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.

Check back for more!

Thursdays: Onward Neighborhood House’s food pantry needs volunteers every Thursday through December as they work to support the Belmont Cragin community. Tasks may include welcoming residents to the pantry, sorting and organizing donations, helping residents register and bagging groceries. Comfortable shoes and clothing are encouraged. Learn more and sign up to help out via Chicago Cares.

Saturdays: The Resurrection Project’s Immigrant Justice Legal Clinic provides free consultations to community members on services including citizenship, family petitions, adjustment of status, DACA renewals, bond hearings and much more. They’re looking for pro bono attorneys or law student volunteers to help with legal screenings, and non-attorney volunteers to help with applications and document translation. Training is provided. Express your interest in helping by filling out this form, and learn more about the Resurrection Project on their website.

March through October: Just Roots is accepting new volunteers to help out at their community farms. The organization works with communities to develop and expand access to locally and sustainably grown food. Their two farms (in Chicago and Sauk Village) grow fresh produce, serve as gathering spaces and offer employment opportunities to the community. Learn more and express your interest in helping out on their website.

Become a volunteer with ALIVE Rescue, a volunteer-run organization rescuing dogs and cats who would otherwise be euthanized (and the first green animal rescue in Chicago). They have several different volunteer opportunities including adoption events, web maintenance, event planning, joining their “Alive and Running” team and more. Learn about all the ways to help out and apply to become a volunteer on the organization’s website.

Volunteer with IPaintMyMind to support their mission of art accessibility in Chicago and beyond. Volunteers should ideally be passionate about equal access to the arts, be able to work remotely, have strong communication and research skills and can work independently. Learn more about the organization and apply to become a volunteer on their website.

Nonprofit The Simple Good has a mission to connect the meaning of “good” from around the world and empower young people to become positive activists through art and discussion. They have several ways to volunteer, including helping out at one of their events, being an artist guest speaker in the classroom and volunteering a professional service. Learn more and apply to volunteer on their website, and check out Bekoe’s interview with The Simple Good’s founder Priya Shah on Vocalo.org.

Experimental Station is an organization seeking to build independent cultural infrastructure by providing essential resources that respond to local needs. They’re looking for volunteers to help with all their initiatives: 61st Street Farmers Market, Blackstone Bicycle Works, Link Up Illinois, administration, events and art projects. Learn more and sign up to get involved on the organization’s website.

Join the Community Outreach Team for American Youth Literacy Foundation. With hopes to expand their FUNetix initiative, a free app combating childhood illiteracy, the foundation is in need of volunteers with diverse backgrounds, interests and talents to reach out to parents, educators, communities and students in need. This ongoing volunteer commitment asks for five to 10 hours per week. Learn more and find a sign up link on VolunteerMatch.

Moments Hospice Pet Therapy. Moments Hospice is looking for Chicago volunteers and their certified pets to provide pet therapy in private homes, assisted living or nursing facilities for hospice patients and their families. Learn more about volunteering and apply through VolunteerMatch.

Volunteer with the People’s Resource Center’s food pantry. The Naperville nonprofit is accepting new volunteers ages 13+ to help with stocking shelves, sorting donations, directing traffic and distributing food inside and outside. Learn more and apply to become a volunteer on their website.

Help promote Black & Brown Femme Films Festival. Organizers invite Chicago-area Asian, Latinx and Indigenous women film enthusiasts to volunteer six to 10 hours per month to promote the film festival, which takes place in October. Duties include spreading the word, engaging with local and online groups and organizations, sharing updates on social media platforms and more. Learn more and express your interest in volunteering through VolunteerMatch.

Volunteer with Family Rescue! Family Rescue is one of the largest domestic violence-related service providers in Illinois, and they started the first domestic violence-specific shelter on the South Side. Family Rescue also offers transitional housing, community outreach and legal aid resources. They have several volunteer opportunities including their bilingual (English/Spanish) crisis line, children’s program, support group, legal advocacy, support group and more. Learn more and apply to become a volunteer on their website.

