tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147123932011-12-20T14:25:22.043-06:00Putting love into action in Chicago since 1984.Christina Bronsingnoreply@blogger.comBlogger481100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-55326734521403030202011-12-20T14:17:00.010-06:002011-12-20T14:25:22.058-06:00

The following is a reflection by Anna Mayer, one of this year's Little Village Volunteers.  Anna shared this with the Amate community during her house's Los Posadas-themed Advent reflection. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-9972432433632857162011-12-13T17:30:00.001-06:002011-12-13T17:30:46.887-06:00

The following is a reflection by Michael Pederson, one of this year's South House Volunteers. Saturday morning, the 20th of November greeted me unexpectedly, somewhere between Indiana and Georgia I had miraculously fallen asleep on the bus full of SOA protesters from DePaul, headed to Fort Benning, Georgia.  SOA stands for “School of the Americas”, and although the institution is now officially

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-7017751760008148712011-11-28T17:27:00.002-06:002011-11-28T17:28:50.446-06:00

The following is a reflection written by Lindsay Williams, one of this year's North House Volunteers. This year I am working as an Oral Health Educator at a community health clinic, and a large part of my job is to give dental health presentations at schools and community centers around the city.  As a result I have been ping-ponging all over Chicago to present to parenting groups and schools in

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-55992474348333290642011-11-22T08:32:00.002-06:002011-11-28T17:29:29.908-06:00

The following is a letter that Little Village House Volunteer Melissa Carnall sent to friends and family in this season of Thanksgiving. Dear Friends and Family, I hope this letter finds you enjoying some crisp near-winter weather!  Will you grab a cup of tea or coffee and join me as I share a bit about what I’m up to here in the windy city of Chicago? As you probably know, when summer drew to a

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-73230865949833454032011-11-14T23:19:00.003-06:002011-11-19T23:54:27.300-06:00

What a special occasion Amate Thanksgiving was this year! For those of you who are unfamiliar with our Thanksgiving tradition, we invite Alumni, Board members, parents of Volunteers, and other friends to join us for a weekend of football, a special liturgy, and (of course) a big traditional meal. It's always a wonderful time. This year, we had the added joy of dedicating our new Little Village

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-42134830751003895602011-11-02T09:09:00.000-05:002011-11-02T09:15:15.723-05:00

Courtney Hardebeck, one of this year's Little Village House Volunteers, created a video of some of the highlights from our recent Fall Retreat weekend in Watervliet, Michigan. We hope that you enjoy it!

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-2117361129349169652011-10-26T15:42:00.003-05:002011-11-19T23:56:39.201-06:00

The following is a reflection written by Earl Carlos, one of this year's Little Village House Volunteers. One of my reasons for joining Amate House is to find out a little more about who I am by immersing myself in the neighborhood I am living in, by getting to know the stories of my co-workers and clients and by being inspired by my vibrant and loving community. The more open we are to

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-86280384682440857742011-10-11T13:36:00.001-05:002011-11-19T23:57:36.585-06:00

The following is a reflection written by Katie Pollard, one of this year's South House Volunteers. After pressing snooze on my alarm three times, I frantically pull myself together in the morning and hop in the red van with McKenna for the routine drive from South House to Academy of Saint Benedict the African. Upon arrival at the Catholic elementary school in Englewood, I greet a vibrant

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-44892729075090945392011-10-04T11:19:00.001-05:002011-11-19T23:58:36.824-06:00

The following is a reflection written by Katy Gill, one of this year's North House Volunteers. As the story goes, an old, old nun, known as Sister Clotilde lives in limbo amongst us Amate North volunteers, never to have left this convent which was once her home. She lurks about the halls, once inhabited by the habited. (Pun!) Mostly keeping to herself, Sister Clotilde is only spoken of on

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-29181667163719353332011-09-16T14:06:00.000-05:002011-09-16T14:17:25.711-05:00

The following is a reflection by Tori Dice, one of this year's South House Volunteers.<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-82601158001292239562011-09-09T13:28:00.000-05:002011-09-09T13:33:19.424-05:00

Hi Friends,Our Application for the 2012-2013 Program Year is now posted on the Amate House website! Follow this link to gain access to the download site.Our Staff, Volunteers, and Alumni will be visiting several Post-Grad Fairs around the country this fall and winter - visit www.catholicvolunteernetwork.org for more information about upcoming events.If you have any questions about the Amate

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-44522752328399724132011-09-06T22:33:00.000-05:002011-09-06T22:40:57.914-05:00

The following is a reflection written by Katie Kenefick, one of this year's Little Village House Volunteers.After taking some time to reflect on the past couple of weeks, marking the first weeks of placement at our service sites, I recall the nervous anticipation of the unknown my fellow housemates and I were feeling as we geared up to begin our year of service. Now that the first-day jitters

