A Formula for Achieving Results

“There is a time for some things, and a time for all things; a time for great things, and a time for small things.” ― Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote

December 14th was a special day at The Greater Door Open Baptist Church as they played host to approximately 1oo families of ex prisoners. The nonprofit, Outside the Walls under the leadership of Reverend Tommy Johnson has held this event for the last 14 years. For the last 10 years the Barrington, IL community has collaborated with this nonprofit to help organize, feed and provide gifts. This year around 10-15 volunteers from Salem United Methodist Church generously donated their time and skills to decorate the area, serve food, organize and distribute the gifts while also hearing testimonials from various people who have been through tragic circumstances in their lives and the suffering they have endured. 11-year old Jack Weed from Barrington's District 220 school travelled to Chicago to help making this event as meaningful as possible for his guests. This is his 2nd year raising funds and bringing gifts for the many children who have endured hardships while their parents were absent. Jack was struck by the experience of being there and the generosity of the volunteers. He noticed the families picking up donated winter items and decided that he will start collecting winter items many months ahead of the event. Jack was privileged to learn from a dedicated team of volunteers from Barrington and Outside the Walls ministry who remarked on how he had grown up from his visit last year. The enthusiasm and gratitude of the guests made it worthwhile and motivated Jack to return this year. Each visit is educational and helps build knowledge of the people served and mobilizes cognitive processes to become better and excel at a task. Jack has used innovative methods to raise funds. For example he has sold Zein's Magical Spices as well as engaged friends to donate toys and winter items for this event. Jack has cooperated and worked with a diverse age group to bring opportunities for those less fortunate. Jack is a youth leader at the Peter Wulff Center in the slums of Delhi, where his fundraising prowess brought more computers to the computer center. The Peter Wulff Center funds a computer center and certifies students in Beautician and Sewing classes so that they enter the job market. Last year a batch of 26 students graduated from the sewing program. (see photos of the graduates above). Around 186 students use 8 computers at the computer center but Jack wants "each child to have access to a computer", he said. Visit www.peterwulffcenter.org for more information.

Service learning provides a perfect formula for raising children to acquire a range of skills to achieve results. The service educates through exposure to diverse cultures and environments, various experiences and it motivates by youth witnessing the impact of their actions. This transforms thinking from an early age incorporating this new knowledge in other aspects of their lives. Although Jack has received the highest award for volunteering from the White House he hardly rests on his laurels. He is busy planning his next project with his mentors.

For the last 20 years Barrington has introduced over 100 youth to social entrepreneurship raising over $250,000 for local and global charities. Several of these students have excelled academically and professionally and continue to volunteer as adults. Last year Joseph Schmidt volunteered as a mentor for 16 year old Johnny Dawson. Joe had volunteered as a 9 year old at North Barrington Elementary School and even though he has a grueling work schedule at a Finance company in New York he found time to volunteer. For more information Visit: www.shulmanchess.com/achieveme...

“Beyond talent lie all the usual words: discipline, love, luck, but most of all, endurance,”

James Baldwin

Anyone is welcome to join a team of volunteers at the Peter Wulff Center where magic happens because of what individuals can do for each other. Email at peterwulffcenter@gmail.com