You are needed - get involved in your community

• Search the SERVE.gov Web site - a national registry of volunteer opportunities.



• Self-Help Closet and Pantry of Des Plaines
  600 E Algonquin Rd
  Des Plaines, IL 60016
  (847) 375-1443
  Self-Help Closet and Pantry Web site



• Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
  1775 Dempster St.
  Park Ridge, IL 60068
  847-723-6105
  Advocate Lutheran General volunteer Web site
  
  Welcomes all volunteers age 14 and older. Minimum commitment of four hours per week for six months. In addition, there is a special 32-hour summer service program for students.



• Catholic Charities
  1717 Rand Rd.
  Des Plaines, IL 60016
  847-376-2118
  List of Northwest Catholic Charities locations
  Catholic Charities "Get Involved" Web site
  
  Catholic Charities offers a broad range of services from locations throughout Cook and Lake counties. Volunteers are certain to find a place that corresponds to their interests. Some opportunities include, working a food pantry, visiting nursing homes and teaching crafts.



• Center of Concern
  1580 N. Northwest Highway
  Suite 310
  Park Ridge, IL 60068
  847- 823-0453
  Center of Concern volunteer Web site
  
  No experience necessary - training provided! Most positions are available on a flexible-time basis. Some opportunities are: friendly visiting, shopping and errands, photography, holiday gift delivery and office duties.



• Kenneth Young Center
  1001 Rohlwing Road
  Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007
  847-524-8800
  Kenneth Young Center volunteer site
  
  Kenneth Young Center collaborates with individual and group volunteers to provide direct service and support on many levels. Opportunities include: visit, assist or shop for seniors; deliver Meals on Wheels; be a friend to someone with serious mental illness or help at KYC's Resale Shop.



• Lutheran Social Services
  1001 E. Touhy Ave., Suite 50
  Des Plaines, IL 60018
  847-390-1488
  Lutheran Social Services volunteer Web site
  
  Opportunities include, but are not limited to: doing a crafts activity with seniors, landscaping and painting projects at program sites, providing administrative support to a program and collecting items for people in need.



• Maine Township
  1700 Ballard Rd.
  Park Ridge, IL 60068
  Dayna Berman: 847-297-2510
  Maine Township volunteers Web site
  
  Volunteers provide services to help Maine Township departments. The goal of the G.I.F.T.S. program is to spark volunteer interest in community agencies that help Township residents. Volunteer opportunities and social service agencies are highlighted in Mainely News, the Township's newsletter.



• Neighbors Helping Neighbors
  Des Plaines
  847-593-2849
  Healthy Community Partnership Web site
  
  Links Des Plaines residents in need with neighborhood volunteers for short-term, non-professional assistance such as shoveling snow, raking leaves and minor repairs. Recruits volunteers of all ages who are reliable and have a willingness to help others. Assists volunteers in selecting tasks on the basis of ability, frequency of service, time and preference.



• North Shore Senior Center
  161 Northfield Road
  Northfield, IL 60093
  847-784-6000
  NSSC Volunteer Programs site
  
  Here are some suggestions to consider: Gift Shop, Information Desk, Library, Friendly Visitor, Money Management, House of Welcome, a driver for the Escorted Transportation Service or an administrative assistant for Lifelong Learning, Social Services or their business office.



• VITA (Volunteers in Teaching Adults)
  ESL/Literacy Programs throughout the area
  Hosted by Oakton Community College, but classes are also held in local schools, churches, synagogues and other locations
  847-635-1426
  Volunteers in Teaching Adults Web site
  
  Oakton offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for adult non-native speakers of English who need to acquire listening, speaking, reading and writing skills necessary to function in their new American culture. They also offer a Learn to Read to Learn (LTRTL) literacy program for adult native speakers and ESL adults who need to improve their reading and writing skills in pursuit of specific life goals.
  VITA tutors work with the teachers in both the ESL and LTRTL programs.



• Volunteer Center
  Also houses Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
  2121 S. Goebbert Rd.
  Arlington Heights, IL 60005
  847-228-1320
  Volunteer Center Web site
  
  Provides liaison service between volunteers and agencies that need volunteer assistant. Placement for teens-seniors.



• Volunteer Match
  National Listings
  Volunteer Match
  717 California St., Second Floor
  San Francisco, CA 94108
  415-241-6868
  Search nationwide volunteer opportunities
  
  Volunteer Match is a leader in the nonprofit world dedicated to helping everyone find a great place to volunteer. The organization offers a variety of online services to support a community of nonprofit, volunteer and business leaders committed to civic engagement.