Faces in the Crowd

Check out who’s standing out in our community.

IS THERE SOMEONE YOU’D LIKE TO NOMINATE? Please email mcassity@360youthservices.org and tell us why this individual has stood out in your crowd.

FACES IN THE CROWD

Chamyra Edwards NAPERVILLE OPERATION SNOWBALL Chamyra leads by example amongst peers and adults alike by exuding kindness and empathy. As a staff member, Chamyra helped to coordinate a peer leadership retreat in school districts 203 and 204. As a leader, Chamyra makes a point to express her appreciation for others and keep an open door to anyone who wants to chat. During the pandemic, Chamyra worked with fellow staff to create virtual workshops to connect with other teens and share healthy coping strategies. Chamyra strives for excellence, knowing excellence doesn’t mean perfection. Rather, it demonstrates great strength and determination. She plans to use this leadership philosophy in her new role as a shift manager. Chamyra hopes to be a life-long learner, starting with environmental law.

Matthew Felbein NAPERVILLE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Matthew’s passion is music. Since a young age, he has been involved in a number of musical pursuits, such as jazz groups, acapella groups, brass ensembles, choir, band, and performing in his faith community. He plays several different instruments and serves as a drum major for his school’s marching band. Matthew has also lent his talents to the stage, performing in productions like Kiss Me Kate, Chicago, and Mamma Mia. When not pursuing musical talents, Matthew volunteers with a host of organizations, such as PADS and Feed My Starving Children. Matthew is guided by a generous heart. He loves spending time in productive ways, whether that’s creating or playing music, volunteering, working on art projects, or connecting with friends.

Marissa Kucharski ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY Marissa is studying health education and psychology. She is a member of the Chi Omega Sorority, which includes philanthropic opportunities like Make-A-Wish Foundation. She participates in the campus Nutrition Club, which provides opportunities to travel to Midwest Foodbank to perform tasks such as collecting, sorting, packing, and distributing donations. Marissa is the founder of Special Survivor Games for School District 204 students, which she created in 2012 for students with special needs of varying abilities to compete in friendly races and games with a host of peer buddies. Life experiences have made Marissa into who she is today. She works hard to bring goodness, kindness, and compassion to the community through volunteering and education – sharing hope with all she encounters.

Debi Jahnke SNOWBALL ADULT STAFF Debi quietly, unassumingly, and powerfully worked with our local teens for 25 years through Naperville Operation Snowball. In her volunteer role as adult staff, she journeyed through the training/planning process at least 50 times, as she and her new teen co-facilitator welcomed and created community for their small group participants each event. Debi served as camp nurse at Snowball, where her abilities to uplift others, encourage, instill confidence, and empower teens impacted so many. Debi began her Snow adventure when her daughter, who was teen staff, asked her to participate in a weekend. Snowball hearts are full of gratitude for Debi, all she has contributed, and how she generously supported and cared for so many teens over time!

Operation Snowball, Inc. Operation Snowball, Inc. is a state-wide alcohol and other drug use prevention program based in Illinois that focuses on leadership development to empower youth to lead drug-free lives. The program uses the powerful energy and influence of OS youth to empower their peers to be active change agents in their communities, recognizing youth as part of the solution. Snowball hosts year-round trainings to provide youth the opportunity to continue to expand their leadership experience and knowledge in prevention. Training topics adapt to fit the current needs, including trainings on facilitation, teambuilding, alcohol, tobacco and other drug trends in Illinois, teen mental health awareness, year-round prevention strategies, and utilizing one’s passion. For information about our local Snowball chapter, visit snow.360youthservices.org.