Ascension Health and Housing Alliance put out a call for new front desk volunteers at their Lake View Bonaventure House, one of the nonprofit’s recovery homes for those in need of transitional or permanent housing. Duties may include buzzing residents in and out, handling phone calls or transferring calls to appropriate staff and logging packages for both residents and staff. Shifts are available Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To express your interest in helping out, reach out to Tonja Robinson-Harris, Outreach and Development Manager, at  tonja.robinsonharris@ascension.org. Learn more about Ascension on their website.

Join My Block, My Hood, My City’s shovel crew! Every year, the nonprofit shovels snow for seniors, neighbors with disabilities, schools, areas with vacant homes and more. Sign up to become a volunteer, donate or request snow removal on their website.

Care For Real put out a call for bilingual volunteers to help support their food distributions in Edgewater and Rogers Park, taking place five days a week. Learn more about volunteering and fill out an application on the nonprofit’s website.

Chicago Public Schools is always looking for new volunteers to help out. They have a long list of opportunities to get involved, including coaching sports, classroom support, fine arts, tutoring, student clubs and more. Learn more about the available volunteer opportunities and find an online interest form on the CPS website.

Faith-based nonprofit Refuge For Women provides long-term and emergency housing for women who have experienced human trafficking with locations in six areas across the country. They’re accepting applications for new volunteers — learn more and express your interest in helping using their online form.

Nonprofit Chicago Dream Center is looking for new volunteers in one of their many programs and areas of outreach. The organization’s mission is to connect community members in need to appropriate resources, whether they’re facing homelessness, poverty, addiction, hunger and more. Outreach opportunities include their food and clothing pantry, teen home, New Life For Women (FARM) and many others. Learn more and sign up to become a volunteer on their website.

Vision For Chicago offers vision care for Chicago’s underserved communities and returning residents, especially those living on the city’s South and West sides. They’re looking for volunteers 18+ to help out with providing vision screenings to reentry clients. Find more on the organization and submit your info to become a volunteer on the nonprofit’s website. Opportunities are currently ongoing through April.

Become a volunteer tutor with The Learning Center! The organization supports adults in North Lawndale and Little Village to develop skills in reading, writing, math and related subjects to prepare for the GED/HiSet exams. The Learning Center encourages volunteer tutors to attend an offsite 12-hour tutor training through Literacy Works, or an online tutor training through the Illinois State Library. Learn more and express your interest in volunteering on the organization’s website.

Openlands is looking for volunteers to help run Birds in My Neighborhood, a program for preschool to fifth grade students to help them see nature in their community through bird observation. With a 12-20 hour commitment each season, volunteers help run the program by working with teachers to schedule classroom visits and field trips to a local nature area. Learn more about the program and volunteer responsibilities, and apply to become a volunteer on Openlands’ website.

United Way of Metro Chicago is looking for new volunteers to join them as they work to build a stronger and more equitable Chicago, where all neighbors have access to the resources they need. Their volunteer portal includes dozens of opportunities to help out (in partnership with many local nonprofits), including after-school programs, organizing food pantries and more. Learn more and sign up to become a volunteer on the organization’s website.

Become a volunteer with Nourishing Hope! Nourishing Hope is a social services agency offering food, mental wellness counseling and more to the Chicago community. They’re always looking for new volunteers to help out at their food pantries, sorting and packing food in their warehouse, home delivery and more. Learn more about the organization and sign up to become a volunteer on their website.

Instituto Del Progreso Latino is a local nonprofit working to support Latinx immigrants through education, training and employment, while honoring and preserving cultural identity. They’re accepting new volunteers for several opportunities, which include a job readiness/digital literacy coach, volunteer legal professionals, and adult education/ESL/family literacy volunteers. Find out how to get involved and sign up to help out on their website.

