Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Andrew Coram. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Andrew Coram began volunteering with Erie Neighborhood House in 2022 because he was looking for a way to channel his time toward something meaningful. And he found it — as an after-school mentor to Alex, then a sixth-grader at the Chicago nonprofit that serves immigrant and low-income families. Four years later, the two still meet weekly. They tackle homework, but they also talk sports, family, tough decisions, and the future. Andrew has watched Alex grow into a high school junior, and this past year, he even advocated for Alex’s mother during her residency process.
But Andrew’s commitment didn’t stop at mentoring. In 2023, he joined Erie House’s Associate Board, becoming Co-Chair in 2024 to help drive fundraising. The board’s signature June event has raised over $27,000 across recent years and more than $23,000 in 2026 alone. These dollars fuel childcare, ESL classes, legal aid, and wellness services, while spreading awareness of Erie House’s mission.
For Andrew, the work has been a lesson in community. Neighborhood businesses, he’s found, are eager to help; they just need to know organizations like Erie House exist. His advice to anyone hesitant to start is to not set impossible expectations. The strength is in numbers, and you just need to show up.
Do you want to make a difference in your community like Andrew? Find local volunteer opportunities.