Coalition for People in Need

           I have volunteered at the Coalition for People in Need (CPN) since September. I recently went again for this project, and am still enjoying the time that I spend there. People can come into CPN for emergency assistance for things such as groceries, prescriptions, gas, rent assistance, and utility assistance. Once the clients are approved, they receive a certain type of voucher, depending on the help that they need. The clients are encouraged to take advantage of the food pantry, which is located in the same building. The food pantry and assist people every 30 days, where CPN is to be used for emergencies only because they are privately funded.

            It is extremely interesting to me to talk with the clients, and how some of their lives have been completely turned upside down. I have heard many of them talk about how they hate using services such as these, but really need them to survive. It is also amazing to hear how grateful most people are of services such as this. I was allowed to talk directly with clients and get their information for what assistance they needed. A lot of what we have learned in class is what I have already been exposed to while volunteering at this facility.

            This volunteer experience will greatly help me in the future, because of all the exposure I have seen. I have also met and talked with other volunteers who have been helping for years. I plan to get a job with the Department of Child and Family Services, and I have talked with at least 3 different people who have already retired from DCFS. This volunteer experience has helped widen my network of people in the industry I plan to go into.

            Overall, I really enjoy my time spent at CPN and I can’t wait to continue to volunteer again in the fall.

Erin Kirk