Midtown Metro is looking for school year volunteer tutors for kids in 4th-12th grade. Volunteers must be able to commit to a weekly tutoring session with the same student for at least one full academic semester. Find more information and apply to help out on their website.

Nonprofit Care For Real celebrated 50 “years of caring” in 2023, working to build a more healthy and equitable community through combating food insecurity and supporting those in need with dignity. They’re still accepting new volunteers to help with packing groceries, distributing food, working in the warehouse, sorting clothing donations and more. Learn more and apply to become a volunteer on the nonprofit’s website.

Become a tour guide for hostel guests with Hostelling International! They’re looking for volunteers familiar with Pilsen history to lead 1.5-3 hour walking tours through the neighborhood on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays or Sundays. Learn more and apply to help out through their online volunteer portal.

Become a volunteer with Chicago Urban Art Retreat Center, a volunteer-run nonprofit hoping to engage the community with socially impactful art, workshops, women’s retreats and more. They have a wide range of programming, and volunteer tasks may include painting signs and walls, gardening, building maintenance, fundraising and more. Learn more and sign up for an orientation session (taking place every Saturday) on the nonprofit’s website (scroll to the bottom of the page for an RSVP link).

World Relief is looking for volunteers to help their efforts to welcome immigrants and refugees across Chicagoland. Tasks range from helping with homework and English language classes to helping with transportation and finding apartments. New volunteers can sign up and learn more on the nonprofit’s website.

Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly is looking for new volunteers to support and make meaningful connections with Chicago’s elderly, especially those homebound or in nursing homes. New volunteers must attend an orientation, and can sign up to help out using the form on their website.

The Chicago Refugee Coalition provides support and resources to refugees as they begin their new lives in the US. They’re looking for volunteers to help out with their many programs, including their resource center, ESL tutoring, employment assistance and more. Learn more and apply to volunteer on their website.

Local nonprofit Heartland Alliance is accepting new volunteers at their Vital Bridges food pantries, with their Refugee and Immigrant Community Services and their Travelers Aid Program. Learn more about these opportunities and how to get involved on the Heartland Alliance volunteer page.

Nonprofit Musicians On Call brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients, families and caregivers in hospitals and other healthcare environments. They’re looking for volunteer guides to escort volunteer musicians and serve as the liaison between musicians and hospitals. Find a list of locations and more information on how to get involved via VolunteerMatch.

Nonprofit NAAAP (National Association of Asian American Professionals) is looking for new volunteers across several of their programs, including social media, wellness, leadership and professional development. Learn more about each opportunity and sign up to help out via VolunteerMatch.

Providence Soup Kitchen is always looking for volunteers to help provide hot lunches to those in need. They serve lunch Monday through Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and volunteers are needed from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. to prepare, serve food and clean up. Learn more about how to get involved via VolunteerMatch.

Nonprofit, non-partisan organization Chicago Votes is always looking for new volunteers to help out with one of their three initiatives: Give A Sh*t, Reimagining Democracy, and Unlock Civics. Each initiative includes several different opportunities to help out. Learn more, sign up to volunteer and complete the required online trainings (at your own pace and convenience) on the Chicago Votes website. And learn more about Chicago Votes co-executive director Stevie Valles by listening to his segment of “This Is What Chicago Sounds Like” on our website.

Nonprofit Deborah’s Place is Chicago’s largest permanent supportive housing provider for unhoused women, serving more than 600 people a year. The organization was founded by volunteers in 1985, and continues to rely on volunteer support for many of their programs and services. New volunteers can sign up to help out on their website, and are required to attend an orientation before their first shift.

Chicago Debates is looking for new volunteer judges for CPS middle and high school student debates. No experience is required, but new volunteers must complete a training course and background check prior to helping out. Find more information on how to get involved via VolunteerMatch.

A House In Austin is 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, outreach, fundraising and more. 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 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 food pantry, 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 Wednesday 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.

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. 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 and express your interest in volunteering 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 Associate 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.

