This is a unique Community Service Project for the Rotary Club of Northbrook members to serve on!
Total Link 2 is a non-profit here in Northbrook that we have supported with grants in the past.  They work with young disabled adults, providing job opportunities and growth.
With the pandemic with us, they are offering virtual summer programs that we can get involved in.  Up to 8 volunteers are needed. The director, Alisa Martorano has outlined the 2 projects available to participate in.  Please let me know ASAP if you are willing to serve and which program you prefer. Either the Happy Mail program or the Accountability Check-In program.
      We will be given an orientation session prior to the start of the second summer session that runs from July 20th-August 28th 2020.
PLEASE READ the requirements provided by Alisa's before you decide to respond. You must be able to follow through for the entire session. I truly feel this will be an experience you will always remember! 
     Here is a unique Community Service Project for the Rotary Club of Northbrook members to serve on!  Total Link 2 is a non-profit here in Northbrook that we have supported with grants in the past.  They work with young disabled adults, providing job opportunities and growth. With the pandemic upon us, they are offering virtual summer programs that we can get involved in.
      Up to 8 volunteers are needed. The director, Alisa Martorano has outlined the 2 projects available to participate in.  Please let Mitch know ASAP if you are willing to serve and which program you prefer. Either the Happy Mail program or the Accountability Check-In program.
      We will be given an orientation session prior to the start of the second summer session that runs from July 20th-August 28th 2020.
PLEASE READ the requirements provided by Alisa's before you decide to respond. You must be able to follow through for the entire session. I truly feel this will be an experience you will always remember! 
 
TotalLink2 Community Rotarian Volunteer Opportunities
            Are you looking for a virtual way to connect and volunteer in the community?  Do you enjoy working with young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities?  Could you share your gifts, talents and experiences through letter writing or goal setting and accountability?  TotalLink2 Community is a Northbrook-based nonprofit that helps young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing opportunities for them to grow and contribute through employment, social connections and life-long learning experiences.  
            Since the start of the pandemic, TotalLink has pivoted to providing virtual programming for the young adults we serve.  Two new virtual programs that we recently kicked off during our first virtual summer session are Happy Mail and Accountability Check-In.  
Happy Mail is a Weekly Program
            Happy Mail is a weekly program that is facilitated by TotalLink staff member, Joan Martin and follows the book, Happy Mail by Eunice & Sabring Moyle. 
The Happy Mail Lab will spread feelings of happiness by teaching you the art of sending and receiving Happy Mail.  Our young adults will learn all of the steps of sending mail including how to address envelopes, share your thoughts and feelings in a letter, personalize messages and create a finished product that brings joy to the recipient. They will also learn mail etiquette including how to respond when you receive mail and acknowledge an event or kind gesture with a note. They will not only send HAPPY MAIL but will receive HAPPY MAIL from other group members.  This course comes with a toolkit of supplies complete with your registration fee.  Happy Mail is inclusive to all writing and reading levels. 
 
Accountability Check-In teaches goal setting
Our Accountability Check-In teaches our young adults how to set and reach personal goals with the support of TotalLink’s accountability coach, Kathleen Heitmann, and TotalLink peers.
Individual’s goal(s) may focus on health, daily habits, relationships, life skills or something else that is important to them.  TotalLink’s accountability coach will work with them to set achievable benchmarks and track their progress.  Weekly check-ins will allow participants to report their achievements and be praised by their peers and the accountability coach for their hard work.
 
Volunteer Opportunities
Our second summer session will begin on Monday, July 20, 2020.  Volunteer opportunities for these two programs would include working with our facilitators and providing an additional level of mentorship and support for our young adults through either our weekly Zoom calls (Monday’s from 3-4 pm) or through additional assignments (ie. letter writing) outside of the class. 
During the Happy Mail program, Rotarians could participate in the weekly Zoom class and/or serve as pen pals for the young adults participating, providing them the opportunity to write cards or letters while meeting someone new from the community.  
            During the Accountability Check-In (Monday’s from 11 am - 12 pm), Rotarians could work with our facilitator prior to the class to develop activities or a short presentation on topics such as goal setting or visioning.  In addition, they could participate on a Zoom call to provide another level of mentorship and support for our young adults.  
           TotalLink’s Second Summer Session runs from Monday, July 20, 2020 through Friday, August 28, 2020.  Volunteers would not be required to attend each class throughout the session.  Volunteers would be provided with an orientation session prior to the start of the session.  
 
Contact Mitch Portugal at mport46617@aol.com for details.