Giving Back
Drake Resources’ core values include care, compassion and community. How do we choose from among so many worthy groups in need? After a research and selection process, Drake Resources identified several organizations that align with its business model and hold similar values. We’d like to introduce you to a few of those chosen organizations we have the privilege to assist.
World Vision
World Vision (http://www.worldvision.org) is a Christian humanitarian organization that works with children, families and their communities in over 100 different countries to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Drake Resources’ provided design and scripting for a global eLearning program to educate its members on the organization’s new matrix structure of management. This course is being rolled out to 35,000 World Vision employees.
To learn more about this organization, visit http://www.worldvision.org.
Willow Creek Community Church
Willow Creek Community Church (http://www.willowcreek.org) was founded on this conviction: People matter to God; therefore they matter to us. That includes children. Promiseland, Willow Creek’s ministry for infants through grade 5, is a safe and secure environment for each child. All volunteers and leaders are carefully screened and supervised, and a stringent security process provides parents the assurance that their child is being well-cared. Drake Resources’ created an eLearning course to assist volunteers in learning how to best protect the children under their care.
To learn more about this organization, visit http://www.willowcreek.org.
The Transforming Center
The Transforming Center (www.thetransformingcenter.org) desires to see churches and Christian organizations become communities of authentic spiritual transformation – and that begins with transforming leaders. Thus they seek to strengthen the souls of pastors and leaders, equipping them to guide their churches and organizations to become spiritually transforming communities. Drake Resources provides adult learning design, development and consultation services for The Transforming Center’s curriculum and retreats.
To learn more about this organization, visit http://www.thetransformingcenter.org.
Teen Mother Choices International
Teen Mother Choices International (TMCI) (http://tmcint.org) provides training materials and consulting to communities serving teenage mothers in their areas. Drake Resources has been helping TMCI for several years document their processes and develop training resources. This training includes helping communities create their own non-profit organizations, develop caring mentors, and provide weekly Life-skills Workshops™ to teen moms all so that those communities through knowledge and skill development can break the cycle of poverty — one teen mother at a time.
To learn more about this organization, visit http://tmcint.org.
Sit, Stay, Read
Sit, Stay, Read (http://www.sitstayread.org/) is a literacy programs for at-risk kids in Chicago inner-city schools and community facilities. Diane Guerriero and her canine pal, Homer, are trained volunteers. As a certified dog team, they bring much needed reading help to children, ages 7 to 9 and help make reading FUN! Test score results prove that the Sit, Stay, Read program improves reading fluency and puts a smile on a child’s face.
To learn more about this organization, visit http://www.sitstayread.org/.
Global Alliance for Africa
Drake Resources’ consultant Bridget Purdome used her instructional design skills on CCASTD's MADE for AFRICA team. She helped develop units on managing money and training others. These units were delivered to Global Alliance for Africa (www.GlobalAllianceAfrica.org) partner organizations that teach widows and orphans how to run small businesses. CCASTD volunteers described going to orphanages filled with children who had lost their parents to AIDS and visiting AIDS hospitals with two to three patients per bed. In Africa, there is an urgent need for food, clean water, shelter, medical care and education.
To learn more about this organization, visit http://www.globalallianceafrica.org/.
Hanover Township Committee on Youth
As a member of the Hanover Township Committee on Youth, Nicole De Falco heads up Education Programming; a sub-committee that promotes positive youth development by planning, marketing, and hosting family education events within the community. For example, in 2012 they will be hosting an event at which area entrepreneurs and “self-made” business people inspire students and their parents by sharing their personal experiences and insights as well as engaging the students in a creative learning experience. To learn more about this organization, visit http://www.hanover-township.org.
K-9 Reading Buddies of the North Shore
Drake Resources’ consultant DonnaLee Caringella and her dog, Sundance, are a reading team for K-9 Reading Buddies of the North Shore (K9RNBS). K9RBNS (http://www.k9readingbuddies.org) is a children reading-to-dogs program offered to schools and libraries in Chicago’s North Shore communities. The program aids struggling young readers from a variety of backgrounds and income levels. By “helping” the dog learn and understand a story better, the child becomes the teacher, and the dog, the faithful student. This builds confidence, improves reading proficiency and makes reading fun for the child.
To learn more about this organization, visit http://www.k9readingbuddies.org
OMNI Youth Services
OMNI Youth Services (http://www.omniyouth.org) is the largest and most comprehensive youth development organization serving the needs of Chicago’s northwest suburbs. Drake Resources consultants designed and delivered a specialized training program for OMNI’s after-school tutoring volunteers who support OMNI’s mission to provide at-risk youth or those in family crisis with prevention, treatment, youth and parent mentoring, family preservation and other social and academic services.
To learn more about this organization, visit http://www.omniyouth.org.