Do Good

AS HEARD ON AIR:

• “Say Their Names” is a set of materials and resources to help foster productive, honest conversations about how we got here as a country and how we are going to move past our national turmoil; access them here: https://bit.ly/SayTheirNamesCPS
• Books are being censored, banned – even burned – at an alarming rate. Books with important ideas within their pages. Together, we will keep them safe. The Chicago Public Library is declaring every one of its libraries as a Book Sanctuary. But they also believe the sanctuaries should exist everywhere, all over the country – in community centers, schools, coffee shops or parks, even your own bookshelf. Access a free online toolkit to build a Book Sanctuary here.

Join Heartland Alliance as they support East Garfield Park urban farm FarmWorks. Volunteers are needed on Sept. 19 and 26 to help maintain the farm, with tasks including weeding, shoveling soil and gravel, planting seedlings and more. Learn more and sign up to help out via Chicago Cares.

St. Jude’s Children’s hospital is recruiting volunteers to help out at the 2023 Chicago Marathon from Oct. 5-8. Duties include the cheer station, gear check, pasta party registration and more. Find more info and sign up to help out on the St. Jude’s volunteer portal.

The Chicago Architecture Foundation recently put out a call for volunteers to help out at Open House Chicago. They’re looking for volunteers to greet and assist visitors at various architectural sites around the city on October 14 and 15. Volunteers ages 18+ can sign up for one 3.5-5.5 hour shift either day, and will in turn receive priority access to Open House. Find more information and sign up to help out on the Open House website.

A House In Austin and Forty Acres Fresh Market are in need of volunteers for their weekly West Side grocery delivery service, especially drivers. Each week, they need a driver to pick up produce at Forty Acres (2550 S. Leavitt) and deliver to 4-6 families. To learn more about how you or your organization can get involved, contact A House In Austin board president Katie Skoglund at kfunkey@gmail.com.

Bernie’s Book Bank is looking for new volunteers of all ages and abilities to help out! The nonprofit is Chicago’s leading provider of free books, and invites community members to help out at any of their weekly volunteer sessions. Responsibilities may include sorting, stickering and packing books to be distributed to Chicago children. Learn more and sign up to help out on the Bernie’s Book Bank volunteer page.

Nonprofit The Chicago Tool Library is always looking for volunteers to help out, with many ongoing initiatives. New or returning volunteers can sign up for now! No training or special tool is required to help out with most opportunities. Learn more about the Tool Library on their website, and check out all the upcoming opportunities to help out on their volunteer calendar.

Ravenswood Community Services is looking for new volunteers to help out the neighborhood with their weekly and monthly programs, including Tuesday night Food Pantry & Community Meal Program and outdoor weekend food pantry. To become a volunteer, fill out their volunteer waiver and add your name to their email list through the organization’s website.

Nonprofit Rebuilding Exchange is looking for new volunteers to help out at both their Evanston and Chicago locations. New warehouse volunteers at both locations are asked to commit at least one two-hour shift per week. For more information on how to get involved, visit the organization’s website.

Nonprofit SparkShop hopes to empower fourth and fifth graders to apply their skills to engineering and inspire their interest in STEM fields. They rely on a team of volunteers to support their programming, with opportunities including in-person supply packing or as a virtual engineer pen pals. Learn more about how to help out and apply to become a volunteer on their website.

Howard Brown Health is always looking for new volunteers to help out with different tasks at their many clinics and community events across the city. All new volunteers must complete and submit an application as well as complete an orientation session before starting. More information on their website!

Food Not Bombs Humboldt Park is always looking for volunteers to help out with their weekly food distribution to Chicago’s northwest side. Learn more information about how you can help out, and sign up to get started via the organization’s website.

United Way of Metro Chicago works to build a stronger, more equitable Chicago region by providing resources to neighbors in need while working alongside community leaders. They have several ongoing volunteer needs, including in their community garden, after-school programs, domestic violence crisis line and more. Find more information on how to help out on their website.

Rescuing Leftover Cuisine is a non-profit which redistributes excess food from licensed food vendors and businesses which order catering to people experiencing food insecurity. They’re looking for volunteers to help out, and are most in need on Monday and Tuesday mornings. Learn more and sign up to help out via VolunteerMatch.

BUILD Chicago is a West Side-based violence prevention and youth development organization hoping to inspire hope and offer opportunities for young people facing systemic obstacles. They have many ways for individuals and groups to help out, including garden work, donation drives, homework help, sports coaching, special event support and more. Learn more and apply to be a volunteer on the organization’s website.

