Non-Profit Organization: Common Threads

Zach Miller: mille191@illinois.edu

Introduction

The agency I chose to research is the non-profit organization Common Threads. I chose this agency because I did volunteer work for them in the past, and really like the message they send to the community. Common Threads mission statement is to educate children on the importance of nutrition and physical well-being. They also hope to foster and appreciation of cultural diversity through cooking. Common Threads teaches low-income children how to create wholesome and affordable meals in hopes of preventing childhood obesity, while also helping to negate the trend of our non-cooking society.

Background

Common Threads was co-founded in 2004 by world renowned chef Art Smith. The organization has ten locations around the Chicago area, as well as two in Los Angeles. They are also currently in the process of expanding to Miami. Over 1000 students participate in the organizations after school programs per year. The after school programs are for kids 8-12 years old, and are free for nearly all participants. They also offer a summer camp centered around health, well-being, and the cultural awareness of children. Camp activities include cooking, organic gardening, and various recreational classes such as yoga.

The main goal Art Smith had in mind when he created Common Threads was to quite simply teach children how to make good choices when it comes to food. Art Smith believes, “We can bridge cultural boundaries and strengthen our bond as a global family through the simple process of preparing and sharing a meal with others.” Art Smith often brings in various “master chefs” such as Top Chef winners Rick Bayless, and Stephanie Izard to help teach the kids how to make the right choices. The “master chefs” help to get the kids more excited and involved with cooking by putting on simple cooking demonstrations for the children that they themselves can recreate.

Common Threads is a non-profit organization in every sense of the word. All the money raised by the organization goes directly into funding the after school programs, as well as the summer camp. The organization is doing so well that they have enough excess revenue to expand their operations to Miami. Common Threads puts on many fundraisers and events throughout the year. The most successful event they hold is their annual World Festival, which raised over $375,000 for the organization last year. Common Threads also receives many donations from restaurants around the city who support their cause.

Employment Opportunities

There are many volunteer opportunities to get involved with at Common Threads. Common Threads accepts volunteers 18 years or older on a first come first serve basis. The applicants can find the volunteer application on the Common Threads website. The majority of volunteers are asked to help run and maintain the summer camp for kids. Volunteering in the after-school programs is always an option as well. However, the need for volunteers is typically involved with the summer camp.

Current Trends and Issues

Current trends and issues Common Threads has been dealing with lately are related to the downturn in the economy. With the recent downturn in the economy people are doing everything possible to curtail their spending. This means less money is available for donation to non-profit organizations. Common Threads thankfully has not been negatively affected by the economy. They are still receiving considerable donations from the community, as well as through their fundraising efforts.

Definition of Leisure and Community Benefits

Common Threads defines leisure as involvement in an activity that benefits both your physical and mental well-being. In the case of Common Threads, that activity is cooking. The benefits that children gain from Common Threads can last a lifetime. Children of this generation aren’t getting the nutrients and vitamins they need for proper development. However, after taking classes at Common Threads children reported eating more fresh vegetables, cutting down on fats and sugar, and cooking more meals at home. Common Threads hopes that future generations can learn how to live healthy from the example that these children are setting.

Synopsis

My experience of working with and researching Common Threads was very eye-opening. Before volunteering at Common Threads I had no idea that childhood obesity was such a major problem in the United States. Common Threads has done a wonderful job educating children that there is more to a diet than just Big Mac’s and french fries. The organization allows children to experience a fun and healthy way of living and free of cost. Non-profit agencies such as this do so much for the community while asking for so little in return. The pros and cons of a career with a non-profit agency are very obvious. The main downside of working for a non-profit agency is that you earn very little money. However, the people that get involved with non-profit agencies are rarely concerned with how much they get paid. People that work for non-profits don’t do it for the reward, they do it simply for the joy of helping other people. This agency fits into the leisure delivery system in that it provides children with a hands on leisure experience that gets them out of the house and into the kitchen.

Works Cited

Smith, Art. "In the Media." commonthreads.org/pages/in+the+media. 15 Sep. 2009.