Celebrating Ark Volunteers | Annual Report | Corporate Volunteering

“I always tell my friends that I leave here feeling like I’ve gotten more than I’ve given. There’s just something about this place. I always feel good as Cafe Ark winds down and joke that The Ark must pump something in the air.”  

— Wendy Aling

Recently, Wendy joined The Ark’s new monthly Shabbat Kiddush program as a volunteer, bringing clients and staff together for a Shabbat lunch, an activity, and Kiddush led by Rabbi Shaya Hauptman. Like Café Ark, it offers another way to build community while giving clients the opportunity to engage with Jewish tradition in a simple, meaningful way. 

For more than 16 years, Dr. Amy J. Kaissar has volunteered every other Thursday at The Ark’s medical clinic, bringing both deep expertise and steady commitment to her work. A primary care physician, she views volunteering at The Ark as a meaningful way to serve Chicago’s Jewish community using her skills at the highest level. 

Over the years, Dr. Kaissar has cared for patients managing chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and thyroid disorders. She approaches each person with the same level of care and professionalism she brings to her private practice, helping patients feel seen, respected, and supported, especially during their most vulnerable moments. 

For Dr. Kaissar, one of the most meaningful parts of volunteering has been caring for people who never expected to need a free clinic. She recalls how, after the 2008 financial crisis, some patients came to The Ark feeling anxious and uncertain after losing jobs, health insurance, and access to their regular doctors. Being able to reassure them that they would receive thoughtful, high-quality care at The Ark has stayed with her ever since. 

Through it all, she has remained a consistent presence, driven by a desire to give back through her medical expertise and use her specialized skills to help community members access the care they need. 

The Ark is grateful for Dr. Kaissar’s years of service and for the skill, compassion, and continuity she brings to the medical clinic. 

Michelle Klein came to The Ark with a long history of community service and a strong connection to Jewish communal life. Her father was a Reform rabbi in the south suburbs of Chicago, and she grew up seeing firsthand that helping others was “not just a kind thing to do, but part of how you lived.”
 
That perspective stayed with her through a career in law and nonprofit healthcare. After stepping back from full-time work, Michelle started volunteering at The Ark each week and found a place where her experience and values could come together in a meaningful way.

Since February 2023, she has volunteered more than 500 hours at The Ark. When staff time and bandwidth are limited, volunteers like Michelle help supply the human power we need to achieve our goals and allow us to use our time and resources efficiently. 

Michelle primarily works in the Development Office, helping the team reach many more donors than otherwise would be possible. Through personal touchpoints, including handwritten thank-you notes and phone calls, she connects with thousands of donors across our community, expressing gratitude from The Ark.

She has also supported Employment Services, where her background in employment law helped shape a training manual for clients looking for jobs, building skills, and working toward certifications. 

Some of Michelle’s most memorable moments have come through conversations with donors who have shared that they themselves, their parents, or even their grandparents were clients of The Ark at one point in their lives. Now in a position to pay it forward, they support others in the community who need it most, sharing their stories with Michelle with a sense of pride and gratitude. 

Michelle affirms that she will always support The Ark. We are immensely grateful for her commitment to our mission and her dedicated work behind the scenes to touch people across the community.

If you are interested in volunteering at The Ark, we would love to hear from you. Please contact volunteer@arkchicago.org. 

Judy Jury, The Ark’s Volunteer and Education Coordinator, brings compassion and dedication to her work with volunteers every day. From onboarding and training to thoughtfully matching each of our 350 active volunteers with meaningful opportunities, she plays a vital role in the success and growth of The Ark’s volunteer program.

Thank you, Judy, for everything you do!

A simple bouquet can go a long way. Fresh flowers bring beauty, comfort, and a sense of care, something everyone deserves to experience. 

If you have a flourishing garden this season, consider sharing it with The Ark. Gather a handful of your blooms, bundle them with string or a twist tie, place the stems in a plastic bag, and drop them off at our Chicago or Northbrook locations. 