Statewide organization Literacy Volunteers of Illinois is committed to developing and supporting volunteer literacy programs for anyone looking to increase their literacy skills. They have several volunteer opportunities open right now, including teaching adult literacy and becoming a bilingual Spanish tutor. Check out a full list of ways to help out via VolunteerMatch.

Nonprofit Sarah’s Circle is committed to ending homelessness among female-identifying Chicagoans. They’re regularly looking for new individuals and groups to help keep their programs and services running smoothly. Individuals can sign up for program support, kitchen support or leading workshops for those at Sarah’s Circle. Find out more ways to get involved and apply to volunteer now on the nonprofit’s website.

Audubon Great Lakes, Chicago’s regional branch of the National Audubon Society, manages conservation work to protect and improve crucial habitats for local and migratory birds. They’re accepting new volunteers to help collect data to improve conservation policy, management and practices. Learn more about the different ways to get involved on their website.

Brave Space Alliance (the first Black-led, trans-led nonprofit LGBTQ+ center serving the South Side) is constantly looking for new volunteers to help provide meaningful services to the community, primarily needed for their Community Pantry and The Dignity Suite. New volunteers can express their interest by filling out a form located on the organization’s website. 

National organization Minds Matter supports low-income students by providing resources to help them gain acceptance to colleges and universities. They’re looking for volunteers to help out at their Chicago branch as mentors or tutors, or on one of their internal teams. Learn more or apply to become a volunteer on their website.

53-year-old nonprofit organization Care For Real is in need of bilingual volunteers to help provide food, clothing and support for its Edgewater and Rogers Park locations. New volunteers can apply online, and are required to attend a virtual volunteer orientation call before their first shift. Find more information on Care For Real and how to get involved on their website.

Horizons for Youth is a community-rooted nonprofit organization supporting more than 200 children with academic achievement across 44 Chicago neighborhoods. They currently have several ways to volunteer: mentoring, tutoring, corporate engagement or joining their Young Professionals Board. Learn more about each opportunity and apply to get involved online here.

The Chicago History Museum is accepting new volunteer applications on an ongoing basis, with a minimum commitment of six months with one volunteer shift a week. Volunteers can expect to primarily help with museum visitors and front-facing tasks, but behind-the-scenes tasks are sometimes available. Learn more and submit an application here; museum staff will contact applicants as positions open.

The American Writers Museum just announced a new year-round volunteer program, and put out a call for applications on Twitter. Volunteers can expect to assist with duties including serving as a museum ambassador, giving public tours, recording visitor testimonies and assisting with field trips. To learn more about the opportunity and sign up to help out, you can send an email to volunteer@americanwritersmuseum.org. You can find more information about the American Writers Museum here.

The West Loop Bavarian Block Party, which benefits Haymarket Center, is looking for volunteers on September 16 and 17. Volunteer duties include running the gates, raffle ticket sales and more. Learn more and sign up to help out via VolunteerMatch or on the block party’s website.

The Chicago Cultural Alliance put out a call for volunteers to help out at the World Dumpling Fest on September 9 in Logan Square Park. Email the organization’s programs manager Sarah Cameron (skcameron@chicagoculturalalliance.org) to express your interest in helping out!

Help support the 18th annual 79th Street Renaissance Festival on September 9! The Greater Auburn Gresham Corporation (GAGDC) and Chicago Cares are looking for volunteers to help vendors at the festival with setup and teardown, plus leading games, serving food for kids and seniors and more. Find more info on this opportunity and sign up to help out via Chicago Cares.

Chicago nonprofit NeighborSpace has teamed up with Chicago Cares to support building and maintaining a community green space in Englewood. On Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, they’re looking for volunteers to help garden and raise awareness about the green space around the community. Tasks include handing out flyers and encouraging neighbors to support the green space, plus helping with planting, mulching, weeding, shoveling and painting in the garden itself. Find more info on this opportunity and sign up to help out via Chicago Cares.

The Firehouse Community Arts Center is in need of volunteers to help out with their food donation program on Aug. 30, which aims to provide food resources to the North Lawndale community. They’re working with Chicago Cares to recruit new volunteers, with duties including food packaging, prepping and food supplies donation. Learn more and sign up to help out on Chicago Cares’ website.

Bright Community Services and Chicago Cares teamed up to bring another Job and Employment Resource Fair to Englewood residents on Aug. 22! They’re looking for volunteers to help with setup from 4-6 p.m., especially with moving chairs and tables. Find more info and sign up to help out through Chicago Cares’s website.

