Acts of Service
Acts of Service
Together as a team, the NLU Advancement department spent a few hours volunteering at Star Farm, a neighborhood urban farm and community center in Back of the Yards. I spent much of my time weeding their picnic space and cilantro patch — it was satisfying to watch the farm improve as we worked. At the end, we harvested squash, then headed to the Star Farm storefront to learn more about their work before enjoying a meal prepared by their chef.
Working with my hands felt like a welcome change from my usual office days. It was also meaningful to learn how Star Farm provides nutritious food to a neighborhood long affected by disinvestment.
Together as a team, the NLU Advancement department spent a few hours volunteering at Star Farm, a neighborhood urban farm and community center in Back of the Yards. I spent much of my time weeding their picnic space and cilantro patch — it was satisfying to watch the farm improve as we worked. At the end, we harvested squash, then headed to the Star Farm storefront to learn more about their work before enjoying a meal prepared by their chef.
Working with my hands felt like a welcome change from my usual office days. It was also meaningful to learn how Star Farm provides nutritious food to a neighborhood long affected by disinvestment.
As someone without a garden (or any outdoor space) at home, I was delighted to join my Institutional Advancement colleagues for a morning of pulling weeds and harvesting squash at Star Farm, a nonprofit community urban farm founded in 2016 in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood. In addition to getting our hands dirty, we learned about food deserts and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), and enjoyed a delicious lunch at Star Farm’s Fresh Market. It was an excellent way to foster teamwork while also contributing in a small way to the organization’s important work of increasing access to local organic produce. Bonus: I took home a jumbo zucchini that turned into a beautiful dish!
As someone without a garden (or any outdoor space) at home, I was delighted to join my Institutional Advancement colleagues for a morning of pulling weeds and harvesting squash at Star Farm, a nonprofit community urban farm founded in 2016 in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood. In addition to getting our hands dirty, we learned about food deserts and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), and enjoyed a delicious lunch at Star Farm’s Fresh Market. It was an excellent way to foster teamwork while also contributing in a small way to the organization’s important work of increasing access to local organic produce. Bonus: I took home a jumbo zucchini that turned into a beautiful dish!
Members of the Institutional Advancement team traded computers for garden beds on August 14, volunteering at Star Farm Chicago, a nonprofit urban farm serving the Back of the Yards community. We rolled up our sleeves to weed and tend the garden beds before harvesting ripe zucchini, experiencing firsthand the work that brings fresh, locally grown food from the soil to the community. Afterward, we enjoyed a farm-to-table lunch and reflected together.
Serving our communities embodies the spirit of NLU, rooted in connection, opportunity, and working together to make a difference. For 140 years, NLU has helped individuals and communities thrive through education — a reminder that meaningful impact can begin simply by showing up and lending a few willing hands.
Members of the Institutional Advancement team traded computers for garden beds on August 14, volunteering at Star Farm Chicago, a nonprofit urban farm serving the Back of the Yards community. We rolled up our sleeves to weed and tend the garden beds before harvesting ripe zucchini, experiencing firsthand the work that brings fresh, locally grown food from the soil to the community. Afterward, we enjoyed a farm-to-table lunch and reflected together.
Serving our communities embodies the spirit of NLU, rooted in connection, opportunity, and working together to make a difference. For 140 years, NLU has helped individuals and communities thrive through education — a reminder that meaningful impact can begin simply by showing up and lending a few willing hands.
On Friday, August 14, the Institutional Advancement team gathered at Star Farm Chicago in the Back of the Yards neighborhood to volunteer our time cleaning and weeding the area. We learned about urban farming and how the produce grown there is sold or given away in the community, making up a large part of the delicious meal we later enjoyed at their local restaurant. I loved giving back to the community in the spirit of National Louis University. While at Star Farm, we put our hands in the dirt (literally) and harvested squash. I was eager to help with a simple but necessary task — weeds don't weed themselves.
On Friday, August 14, the Institutional Advancement team gathered at Star Farm Chicago in the Back of the Yards neighborhood to volunteer our time cleaning and weeding the area. We learned about urban farming and how the produce grown there is sold or given away in the community, making up a large part of the delicious meal we later enjoyed at their local restaurant. I loved giving back to the community in the spirit of National Louis University. While at Star Farm, we put our hands in the dirt (literally) and harvested squash. I was eager to help with a simple but necessary task — weeds don't weed themselves.
I participated in the Advancement team's day-of-service at Star Farm, a nonprofit urban farm in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood. We spent the morning weeding and cultivating beds that supply local organic produce to farmers' markets, delivery, and a food co-op, while also serving as a platform for landscaping training and community engagement. The activity reflected a shared commitment to expanding access: just as NLU works to expand access to higher education for those who've faced barriers due to geography or economic status, Star Farm works to break down barriers to fresh food, land, and job training for its neighborhood.
I participated in the Advancement team's day-of-service at Star Farm, a nonprofit urban farm in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood. We spent the morning weeding and cultivating beds that supply local organic produce to farmers' markets, delivery, and a food co-op, while also serving as a platform for landscaping training and community engagement. The activity reflected a shared commitment to expanding access: just as NLU works to expand access to higher education for those who've faced barriers due to geography or economic status, Star Farm works to break down barriers to fresh food, land, and job training for its neighborhood.
The whole advancement team went and gardened a Star Farms in the back of the yards. This was a very moving experience and a great organization. Many neighborhoods on the south and west side are in "food deserts" where they do not have a lot- or any- options for easily accessible and affordable food. Especially fresh fruit and vegetables. I love that Star Farms can provide its neighbors with fresh fruit and teach people how to garden. Even though it was hot, it was fun to help weed the garden, and at the end we got to harvest some zucchini, which was so fun!