May 4: 11th Annual Greater Englewood Unity Day with Imagine Englewood if. The nonprofit is looking for volunteers to help clean up Englewood’s corridors and green spaces as part of their annual Unity Day event. Tasks will include cleaning up blocks, parks and vacant lots using trash grabbers, brooms, rakes and shovels, plus cleaning out garden beds and painting projects. Necessary supplies will be provided. Learn more and sign up to help out via Chicago Cares.

April 27: Join nonprofit Reduce Waste Chicago at the Trashy Earth Market. With a mission to address climate change through waste reduction, Reduce Waste Chicago will be present at the sustainable market this weekend with their “Reuse & Recycle Pop-Up.” They need some volunteers to help unload their truck and storage unit, and to make some deliveries. Learn more and find sign-ups on their volunteer page.

April 26: The Calumet Area Industrial Commission is hosting an Earth Day clean-up supporting the Roseland community. They’re looking for volunteers to assist in beautification of the Peace Lot by planting flowers, tripping tulips, collecting trash and more. Street parking is available, and volunteers are encouraged to wear closed-toed shoes and comfortable clothing. Water, gloves and other gardening supplies will be provided, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own water bottles and gloves. Light breakfast, coffee and lunch will be provided. Learn more and sign up to help out via Chicago Cares.

April 26 (register by April 24): Join our friends at SocialWorks for their April Sorting + Clothing Giveaway from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. They’re in need of volunteers to help sort clothes collected during the 2023 Warmest Winter Clothing Drive, and support individuals as they browse clothing and receive other resources from their Garfield Park SocialThreads Store. Latex gloves, hand sanitizer, masks, snacks and water will be provided. Register to help out before Wednesday, April 24, using this Google form.

April 25: Join EcoShip for their monthly Social Volunteer Event! This month’s event invites volunteers to sort donations at EcoShip’s Avondale storage unit from 6-7 p.m., followed by dinner at Kitchen 17 for a chance to help out and get to know the local nonprofit. Reserve a spot via Eventbrite.

April 20: Patagonia and Ecoship Chicago are partnering for a packing materials collection drive from noon-3 p.m. Anyone is invited to stop by the Mag Mile Patagonia store (48 E Walton) and drop off used, clean packing materials (excluding cardboard boxes and USPS, UPS and FEDEX bags). Learn more on Patagonia’s website.

April 20: Join a Chicago Earth Day Clean-Up! Parks across the Chicago area are hosting Earth Day clean-ups and celebrations on Saturday. Find your closest park and sign up to volunteer on the Park District’s website.

April 16: Garden with Star Farm Chicago! Established in 2016 in Back of the Yards, Star Farm works to increase access to local organic produce through markets, pop-ups, delivery and local co-op. They’re in need of volunteers to help prepare for planting season, and tasks will include weeding, clean-up and unloading gardening items. Learn more and sign up to help out via Chicago Cares.

April 15 (register April 12): The next OpenMike with SocialWorks is on Monday at the WNDR Museum, and they’re looking for people to help out. Volunteers should expect to welcome and uplift young people, encouraging them to connect and express. Sign up using this Google Form before tomorrow (Friday) at noon.

April 13: Attend a volunteer orientation with Rebuilding Exchange. The nonprofit’s mission is to keep materials out of landfills while training and supporting an inclusive workforce in the building trades. They’re always looking for new volunteers and invite anyone interested to attend a one-hour orientation. Find more info on their website. (RSVPS are listed as sold out, but anyone can still attend without signing up.)

April 6: Hyde Park Kenwood Food Pantry is looking for volunteers to help combat food insecurity in the Hyde Park, Kenwood and Washington Park neighborhoods. Tasks may include carrying cases of food up and down stairs, helping recipients choose food items, carrying grocery bags and more. Volunteers should be able to lift up to 15 pounds and should wear closed-toe shoes. Street parking is available. Learn more and sign up to help out via Chicago Cares.