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-54027781156596963542011-09-01T09:20:00.001-05:002011-11-20T00:00:06.618-06:00

The following is a reflection written by Kelley Ambrose, one of this year's North House Volunteers.  Confession: I am absolutely awful with directions. Most of my family and friends know this, and I willingly admit it to those who don’t. Last summer, my grandparents (saints that they are) equipped me with a GPS we lovingly named Gertrude. I grew to rely on Gertrude’s robotic British accent to get

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-71004024642770878322011-05-31T10:00:00.000-05:002011-10-04T11:17:29.314-05:00

The following is a reflection written by Theresa Hayes, one of our North House Volunteers. She offered this as part of her community's Pentecost reflections, which took place last Wednesday.Every morning, I struggle to wake up. As my neighbors can attest, I snooze my alarm clock for approximately 36 minutes each day. There are a variety of reasons I might want to stay in bed. Sometimes I am

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-61796045532153875662011-05-23T16:05:00.000-05:002011-05-23T16:10:02.177-05:00

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Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-69246823418278698272011-05-09T15:13:00.000-05:002011-05-09T15:15:52.550-05:00

The following is a reflection written by Carlos La Puente, one of this year's Little Village House Volunteers.<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-79071903818105769292011-04-21T15:41:00.000-05:002011-04-21T15:47:32.233-05:00

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Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-58759616324575659982011-04-07T14:47:00.000-05:002011-04-07T14:51:02.277-05:00

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Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-41278152146450118612011-03-31T14:21:00.000-05:002011-03-31T14:32:29.591-05:00

The following is a reflection written by Mark Piper, one of this year's South House Volunteers.The life of a volunteer can be paradoxical; both fun and vexing, fulfilling but still insatiable, joyful but also rancorous, what else would you expect, with long work weeks, little pay, a lot of hope and determination in the face of obstacles and frustrations strewn about us as we navigate our journey

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-7045086775237603772011-03-17T14:36:00.000-05:002011-03-31T14:39:38.913-05:00

One of our alumni, Megan Sweas, has written an article for U.S. Catholic regarding the debate around the federal budget and the future of AmeriCorps.Click here to read the U.S. Catholic article!

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-23920403379108337342011-03-11T15:54:00.000-06:002011-03-11T16:11:48.742-06:00

The following is a reflection written by Vince Nigito, one of this year's North House Volunteers.The idea of a retreat, I’m told, is part relaxation, part prayer. It’s, you know, spiritual. For some people it is a chance to reconnect with God, for others it’s a time to catch up on sleep. Last year, on our fall retreat, I made a valiant attempt to learn silence. I laid in a bunk bed after everyone

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-67150588357344492032011-01-20T15:34:00.000-06:002011-01-20T16:07:04.101-06:00

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Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-23087622866774612982010-12-21T16:32:00.000-06:002011-01-20T16:04:11.245-06:00

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Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-84618451369494501402010-12-02T13:35:00.000-06:002010-12-02T13:43:29.178-06:00

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Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-19787494047840919682010-11-16T16:37:00.000-06:002010-11-16T19:35:35.237-06:00

The following is an update from Lisa Wolff, Program and Recruitment Coordinator.<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-92173430440271342552010-10-30T15:09:00.000-05:002010-10-30T15:20:36.320-05:00

The following is a reflection written by Michaela Pease, one of this year's North House Volunteers.<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-48843294578544000252010-10-30T15:07:00.001-05:002010-10-30T15:07:12.049-05:00

Click here to view these pictures larger

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-44084283602634272152010-10-19T15:56:00.000-05:002010-10-19T16:04:24.337-05:00

The following is a reflection written by Krista Peterson, one of this year's Little Village Volunteers.Today I find myself starting anew, but starting anew with discipline. It is eight o'clock in the morning and I am sitting in a church pew with over four hundred students, all under the age of fifteen. A crowd of blue shirts and dresses, dark hair, wheat brown skin, backpacks and lunch boxes

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-41898464927564338122010-09-24T17:25:00.000-05:002010-09-24T17:29:48.443-05:00

Hello friends,Our application for the 2011-2012 Program Year is now available for download! We accept applications on a rolling basis and will be conducting in-person interviews starting in December.Early Deadline: February 1, 2011Final Deadline: April 1, 2011 (or until the program is full)Download the the Volunteer ApplicationCheck out our Brochure!Peace,Ryan LentsProgram and Recruitment

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-5853462570059753612010-09-22T14:41:00.000-05:002010-09-22T14:58:58.500-05:00

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Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-30219877229927764522010-09-09T16:56:00.000-05:002010-09-09T17:02:38.405-05:00

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Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-26643096450935111272010-08-31T11:03:00.000-05:002010-09-09T17:03:17.457-05:00

The following is a reflection written by Maeve Raphelson, one of this year's Little Village Volunteers. <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-17119142304043824692010-08-25T13:37:00.000-05:002010-09-09T17:04:07.190-05:00

This blog post was written by Mark Piper, one of this year's South House Volunteers.The beginning seems to be a good place to start – and so let me tell you this tale from its beginning. Amate House 2010 – 2011 began the weekend of July 31/August 1. The weekend was filled with an ample amount of heat, humidity, and sunshine (an omen for the weather we would have for our two weeks of orientation).

