Volunteer in Chicago

How to Volunteer in Chicago

There are so many different areas where you can volunteer, do not be put off if you do not have any knowledge in a certain area e.g. youth work, health or animals because organisations are always seeking participants who they can place on non-skilled roles or train you to learn new skills.

Most volunteering placements are unskilled but if you have any skills or experience in a certain area then these will be beneficial and useful. Some organisations offer paid volunteer work but sometimes you will need to be able to commit a certain amount of time or have a certain skill e.g. management. You could start off in a voluntary position and then be hired at a later date.

Top Reasons to Help

Gain a new perspective
Do something rewarding and make a difference
Learn about fantastic work being done
Meet friendly people
Gain experience both professional and personal

Areas You Can Help

Animals
Arts & culture
Charity shops
Christmas volunteering (outreach, at a shelter or in a soup kitchen)
Community service
Disability services
Drug & alcohol support
Education
Elderly & senior support
Emergency response
Environment & conservation
Family support
Health & hospitals
Homeless & disadvantaged
Law & human rights
Mentoring & advocacy
Migrant support
Museums & heritage
Sport & recreation
Translation & tourism
Youth work working with children, teenagers and young people
Veteran & ex-service personel

Recommended Organisations & Places to Volunteer in Chicago

Centro Romero
Peggy Notebaert Nature Center
Adler Planetarium
PAWS Chicago
The Suzuki-Orff School of Music
New Moms Chicago
Harbor Light Hospice
The Inspiration Corporation

Requirements

Enthusiastic
Helpful attitude
Have an interest in helping
Be opening to working in a new environment

Before deciding to volunteer, you might find it useful to ask yourself some of these questions:

What do I enjoy doing?
What skills do I have?
What skills do I want to learn?
How much time can I give?

How to Volunteer in Chicago at Christmas

If you live in Chicago or are going to spend time there over the festive period there are lots of local charities and organisations which need assistance to help people and communities.

This is your chance to do something rewarding and do something meaningful over the busy Christmas period. Some organisations are flexilble and allow you to help for a few hours, half a day or longer.

You will find it difficult to get paid positions, these operations and events are aimed at helping poor or vulnerable members of the socity from charities who are run on shoe-string budgets, you will feel real gratitude helping and this is a great way to have a sense of acomplishment and meet kind people.

No previous experience is needed but if you do have any skills that is beneficial.

How to Apply

You can search opportunities on our website, online or locally.

Testimonials & Reviews

If you volunteer, or have helped an organisation in the past and would like to share your experience or recommend a project then please get in touch with us.