For the past three years, Trish has dedicated her Thursday afternoons during the summer to teaching and encouraging high school students at Outreach Carol Stream, doing what she loves most while making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people.
After retiring from a career in education, Trish was introduced to Outreach through a former student and was invited to teach English in the summer program. Her response was simple: “I would love to do that.” And she has been making an impact ever since.
A Teacher at Heart
Trish volunteers in our SALT program, which is where high school students who are interested in developing leadership skills and pursuing higher education or vocational training join to grow and develop as individuals. The students must be motivated to attain high levels of academic achievement, employment, and strong character. Of students within the program, over 75% of them are the first in their families to go to college.
Trish teaches English to rising freshmen and sophomores in the program, helping students develop their reading, writing, grammar, and communication skills. Over the past three years, she has taught personal narrative writing, poetry, and literature.
For Trish, however, teaching is about much more than academics. It’s about helping students recognize their strengths, encouraging them to grow, and creating a space where they feel valued. “I think I enjoy the challenge of thinking about how to teach something. What is going to be beneficial to them, and then how do I present it to them?”
Seeing Potential in Every Student
One student in particular has stayed in Trish’s heart. The student had a significant reading disability that made writing difficult, but Trish quickly recognized how bright and capable she was. In the small classroom environment, Trish was able to see the student’s strengths firsthand and encourage her to believe in her own potential.
Trish encouraged her to seek out every available resource and accommodation so that her disability would not stand in the way of her abilities. Her message to the student was powerful: “You are amazing. You have so much to offer. Take it.” For Trish, this is what volunteering is all about. Sometimes the greatest impact comes from simply being the person who sees a student’s potential and takes the time to remind them of it.
More Than She Expected
One of the things that has surprised Trish most during her time at Outreach is discovering just how extensive the organization’s impact is. She has seen firsthand how Outreach provides students with opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom, from education and test preparation to work opportunities, life skills, and personal support.
What stands out most to Trish is the way Outreach cares for each student as an individual. She appreciates that students are loved and supported without feeling pressured. “We love you. We want to support you. We care about you.” To Trish, that kind of unconditional care is a powerful reflection of faith in action.
Her story reminds us that every volunteer has something valuable to offer and that sometimes, a few hours spent sharing your gifts can have a lasting impact on a young person’s life. Trish’s perspective is a wonderful reminder that volunteering doesn’t have to be a huge commitment to make a difference. Every hour, every skill, and every act of service matters.
If Trish could share one message with someone considering volunteering at Outreach, it would be this: Make yourself available. You don’t have to fit into one specific role. There are many different ways to serve, depending on your interests, skills, and availability.
