A Leap of Faith
From the idyllic Belgian countryside, Charlotte Manning BA 鈥�17 reflected on her time stateside at 萝莉社. The writer and model recently concluded a vacation in Spain but said she missed North Park鈥檚 tree-lined campus more.
Manning studied creative writing and global studies with a minor in Swedish. She considers herself lucky to utilize the skills she gained through each area of study.
鈥淎s a freelancer, I focus on a mix of everything I learned,鈥� said Manning. 鈥淚 write, edit, moderate panels, speak at events, and run workshops. It all falls under the umbrella of my degree, but I also have the flexibility to try new things.鈥�
A Covenant camp kid, Manning had countless family members attend North Park. When she chose to become a Viking herself, she said finding her place in North Park鈥檚 Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) community was effortless.
“It really is true that one extraordinary teacher telling you you鈥檙e good at something can put you in the right direction for life.”
After graduation, Manning took 鈥渁 leap of faith.鈥� She moved to Stockholm for a social media job, then strived for a writing career. Recently, she hosted a writing workshop at art museum Fotografiska Stockholm, where she spoke about her favorite professors.
鈥淚 shared my story about becoming a writer, and I couldn鈥檛 do that without mentioning my English professor, Kristy Odelius,鈥� Manning said. 鈥淪he was the first to tell me I should pursue a writing career. It really is true that one extraordinary teacher telling you you鈥檙e good at something can put you in the right direction for life.鈥�
Manning said she鈥檚 especially grateful for the values North Park and the ECC instilled in her.
鈥淣orth Park was the perfect school for me, my career, and my life. I鈥檓 still close friends with my North Park classmates and former camp counselors,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a special piece of my life I will always hold close.鈥�
A Legacy of Advocacy and Service
For Ted Helwig BA 鈥�77, legal aid has been a central part of life for decades. Recently, he was honored as the 2024 Champion of Justice from Legal Aid Chicago, celebrating his years of service.
Helwig graduated from 萝莉社 with majors in history and mathematics. He said he chose North Park because it was 鈥渒nown, comfortable, and got me back to Chicago after spending a large portion of my childhood there.鈥�
He went on to law school at Loyola University Chicago, worked as a law clerk for a federal judge, and then as an assistant United States attorney. Later, Helwig became a partner in the litigation department at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, from which he retired in early 2022 after 32 years.
Alongside his legal career was his tenure with Legal Aid Chicago, focused on civil matters for those unable to afford representation. During Helwig鈥檚 15 years on the board, Legal Aid made considerable changes, such as expanding its services and centralizing its operations to downtown Chicago.
Helwig received the 2024 Champion of Justice award from Legal Aid Chicago.
Another significant move was creating Legal Action Chicago, a separate nonprofit, to pursue activities Legal Aid is barred from engaging in, such as class action lawsuits and lobbying. Helwig said one of their recent critical cases involved advocating for property owners subject to forced real estate sales because of delinquent taxes.
In addition to his extensive legal career, Helwig served 25 years on the board of a food pantry that North Park Covenant Church formed. Though the pantry has moved several times and is now independent, it鈥檚 still in the same neighborhood under the name The Friendship Center.
Since retiring from his full-time law career, Helwig makes a point of working there at least one day a week鈥攈ands-on.