Open Arms Mission looking for volunteers to teach life skills
If you think volunteering at a food pantry is just doling out bulging grocery bags or shelving soup cans, Marytherese Ambacher wants you to think more broadly.
The executive director of Open Arms Mission in Antioch says the agency is seeking people with life experience and skills that go beyond the grunt work of stocking cereal boxes.
Responding to needs created by the deep and prolonged recession, OAM wants to offer clients on-site budget counseling, Internet job-hunting help, connection with medical care and more.
Ambacher is looking for volunteers with these skills to help out.
"We know there are many agencies across the county that offer services like this, but feel it's important to offer them right here," she said.
The change reflects the current needs of recession-weary folks in the Antioch, Lindenhurst and Lake Villa areas, Ambacher said.
Having on-site help with job placement or budgeting tips at the local food pantry may be unique to OAM.
Other pantries across the county will refer clients to outside agencies, but none offer assistance in-house.
"When we aren't able to meet their needs, we can connect them with services that are already in place in the community," said Libertyville Township Supervisor Kathleen O'Connor. The township runs a pantry from its building in Libertyville.
"We refer them to the department of human services, the Salvation Army and other agencies that help with job placement, energy assistance and other needs."
Ambacher knows government agencies offer help in these areas, but said getting that help may be harder than it seems.
"Many of the offices are in Waukegan," she said. "Some of our clients would have a hard time getting there. We are trying to give them that help right here."
She also has an answer for those who might wonder why clients don't search for jobs on their own.
"It might be easy for some to say, 'why don't these people search the Internet for jobs?' But you have to realize many of them don't have access to the Web at home," Ambacher said. "The library is an option, but again, getting to the library can be difficult for these people."
The nonprofit OAM opened in 2000 and served food to three families on the first night. The mission currently has nearly 550 registered families and is open three nights a week. Ambacher says it takes nearly 70 volunteers to accomplish the tasks.
OAM is at 1548 S. Main St. in Antioch. People interested in volunteering can call (847) 395-0309.
Ambacher said a number of people have responded to the call to volunteer, but hopes more do.
"We can really use the help," she said.