Your garden’s abundance can brighten someone’s day and add a touch of joy when it’s needed most. 

Volunteering often looks different at various stages of life. Whether you’re a family with kids getting involved on a Sunday, a college student on a school break, retired, in between jobs and able to commit to a regular schedule, or jumping in just when it feels possible, all levels of engagement make a profound impact. 

For those committed to full-time jobs, it may feel like there isn’t enough time to volunteer for the causes you care about. But did you know that many companies offer employee benefits that can help turn your time and generosity into even more support for your local community? 

We encourage you to check with your employer to see what philanthropic and social impact programs may be available. Examples of opportunities include: 

• Volunteer Time Off: Flexible hours to volunteer during the workday while still getting paid. 
  
  
• Volunteer Grants: Corporate donations to a nonprofit after completing a minimum number of volunteer hours with that organization. 
  
  
• Group Volunteer Projects: Hands-on direct service as a team-building activity for coworkers. 
  
  
• Matching Gifts: Company donations to double the impact of employee giving. 

Corporate partnerships with The Ark come in all shapes and sizes, and oftentimes, the first step is made by one employee who cares. We welcome the opportunity to explore how we can work together to make a difference for vulnerable Chicagoland Jews. 

Contact volunteer@arkchicago.org to get started. 

The Ark’s 2025 Annual Report reflects both rising need and extraordinary generosity across our community. Over the past year, 16 percent more individuals and families turned to The Ark for food, housing resources, and other vital services. In the face of that growing demand, our community responded with compassion and commitment, helping The Ark remain a source of stability and dignity, and for thousands of Jews across Chicagoland. 
 
The 2025 Annual Report highlights the many ways The Ark continues to meet people where they are, with integrated support that cares for the whole person. From food assistance to financial counseling, employment services, and housing resources, every part of our work reflects a commitment to walking alongside clients on their paths toward greater stability and self-reliance. It is also a reflection of what is possible because of this community’s dedication to serving one another. 

We invite you to explore The Ark’s 2025 Annual Report and see the power of that commitment in action. 

• Start a fundraiser to support The Ark to celebrate a milestone like a birthday, anniversary, or B’nai Mitzvah. Your dedication will inspire your friends and family to join you in support and amplify your impact. 
  
  
• Schedule a tour of our West Rogers Park location for a first-hand understanding of how The Ark addresses the needs of our community.
  
  
• Make a connection between your company or organization and The Ark for an informational program or service project.
  
  
• Start a Pack the Pantry collection drive. Challenge your friends, neighbors, and co-workers to help you collect any one item from our pantry list. 

To express interest or learn more, contact us at volunteer@arkchicago.org.

Explore Our Newest Career Opportunities!

Benefits Navigation Specialist

We’re looking for a knowledgeable and compassionate problem-solver who can help clients navigate complex public benefits systems with patience and expertise. 

The Benefits Navigation Specialist plays an important role on The Ark’s Intake & Eligibility team, helping clients build greater financial stability by connecting them to vital public resources. This role supports clients through eligibility screenings, applications, and annual redeterminations for programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and more, while also serving as a trusted resource to staff on complex benefits questions.  

Case Manager – Northbrook

We’re looking for a compassionate problem-solver who thrives in a mission-driven, team-oriented environment.

The Case Manager serves as the central hub of client care at The Ark, supporting individuals and families as they navigate complex challenges. This role builds collaborative care plans, coordinates internal and external resources, and helps clients move toward stability and self-reliance. 

Dental Hygienist (Part-Time)

The Dental Hygienist provides essential preventive care in The Ark’s free dental clinic, helping patients maintain their oral and overall health. This role delivers high-quality services, educates patients on effective oral care, and works closely with our dentist and healthcare team to support coordinated, patient-centered care. This is a meaningful opportunity to make a real impact by expanding access to critical dental care within the community.

Every gift to The Ark ensures that those facing hardship find a safety net and lifeline of support.