Mary's bio here.
Silvia has been with ENVSC for 22 years and has seen many changes. She was drawn to working for and with veterans because her late husband was a combat Vietnam veteran. She has seen first-hand the effects of war on those who served and is passionate about helping them.
Silvia was born in Germany and raised in Northwest Indiana, while spending every other summer in the former East Germany to visit relatives, and she also lived in the Phoenix area for nine years. Travel is a passion; she has visited 10 countries in Europe, as well as Mexico, Canada and 25 US States. She also loves cooking, gardening, animals of all sorts (including otters), British mysteries, hiking, swimming and spending time along Lake Michigan and the dunes. She has had numerous cats and dogs over the years and is currently owned by Millie, the Wonder Cat.
It is a privilege to help our members help veterans. Every day, new and unique challenges arise, but there just don't seem to be any obstacles too large for our dedicated members to get the job done, which makes her job incredibly rewarding.
The ENVSC’s programs are focused on serving veterans’ unique problems, whether it is helping to avoid homelessness, provide needed home goods once they are housed, helping ease the loneliness of hospitalization, long or permanent stays at nursing homes and numerous other ways to make life easier for them by providing day trips, playing cards, leather for craft kits and wheelchair gloves, visitations, holiday parties and so many other creative programs. She is always humbled by the loyalty, dedication and fierce determination of Elks members across the country. This labor of love is inspiring and our members are always coming up with new and innovative ways to continue the Elks’ long tradition of “Serving Our Nation’s Veterans.”
Hannah grew up in Central Illinois. She moved to Chicago after graduating from Goshen College in Indiana, and living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for a year. At the ENVSC office, Hannah is a Programs Coordinator working with Voluntary Service and Freedom Grants. Her favorite part of the job is hearing stories from volunteers and having the opportunity to volunteer at the local VA Stand Downs and food pantry. Outside of the office, Hannah loves to draw, read, and go for walks with her dog.
Brianna grew up in the Midwest and graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Sociology. In her free time, Brianna enjoys board games, improv, and circus! As the 2018-2020 ENVSC Scholar Fellow, Brianna helps run the Elks Welcome Home program focused on ending veteran homelessness. Brianna loves seeing how passionate our volunteers are about making a difference for veterans. Every day she gets to see the real impact the Elks are making when it comes to making sure every veteran has a safe and stable place to call home.