Little City Foundation, The Volunteer Center and Executive Network Group Strategically Partner Benefiting Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities throughout Chicago

New 'SAVE' program provides 'skills stimulus' at Little City Foundation (LCF) creating actual win-win-win for individuals with disabilities, executives in transition and Chicago communities

PALATINE, Ill., April 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In recognition of National Volunteer Week, The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago (TVC) and Executive Network Group of Greater Chicago (ENG) premiered a national model for executive-level volunteering at Little City Foundation (LCF) through the Strategic Action for Volunteer Engagement or "SAVE" program.

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"We have hundreds of talented and dedicated staff here at Little City," commented Executive Director Shawn E. Jeffers, "but when dramatic cuts in state funding are taking place and an increased demand for our services is happening at the same time, we can better meet economic challenges with premier skills contributed by The Volunteer Center and Executive Network Group."

The latest development in the SAVE program, "adopt-a-nonprofit," will serve as a national model for connecting members of both professional groups with non-profits.  Little City Foundation and the Executive Network Group of Greater Chicago serve as the first pairing where executives' time and talents will be maximized to its fullest potential.

TVC and ENG will present results from the model at the "National Conference on Volunteering and Service" this June 28-30 in New York. 

ENG Executive Director Chris Campbell commented, "Volunteering is a way for the members to give back while also keeping their skills fresh and building their resumes."

Professional Strategist Tom Gaynor, who developed the SAVE model with TVC staff members Chris Smith and Karla Micheli, added,  "I believe this model has the potential to transform the non-profit sector by giving non-profit organizations access to a whole new pool of talent, for free."

"We have 480 people who aren't working, who are all professionals; this is a wonderful way to occupy their time in transition and to give back through volunteerism," Campbell concluded.

Executives from ENG, whose backgrounds range from marketing to engineering, will work in project teams focusing on business and revenue opportunities for Little City such as developing plans for social business enterprises and maximizing Little City's fundraising arm.  

"We hope that the positive results reaped from this experience will encourage other non-profits to take advantage of these phenomenal volunteer resources," added Jeffers.  "At the same time, we trust that The Volunteer Center and Executive Network Group will come away with a greater understanding of all the intricacies and challenges involved in running a non-profit organization."

To learn more about the The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago, visit: www.volunteerinfo.net.

To learn more about the Executive Network Group of Greater Chicago (ENG), visit www.engchgo.org.

To volunteer at Little City, contact Kathryn Nelson at (847) 221-7804 or [email protected].

To support individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities, visit www.littlecity.org/support.

For complete information, visit www.lilttlecity.org or contact Lisa Reyes at [email protected] or 847-221-7825.

About Little City Foundation

For more than 50 years, Little City Foundation has developed innovative and personalized programs to fully assist and empower children and adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.  With a commitment to attaining a greater quality of life for Illinois' most vulnerable citizens, Little City actively promotes choice, person-centered planning and a holistic approach to health and wellness.  Little City's ChildBridge services include in-home personal and family supports, clinical and behavior intervention, 24/7 residential services and special needs foster care and adoption.  Little City's LifePath Adult Services offers a variety of residential options, employment opportunities, home-based services, case management, day supports, Special Olympics, an award-winning Center for the Arts and more. The organization has a 56-acre campus in Palatine and offices in Chicago.  Visit www.littlecity.org. 

About SAVE (Strategic Action for Volunteer Engagement)

The Volunteer Center's Strategic Action for Volunteer Engagement Program (SAVE) was formed after receiving a National VIRE Grant from the Hands on Network and Corporation for National and Community Service in 2009. The SAVE program strategically helps agencies fulfill their missions through consultative services and the integration of skills-based, pro bono and subject matter expert (SME) volunteers. The SAVE program works with individuals as well as project teams who are willing to volunteer or donate pro bono time in order to address critical non-profit needs by using their experience and skills-based concentrations. This capacity building program can easily align with corporate civic engagement strategies to demonstrate significant impact on the community.

About The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago

The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago (TVC) is a non-profit devoted to improving lives by developing, advancing and promoting community volunteer initiatives.  For over 40 years, The Volunteer Center has been helping our communities, including area non-profits, by serving as a volunteerism resource as well as a clearinghouse for local volunteer opportunities.  For complete information, visit: www.volunteerinfo.net.

About Executive Network Group of Greater Chicago

The Executive Network Group's mission is to build networking and professional relationships among active members, ENG alumni, employers, executive recruiters and other service providers and support groups.  Drawing membership from a three-state area, this premier networking organization offers an incredible pool of proven management talent in all functional disciplines for both interim consulting projects and full-time positions.  It assist members in their job search activities by facilitating networking among people dedicated to filling jobs, advancing careers and satisfying the needs of recruiters and employers.  Its web site and membership provides members, prospective new members, executive recruiters and corporate hiring professionals with a full range of services to enhance their performance leading to WIN-WIN outcomes.  The Executive Network Group is about building relationships, alliances and partnering for success.  For complete information, visit: www.engchgo.org.

SOURCE Little City Foundation