More than 125 Students, Staff, and Faculty Roll up Their Sleeves for Oakton’s First Day of Service

(September 16, 2015) Oakton Community College volunteers turned out in force to participate in the celebration of the Sept. 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance. Four busloads of students joined faculty and staff volunteers to provide support to eight area nonprofits and two campus landscaping projects. Participating charities included Wright Way Animal Rescue, Salvation Army, CASA Central, Wings, and Habitat for Humanity.

Millie Hernandez, program director of CASA Central, a homeless shelter for families in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago, was pleased to have an entire two-bedroom apartment freshly painted by Oakton volunteers. “If it wasn’t for them, the work simply wouldn’t get done. It makes a great difference for a family’s self-respect to be moving into a radiant, freshly painted apartment,” she said. A newly homeless family of five was scheduled to move into the apartment later that evening.

“I know how good it feels to paint a room in my own home then sit back and appreciate it. Giving that feeling to someone less fortunate has been a wonderful experience.” said Tami Halkias, a nontraditional Oakton student and mother of four grown children, who has returned to college to major in human services.

The day was organized by Oakton staff members Krissie Harris, coordinator of student life, Karishma Kamath, coordinator for access, equity, and student rights,  Anthony Ramos, coordinator for student orientation and retention, and Karen Roth, instructor and service learning coordinator. Their hope is that the success of the day, which surpassed all expectations, will create enough momentum to become an annual event.

According to Roth, “It’s not just about helping others. Service is about learning to move beyond one’s own needs to understand the needs of others. It helps our students learn to become more civic minded and responsible.”

Student, Illyanna Cadillo summed up her experience, “It was a really fun day! I feel tired, but feel that all my work really helped a family in need.”