Weekly Update. FUNdraising, Martini Madness

Currently we are hosting our FUNdraising for Quarters competition and we are gearing up for our Annual Martini Madness event. The FUNdraising for Quarters competition is an event in which the volunteers of the program attempt to bring in needed funds to the Cabrini Connections’ program and in return the top volunteers earn a spot in the newsletter, earn prizes at the end of each quarter, and the volunteer who brings in the most financial support for the year earns two round-trip airline tickets to anywhere in the US. The Annual Martini Madness event, which is scheduled for Friday, October 17, 2008 (further details available on website and in other areas of the newsletter), is a fundraiser in which staff, volunteers, donors, Board members, guest and other supports of Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connections gather for a fun-filled night! This is a very simple description of ways in which we attempt to gather further support for our programs and we do within our programs

Lets take a more in depth look at these two events. The FUNdraising for Quarters competition is so much more than a competitive event with prizes for winners. This event gives volunteers the opportunity to share the Cabrini Connections’ “story” and their involvement within program to help shape that story. We have over 100 volunteers who provide services to Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection in one way or another and that leads to a pretty extensive network that can and should be hearing all of the great things that are taking place within the program. The true aim of this event is not just for volunteers to ‘ask’ for donations to support our program; the true goal of the FUNdraising for Quarters event is for the volunteers who have a direct and indirect relationship and tie to the programs to begin and to continue to tell the ‘story’ to that their audience will become a believer of the importance of that ‘story’ and be willing to financially contribute to the Cabrini Connections’ program…so that ‘story’ continues!!!

The Martini Madness event is much more than a social event where the participants meet for food and drinks.



The Martini Madness event is an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of tutor/mentor program such as Cabrini Connections. Martini Madness, and similar events, are opportunities to share not only share what we are doing, but the opportunity gather financial support to continue providing those much needed services to the youth and their families of the Cabrini Green community. So when looking at these two events and deciding whether you want to participate or support in the events, think beyond the actual event and make a decision on the true meaning and goals behind the event.

Edgewood College 2008 Experience now on YouTube

One of our volunteers, Haminiaina Ratovoarivony, has created a video documentary of the July 2008 visit of Edgewood College graduate students at Cabrini Connections.

Haminiaina is from Madagascar, where he is teaching cinema and digital video for youth. At Cabrini Connections he is working with our library of digital video, created over the past 10 years, to create new videos that show the work we're doing.

We're recruiting other volunteers who will take this role, and hope that as a community of Cabrini Connections video volunteers forms, it will begin to attract our teens, which will re-energize the Innervisions Youth Production club which was started in 1995.

If you're a current or former student or volunteer and want to be part of this group, or work in the Chicago area and want to join us for the first time, email tutormentor2@earthlink.net so we can help you get involved.

From an NFL player to a Cabrini Connections' fan!

The Cabrini Connections' Art Club received a visitor yesterday by a unique 'fan!' During the Art Club's session yesterday Mr. Kurt Kittner stopped by to meet the volunteers and students in the club and to get a better understanding of what all takes place in Art Club.

Kurt Kittner is a current University of Illinois legendary athlete and a former NFL quarterback. Mr. Kittner was the signal caller for several NFL teams during his career and at the quarterback position was one of the true leaders of the teams in which he played for.

Following Kurt's career as a player, Kurt Kitterner has changed roles and has become a fan...of Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection. Kurt Kittner recently joined the Cabrini Connections Board of Directors, participated in Annual Jimmy Biggs Memorial Cabrini Connections Golf Benefit this year, and as mentioned early took a break for a Board meeting to pay a visit to the Cabrini Connections' Art Club. While visiting the participants in the Art Club, Kurt interacted with the students and volunteers, observed the students working on their masterpieces, took pictures, and even offered to assist with obtaining needed materials.

Kurt the entire Cabrini Connections' Team would like to thank you for setting an example of how to "Give Back" and we all truly appreciate what you do for the Cabrini Connections' program as a whole!