Team 1 - American Friends Service Committee
AFSC's Chicago office supports programs working for peace and social justice. From our experience, we know that peacemaking requires more than merely advocating against one war or another. Real peace is more than the absence of war. Rather, we need to change the culture, situations, and systems that lead to violence.
Total Volunteers: 30
Team 2 - Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter serves 68 counties in Illinois with offices in Bloomington, Carbondale, Chicago, Joliet, Rockford and Springfield. Since 1980, the Chapter has provided reliable information and care consultation; created supportive services for families; increased funding for dementia research; and influenced public policy changes. Today, the Greater Illinois Chapter serves the more than a half million Illinois residents affected by Alzheimer’s disease throughout our chapter area, including 210,000 people with the disease.
Total Volunteers: 4
Team 3 - CAIR-Chicago
CAIR-Chicago is a chapter of America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam,
encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
Volunteers will assist CAIR-Chicago in defending the civil liberties of American Muslims through legal, media, outreach, and government affairs work.
Total Volunteers: 40
Team 4 - Chicago Grassroots Curriculum Taskforce
The Chicago Grassroots Curriculum Taskforce (CGCT) is working to revolutionize the traditional educational model of classroom learning by infusing the curriculum with local and relevant content from students' lives-- through their families, cultures, histories, arts, communities, and experiences. As a locally- based national clearinghouse, the CGCT seeks to bring students, parents, educators, and elders to the table to compile, publish, and advocate for these culturally relevant materials in our schools (grades K-16).
Total Volunteers: 15
Team 5 - Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind
The Chicago Lighthouse founded in 1906, is one of America's most comprehensive agencies serving people who are blind or visually impaired with a broad array of innovative programs designed to assist them in leading richer, more independent lives.
The Children's Garden is a sensory garden that provides wonderful opportunities for our children who are disabled. In April of 2010, the National Wildlife Federation certified this sanctuary as a wildlife habitat providing a peaceful area for animals and plants to live. We need as many volunteers as possible to assist with our sensory garden project.
Clothing/Attire preferences:
Wear clothes that can get dirty
[Required]
Total Volunteers: 40
Team 6 - Chicago Women's AIDS Project
Chicago Women's AIDS Project is an agency dedicated to providing support, prevention and advocacy for women living with or at risk of HIV. CWAP is the leading provider of support groups and mental health services for HIV positive women, on the south, north and west side. We also provide treatment education for women and prevention services for women coming out of jail or prison. We are a founding member of the Chicago Female Condom Campaign.
Volunteers will help CWAP clear the weeds and trash from our small backyard and help assemble planting boxes so that our clients can grow vegetables. Volunteers can also help put together safer sex kits for distribution in the community.
Clothing/Attire preferences:
Be prepared to get dirty! We will have work gloves available.
Total Volunteers: 10
Team 7 - DANK Haus German American Cultural Center
Founded in 1959, DANK stands for Deutsch Amerikanischer National Kongress.
Best known as the DANK Haus, we promote German American language and culture for all to enjoy.
Our mission is to preserve and promote German culture, heritage, and language through activities including, but not limited to, maintaining a center consisting of a museum, art gallery, library, and language school, and organizing educational and social programming focusing on and emphasizing the history, traditions, and contributions of Germans and German Americans.
Volunteerse will assist DANK Haus with moving the library collections to an on-site storage area in order for the organization to transform the space into a more useable area.
Clothing/Attire preferences:
Clothes that are okay to get sweaty and dusty.
Total Volunteers: 20
Team 8 - Deborah's Place
Deborah’s Place breaks the cycle of homelessness for women in Chicago. Through a continuum of housing options, comprehensive support services and opportunities for change provided by dedicated volunteers and staff, women succeed in achieving their goals of stable housing, sustainable income and greater self-determination.
Volunteers will help Deborah's Place provide quality service for the women we serve by assisting with cleaning projects at our East Garfield Park location. Volunteers will primarily assist with a deep clean of our two kitchens.
Total Volunteers: 8
Team 9 - Division Street Business Development Association
Division Street Business Development Association (DSBDA) is a not for profit organization committed to the economic and social development of the
Humboldt Park Community.
