Inside Illinois

ASID Gives Back
ASID and Public Architecture Alliance Promotes Pro
Bono Design
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and Public Architecture
have entered into a new partnership agreement to support pro bono service
for nonprofits seeking interior design expertise. Through the initiative,
ASID members are encouraged to pledge to The 1% program, which challenges
design firms to commit a minimum of one percent of their time to
pro bono services.
Spay/Neuter Clinic, and Community Outreach programs along with many
volunteers to enable the organization to continue to save lives and expand
services. All volunteer opportunities at the Adoption Center focus on
getting to know potential adopters and providing them with the educational
information and resources to help them find their perfect match.
A broad range of volunteer opportunities are available and all information
can be found online at pawschicago.org/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities.
"From designing livable homes for veterans, to creating warm and welcoming
environments for children's hospitals, each day we hear about the many
inspiring service projects our members are working on in their communities,"
says Barbara Marini, FASID, IDEC, ASID's national president.
"Through our official partnerships with The 1% program, we aim to recognize
this work while also making it easier for any member who wants to
get involved in pro bono projects."
Firms involved in The 1% program, including ASID members, contribute
$9 million in services annually, on average. The new partnership is aimed
at providing members with the resources, opportunities, and support
needed to increase service.
Carol Stolt, Communications Director:
The Glen Ellyn Food Pantry is a non-profit ecumenical organization that
serves thousands of people every year who need food assistance in the
communities of Carol Stream, Glendale Heights, Glen Ellyn, Lisle, Lombard,
and Wheaton. The number of families served by the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry
has increased dramatically over the past two years. Currently, the Pantry
serves about 300 families every month (around 1200 individuals). With
Raise a Pint for the Food Pantry our goal is to raise $3,000.00 for the food
pantry so they can purchase new computers. Collect you coins in a pint
jar, when it’s full, log onto http://www.gofundme.com/RAISE-A-PINT-
FOR-GEFP
www.gofundme.org to make your contribution.
"The interior design community has played a necessary and important
role in The 1% program since its founding," says John Peterson, founder
and president of Public Architecture. "We're inspired by the vision at ASID
and its support of the profession's role in improving communities in need."
For more information, visit theonepercent.org.
ASID Illinois Board Commits to Strategic Goal for
Community Service
As part of the ASID Illinois member survey last year, members overwhelmingly
expressed a desire to participate in community service events
through ASID. The ASID Illinois Board resolved to include an aggressive
commitment to community service organizations as part of their strategic
goals. Each member of the board identified a service organization in which
to dedicate their own and their committee’s time and talent. Each committee
under each board function will volunteer to participate in either a onetime
event or donate time in service to a particular organization. All ASID
members are encouraged to dedicate their time to these service groups.
You will find more information about upcoming volunteer opportunities
in the ASID Newsbrief, in future Inside Illinois Newsletters or you
may contact the appropriate board member.
The following are the community service organizations the board members
have chosen:
Janet Davidsen, President-Elect and Krystl Loiterman, Director at Large:
Pets Are Worth Saving (PAWS) Chicago is the city’s largest No Kill
humane organization, focused on implementing solutions to end the killing
of homeless pets. They have an adoption and humane center, the Lurie
Mary Grether, Professional Development:
Rebuilding Together Aurora (RTA) is a safe and healthy housing
organization that provides low-income homeowners in Aurora, Illinois
with critical home repairs, home safety modifications, and energy efficiency
upgrades. Using volunteer labor, and some donated materials, they
are able to provide these repairs free of cost to the neighbors in need.
Their work extends beyond the four walls of a home to impact the health
and vibrancy of the community.
The current project involves a community within Aurora called Pattersonville.
It has a community center and a strong neighborhood committee dedicated
to removing drugs and crime. The scope includes layers of assistance:
One is façade or streetscape improvements, next is making the
homes safe and accessible, and the third is to upgrade and bring the
interiors up to code. The goal is to work on 20 houses, and the general
streetscape. The actual physical work will be done April 26th and 27th.
Planning has just started, and, the Pro Bono Design Committee is planning
a charette in January at the College of DuPage inviting students,
emerging professionals, as well as professionals to come up with ideas.
We welcome any level of involvement. The committee is doing a neighborhood
walkthrough on Saturday December 15th. ASID members can
contact Mary Grether marygrether@sbcglobal.net for information and
questions.
Jean Charlton, Membership Director:
Northern Illinois Food Bank takes donated food and distributes it to
more than 600 network partners throughout 13 northern Illinois counties
– the food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and youth and senior
feeding programs serve more than 60,000 individuals each week. We
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