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-77687799087886095582010-05-20T14:50:00.000-05:002010-06-09T16:07:20.427-05:00

The following is a reflection by Meagan Doty, one of this year's South House Volunteers. <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Gill Sans MT"; panose-1:2 11 5 2 2 1 4 2 2 3; mso-font-charset:0;

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-64166721616095542032010-05-06T15:19:00.000-05:002010-05-06T15:28:41.584-05:00

Amate Magic 2010 was a wonderful success! Many thanks to all you who attended, sponsored, donated auction items for, or otherwise supported us! Pictures from the evening are now online, and are accessible by following this link. The log in password is "2010NavyPier1". Enjoy!

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-59707535653889859752010-04-21T15:10:00.000-05:002010-04-21T15:20:02.569-05:00

As many of you are aware, Amate House relies on the generous donations of friends and supporters to keep our program running. While we are always happy to receive financial gifts, we are also appreciative of in-kind donations as well.With that being said, we're wondering if anyone would have a vehicle that would available for donation. Many of our volunteers rely on Amate House vehicles to get

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-25404704412397868222010-04-12T13:37:00.000-05:002010-04-12T13:43:35.252-05:00

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Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-61412786112798819002010-03-26T18:39:00.000-05:002010-03-26T18:54:59.552-05:00

The following is a reflection written by Michael Massengale, one of this year's volunteers living at the South House. Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-15824904037212490202010-02-12T08:59:00.000-06:002010-02-12T09:02:45.090-06:00

The following is a reflection written by Mark Florido, one of this year's volunteers living at the Little Village House. I have a confession. I love boy bands. There’s just something about their non-threatening bubble gum lyrics, their bleached hairstyles, and their conformists dance moves that I find simply irresistible. This odd obsession of the otherwise nauseating is not just something that I

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-59968375135142126192010-01-20T14:20:00.001-06:002010-01-20T14:30:29.214-06:00

The following is a reflection written by Erin Buckley, one of this year's volunteers living at the North House. I walk down the street, balancing two Styrofoam cups in my hands—in my left, water, in my right, Diet Coke. The sun glints off the snow, and I am glad to be approaching my destination, the apartment of one of the elders I visit through my work with Little Brothers, Friends of the

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-88311544692783466592010-01-12T17:03:00.000-06:002010-01-12T17:07:01.178-06:00

The following is a reflection written by Beth Johnson, one of this year's Volunteers living at the South House.Here we are! The year 2010 is upon us, and to be honest, it’s a year I hadn’t really thought much about before it came knocking on my door just a couple of weeks ago. As the clock struck 12:00 this year, to put it candidly, the thought that ran through my head was, “Whoa--here we go,

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-51373599673521753772009-12-07T14:31:00.000-06:002009-12-08T01:16:19.607-06:00

The following is a reflection written by Anne Krane, one of this year's Volunteers living at the North House.When I asked my pre-schoolers how they were going to get ready for Jesus’ birthday during advent, I got some awesome answers:“I’m going to make him a cake.”“I’m going to buy him a car.”“I’m going to take him to the zoo and to Chuck E. Cheese.”We had talked about Advent. We had sung at

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-53879802096304738812009-11-10T08:30:00.000-06:002009-11-10T09:02:04.422-06:00

As many of you know, Amate House relies mostly on the generous donations of our supporters for our funding. In this tough economic climate, every contribution counts. A great way to support us without even having to write a check is by using GoodSearch.com. GoodSearch is a website that donates half of its revenue to charities and nonprofits. It operates exactly like your favorite search

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-19340319390183663422009-10-28T16:27:00.002-05:002009-10-28T16:29:06.947-05:00

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-21535759721477543552009-10-28T16:27:00.001-05:002009-10-28T16:27:49.561-05:00

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-72097768739598250322009-10-28T16:26:00.000-05:002009-10-28T16:27:15.633-05:00

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-65676298827616720442009-10-28T16:25:00.000-05:002009-10-28T16:26:11.812-05:00

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14712393.post-19247076713810337222009-10-28T16:22:00.000-05:002009-10-28T16:25:03.788-05:00

Ryan Lentsnoreply@blogger.com0