Volunteer Day Gives Northern Trust a Chance to See Their Impact

The Chicago Lighthouse’s relationship with Northern Trust extends back more than 50 years, both as our bank and also as a financial supporter of our programs and services, including the Birth-to-Three Early Intervention Program, comprehensive Low Vision Services and general operations.

Over the past five years, Northern Trust, through its charitable foundation, has supported The Lighthouse’s Youth Transition Program. Through its program elements, particularly First Jobs, Summer in the City and Career Fairs, it aligns well with the foundation’s mission of fostering educational and financial success for youth from Chicago’s South and West sides.

Northern Trust volunteers helped us prepare for the Rise to Shine Run & Walk and heard about how their support makes our Youth Transition Program possible.

This September, a few Northern Trust employees heard about how the Youth Transition Program assists adolescents and young adults who are blind or visually impaired. As they took a break from stuffing race packets for this year’s Rise to Shine Run & Walk, a group of 12 volunteers heard from Kalari Girtley-Jackson, Assistant Director of the Youth Transition Program.

“I am so glad I have the opportunity to meet you all and thank you in person,” Kalari told the group. “This program is important for these youth because I was once a blind youth myself, and I would have loved to have an opportunity like this to get out of my comfort zone, meet new people and have all of these experiences. At least I’m having them now!”

For more information about corporate partnerships and volunteer opportunities, contact Bryan Anderson at bryan.anderson@chicagolighthouse.org.