job."

And finally, Ms. Joya (receptionist) said, "It's a challenge.  It's a learning experience.  A challenge and experience of receiving, absorbing, and exploring." 

As Sam and I listened to these definitions, we began to think, "We must be doing something right."  That's all we hope for, that someone will learn to value their education. Again, we leave you all with a question, what does education mean to you? And, are you an educator? 

With love and hope,

Sam & Jackie

New Crew Member

This week, we asked Jen Hendrickson, a loyal volunteer to reflect on her experience working with Hoops and Hopes.

"Hi all! I’m Jen. I’m a sophomore at DePaul University, and I have been volunteering with Hoops and Hopes for almost a year now. I have volunteered for most of my life through different organizations. I was especially involved in high school, and missed the involvement that I had once I came to DePaul. I first heard of Hoops at a winter leadership conference last year where I met Ali and Jackie. They told me of the community service that they did with kids once a week on the west side of Chicago, and asked me to tag along. The Hoops crew took me in with open arms, and they have all become dear friends of mine. Every week I have the privilege to give back to the West Humboldt Park community with them. I love and appreciate every minute, whether it’s dancing in the van on the way to Kelly Y or discussing the progress that we see in the kids. My time spent at the Y is typically helping in the homework room or playing games with the younger girls. For me, I want to be there for these kids to give them inspiration and someone to trust. I want to be able to show them their potential and enable them to realize their worth. Most importantly, though, I just want to be able to make them laugh and to put a smile on their faces. I hope to keep the kids smiling and continue volunteering with Hoops and Hopes for the next three years that I am at DePaul."

Parking Lot Success

Sometimes life presents you with challenges that you are not sure you can handle on your own. This is a universal obstacle that every person will face. What we try to do at Kelly YMCA is add to the community already in place and do our best to offer a shoulder for stability. Many of the children we work with stare adversity in the face and many do not blink. The strength we see shows in a variety of forms, some kids act tough, some act kind, and some stay to themselves. Each of these is without question a form of strength. However there is only so much the human shoulders can withstand.

We witnessed something very beautiful on Monday at Hoops.  The boys ages 8-12 have began their fall flag football practices.  Their coach Ken is the kindest, most faithful man we have ever met.  Ken coaches these boys with a hard hand yet exemplifies the importance of team work.  While watching their practice in the parking lot, Sam and I noticed something.  Every time the QB would throw the ball to a player, every other player would become upset because they felt they could make the play.  After a while Ken, Sam and I began to grow a little tired off all the complaining and self benching.  We heard, "Man! I could have made that catch!" And, "Man, you weak!"  The QB started to become a little cocky, and said, "I need some receivers!"  The interesting thing however, was that every time one of those “weak receivers” would make a great play or touchdown, the entire gang would gather around and celebrate the moment.  This was not just a small hip hip horray; this was a big dog pile of hugging, cheering, and dancing.  You would have thought they had just won the Super Bowl.  After practice we began to reflect on this game.  Sam and I find it extremely interesting that every time the kids weren't given an opportunity they would become visibly upset.  A lot of this frustration stems from the lack of opportunity these kids are given outside of the Y and the parking lot.  Although this is a sad truth and reality, there is something so inspiring that when these kids succeed they are able to come together and celebrate one another's success.  This is exactly what our group, Hoops, and the Kelly YMCA tries to instill in this community.  A person in any community, West Humboldt Park, Lincoln Park, or elsewhere must face the reality and frustration of lacking opportunities.  We all face great challenges in our lives, but the important thing we can take from a couple of kids playing flag football in a YMCA parking lot, is that we can all lean on each other to celebrate the few  times when we do succeed.  So ask yourself, who in your life is going through a challenge? And, can you help them celebrate their moments of success?

With love and hope,

Sam & Jackie

Meet the crew!

Each week we would like to introduce one of our wonderful committed volunteers.  We have a tight knit community of DePaul students who come to service with us.  We feel it is important for you to get to know each of them as they are just as important as we are.


This week we asked our dear friend Alessandria to reflect on her experience as a Hoops volunteer at Kelly Y.