Join OpenBooks in supporting the North Lawndale community at the nonprofit’s annual “Back-to-School Lit Fest” on Sunday, Aug. 20. The fest spreads resource information with community members and showcases live performances. They’re currently looking for volunteers to help with setup, takedown, decorating, registering attendees, helping with food and drinks, handing out free backpacks and more. Sign up to help out via Chicago Cares.

Help out at the Hermosa Tamal Fest on August 12 with the Palenque Logan Square Neighborhood Association! Volunteers are needed for both a morning and afternoon shift during the festival, and can expect to help with setup, takedown, directing people with questions and more. You can sign up to help out at either shift via Chicago Cares.

Support Chicago’s PlayStreets at Northwest Center, an initiative intended to support healthier communities by creating safe, residential spaces for kids to play and learn, and to encourage community engagement. Northwest Center teamed up with Chicago Cares to recruit volunteers to help out with the next PlayStreets event on August 12; volunteers can expect to set up and take down tables, monitor children, decorate and more. This opportunity is outside and volunteers are encouraged to bring a water bottle and sunscreen, and to wear comfortable shoes. Find more information and sign up on help out via Chicago Cares.

Help us skate the night away at our Summer Skate Party on August 11! Fill out this form to let us know you’re interested. We’d love to have you help out with #TeamVocalo! This event incorporates live DJ sets; please plan accordingly. Skating is not required (but is encouraged)!

Join the Honeycomb Project for this family-friendly volunteer opportunity on August 5 as they support the Night Ministry, a Chicago organization supporting and providing the city’s unhoused people. They’re looking for families or groups to prepare and deliver one dish for 30 people as part of a larger meal organized by Honeycomb volunteers. You can sign up to help out and find more information on the Honeycomb Project’s website.

Chicago Cares and Teamwork Englewood are looking for volunteers to help revitalize Moran Park by cleaning up trash and debris on August 4 from 3-7 p.m. Organizers will provide gloves and trash bags, and volunteers are encouraged to wear closed-toed shoes and clothes they don’t mind getting dirty. This opportunity is for ages 18+, or 16+ when accompanied by an adult. Find more information and sign up to help out via Chicago Cares.

The South Shore Community Development Corporation, with Chicago Cares, is looking for volunteers to help support community beautification initiatives across the INVEST Southwest Corridor on 75th Street. On July 29 at 9 a.m., they’re gathering volunteers to weed and repot flowers along the 75th Street corridor in South Shore. Appropriate gardening clothing and closed toe shoes are recommended. Some SPF and bug spray will be provided. You can sign up to help out via Chicago Cares!

The Urban Growers Collective is looking for volunteers to help build a hoop house on July 22 at 10 a.m. A hoop house is a semi-permanent structure (like a greenhouse) which traps warm air inside to extend a farm’s growing season — and UGC’s will be 1000 ft. long and 20 ft. wide! Organizers recommend wearing appropriate gardening clothing, sun protection and closed toe shoes, and tasks may include weeding, planting, mulching, composting and more. Find more info and sign up to help out via Chicago Cares!

The Edgewater Environmental Coalition is looking for volunteers to help maintain their Vedgewater Community Garden, and are hosting an orientation on July 15 for new volunteers. Check out more info and RSVP now on the EEC website.

Want to volunteer with Vocalo at one of our Nights Out In The Parks events? Fill out this form to let us know when you’re available, we’d love to have you help out with #TeamVocalo! Both of our events incorporate live music or DJ sets; please plan accordingly.

The Logan Square Arts Fest is still looking for volunteers throughout the festival, especially on June 24 in the evening and all day June 25. Sign up to help out through this form! Volunteers get a t-shirt with an exclusive design.

The second annual 312 River Run is in need of volunteers to help out the day of the race on June 24, including course monitors, water and food table setup and more. See all positions needed and sign up to help out via Signupgenius. 

Become a volunteer with ReBuilding Exchange! ReBuilding Exchange is a nonprofit reusing building materials, reducing construction waste and training those seeking careers in construction trades. On June 9, new volunteers can attend an in-person orientation discussing the organization, its needs and various volunteer opportunities. Check out more information and RSVP on Eventbrite!

Local nonprofit Share Our Spare is in need of essential donations, particularly clothing and baby gear. They have a list of used items needed, as well as an Amazon wishlist due to an urgent need for diapers. For more information on how to help out in other ways, visit the nonprofit’s website!