The whole advancement team went and gardened a Star Farms in the back of the yards. This was a very moving experience and a great organization. Many neighborhoods on the south and west side are in "food deserts" where they do not have a lot- or any- options for easily accessible and affordable food. Especially fresh fruit and vegetables. I love that Star Farms can provide its neighbors with fresh fruit and teach people how to garden. Even though it was hot, it was fun to help weed the garden, and at the end we got to harvest some zucchini, which was so fun!
Volunteering at Word of Life Lutheran Church has been a meaningful and rewarding experience for me. This is my third consecutive year volunteering with Vacation Bible School and day camps, supporting children and youth through games, crafts, learning activities, and positive interactions. I feel grateful to have the opportunity to give my time while creating a welcoming, engaging, and supportive environment for young learners. As an educator and NLU student, working with children and helping them learn, participate, and feel included is especially meaningful to me. This experience reflects the NLU spirit of learning, leadership, and service by reminding me that even small acts of time, care, and encouragement can positively impact our community. I am proud to contribute to NLU’s 140 Acts of Service initiative.
Student
Volunteering at Word of Life Lutheran Church has been a meaningful and rewarding experience for me. This is my third consecutive year volunteering with Vacation Bible School and day camps, supporting children and youth through games, crafts, learning activities, and positive interactions. I feel grateful to have the opportunity to give my time while creating a welcoming, engaging, and supportive environment for young learners. As an educator and NLU student, working with children and helping them learn, participate, and feel included is especially meaningful to me. This experience reflects the NLU spirit of learning, leadership, and service by reminding me that even small acts of time, care, and encouragement can positively impact our community. I am proud to contribute to NLU’s 140 Acts of Service initiative.
My act of service was with Feed the Starving. I loved it; the event ran from 12:00 to 2:00 PM, and we boxed up as many dry food boxes as possible to send to countries that have suffered from disasters. My table packed 35 boxes within the two-hour period, and the country we packed food for was Liberia. It was an amazing experience, and I plan to go back and do it again.
Student
My act of service was with Feed the Starving. I loved it; the event ran from 12:00 to 2:00 PM, and we boxed up as many dry food boxes as possible to send to countries that have suffered from disasters. My table packed 35 boxes within the two-hour period, and the country we packed food for was Liberia. It was an amazing experience, and I plan to go back and do it again.
I love volunteering at Heartland Animal Shelter. It feels good giving back and serving my community. Volunteering embodies the spirit of NLU by bringing people together to work toward a common goal, encouraging pro-social behavior and collaboration, helping those in need, and promoting service-based learning.
Student
I love volunteering at Heartland Animal Shelter. It feels good giving back and serving my community. Volunteering embodies the spirit of NLU by bringing people together to work toward a common goal, encouraging pro-social behavior and collaboration, helping those in need, and promoting service-based learning.
Performing this act of service was rewarding because it gave me the opportunity to give back to my community in a meaningful way. Helping organize food for the food pantry showed me how even small tasks can make a significant difference for individuals and families in need. This experience reminded me of the importance of compassion, teamwork, and serving others without expecting anything in return — values that reflect the NLU spirit of service and leadership. As I continue my education toward becoming a counselor, I hope to carry these lessons forward, using them to support individuals and make a positive impact in their lives.
Student
Performing this act of service was rewarding because it gave me the opportunity to give back to my community in a meaningful way. Helping organize food for the food pantry showed me how even small tasks can make a significant difference for individuals and families in need. This experience reminded me of the importance of compassion, teamwork, and serving others without expecting anything in return — values that reflect the NLU spirit of service and leadership. As I continue my education toward becoming a counselor, I hope to carry these lessons forward, using them to support individuals and make a positive impact in their lives.
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Spending time volunteering at the Greater Chicago Food Depository was a way for our leadership team to come together outside of our work. As a retreat, the experience gave us an opportunity to strengthen our connections while contributing to an organization that provides vital support to people across Chicago. It felt good to step away from our daily responsibilities and give back to the community together. Serving others is one of my personal values, and I appreciated the chance to put that value into action alongside colleagues. The experience was energizing, grounding, and a powerful reminder of our shared purpose to serve others.
Staff
Spending time volunteering at the Greater Chicago Food Depository was a way for our leadership team to come together outside of our work. As a retreat, the experience gave us an opportunity to strengthen our connections while contributing to an organization that provides vital support to people across Chicago. It felt good to step away from our daily responsibilities and give back to the community together. Serving others is one of my personal values, and I appreciated the chance to put that value into action alongside colleagues. The experience was energizing, grounding, and a powerful reminder of our shared purpose to serve others.
Serving my community is a deeply fulfilling experience that embodies the NLU spirit of being an inclusive, innovative community that empowers all learners through quality education and meaningful experiences. Centro Romero provides families with educational programs that connect participants to community resources, fostering a spirit of unity, learning, and the sharing of ideas in a safe and welcoming environment.
Alumni
Serving my community is a deeply fulfilling experience that embodies the NLU spirit of being an inclusive, innovative community that empowers all learners through quality education and meaningful experiences. Centro Romero provides families with educational programs that connect participants to community resources, fostering a spirit of unity, learning, and the sharing of ideas in a safe and welcoming environment.
Stories of Impact
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More 140th Content Coming Soon
More 140th content
Coming Soon
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