Picture this: you move to a new town; you’re searching for a way to get involved; and you walk into a fundraiser not knowing it will shape the next decade of your life.
When Jen Hamler first moved to Normal, IL, in 2015, she wanted to get involved in the community.
“I wanted to be involved in some organization, and [Promise Council] was doing a fundraiser,” she said.
That initial step as a parent led her to something bigger.
“When I got the job [at Normal West] in 2017, one of my goals during the interview was to get Promise Council started at the high schools. That was my mission,” Hamler explained.
By 2018, she and the volunteers running Promise Council at the time successfully launched a chapter at Normal West.
“Both of the high schools said we wanted the Promise Council,” Hamler added. “We started a chapter, [and] that’s how it started, and I’ve been with it ever since.”
Both Hamler and Normal West Guidance Counselor Brooke Bollman help to run the Promise Council at Normal West.
“I was gone the past two years, but before then, [I helped with it for] 3-4 years,” Bollman explained.
Promise Council’s mission aims to remove barriers that might prevent students from succeeding.
“We have had a small room where we have school supplies for kids that need it–binders, backpacks, hygiene products,” Hamler said. “We have graduation gowns and caps because that gets a little expensive, and then food.”
The council also runs regular food drives. “We try to provide snacks for them as well in different areas. Kids who need it generally know where to find snacks,” Hamler added.
Locations throughout the school, like the MTSS (Multi-tiered System of Supports) office and the ISS (In-School Suspension), room ensure students always have access to snacks.
Outside of Normal West, Promise Council also works closely with Midwest Food Bank, as well.
“Midwest Food Bank has food packs every week, too, so we distribute food packs to kids who need them. Pretty much it’s all donations from West families, which is really cool for West kids,” Hamler said.
One aspect of the organization is that when there is a student or family with a particular need, the gorup organizes a “Shout-Out” email that requests said-items from the staff of Normal West.
The shout out list gives families from Normal West opportunities to receive essential items they may need.
“Every year, Dr. Codron sends out an email to parents to see if they want to be added to the shout-out list,” Hamler explained.
The shout-out list gives families the opportunity to get everyday items. “We put an Amazon list down, there are things like swim trunks and goggles,” Hamler stated.
There are a couple of ways that students can help out with the Promise Council.
“I have students come help with the organization of our room and getting everything ready for the students. We’ll have little food drives or cleaning the room out, and keep making sure that we’re getting the stuff into the hands of the students,” Hamler clarified.
“It’s just an awesome opportunity to get back to the community,” Hamler added.
In the end, Promise Council benefits students and families that either can’t get a hold of day-to-day items or have recently been in situations where they have little-to-nothing.
“We’ve had families move into the district that have come with nothing,” Hamler noted.
Hamler explained that there have been tons of families that have run into financial insecurity that don’t qualify for food stamps or reduced lunches but have no money for which the Promise Council reaches out to help.
Hamler called it “ The Grey Area.”
To continue to run successfully, Promise Council gets a grant each year.
These funds go towards much of what helps the students and families in need, including to directly pay doctors of families with medical expenses.
Families get medically checked for physical care, teeth care, and eye care, and because of the grant all expenses are paid.
In addition, Promise Council also offers families school supplies, food, hygiene items, and clothes.
“In years past, we have helped students get things for their families, such as washers and dryers, to everyday items, from coats, bookbags, food bags, and toiletries,” Bollman stated.
Other than just supplying simple items, Promise Council creates a questionnaire that asks families what they most wish to have.
“[Through] Sign Up Genius, we’ll send it through the shout-out list, which we have like over 700 families on there, and that’s the coolest thing about Promise Council,” Hamler said.
Promise Council operates smoothly behind the scenes of Normal West, offering whatever they can to make life just a bit easier on students and families.
As a group, there is a large understanding that even the smallest bit of support can go a long way.
Due in large part to the work of the Promise Council, West stays prepared, even when it comes down to seemingly miniscule necessities.
By keeping important things stocked for the students, the Normal West Promise Council makes sure they can focus on what’s most important: shaping the future of all students.
For more information if you need help through the Promise Council, email Brooke Bollmann at [email protected].
If you’re interested in getting involved with the Promise Council, contact Jen Hamler at [email protected].
