DRG's core values include care, compassion and community. In these uncertain economic times, we are certainly aware of the growing need in our communities. But how to get started? How to choose from among so many worthy organizations?
After a research and selection process, DRG identified organizations that aligned with its business model and held similar values. Below is more information about DRG's hands-on support of some of its chosen organizations.
Since 1989, Teen Mother Choices Inc. has been a local organization dedicated to providing assistance to teenage mothers in our community. Today, it runs three offices in the suburbs of Chicago.
Teen Mother Choices International (TMC International) was founded in 2005 with the vision to take what was learned in the original Teen Mother Choices, Inc. ministry and provide training materials, resources as well as consulting to help others begin serving teenage mothers within their own communities. DRG has been working with TMC International to help document their processes and collect materials so that this organization can be replicated in other communities.
To learn more about this organization, visit http://tmcint.org.
In 2006, Susan Drake and consultants from the Drake Resource Group, Inc. designed and delivered a specialized training program for OMNI Youth Services’ after-school tutoring volunteers. The professionally designed training program supports OMNI’s mission to provide at-risk youth or those in family crisis with prevention, treatment, youth and parent mentoring, family preservation and other social and academic services.
DRG president and founder Sue Drake also supports OMNI individually. She's volunteered her time on OMNI Youth Services’ fund raising events, including annual golf outings and a Board of Ambassadors luncheon. Says Sue, "I am looking forward to assisting at other events this year. After observing OMNI from a distance for a year, I am very impressed with the staff and programs OMNI Youth Services offers. To learn more about this organization that DRG and I support, see http://www.omniyouth.org."
The mission of Bottomless Closet is to support women in transition by providing business professional clothing, career skills and image coaching, empowering them to interview with confidence, gain employment and achieve economic self-sufficiency.
At its periodic General Education Meetings, DRG consultants bring gently used professional clothing to donate to this remarkable organization which has been serving the Chicago area for more than 15 years. DRG's Diane Boewe (Director, Consultant Community), delivers the clothing to the organization.
Drake Resource Group consultants are known for their care and compassion, not only in the workplace, but also in the community. DRG uses this space to highlight individual consultants' community service.
DRG consultant Bridget Purdome had the opportunity to use her instructional design skills to volunteer on CCASTD's MADE for AFRICA team. She helped develop units on managing money and training others which were delivered to GAA partner organizations in Eastern Africa that are teaching widows and orphans how to run small businesses.
Bridget says, "This project raised my awareness of the extreme poverty in Africa. Many Africans are among the 1.2 billion people in the world living on less than $1 per day. A goal for a small business in Africa may be to provide a family two meals per day. Africa is also the continent most affected by HIV and AIDS. The CCASTD trainers described going to orphanages filled with children who had lost their parents to AIDS and visiting AIDS hospitals with two to three patients per bed. In Africa, there is an urgent need for food, clean water, shelter, medical care and education. To learn how you can help, go to www.GlobalAllianceAfrica.org."