• The Mission of DSBDA is to facilitate the organization of individuals in the field of business and commerce who seek to enhance their participation in the economic structure of our community and the City of Chicago.
Volunteers will help with beautification and cleaning the lots on Paseo Boricua.
Clothing/Attire preferences:
Loose attire with layers, depending on the weather, since we will be outside for the 99% of the time.
Total Volunteers: 25
Team 10 - Girls on the Run- Chicago
Girls on the Run-Chicago is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to inspire girls to be healthy and confident. Using a fun, experience-based after-school curriculum which creatively integrates running, the innovative program combines training for a 5k event with interactive lessons that encourage positive emotional, social, mental and physical development. Over the past 13 years, Girls on the Run-Chicago has served more than
27,000 girls aged 8-14 across 6 Chicagoland counties. In 2013, more than 1,000 coaches will mentor 8,000 girls - empowering them with the confidence and character they need to become strong, healthy women.
Throughout the year, various one-time volunteer opportunities arise. Girls on the Run-Chicago always needs help with things like assembling and disassembling program supplies, promoting the organization at race expos, cheering on runners during the Chicago Marathon or helping out in our office during the day or at scheduled evening support events.
Total Volunteers: 10
Team 11 - Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse
Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse connects youth and families to nature and healthy foods through our gardens and greenhouse.
Volunteers will assist with the cleaning up of the gardens and with preparation for our plant sale.
Clothing/Attire preferences:
Wear layers and clothes you don't mind getting dirty.
Total Volunteers: 15
Team 12 - Kuumba Lynx
Kuumba Lynx (KL) is an Arts and Education Organization founded in 1996 by three women, J. Villegas, L. Garcia, & J. Bullie. KL has a mission of working to provide access to programs that preserve, promote and present urban arts & culture.
Volunteers will help set up for Half Pint Poetic event.
Clothing/Attire preferences:
Clothes that can get dirty
Total Volunteers: 15
Team 13 - Lincoln Park Village
Details: Lincoln Park Village is part of a burgeoning national movement--a grassroots not-for-profit membership community made up of people 50+ who share a commitment to creating new ways to live well while living longer.
Volunteers would be helping LPV members by going to member homes and helping them with anything they may need. Washing windows, turning mattresses, computer help, organizing, garden work. More detailed information about what volunteers would be doing will be provided after members sign up and indicate what they need help with! We would send volunteers out in groups of 3 or 4 to homes in the Lincoln Park, Lakeview, and Near North neighborhoods!
Clothing/Attire preferences:
Clothes that will work well to complete aforementioned work.
Total Volunteers: 30
Team 14 - Mercy Home for Boys & Girls
Mercy Home for Boys & Girls is an organization that was founded in 1887 to answer the Gospel call by ministering to children and families in need.
Mercy Home:
Saves young lives by providing a safe, nurturing home, opportunity for an excellent education, and means for personal growth.
Supports healing for families.
Is committed to raising public awareness of youth in need and encourages support to help them.
Is sustained by benefactors who believe in the miracle of God's mercy in action.
Volunteers will assist with turning over the soil and plant seeds in our garden. This garden is where our youth will also plant, maintain, and harvest the herbs and vegetables that will be served to them during meals. The care of this garden is therapeutic, and part of the treatment our youth receive as residents of Mercy Home for Boys & Girls.
Clothing/Attire preferences:
Please wear weather-appropriate attire, and be prepared to get dirty. Jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers is encouraged--and nothing you would not like to get stained by grass, water or dirt.
Total Volunteers: 14
Team 15 - NeighborSpace
NeighborSpace is a nonprofit land trust whose mission is to acquire and preserve the community-based management of small parks, gardens, natural areas, river edges, and scenic landscapes in the City of Chicago for preservation, conservation, and educational public open space purposes.
Volunteers will spend the morning in one of the NeighborSpace protected community gardens in the Humboldt Park area. They will assist the community garden leader and perform various tasks to help beautify the garden. Volunteers will be outside spreading mulch, planting flowers, weeding and fixing park benches.
Clothing/Attire preferences:
Dress for the weather since you will be outside. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
Total Volunteers: 10