The Urban Growers Collective is a Black-led, women-led nonprofit farm addressing food insecurity and cultivating health, economic development and creativity through urban agriculture. They have two volunteer shifts on June 3 to help maintain their South Chicago farm — the morning shift for returning volunteers only and afternoon for new and returning volunteers. Find more information and other upcoming opportunities on Eventbrite.

June 3 is the Chicago Parks Foundation’s annual cleanup event “It’s Your Park Day!” Register to help clean up at one of nearly 40 parks holding cleanup events across the city, or register to host an event at a park near you. Find more information on the Chicago Parks Foundation website.

Chicago House is a housing resource nonprofit combating HIV/AIDS. They’re looking for volunteers to help out at the gates during this year’s Chicago Pride Fest on June 17 and 18, split up into three shifts per day. Find more information and sign up to help out on the nonprofit’s website.

Yollocalli Arts Reach, the National Museum of Mexican Art’s youth arts initiative, is hosting their annual 21+ fundraiser at the museum on May 26, and they’re looking for a few volunteers to help out day-of with setup prior to the event (from 3-5 p.m.), assistance at the door (from 5-7 p.m.) and with food and cleanup during the event (from 6-9 p.m.). Check out the Eventbrite page for more information about the fundraiser, and send an email to whitney@nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org to sign up to volunteer.

The Logan Square Volunteer Fair is Sunday, April 30! Get to know representatives from local nonprofits and organizations in Logan Square and surrounding neighborhoods looking for volunteers from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pilot Project Brewing. Organizations attending the event represent a wide range of causes and social issues including literacy, homelessness, environmentalism, animal rescue and more. Find a full list of participating organizations here, and RSVP to attend for free on Eventbrite.

Join South Side developing farm We Sow We Grow for their final April volunteer day on Saturday, April 29, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.! Help support the farm by building raised beds which will grow food for the local community, and learn a thing or two about urban farming. Closed-toe shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended, as well as reusable non-glass water bottles. Lunch will be provided. Find more information and sign up to help out here!

Learn more about upcoming volunteer opportunities with nonprofit Open Books during their next volunteer info session on Thursday, April 27 at their Pilsen bookstore and warehouse! They currently have opportunities available at all three bookstore locations, and for their direct literacy program. The info session is from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Reserve your spot online here, and learn more about Open Books on their website.

Join the Parks District in celebrating Earth Day on Saturday, April 22 by cleaning up a Chicago park! More than 90 across the city are hosting volunteer cleanups on April 22, the majority from 9 a.m. to noon. Learn more information, sign the volunteer waiver and find the park closest to you online here.

Alliance for the Great Lakes is kicking off their Spring Adopt-a-Beach program April 21 through 23 at several beaches throughout the Chicago area. Find more information on Adopt-a-Beach here, and filter by location to sign up for a specific opportunity here.

Chicago Cares has teamed up with Heartland Alliance to support FarmWorks, an urban farm located in East Garfield Park providing healthy, affordable food to Chicago communities in need. They’re looking for volunteers on April 18 to help with weeding, planting seedlings, wheelbarrowing materials, shoveling soil and more. This opportunity is for ages 18 and up, or 14 with an adult. Find more information here.

There are still a couple of volunteer opportunities left with the 39th Chicago Latino Film Festival! Festival organizers rely on a team of volunteers every year to make sure the festival runs smoothly, with duties including ushering, greeting guests and volunteering as an interpreter. Duration of shifts will vary, but each volunteer will receive two film vouchers at the end of their shift. Find specific opportunities and sign up using CLFF’s online portal.

Help support the Englewood Village Farm sites at one of Grow Greater Englewood’s upcoming Farm Days! The next Farm Day is April 11 at 3 p.m., and volunteers can expect to help with weeding, landscaping, garden maintenance and beautification to help prepare for the organization’s harvesting season. Sign up to help out and find more info at Chicago Cares.

Working Bikes is a Pilsen-based nonprofit bike shop providing neighbors with access to affordable refurbished bicycles and repairs. They’re looking for volunteers all the time, but there’s an upcoming opportunity to help out on April 11 at 4 p.m. Volunteers can expect to help organize, inspect and strip bicycle parts. If you have a bike to donate, feel free to bring it! Find more information and sign up here. Learn more about Working Bikes by listening to this segment with community repairs manager Xail Hernandez.

