Jalen Miller of Riverdale

In 2018, Riverdale resident Jalen Miller, a senior at Governors State University, established himself as one of the elite players in NAIA Division II Men's Basketball, earning All-American Second Team honors from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. In other words: out of 1,700 players in the nation competing to fill only 20 slots, Miller made it …thereby becoming the first All-American in school history! After graduation, Jalen played with a professional team in Canada before returning to Chicago; he says, “I’m happy for the experience, but a career in basketball did not work out for me.”

But Jalen had an experience in 2017 that did work out for him. That’s the year he began working as an intern and, later, volunteer at Holsten Human Capital Development (HHCD). Comments Jalen, “HHCD is a not-for-profit social service agency that does what the name says: it helps develop human capital … it helps at-risk populations become self-sufficient by expanding their access to realistic resources.”

Jalen continues, “My mother was always involved in helping people in need, and I believe some of her strong commitment to giving back to the community rubbed off on me. My parents raised me well - I have always been very respectful of others, and people respond well to me. It’s a great feeling to go home after work and feel like I’ve done something to help somebody.”

HHCD serves over 3,000 residents in 12 sites in the Chicago Metropolitan Area. The organization works with youth, adults, seniors, families and children in three program areas: Resident and Family Services, Workforce Development, and Community Building.

“I graduated Governor’s State with a degree in Business Administration and did three years on my Master’s Degree in Finance, prior to joining HHCD full time,” says Jalen. “At HHCD, I am able to use my training to work in various departments where needed - including assisting the executive director, supporting the accounting department, handling lease compliance, and working in Resident Services where I became the bridge between real estate management and the residents. This is very rewarding, because I am able to help residents access the services they need … be it medical assistance, help with their leases, job assistance, resume writing, or more – I let people in need know what services are available to them.”

HHCD has a property in Joliet called River Walk Homes -- at this location, 100% of the 500+ residents are below the poverty line. Many would not have food, were it not for assistance from HHCD, which has a Healthy Eating and Living Pantry and Food Garden (HEAL) - the only source of free food and fresh vegetables within a 5-mile radius - for residents of Joliet and anyone in need from the Will County area. Jalen notes, “Because of Covid-19, more families are staying home and eating more at home than before, when the children were given meals in school. I see these little children and mothers who are so grateful that someone is there to help in these unique times. I’ve always had good family values … it’s awesome to be able to help by working in the Food Pantry.”

Continues Jalen, “Some HHCD sites are designated for seniors … I really enjoy working with the elderly, because they have so many wonderful life experiences to talk about, great stories to share …many may have had unfortunate circumstances and need a little help. It is so rewarding to be able to help - it makes my day!

Jalen Miller concludes, “There is an expression: where one door closes, another opens. For me, the door that opened was the opportunity to work with HHCD and serve my community.”

Become a volunteer at Holsten Human Capital Development: https://hhcd.org/