Northeastern Illinois University will partner with community organizations and schools in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day of Service through volunteer work on April 2. Students, staff and community members will work to clean up and beautify local gardens in tribute to the life and work of the American labor leader and civil rights activist.
“We are happy to have the opportunity to recognize and honor Cesar Chavez,” Senior Director of Academic and Community Partnerships Kris Pierre said. “As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, we are proud to be one of the most diverse universities in the Midwest.”
Volunteer work sites will include Eugene Field for overall park cleanup, mulching and tree trimming; the Peterson Garden Project’s Global Gardens site for cleanup, garden preparation and bench building; and Northside College Prep High School for garden bed cultivation.
"Our new project at Northside College Prep will repurpose the land and expand the reach of Global Gardens Refugee Training Farm by providing space on their campus for 10 refugee families to farm,” Pierre said. “One of the things I value about this program is how it continues to evolve and respond to different community needs."
Registration is required by March 31. Volunteers can register to work at any of the sites. Check-in will start at 8:45 a.m. at each site, followed by a welcoming address at 9:15. Work begins at 9:30 and ends at 12:30 p.m.
Additional partners for Cesar Chavez Day of Service include The North River Commission, Roosevelt High School, Openlands and the Chicago Park District.
Questions may be directed to Rae Joyce Baguilat at r-baguilat@neiu.edu or (773) 442-4686, or Kris Pierre at k-pierre@neiu.edu.