April 2: Kitchenware Kit-Making with Chicago Furniture Bank. The nonprofit supports Chicagoans in need by providing them with furnishing packages. They’re looking for volunteers to help sort through donations and assemble kitchenware kits for distribution to South Side families. Tasks may also include adding nonslip liners to rugs, supporting showroom staff and small donation repairs. Street parking is available, and comfortable clothing is encouraged. Sign up to help out via Chicago Cares, and learn more about Chicago Furniture Bank on their website.

March 25-29: Special Spring Break Volunteer session with Share Our Spare. The nonprofit invites kids (6+), teens and young adults to volunteer and give back to other young people in the community. Tasks may include making cards, packing diaper orders, sorting clothes, toy and book quality checks and more. Volunteers under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult caregiver to help out. Learn more and sign up to help out through VolunteerMatch.

Ends March 22: Young Chicago Authors is looking for volunteers to help out with this year’s Rooted & Radical Youth Poetry Festival! Formerly Louder Than A Bomb, Rooted & Radical is the city’s largest youth poetry festival. Find a list of roles, and sign up to attend a volunteer orientation session using this form on YCA’s website. Volunteer sessions start in February.

March 16: Volunteer as a career coach with America Needs You (ANY). ANY Illinois is fighting for economic mobility for first-generation college students. They’re looking for volunteer career coaches to help out at workshops, working with one to two students to engage in the career development topic of the day. Orientation will be provided the day of the workshop. Volunteers must have received a degree from a four-year, postsecondary institution and have at least one year of work experience. Learn more and sign up to help out via VolunteerMatch.

March 1-9: Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble is in need of volunteer ushers, concessions workers and box office attendees for their production “Meditations on Being” at Ebenezer Lutheran Church Auditorium. Learn more and sign up to help out via VolunteerMatch.

March 1: Volunteer with Redemptive Plastics! Redemptive Plastics is a collaborative project led by West Side nonprofit alt_Chicago giving back to the community by collecting and “redeeming” plastic waste into functional art (like one-of-a-kind technicolor stools and benches). The upcoming opportunity invites volunteers to help the organization sort plastics and learn about how they take plastics and make them into something both beautiful and useful. Sign up to help out via Eventbrite, and learn more about Redemptive Plastics on their website.

Feb. 25: The 32nd annual Winter Walk: A Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser with nonprofit Sarah’s Circle is this Sunday. The fundraiser highlights the reality of women’s homelessness during Chicago winters. Beginning at Uplift Community High School at 1 p.m., the event starts with a short program then divides into groups for a one-mile walk through Uptown interspersed with four stops where the groups will hear different parts of a client’s story. Participants can fundraise themselves or support other individual fundraisers. Learn more about the event and how to get involved on the nonprofit’s website.

Feb. 22: Our friends at WBEZ are in need of volunteers for their conversation with Billy Dee Williams at Francis Parker School. Volunteers can expect to help with setup, breakdown, ticket check-in and more. Express your interest in volunteering by sending us an email to info@vocalo.org with the subject line “Billy Dee Williams Volunteer.”

Feb. 18: Attend the next orientation session to become a volunteer for the city’s animal shelter, Chicago Animal Care and Control! Volunteers are needed for hands-on care including walking, exercising, socializing and showing dogs and cats available for adoption, adoption counseling, social media and more. Volunteers must be 18+ to participate. Learn more and sign up for the orientation session through Chicago.gov.

Feb. 16: Join Openlands’s TreeKeepers Program for their Blue Island Pruning Workday. Join the team in pruning trees in Blue Island, IL, with available tools, or bring your own! Eye protection is advised, as well as a water bottle and gloves. Learn more about this opportunity or sign up to help out on the Openlands volunteer portal, and find future opportunities on their website.

Feb. 14: Black Alphabet and Second Glance Productions are looking for volunteers to help with the one-night Valentine’s Day improv comedy and speed dating event, LGBTQupid Soirée, at the iO Theater. Volunteer sessions are short, and tasks may include gift bags, check-in, decor, cleanup and more. Express your interest in helping by filling out this Google Form.