"Hello Everyone! My name is Alessandria, or as everyone at Hoops and Hopes knows me, Ali.  I am a junior at DePaul University studying secondary education.  I came to DePaul on a Leadership Scholarship, which involves actively volunteering and giving back to the city of Chicago. Previous to my time in college, I occasionally did the monthly volunteering gig. Not until I arrived at DePaul did I understand that volunteering was more than just showing up once or twice a month. I got involved with the Hoops and Hopes Program with help from a friend, Jackie Clevette. As the coordinator for the site, she invited me to come along. Now, I have been volunteering at the Kelly YMCA for a year and a half.  Whether it’s playing basketball in the gym or assisting the kids in the homework room, I never have a time there where I haven’t laughed or smiled. The students that are involved in this afterschool program are a joy to be around.  Each person in our volunteer group is extremely dedicated to being a role model. Consistency is key. I, as well as my fellow volunteers, believe that consistently attending the Kelly YMCA is a fundamental part in the development of these children. We want to be at the Kelly YMCA to help these children succeed in their education and in their lives. Why work really hard for a short period of time to accomplish a goal then let your efforts die out? Sometimes we may get frustrated when helping with homework, or when a student is mis-behaving but we have to commit in order for the children to succeed fully.  I intend to continue my efforts with hoops and hopes throughout the rest of my time here at DePaul."  

What we do and why we do it

Hey everyone!

This is Jackie and Sam starting our new blog! This blog gives us an opportunity to share our stories of community service at Kelly Hall YMCA.  Kelly Hall YMCA is located in West Humboldt of Chicago, in the southwest side.  The DePaul University description for HOOPS and HOPES (our DePaul Community Service Association site) describes it as a volunteer group that is committed to tutoring, mentoring and playing sports with the inner city students of Chicago. This is what we intend to do while working at Kelly Hall YMCA, however the reality of the work that we do is much more complicated. 

Sam and I began co-coordinating our DCSA site last winter.  We have become very close friends through the experiences we have shared together.  We share a strong passion for bettering the lives of the students we spend time with.  We hope to share many of these experiences with you and bring light to some of the complexities these kids face.  Although many of their stories are sad, we have seen great happiness in their lives.  We want to make an attempt to share the highs and lows that both the children and we face living and working in this community.  We hope to give justice to the community by sharing their stories. 

Sam and I meet weekly after our Vincentians In Action (VIA) reflection, and hope to update the blog each week with these stories!

I (Jackie) began getting involved with community service my freshman year of college.  Although I did the occasional monthly day of service in high school, I did not get involved in community service until college.  I came to DePaul University with a Leadership Scholarship.  My scholarship, DePaul Leadership Scholars (Dels) educates us on ethical, responsible leadership.  Our freshmen year, after an amazing "welcome week" we were assigned a service site for the year.  I was assigned to work with AIRE (Achieving Immigrant's Rights and Equality).  I volunteered at the Little Village site tutoring ESL adults.  I fell in love with the work I was doing and the people I was helping.  At the end of the year, I applied to be the coordinator of the service site.  Unfortunately, I did not become coordinator of AIRE, however I became coordinator of Hoops and Hopes at Kelly Hall YMCA.  Although I was originally disappointed, I grew to love my new site.  For the past year and a half I have been volunteering at Kelly Hall YMCA.

I (Sam) had my life changed as a sophomore in high school when I started volunteering at Comfort Zone Camp (CZC), a national non-profit grief camp. Working at CZC opened my eyes to what a difference service can make. I lost my father to a brain aneurysm when I was 8 years old. Despite lots of challenges I was very lucky because I have great friends and family members. Losing my father at a young age taught me the importance of having positive role models in life. Upon returning from Comfort Zone Camp I dedicated myself to being the best role model I could be for young people, especially young men. I became involved with Hoops and Hopes the 3rd week of my freshman year. I also got involved because I have a scholarship through DePaul. I am a DePaul Community Service Scholar, which promotes social justice and social learning. Getting involved with Hoops created a bright beginning for my freshman year. I have made so many connections with both the people I volunteer with as well as the kids I work with. I became a co-coordinator with Jackie winter of last year and take the position very seriously. I am thankful Jackie and I are both so passionate about the work we do, and I cannot wait to share our stories with you all.

          With love and hope,

                            Sam & Jackie