Over 150 AmeriCorps members honor veterans with care kits

CHICAGO, Illinois – This Veteran’s Day, more than 150 City Year Chicago (CYC) AmeriCorps Members (ACMs) will work together to package hygiene kits for veterans, including a personalized letter written by the ACMs.

The CYC Civic Engagement Team – a team of returning ACMs dedicated to planning and executing service events – reached out to the Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center for insight into how the corps could make a meaningful impact.

CYC currently has 29 partner schools in the Chicago Public School district where young adults serve as student success coaches in dozens of classrooms. On Fridays, corps members receive training on improving as tutors and mentors for their students, but on Veteran’s Day, they will serve in a different capacity.

“It’s always exciting to gather with the entire corps on Fridays, but this service project gives us a chance to bond; hear about this year’s experiences while helping individuals in need who have greatly served our country,” corps project leader Paige Simon said.

On Wednesday, November 16, the CE team will deliver the 200 hygiene kits to the VA center.

“This thoughtful activity is an opportunity to acknowledge those who have served on their day, and we thank them daily for their service. Coming from a family of Veterans, and as it is within our City Year culture – when we put idealism to work, it’s a privilege for all of us to serve.” LaCael Palmer-Pratt, Managing Director of Partnerships and Civic Engagement, said.