Volunteer – Palma Aikins
Organization – Bridge Communities
Connecting homeless families to a better future
505 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn
With a Master’s Degree in counseling and her skills as a professional software developer, Palma Aikins never intended to become a community activist. As her children were growing up she became a Girl Scout leader, taught religious education, coached soccer and was a member of Home and School. Palma would have been the poster child for the current term “Soccer Mom.”
Through volunteering at her church in 2000, she saw an increase in the number of people who called her church asking for financial assistance. Palma had “caught the bug” when it came to helping people in need, and in 2005, Palma and her husband Jim became mentors to a family in the Bridge Communities program.
She has been a staunch supporter of the mission of Bridge ever since.
“It’s a program that works and is the only way to change the cycle of poverty,” says Palma. “We do not have to look far from our own homes to see so many people in need. It’s staggering.”
She has since formed the Naperville chapter of 100+ Women Who Care and founded a chapter of St. Vincent de Paul at her church.
On April 25, 2014, Palma Aikins will be honored at the Bridge Communities annual luncheon, Celebrating Women…Transforming Lives. She will be recognized for her selfless dedication to helping her Naperville neighbors in need, and for her overall positive impact in the DuPage community.
Tickets for the luncheon are $50 and can be purchased at www.bridgecommunities.org.
Volunteer of the month is sponsored by Naperville Bank & Trust, serving Naperville with three locations, 555 Fort Hill Dr., 1205 S. Naper Blvd. and 5 S. Washington in the historic downtown post office. For more info, visit www.banknaperville.com.
