Corporate Citizen of the Year: Journey Softly

The people with the passports, the people who travel more, tend to be the most understanding. 

– Brian Chesky

Rick Rosenfeld, founder of travel consulting firm Journey Softly, has a knack for logistics. That talent serves his clients as they explore the globe, and also serves people in need here in the Chicago area. Rick’s tireless and innovative work on behalf of others inspired the selection of Journey Softly as Corporate Citizen of the Year.

Travel management and community service have gone hand-in-hand for Rick since the start of his career. After completing an MBA in management, he spent eight years working at the Evanston headquarters of Rotary International where he had responsibility for tracking Foundation contributions and managing housing for global conventions in destinations like Australia and Taiwan.  At the same time, he became involved in volunteering through Rotaract, Rotary’s program for young professionals.  

After a short stint in management consulting - where he found he enjoyed planning his friends’ vacations more than his actual work - Rick launched a start-up agency specializing in educational travel for universities and MBA programs. He later served as Executive Director of Hands of Peace, a Glenview-based non-profit that brought Israeli and Palestinian youth together to build mutual understanding. 

Even during the COVID lockdown, Rick found a way to use his logistical expertise to help people. When vaccines first became available, the online appointment process at pharmacies was chaotic and confusing, especially for seniors who needed the vaccines most of all. Rick began reaching out on the Next Door social media platform, posting information on where vaccines were available and helping more than 100 seniors secure appointments. 

After taking a year break at the start of the pandemic, Rick launched his second travel company -- Journey Softly -- in 2021. His business served as a vital resource for people and businesses to navigate the complications of travel restrictions as the world transitioned to a post-pandemic footing, with blog posts providing crucial guidance. 

As the pandemic crisis calmed down, Rick shifted his energies to support an influx of refugees coming from Afghanistan in 2021-22. Working with the Chicagoland office of World Relief, he coordinated donations of housewares and furniture, eventually launching the Deerfield Free Store that continues to support refugee and immigrant families. He also works one-on-one with immigrant families in Skokie to help secure housing, school registration, medical treatment, and other needs. His efforts were recognized when Next Door selected Rick to receive a national Next Door 100 Award in 2022.

Rick’s logistical prowess has also boosted the impact of Rotary’s annual Coat Off Your Back outerwear drive. By coordinating the efforts of the Glenview, Northbrook and Deerfield Rotary Clubs and recruiting assistance from companies like Two Men and a Truck, the drive collected more than 5000 winter coats over the past four years to help individuals in need. Just as importantly, the time from donation pickup to distribution has been slashed to a week or less, ensuring that recipients have the coats they need quickly. 

Mary Bak, past Rotary District Governor, appreciates Rick’s achievement in elevating the coat drive’s efforts. “Rick has led a successful collaborative coat drive collection involving four area Rotary clubs, resulting in the collection of thousands of coats which have been distributed to local service agencies,” notes Mary. “His leadership and organizational abilities have brought our collective Rotary Clubs together in the service of those less fortunate.”

Over the last three years, Journey Softly has grown into a successful business arranging unique experiences for travelers to more than 100 countries around the world. At the same time, Rick maintains his dedicated commitment to service and encourages others to find their own ways to contribute. He urges those who want to start volunteering to look at opportunities that fit their own schedules, interests and skill sets. Looking to get involved? Reach out to Rick - he’s got suggestions!