Nursing Program Information Session
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Office of Sustainability
JJC recognizes that true sustainability involves a commitment to environmental, social, and economic improvement. JJC encourages planning, solutions, and actions that provide benefits for students, employees, and the community.
Our mission
Joliet Junior College Sustainability Initiative encourages employees and students to become more responsible to our environment by living and educating in a manner that conserves resources so that vital resources necessary for life are available for generations to come; reduce pollution and preserve natural resources; be a leader in sustainability in our community by promoting awareness and education; and initiate and monitor standards of sustainability at JJC.
What we do
At the Sustainability Union, we are dedicated to fostering environmental awareness and action through various initiatives such as
- Organizing engaging community events on and off campus.
- Advising the college and contributing to the development of sustainable policies and practices.
- Partnering with other offices to enhance our impact and promote our mission across JJC.
Community engagement
Please reach out if you would like to engage with the Office of Sustainability!
We currently offer
- Library fairs
- Conservation and sustainability tabling events
- Presentations on Romeoville Repair Cafe and Beyond Green
- School events and presentations
IT IS HERE!
EARTH MONTH 2025!
We are excited to share so many great opportunities for students, faculty, staff, administration, and our families and friends to get involved, have some fun, and celebrate our one and only EARTH!
There is something for everyone!
WEEK ONE
TUESDAY 4/1 - Sit Sip and Stretch
Join Yoga Instructor Bobbi Pehle founder of Half Moon Yogi as she guides participants through gentle chair yoga for a relaxing start to your day followed by a tea meditation to center and warm your body and mind.
Registration Required!
Main Campus Library Event Area
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
WEDNESDAY 4/2 - Sustainability Union Meeting w/ special guest
Andy Panelli from the Citizens Climate Lobby with demonstrate MIT En-ROADS, "a global climate simulator that allows users to explore the impact that dozens of policies—such as electrifying transport, pricing carbon, and improving agricultural practices—have on hundreds of factors like energy prices, temperature, air quality, and sea level rise."
A1061 or online through Teams
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
WEEK TWO
MONDAY 4/7 - Community Clean Up on Houbolt Road
Help take care of our surrounding community by picking up litter along the road outside of JJC. There will be Free Donuts and a group picture at 11:00! Bring your family and friends! Bring water, gloves, and dress for the weather. Earn Volunteer Hours!
Meet in the Joliet Junior College greenhouse parking lot
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
SATURDAY 4/12 - Romeoville Repair Cafe
Toss it? No way! It's the Repair Café!
Volunteers from JJC and the community are teaming up to provide FREE REPAIR SERVICES to all willing to visit. Bring in your broken items: small furniture, electrical appliances, bicycles, crockery, ceramics, vacuum cleaners, toys, clothes, shoes, jewelry and more. Not only get them fixed but also learn how to do it yourself!
(Stations will vary with availability of fixers)
JJC Romeoville Campus
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Click here for more information.
WEEK THREE
TUESDAY 4/15 - Natural Areas Tour
Join us for a tour led by Professor Heeneman to learn about our natural areas, how they are protected, and how they make our campus one of a kind! Dress for the weather and walking in the Natural Areas.
Meet in the Picnic Grove outside the cafeteria
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
WEDNESDAY 4/16 - Rally for Justice: Raise Student Voices
The Office of Sustainability and JJC’s advocacy groups are uniting to bring together all of the campus community to fight against the injustices in the world and learn the steps to become an advocate!
Sign Making: 10:00am - 11:30am
Advocacy Panel: 11:30am - 12:30pm
March & Tractor Ride: 12:30pm - 1:30pm
After Snacks & Chat: 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Meet on the Center Bridge
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
WEEK FOUR
TUESDAY 4/22 - EARTH DAY Extravaganza
Celebrate Earth Day with us! Enjoy a variety of activities including crafting paper journals, decorating glass Earth ornaments, and potting plants to embrace your love for the planet. Treat yourself to some snacks, capture memories at our photobooth, and immerse yourself in the creativity of our campus with an artist showcase of music, poetry, and artwork. Don't miss it!
Center Bridge
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
FRIDAY 4/25 - 'Party in the Arbie' - Arbor Day celebration
Join the Office of Sustainability for our annual Arbor Day celebration! We have 4 activities and free snacks available. The activities will be facilitated by JJC students and staff, as well as Suzanne Osman from Osman Music Therapy. This event is open to everyone and all ages! Bring your friends, family, and loved ones for a relaxing and immersive celebration of the trees. The arboretum is open daily to the public, and all through the month of April there will be descriptions of the trees available.
Tours of the Arboretum: 11:00am & 12:30pm
Gentle yoga sessions: 11:30am & 12:00pm
Therapeutic drumming circle: 12:00pm
Tree planting ceremony: 2:00pm
At the west end of the JJC Arboretum
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
WEEK FIVE
TUESDAY 4/29 - LEED Building Tour
Learn about how JJC implements sustainable building practices from the ground up! Get an in-depth look at the green characteristics of our LEED-certified facilities at JJC!
Meet in the front of A-Building
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
WEDNESDAY 4/30 - Sustainability Union Meeting w/ special guest
Join the Conservation Foundation for a Forest Therapy session in our own natural areas! Forest therapy is a way to reconnect with nature and improve your mental and physical health by mindfully spending time in a natural outdoor setting. Dress for the weather and walking in the Natural Areas.
Meet in the Picnic Grove outside the cafeteria.
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
You can find more information at
PLEASE JOIN US!!
Office of Sustainability
If you have any questions, please contact ashley.klinder@jjc.edu
April meeting
Wednesday, April 30th | 12:00pm-1:00pm | A-1061
Our second meeting of April! Join the Conservation Foundation for a Forest Therapy session in our own natural areas! Forest therapy is a way to reconnect with nature and improve your mental and physical health by mindfully spending time in a natural outdoor setting. Join us for some member introductions, games, and education!
We would also like to give a huge thanks to everyone who made the pledge to B.Y.O! Keep your notifications on to find out when our next bundle sale is happening.
The Three Pillars of Sustainability
People
Social sustainability is the intersection of public health, resource security, and environmental justice. The goal is to ensure people can live dignified lives, with access to adequate medicine, nutrition, and housing, keeping in good health, both physically and mentally.
Planet
Environmental sustainability is what most people think first when they hear the word “sustainability," and that makes sense! Environmental issues are some of the most pressing issues we, as a species, are faced with. Commitment to environmental sustainability means commitment to keeping air and water unpolluted, restoring damaged habitats to their former majesty, and stopping man-made climate change, so that our Earth can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Prosperity
Economic sustainability is often assumed to be at odds with the other two pillars, but that is simply not true. Problems that impact people, like food insecurity, also hurt the global economy because it makes people unable to work. Problems that impact the planet, like climate change, have the potential to destroy industries like agriculture. Economic sustainability seeks to challenge notions of limitless economic growth, and move toward a more stable, circular economy. Rather than items being produced to be consumed, disposed of, and replaced, circular economies aim to ensure goods can be reused and repaired. Rather than constantly exhausting natural resources, a circular economy aims to keep components recycled and repurposed for as long as they can, keeping these goods and resources from being wasted.
Visit the Office of Sustainability!
We're located in T1041 and have office hours between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm!
If you would like to join the college's sustainability efforts, contact the Sustainability Intern at (815) 280-2644 or ashley.klinder@jjc.edu, or the Sustainability Coordinator, Maria Anna Rafac, at (815) 280-2546 or mrafac@jjc.edu.