Jan. 30: Chicago Cares is looking for volunteers to help support a Light in the Night Community kickback with the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP), supporting the South Side’s mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. Duties may include setup, break down, running games or food stations, collecting surveys and more. Learn more and sign up to help out via Chicago Cares.

Jan. 20, 23 & 24: Fight2Feed is on a mission to reduce food waste and combat food insecurity, offering curbside pickup and dropoff to those in need. They’re looking for new volunteers to help out with food prep, cleanup, pantry organization and more at the McCormick Place operating location, as well as weekly delivery drivers. Learn more and sign up to become a volunteer using their online portal.

Jan. 15: Nonprofit Coffee, Hip Hop and Mental Health is celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at the museum of Science and Industry from 9-2 p.m. in honor of the museum’s Black Creativity Family Day. They’re in need of volunteers to help out! Sign up to volunteer on the nonprofit’s website, and find more information on Instagram.

Jan. 15: Chicago Youth Programs (CYP) is hosting their MLK Day Intergenerational Community Conversation for Washington Park and Bronzeville residents, set to include Martin Luther King Jr. trivia, a panel discussion and a guided conversation about the activist’s legacy. They teamed up with Chicago Cares to recruit volunteers to help with setup, breakdown, registration, group activities and more from 2-6 p.m. Sign up to help out now via Chicago Cares!

Dec. 23: New Hope Church Food Kitchen needs volunteers to help welcome residents to their food pantry, sort through and organize donations, bag groceries and more. Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and be able to lift up to 15 lbs. To learn more and sign up to help out, visit Chicago Cares.

Dec. 22: Phalanx Family Services is looking for volunteers to help out with their Winter Wonderfest Community Event from 4-7 p.m., split up into two shifts. Volunteers can expect to help with setup, cleanup, tabling food and activity stations, registration and more. Volunteers are encouraged to wear warm clothing, and parking will be available. Find more info and express your interest in helping out via Chicago Cares.

Until Dec. 18: State Rep. Kelly Cassidy’s office is currently hosting their annual Rogers Park coat drive. They’re collecting new or lightly used winter items including coats, hats, gloves, mittens and scarves. Find more information and drop-off locations on this flier.

Dec. 17: From 10 a.m. to noon, Sentrock is hosting a coat and sneaker drive at his studio in partnership with Chicago nonprofit The Alliance 98. Organizers are asking for new or gently used coats and sneakers, sizes youth XS-XL. Donations will be distributed to Little Village students and families at Corkery Elementary. The first 40 donations will be exchanged for Sentrock Studio rugs and limited edition totes while supplies last. Find more info on Instagram!

Dec. 15: The Chicago Sinfonietta Orchestra is in search of volunteers for their Holiday Concert. From 3-9 p.m. volunteers can expect to help manage will call, sell merchandise, assist with their intermission activity, hand out giveaways and pass out flyers. Volunteers also receive free concert tickets for friends and family. Learn more and sign up to help out via VolunteerMatch.

Until Dec. 12: Love & Nappyness is accepting donations for their Fifth Annual Haircare Drive at six drop-off locations. They’re asking for donations of sealed and unused natural haircare, skincare and personal hygiene products. The products will be donated to St. Leonard’s and Ignite Promise. Learn more and find the list of drop-off locations on the Love & Nappyness Instagram page.

Dec. 2: Chicago Cares has teamed up with Light Up Lawndale to support their free, family-friendly Winter Lawndale Market in Douglass Park. They’re in need of volunteers to help with providing directions, set up and breakdown during the market, split into three shifts throughout the day. Find more information and sign up to help out now on the Chicago Cares website.

Dec. 3: Las Damas de Belmont Cragin is hosting a holiday toy drive from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Iglesia Evangelica Emanuel. They’re asking for donations of new toys (minimum $25), and are offering donors a professional digital photo in front of their “Winter Wonderland” backdrop. Find more information via Instagram.

