Chicago Cares Celebration of Service

Each year Chicago Cares sends thousands of volunteers throughout the city to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr’s memory. This year, 17 volunteers spent their Saturday at CCIL participating in the Chicago Cares Celebration of Service.

Children in CCIL’s family program were treated to an “Around the World” multicultural fair meant to further Dr. King’s vision of a Beloved Community. The children made a craft or learned a game from seven different countries. Japanese origami and Guatemalan “worry dolls” were two of the children’s favorites.

CCIL Volunteer Coordinator Chris Wiens comments, “The kids had a wonderful time learning about different cultures. They now have a common interest with children from all over the world, whether it is origami or mancala. It’s the start we need to find a common humanity in our overseas neighbors and an important lesson for us to remember at home as well.”

KIPP Ascend Charter School donates canned goods

On Thursday, January 15, KIPP Ascend Charter School donated more than 2,000 canned goods to CCIL’s Community Food Pantry. On one of the coldest days of the year, the students bundled up to help CCIL volunteers load all of the food items. The donation will help feed at least 1,300 struggling families who receive aide from CCIL’s Community Food Pantry.

“The spirit of service demonstrated in the student’s willingness to help us load the food was inspiring. They should be proud of their efforts to help out struggling Chicago families. It was obvious they wanted to carry this project through to the end and would not be satisfied or warm until each and every canned good was put in our van,” said Chris Wiens,

CCIL Volunteer Coordinator.

About KIPP Ascend Charter School...
KIPP Ascend Charter School is a tuition-free, college preparatory middle school located on Chicago’s West Side. As a charter school, we offer a free, public education to any student, grades 5-8, who chooses to enroll.

Our mission is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and character traits necessary to succeed in top-quality high schools, universities, and have a positive impact on their communities. At KIPP Ascend, students "climb the mountain" to college!