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Power for the Cause—Thrivent Financial Volunteer Excellence Award recipients talk about what drives their efforts, and why each cause is near and dear to their hearts.
 Eileen Chanen
Hometown: Minneapolis
Family: Husband, David
Position at Thrivent Financial: Communications manager, Marketing and Products
Thrivent Chapter: Minneapolis Corporate Center
Grant Awarded to: The Jeremiah Program, Minneapolis |
When Eileen Chanen isn’t at her desk in the Minneapolis Corporate Center of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, you’ll likely find her facilitating a class or being an advocate for one of the women in the Jeremiah Program, a community initiative that helps low-income mothers and their children complete their education, build self-esteem and become self-sufficient.
“It seems to me that there are women out there who need a break,” says Chanen. “I had breaks and it was still hard to get ahead and be self-sufficient. I do believe that if I can help fill some of the gaps, and I know I can, then why not.”
Chanen’s favorite part is facilitating the weekly LifeSkills classes. The topics range from economic independence and career development to physical and emotional health and parenting. For the first two years, she followed a curriculum with her students, but in the third year, she has had to develop her own.
“By the third year, they don’t necessarily need to be taught, but they do need the time to talk to other adults about what they are facing,” Chanen says. “They learn from each other.”
For Chanen, watching these women grow and learn is a bonus. “These moms work harder than anyone I know, but the barriers that face them are tremendous. The world is not set up to help the poor very well. But this program helps them learn how to remove the barriers that are keeping them from moving ahead.”
While Chanen spends most of her volunteer time with the Jeremiah Program, she also serves on the marketing committee at the YWCA of Minneapolis; volunteers with Common Hope, an organization that partners with children, families and communities in Guatemala to improve their standard of living; and is an active member and volunteer a the Basilica of St. Mary.
Why does Chanen volunteer?
“We are just called to do it, and I can,” she says. “Jesus challenges us to take care of our brothers and sisters, to care for the place where we’ve been called to live. For me, it’s an obligation, not a choice.”
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