If you’re looking for places to volunteer on your own and to meet people outside of school, here are a handful of places that we recommend.
Social and Service Chicago
SASC is a nonprofit organizations made up entirely of volunteers dedicated to serving the community through organized volunteer programs and social events. Their objective is to fulfill the volunteer needs of charities while promoting an environment for like-minded singles in their twenties and thirties to meet, interact, and develop lasting friendships and relationships. This is free to join and no commitment to a certain number of projects is necessary. Some of the past service events have included volunteering for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Cathedral Shelter of Chicago, and a PACT.
Chicago Cares
www.chicagocares.org | (312) 780-0800
Chicago Cares is a leader in volunteerism throughout the area. It provides a number of well-organized volunteer opportunities in many different fields of service. Since its inception in 1991, Chicago Cares has organized more than 9,800 community service projects and dedicated more than 465,000 hours of service to the City of Chicago.
Through Chicago Cares, volunteers can participate in programs including adult education and development; career development; education and recreational projects with children; computer training; environmental projects; services for the hungry and homeless; and senior citizen visitation.
Chicago Cares programs are very flexible for busy volunteers and not all of the programs require extended commitments from volunteers. The Chicago Cares office is located near the Chicago Kent downtown campus. Check out the website and get involved today!
YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago
www.ywcachicago.org | (312) 372-6600
Participate as a volunteer for YWCA with programs that assist women with job readiness, child care; sexual assault counseling and services; numerous youth projects and antiracism programs.
Junior Achievement of Chicago
www.jachicago.org | (312) 715-1300
Junior Achievement volunteers go to area schools and teach children about business and economics with fun, interactive, hands-on lesson plans and materials. JA programs encourage work readiness, positive attitudes toward work and society, and the importance of staying in school.
Chicago Youth Centers
www.chicagoyouthcenters.org | (312) 648-1550
Chicago Youth Centers provide programs for youth about nature and environment; math and science; health/social/physical development; academic support and enhancement; the arts; career exploration; business and community outreach; and leadership development. Volunteers can serve tutors, mentors, club leaders, and fund raisers.
Chicago Boys and Girls Club
www.bgcc.org | (312) 627-2700
The Chicago Boys and Girls Club is the largest Boys and Girls Club in America. It offers more than 200 programs to 12,000 youth. Volunteers work with young people with programs which promote character development and leadership development; education and career development; health and life skills; the arts; and sports, fitness and recreation.