Lake View Resident To Be Honored With Volunteer Award

CHICAGO — A 25-year-old Lake View resident will be presented with a Volunteer of the Year Award at an upcoming ceremony. Nolan Manning has dedicated 150 hours of volunteer service to the National Runaway Safeline.

After moving to Chicago in 2016, Nolan told to a friend that he was interested in local volunteer opportunities, particularly those that would allow him a chance for one-on-one interactions with youth. When his friend, whose wife volunteers with NRS, suggested Nolan contact the organization, he immediately knew the crisis services center would be a place where he could make a difference.

“The opportunity to impact people's lives through genuine connections keeps me coming back,” said Nolan. “Each shift humbles me and puts my own problems in perspective, and the camaraderie with other volunteers is a bonus to the entire experience.”

Nolan responds to calls, emails and chats from youth, and offers a safe, non-judgmental space for youth to the talk about the issues they face every day, such as abuse, neglect and bullying, the organization said. He also serves as a role play facilitator for NRS’ volunteer training.

In his home state of Oregon, Nolan volunteered with other youth-focused organizations, teaching biology and coaching at a basketball camp. Currently, Nolan works at Starbucks in Lake View, and he hopes to pursue a degree in genetic counseling this fall.

“Volunteers like Nolan are the heart of our organization, generously and consistently giving their time and energy to youth and parents/guardians at their most vulnerable moments,” said Susan Frankel, executive director of the National Runaway Safeline. “Nolan demonstrates compassion and a steadfast commitment to his volunteer responsibilities, making him a most deserving recipient of our Volunteer of the Year Award. When most Chicagoans were staying warm at home during this winter’s Polar Vortex, Nolan was responding to the needs of youth in our crisis services center.”

The award presentation will be held at the NRS Volunteer Recognition Party at Smoke Daddy in Wrigleyville at 6:30 p.m. on April 4, and additional volunteers will be recognized for their service.

NRS helps connect more than 100,000 runaway, homeless, at-risk youth and their family members to help each year through hotline, online, offline services and a nationwide database of about 6,500 resources.