Author Archives: katiemackendrick1
Coming to a close
(apologies for the cheesy song, but it’s applicable) The semester, like this blog, is drawing to a close. Complacency with final project deadlines is changing to panic, on-campus organizations are meeting for the last time this year, and LIFT-Chicago is … Continue reading
Giving Thanks
Today, we had 21 people from my mom’s side of the family over for Thanksgiving dinner and went through the usual of greetings, small talk, EATINGEATINGEATING, and concluding with the inevitable heated debates. Now usually, I don’t mind these debates … Continue reading
Shocking realizations: a complete 180
First: shameless plug time. Remember how I told you guys that LIFT has its own blog (if you don’t remember, click here)? Well, courtesy of our PR Student Advocate, LIFT-Chicago now has its very own tumblr! And I’m the very … Continue reading
Unfamiliar Territory and New Perspectives
Last Friday at LIFT, I had a terrific first meeting with a returning client and was getting ready to meet with my second client. Our new Northwestern volunteers were shadowing meetings at the office in preparation for conducting their own … Continue reading
I particularly enjoyed our class discussion last week about asset-based community development. I think the reason why I enjoyed it was because I identified so much with it: it is almost an exact replica of LIFT’s mission. In fact, here’s … Continue reading
LIFTopolis
Remember when I talked about the Client Survivor activity that we implemented for LIFT’s New Volunteer Training? Well, since we spent last week building our “Get Involved” page on Taskstream, I thought I would take this opportunity to talk a … Continue reading
Looking back
At LIFT, we have a database that contains meeting notes, information, etc. about all of the clients that we have served over the years. Sometimes, if I’m procrastinating or just bored at home, I will go back into the database … Continue reading
New Baby LIFTers!
Disclaimer: this post is not actually about babies, just new faces. After a long interview process, LIFT-Chicago has chosen 30 new volunteers for the 2012-2013 school year! This weekend, the LIFT Leadership Team and the Site Coordinators guided the newcomers … Continue reading
What am I doing here, exactly?
As I mentioned before, I have the early morning shift (9-11am) at LIFT this year instead of my usual late-morning or afternoons shifts of 10-12 or 1-3. The 9-11am shift garners a lot more no-shows or cancellations than the later … Continue reading
Jumping back in
Although I volunteered at LIFT all of last year, I took a break over the summer to work and study for the GRE. I was nervous about beginning volunteer work again two weeks ago because I was afraid that I … Continue reading
Why I LIFT for LIFT-Chicago 