Research has shown, it takes the support of 5 adults (outside of their family) to nurture a child into a healthy, productive adulthood
Got an hour and want to give an hour or more of your precious time? The process in which we enlist the help of volunteers is very user friendly. The first step is to contact the staff directly and express your interest. They will set up an appointment for you to come in while the center is in operation so that you can see us in action. A conversation between you, the staff, and a couple of youth will occur that will help us to decide the best way in which to utilize your skills and experiences. A background check will be completed and upon a favorable result you are all set to go! Simple and easy!
Some shining examples of our wonderful volunteer staff:
Don Bickel
Don has been with the CanTeen since October 2002. He is a retired engineer that also volunteers with Meals on Wheels. He has made a wonderful bridge between the two efforts by bringing teens to MOW to make desserts and emergency kits. Don has chaperoned many a field trip and is our data entry “guru”. He is part of the fabric of the center, and we couldn’t picture the center without his presence.
Reba Spencer
Mrs. Spencer cooks monthly “family dinners” for the center. She is an amazing cook and bakes the most delicious desserts. She represents the Cicero Senior Center and is the secretary for the Greater Cicero Community Youth Board.
Ethan Taylor
Ethan began his tenure with the center as an intern from OCC. He has since finished his semester and is now considered a full fledged volunteer. He has chaperoned numerous field trips and has spent time playing ping pong, board games, and even joined Don as a chaperone on our annual camping trip.
Julie Raddell
Julie is a fundraising “queen”. Julie has launched our famous Spaghetti Dinners and the Cornhole Challenge, spent many hours gift wrapping with the teens, and has introduced them to life in the great outdoors. She also partnered with Lori Lake-Toms to plan, implement and organize a very lucrative benefit for the center.
Lori Lake-Toms
Lori’s interest in the program sprang from a call to action regarding the recent funding issues. She is a member of the Town of Cicero Parks and Recreation Commission, and heard of our plight through various media outlets and her connection to the Parks and Recreation Department. Lori was the driving force behind The Raise the Rent Benefit held last Spring; even though her children are a bit too young to even attend the CanTeen.
There are many other volunteers that have supported us through the years in various capacities. Each has brought another arm in the support system that is so desperately needed to keep the center up and functioning. Please join us!
