Interview: Young Professionals Changing Their Community! // 10.14.2008 at 3:12 PM

by Mark J. Carter

Categories: Community Needs, Community Non-Profit Activities, Leadership and Influence, Social Responsibility, Training and Development

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There are a lot of civic and networking organizations out there; it's always great to find ones creating change within their communities and helping their members with personal and professional development.

The Jaycees are such an organization...

This is an interview with Jennifer Lee, the President of the Chicago Jaycees:

"Who are the Jaycees?"

The Jaycees are officially the Junior Chamber of Commerce. We are an international organization that is 100% volunteer run. Our mission is to build leadership skills in young professionals through community service. Our typical member is between the ages of 21 & 39 and wants to help the community.

We enhance leadership skills by teaching project management skills and we never forget to have fun while fundraising, helping the community or building skills in our members. The Chicago Jaycees also has many social and networking events that we run, as well as promoting other networking events like BNC and Networking For A Cause.

"You mentioned (community outreach/involvement); what projects have you recently worked on?"

Most recently, we helped the 42nd Ward Alderman to clean up Oak Street Beach on Saturday, September 20th. This was a wonderful event with many groups and individuals from around the city.

Before that, we went to Breakthrough Ministries which is a transitional home for formerly homeless men. We go there quarterly and feed them a meal.

"What project had the most impact on you as a person?"

Cleaning up Camp New Hope has had the most personal impact on me. Camp New Hope is an overnight summer camp for severely disabled children in Mattoon, Illinois. This project is run by the Illinois Jaycees and so there are many Jaycee chapters from around the state who attend one weekend in May annually, to help paint, clean, plant flowers and make the camp wonderfully fresh for the children and their families.

They have the best recreational programs available for special needs children and it is very touching to know that all of these people from across the state, has come. It is a strong sense of accomplishment when at the end of the day, you remember what it looked like when you got there and are able to see the progress and how it all comes together.

"What changes have you seen in your community as a result of a project/these projects?"

I have been overwhelmingly fortunate to see how we help people on a personal level. When we go to play bingo with senior citizens at Imperial Home, there is genuine gratitude on the residents faces. At Breakthrough Ministries, the men are always so thankful of the food we provide and the time we spend with them because they know that we see the value in their lives. I also love being the President because I have seen the change in my members as they grow, develop and take to heart all of the wonderful lessons that they learn from giving to others. I feel that we learn even more about ourselves when we are open to sharing ourselves with people who need help.

How can people that are interested in getting involved with the Jaycees help you with your mission?

What we need most is members who want to make a difference in their community and are willing to be on the board of directors to continue the Chicago Jaycees mission.

We also want members who would just like to have a great time and celebrate with us at our best event of the year which will be the Black & White Soiree on Saturday, October 18th from 7 pm - 10 pm.

This is our event that raises the majority of the money for our non-profit Foundation so that we can continue to fund the community service projects, including the aforementioned projects, our Habitat for Humanity team and when we go to local classrooms for Christmas to give toys to disabled children.

This year, the Black & White Soiree will include a Live Date Auction (bidding on the date packages, the winner does not have to take the date model) and a Silent Auction. We have some incredible items that have been donated, like a package for 4 to ComedySportz, one night stay in Reno, complete food & wine pairing, Six Flags tickets, Flat Screen Television, autographed Bears Jersey from Hall of Fame Lineman, Dan Hampton and an autographed baseball from Cubs outfielder, Reed Johnson.

The tickets are only $45 in advance and includes beer, wine, cocktails and appetizers and can be purchased at www.ChicagoJaycees.Eventbrite.com