Nate Marquez is one of Nourishing Hope’s case managers who provide free social services.
You sometimes hear about a TikTok video changing someone’s life. It might be a product or a regimen that someone swears by. But a TikTok video truly changed my life. It brought me to volunteer –– and to now work –– for Nourishing Hope.
Before my time at Nourishing Hope and after graduating from Columbia College Chicago, I spent more than four years living in Los Angeles and working in film. Despite my passion for film, my heart has always leaned toward humanitarian work. During my time in L.A., I volunteered with organizations like Freedom for Immigrants –– listening to the stories of detainees and helping connect them to lawyers and resources.
During the pandemic, I volunteered with CORE to provide access to COVID-19 testing and vaccinations to people in lower-income communities. As I returned home to Chicago, I had to admit I felt lost while considering what I would do next. I was considering volunteering again, hoping to illuminate my way forward.
Nate Marquez volunteering with CORE in Los Angeles.
I found out about Nourishing Hope through a TikTok video a volunteer had posted. I saw their video of packing produce at one of the warehouses. I thought, “Oh, wow! I want to volunteer at this food pantry.” I had my sign of where to start volunteering again.
After registering, I started volunteering at El Mercadito. I met bilingual pantry coordinators Omar Román and Gillian Fitzgerald. I felt that this is where I belonged, and I applied to join the team.
It has been just over a year since I joined Nourishing Hope as a bilingual pantry coordinator. I am excited to have settled into my new role on our social services team as Nourishing Hope’s bilingual case manager at El Mercadito and Sheridan Market.
Omar Román, senior bilingual pantry coordinator and Gillian Fitzgerald, bilingual pantry coordinator working at El Mercadito.
Nourishing Hope has a dedicated and supportive team of social services case managers: myself, Rachel Nass, our director of social services Csilla Megyeri, three social services interns, and Susan Cardone –– who works as our housing case manager.
Last year we provided over 3,000 free case management sessions. Helping neighbors one-on-one has brought so much fulfillment to my life, and I genuinely enjoy guiding them through the complexities of benefits, employment, housing and more.
Nourishing Hope’s social services team and additional staff members at Sheridan Market.
Growing up in the west suburbs of Chicago, I didn’t exclusively speak Spanish at home, but I’ve always had a connection to the language through my family. Now, I have the privilege of working with many clients who primarily speak Spanish. My work allows me to connect with them, to provide support and resources and to connect in our shared language.
As a case manager, I most often meet clients who are seeking help with employment. I start by asking about their experiences: Do they have a recent resume? What skills can we highlight? We work together on their cover letters, resumes and hone in on job opportunities that match their skills and passions.
While many of our clients urgently need a new job, I remind them that this often takes time. But together, we can ease that burden and create a path forward.
Each day brings new stories that touch my heart. It’s an honor to support our clients from all walks of life as they navigate difficult circumstances. I’ve witnessed the strength it takes to seek help, and when our neighbors express their gratitude after we’ve worked together –– it reminds me of the profound impact we can have on one another. These experiences continuously deepen my understanding of what it means to serve others.
If you’re considering getting involved in your community, if you’re considering volunteering –– I encourage you to take that first step. Fill out that registration form. You never know where it might lead you. I didn’t expect to become a social services case manager, but I saw a sign to get involved –– it just happened to be on TikTok.