5 Great Ways to Volunteer in Chicago This Summer

It Feels Good to Give Back

Looking for ways to donate your extra time to a good cause this summer? There are plenty of organizations in the city that are in need of assistance.

Here are a few volunteer opportunities listed below. Get involved!

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Help the Homeless

Volunteer in Chicago

Greater Chicago Food Depository

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4100 West Ann Lurie Place

Chicago, IL 60632

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(773) 247-3663

  • Volunteer at the agency: Volunteers are needed at the pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. They are also looking for people to help prepare and serve meals, deliver food, and tutor.
  • Help at the loading dock: Volunteers are needed on weekday mornings to load the food trucks. The Greater Chicago Food Depository ships more than 150,000 pounds of food every day.
  • Volunteer to be a Driver: Volunteers are needed to drive and deliver fresh produce to agencies or to pick up the food drive food at local organizations.
  • Help at Events: Help is needed for information tables and fundraising at events.
  • Help at Food Shows: Volunteers are needed to help collect food donations from vendors after food industry trade shows.
  • Help Repack Food: Volunteers are needed to repack bigger products to family size portions, assemble boxes and check expiration dates.

 

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Volunteer in Chicago

Lincoln Park Community Shelter

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600 West Fullerton Parkway

Chicago, IL 60614

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(773) 540-6111

  • Volunteer to Cook and Serve Meals
  • Assist at the Front Desk
  • Work an Overnight Shift: 9pm – 8am
  • Teach a Track Activity: Teach a one-hour daily living skill class
  • Volunteer for the Financial Literacy Program:
    • Teachers: Responsible for teaching one of three 90-minute classes
    • Mentors: Help guests with homework assignments from these classes
  • Be a Job Coach: Help guests with mock interviews, resumes, cover letters, job searching or networking
  • Be a Peer Coach: Work one-on-one with a guest to provide support and a listening ear
  • Be a Computer Tutor: Assist guests with basic computer skills

 

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Help Sick Children

Volunteer in Chicago

Make-A-Wish Foundation

640 North LaSalle Drive, Suite 280

Chicago, IL 60654

(312) 602-9474

Every year, nearly 1,200 children in Illinois are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. The Make-A-Wish foundation believes that granting wishes to these children is important for the care and treatment processes that they go through.

  • Help at Make-A-Wish Events
  • Be a Wish Granting Volunteer: These volunteers work in teams of two and meet with the families to plan and execute a child’s wish.
  • Be a Speaker’s Bureau Volunteer: These volunteers will be trained to speak about the Make-A-Wish foundation at events.
  • Be an Office Volunteer: Day to day office tasks
  • Become a Committee Member Volunteer: Leadership roles

 

Help Homeless Animals

Volunteer in Chicago

The Anti-Cruelty Society

510 North LaSalle Street

Chicago, IL 60654

(312) 644-8338

Prepare animals for their forever families, help create lifelong bonds with pets and their potential families, and network with other animal lovers by volunteering.

  • Join the Adoption Support Crew: These volunteers serve as greeters in the lobby, answer guest questions and follow-up with recent adopters.
  • Volunteer for Everyday Assistance: These volunteers provide adoption assistance and care for the animals at the facility. They also help with grooming, spot-cleaning, adopter meetings and animal socialization.
  • Volunteer for Cat & Dog Adopts: These volunteers handle cats and dogs for visitors, help people complete the adoption applications, and work in the cat & dog adoption rooms.
  • Volunteer for Cat & Dog Care: These volunteers provide additional care by grooming and socializing the cats and dogs at the facility.
  • Help at Special Events

 

Help Chicago Community Parks

Volunteer in Chicago

Chicago Park District

541 North Fairbanks

Chicago, IL 60611

(312) 742-7529

The Chicago Park District is always looking for volunteers to pitch in and help out in the city’s parks. There are volunteer opportunities for varied interests.

  • Help with Corporate and/or Group Projects
  • Volunteer on Environmental Stewardship Days
  • Provide Special Event Support
  • Provide Coaching & Sport Instruction
  • Provide Conservatory Support
  • Volunteer at Tutoring/ Mentoring After School Programs and Camps
  • Volunteer for Community Gardening
  • Help with Nature and Monitoring & Stewardship

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