Little City Foundation and The Volunteer Center Unveil New National Model for Executive-Level Volunteering at World's Largest Conference for Service and Volunteer Leaders

Tomorrow at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service in New York City, Little City Foundation and The Volunteer Center will share results from the "SAVE" program -Strategic Action for Volunteer Engagement - implemented with the Executive Network Group

NEW YORK, June 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a session entitled, "New Skills-Based Volunteer Programs Help NPO's Save Time, Resources and Increase Program Impact," Little City Foundation along with The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago (TVC) will discuss the first national model for executive-level volunteering on a strategic level.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100308/LITTLECITYLOGO  )

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100308/LITTLECITYLOGO )

Providing a skills stimulus at Little City Foundation (a non-profit organization serving hundreds of individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Chicago area), the "SAVE" program created valuable opportunities for executives in transition, non-profit organizations and the most vulnerable citizens in the community.

"Strategic corporate and community partnerships are critical for mission success," commented Little City Executive Director Shawn E. Jeffers.  "During these challenging times, we hope that other community-based organizations, human service providers and other non-profit organizations facing funding cuts, can incorporate a similar model and learn from the results we share tomorrow."

A component of the "SAVE" program, the "Adopt-a-Nonprofit Model," connects skilled volunteers with non-profits.  Little City Foundation and the Executive Network Group of Greater Chicago (ENG) serve as the first pairing where executives' time and talents were maximized to the fullest potential.

Little City Manager of Volunteers Kathryn Nelson will talk about the executive-level expertise and strategy development volunteered by ENG through TVC at Little City the past several months and how ENG's contributions have benefited key projects including fundraising and employment retention initiatives.  

"We'll show step-by-step how corporate and community partnerships can be leveraged to provide access to skills-based volunteers," commented Session Chair and TVC Associate Director Chris Smith. "We'll give examples of successful programs and help nonprofits better meet critical needs with limited resources."

To interview the speakers or for more information, contact Lisa Hoffmann at [email protected] or 847-221-7825.

For more information on the session, visit: http://pol.expoplanner.com/docs/sessions/?track=Skills-Based+Volunteering.

For more information on the 2010 National Conference for Volunteering and Service, visit www.volunteeringandservice.org.

To learn more about The Volunteer Center (TVC) 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.littlecity.org.  

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 the National Conference on Volunteering and Service
The National Conference on Volunteering and Service is the world's largest gathering of volunteer and service leaders from the nonprofit, government, and corporate sectors.  Convened by Points of Light Institute and the Corporation for National and Community Service, the annual event provides attendees with an opportunity to learn, connect and shape the future of service and volunteering through plenary sessions, workshops, special events, and service projects.  The 2010 conference takes place June 28-30 in New York City.  For more information, visit VolunteeringandService.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 assists 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