The Little Village Environmental Justice Organization’s first volunteer days of the year are this weekend! They’re looking for volunteers to help maintain the Little Village Urban Farm at La Villita Park on April 7 and 8, and again on April 14 and 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn more about this opportunity and how to attend on LVEJO’s Instagram.

Chicago Cares is looking for volunteers to maintain Bronzeville’s Burnham Nature Sanctuary on April 1 at noon. Located in the expansive Burnham Park, the Nature Sanctuary is home to native plant species and serves as both a public green space and a bird and butterfly sanctuary. Volunteers ages 16 and up, or 14 with an adult, can expect to maintain the sanctuary’s ecological health, park and trail access, cleaning up trash and fence maintenance. Tools and gloves will be provided, and volunteers should plan to dress weather-appropriate. Learn more and sign up to help out here.

Sign-ups are open to help clean up Columbus Park on Earth Day, April 22! One Earth Collective, DCASE, Openlands, the Field Museum, Friends of the Parks and many more partners are calling for volunteers to clean up trash and maintain the park’s gardens from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., lunch provided, followed by the free Earth Day Action Fair at Chicago Cultural Center. Find more information and sign up now here.

Growing Home is an Englewood-based nonprofit urban farm, workforce development center and social enterprise, and they’re looking for volunteers this month to help maintain their green spaces! On March 24, volunteers can assist the organization by cleaning up, planting, weeding and harvesting at the urban farm to help ensure produce can continue to be harvested for sale locally. Both opportunities are outdoors; comfortable clothes and appropriate shoes are recommended. Check out more information online here!

Food pantry Nourishing Hope, formerly Lakeview Pantry, is accepting new volunteers to help out at their Uptown and Humboldt Park markets, and Ravenswood warehouse. New volunteers are required to complete an online registration form and virtual orientation before signing up for their first shift. Find more information on Nourishing Hope and how to get involved on their website.

Chicago Animal Care and Control is in need of new volunteers to help out at the city’s animal shelter! No experience is required, and volunteers can expect to help with hands-on tasks including walking dogs, socializing with dogs and cats, adoption counseling and more. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and are required to attend an information session before starting, and the next available information session is on March 19. Find more information on how you can volunteer on the CACC website!

Friends of the Chicago River is looking for new volunteer wildlife monitors, and training sessions are available this month. The organization has restored habitats for osprey, bats and turtles, and are looking for volunteers to monitor at least one habitat location at least twice a month from May through August. One in-person training session is required. Register for a training session and learn more about the organization and volunteer opportunities on the Friends of the Chicago River website.

ReStore, Habitat for Humanity’s home goods thrift store, is looking for new donation processing volunteers. While helping out, volunteers can expect to clean, sort and process donations before they are prepped for the sales floor. New volunteers are required to register for a volunteer orientation shift (held weekly), and afterward will be able to sign up for shifts that fit their schedule. Learn more about ReStore and find volunteer sign-ups here.

Local nonprofit Share Our Spare helps provide Chicago families and children with care items including diapers and wipes, as well as baby gear, clothing, safety items and other essentials. They’re looking for volunteers to help out at one of their upcoming open volunteer sessions — and the next opportunity is tomorrow at their Milwaukee Avenue Sharehouse. Volunteers can expect to help with sorting and performing quality checks on donated items. Masks are required for volunteers. Find more information about this and other upcoming volunteer opportunities on the organization’s website.

The Field Museum is accepting applications to become a volunteer at their visitor services information desk! Volunteers are required to have excellent customer service skills and can expect to help guests when they arrive, answer questions and help out with customer service during special events. This is an opportunity for volunteers 18+, and those interested are asked to commit at least one four-hour shift per week for eight or more months are preferred. Find more information and apply to become a volunteer here.

Teamwork Englewood is looking for help as they canvass for their Get Out The Vote initiative! This initiative promotes civic engagement among Chicagoans by spreading the word about the upcoming city election, and the Green Line referendum on the ballot this year. There are two opportunities to help out, on Feb. 18 and 24, and each session will include a 30-minute training session. You can learn more on Chicago Cares’ website.

Working Bikes has a couple of volunteer opportunities coming up, on Feb. 23 and March 2! Join the nonprofit as they organize, inspect, clean and strip donated bicycle parts to help with their refurbishing process. No experience is necessary, and volunteers are encouraged to bring bikes to donate! Sign up to help out here, and learn more about Working Bikes by listening to this segment of “This Is What Chicago Sounds Like” featuring Working Bikes mechanic Xail Hernandez.

