Marklund locations offer volunteer opportunities

Volunteering allows a person to make a difference in someone else's life while adding meaning to their own.

A key component in volunteering is to assist a person or group that is in-need, but oftentimes a busy schedule can prevent people from helping out the way they might want to. The trick is to find a place with a mission you believe in with a schedule that works for you.

Marklund, a nonprofit organization that works with people with profound developmental disabilities, has volunteer opportunities available at the Marklund Philip Center in Bloomingdale as well as the Marklund Wasmond Center in Elgin.

Volunteers work directly with the residents and students that Marklund serves to assist them with therapeutic, recreational and educational activities.

"Volunteers really make a difference," said Lisa Esposito, volunteer engagement specialist at Marklund. "It's a very rewarding feeling seeing the smiles they bring to our residents and students."

At both the Bloomingdale and Elgin campuses, volunteers are able to assist with residential activities like interactive games, arts and crafts, community outings, and other activities. There are also opportunities for people to work with Marklund students in the therapeutic day school classrooms.

"By challenging themselves, our volunteers gain confidence, skills and valuable experience," Esposito said. "Often times, our younger volunteers choose their future career paths based on their volunteer experiences at Marklund."

Each site has activities and outings that take place at different times and on different days during the week, allowing accommodation for a range of schedules.

They are always looking for volunteers for annual events like the recent Summer Games or the upcoming Gift Opening event during the holidays.

For additional opportunities throughout the year, or for information on how to become a volunteer, contact Lisa Esposito at (630) 397-5661 or lesposito@marklund.org.

Marklund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves infants, children, teens and adults with serious and profound developmental disabilities and special health care needs. With three residential locations, it is currently home to nearly 174 clients.

For information, visit www.marklund.org or www.facebook.com/MarklundCharity/.