Nonprofit Coffee, Hip-Hop and Mental Health is looking for volunteers to help out with their holiday programs, where they will invite families to pick up gifts, food and more next month. Learn more via Instagram and express your interest in helping out by emailing Debbi  at community@chhamh.org, or filling out their online volunteer form (no longer available for this opportunity).

On Nov. 30, donate winter clothing items for new migrant families during a donation drive at neighborhood bar Innertown Pub. Organizers are asking for clean and new or lightly used coats, jackets, winter boots, hats, scarves, gloves and socks. They will also be accepting cash and venmo donations to go toward hot meals for migrant families. Find more information via Instagram.

SocialWorks has several upcoming volunteer opportunities, including their Christmas Around the World Tree Decorating at the Museum of Science and Industry on Nov. 11. Interested volunteers need to register to help out by 5 p.m. Nov. 9! Learn more and sign up to help out through this Google Form.

On Nov. 5, our sister station WBEZ presents: World Within a Song – An Evening of Words and Music with Jeff Tweedy — and they’re in need of volunteers from 4-7 p.m. Volunteers can expect to help out with greeting guests, setup, wayfinding and book and poster distribution. Sign up to help out here!

The Chicago Shakespeare Theater is looking for new volunteers to help out with their SLAM high school workshop program, hosted at local high schools on Nov. 4, Nov. 11 and Nov. 18. Volunteers can expect to help set up tables and signage at host schools, orchestrate event flow, take down tables, serve pizza and more. Opportunities are from about 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Learn more and sign up to help out via VolunteerMatch.

Our sister station WBEZ is in need of volunteers at their Nosferatu event on Oct. 28 from 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Studebaker Theater. Duties include poster distribution, wayfinding and more. Sign up to help out on their volunteer page!

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.

On Oct. 14, nonprofit Cradles to Crayons is looking for volunteers to help them prepare donated childhood essentials for distribution to their partners, and to kids in need. Volunteers can expect to help with quality checks, plus sorting, organizing and packaging donated items. Sign up to help out during one of the two available shifts via Volunteermatch.

Join Chicago Cares as they recruit volunteers to help out at Grow Greater Englewood Farm Days on Oct. 10. Volunteers can expect to assist the Englewood Village Farm sites with weeding, landscaping, maintenance and garden beautification as they prepare for the upcoming harvest season. Learn more and sign up to help out via Chicago Cares.

Plant trees in Northwest Indiana with the Student Conservation Association! The SCA’s Urban Forestry Team needs your help with planting 50 trees in Hammond’s Riverside Park on Oct. 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Light refreshments, gloves and planting tools will be provided. Sign up to help out on Eventbrite!

Cheer on the Chicago Marathon runners with the American Cancer Society! They’re recruiting volunteers of all ages to support the marathoners at the cheer station (at the intersection of 21st and S. Michigan Ave.) on Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or as long as you can stay. Cowbells will be provided but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own noisemakers. Sign up to help out and learn more on VolunteerMatch!

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.

Join the Calumet Area Industrial Commission (CAIC) and Chicago Cares on Sept. 30 to assist with the Roseland and Pullman Historical Bike Tours. They’re looking for volunteers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help with participant registration, serving food, guiding the flow of bikers by helping to block streets and keeping the group together. Closed-toed shoes are recommended. Divvy bikes and helmets will be available to borrow but bringing your own bikes and helmet is recommended. Learn more and sign up to help out via Chicago Cares.

Our friends at WBEZ are looking for volunteers to help out at an event at Unity Temple in Oak Park on Sept. 30! The event, “Mixtapes to the Moon: How the Cassette Changed the World,” is a conversation exploring the importance and legacy of the cassette tape. Volunteers are needed to help with check-in, set-up, the info kiosk and more. Sign up to help out using this form, and find more info on the event 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.

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