Donating gently used clothes is one way to directly benefit a child in your community. Cradles to Crayons Chicago is running a program named KidPack Direct, accepting donated clothes and giving them back to a child in need. Find out more here. LM

The Chinese Fine Arts Society is looking for volunteer assistance at the upcoming Lantern Festival Celebration, in the Chicago Cultural Center’s Preston Bradley Hall on Feb. 5. Volunteers are needed to help out with tasks split into five shifts before, during and following the celebration, including set-up, lantern assembly, room monitoring, helping run the indoor marketplace, cleanup and more. Read more about the celebration and volunteer duties, and sign up to help out via VolunteerMatch.

The Howard Area Community Center is a Rogers Park social service agency that provides the community with employment opportunities, affordable education and health assistance programs. They currently have volunteer opportunities open to help out with education resources, in their food pantry, computer lab, reading program, as a youth mentor and more. You can find a full list of volunteer opportunities and apply to become a volunteer on their website.

Chicago Books to Women in Prison is a locally-based nonprofit sending paper back books to incarcerated women and trans people. They’re in need of volunteers to help out on the weekends by preparing orders of books to send out, sorting donations, organizing shelves and more. New volunteers are required to attend a pre-volunteer training session, and can email chicagobwp@gmail.com with “Volunteer Training” as the subject line to sign up. According to the organization’s Twitter, they’re also in need of some less-donated books, like self-help, craft, dictionaries, cartoons, LGBTQ and more. Find more information on how to get involved here.

Team Vocalo is looking for volunteers to help us out at this year’s Winter Block Party on Feb. 18 at the Metro and Smartbar! The Winter Block Party spans from afternoon through evening, and we would love your help with setup, takedown and more. Plus, you’ll get exclusive Vocalo merch to wear during the Block Party. If you’re interested in helping out, send us an email at info@vocalo.org with the subject line “Winter Block Party Volunteer”!

Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse is the city’s only teaching greenhouse space. They’ve partnered with Chicago Cares to recruit volunteers each month to help maintain the greenhouse, sustain its programs and teach Chicagoans about the importance of community green space. The next opportunity to help out is on Jan. 21, and tasks may include planting, mulching, weeding and shoveling. Volunteers are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather, but work will be mostly indoors. Sign up now on Chicago Cares’ website.

Pilsen Food Pantry has several ways to volunteer, including sorting and distributing food donations at the pantry, stocking and organizing their Clothes Closet, unpacking trucks from the Chicago Food Depository or signing up to become a pantry delivery driver. Find more information about each opportunity and submit a volunteer application on their website.

Chicago-based coalition PPE For People With Disabilities distributes personal protective equipment (masks, gloves, hand sanitizer) across the city to people with disabilities. You can sign up to volunteer or donate supplies by clicking here. LM

Light Up Lawndale, the initiative to decorate Douglass Boulevard and other major streets of North Lawndale for the holidays, is coming to an end — and they’re looking for volunteers to help with cleanup efforts on Jan. 14, 15 and 16. Volunteers can expect to help remove holiday lights from trees and clean along the decoration path, as well as learn more about the neighborhood’s history and work alongside community members. These opportunities will be outside, with limited access to warming areas, so organizers recommend dressing for the weather! Sign up and check out some more details on the Chicago Cares website.

Love cooking? This might be the opportunity for you! Kitchen Possible is a Chicago nonprofit with a mission to empower children’s mindsets through cooking, offering cooking classes to kids 8-12 years old in Pilsen, East Garfield Park and Hyde Park. They’re currently recruiting volunteers 18+ to help out with their winter 2023 session, which consists of teaching one cooking class a week over eight weeks. Interested volunteers can sign up using this online form. Learn more about Kitchen Possible on their website.

Help preserve the Chicago area’s natural spaces at one of the Will County Forest Preserve District’s volunteer mornings! Their next volunteer event is on Jan. 12 from 9 a.m. to noon, where volunteers can help maintain Riverview Farmstead Preserve in Naperville by removing invasive woody plants from the area. This opportunity is outside and may include uneven terrain, so sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing is advised. All volunteers must sign a waiver prior to helping out; the waiver and more information on how to sign up is available online here.

If you’ve seen multicolored refrigerators popping up around Chicago, you’re not seeing things! Local collective The Love Fridge installed fridges to provide food security and nourishment to their communities. Neighborhood artists are encouraged to decorate the fridges and make them as unique and diverse as the areas they’re located in. Read more about The Love Fridge’s mission and activism here. SK