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Gift Index
Opportunities
Organized by Activity
I
want to. . .
Help with worship
services at Fourth Church
Communion
Servers
Ushers
Chancel Guild
Sing or play music at Fourth Church
Choirs
Contribute to the arts at Fourth Church
Fourth
Acts
Art Exhibit Docents
Art Acquisition Committee
Teach our faith to children and youth at Fourth Church
Sunday
School (teachers, helpers, room parents, Vacation Bible
School)
Youth Group leaders
Confirmation Class teachers
Welcome others to Fourth Church
Sunday
Hospitality (Greeters, Welcomers, Coffee Hour Servers, Parking
Ticket Validation and Worship Tape Attendant)
Sanctuary Hosts
Invitation Committee
New Member Welcoming
Fourth Church Promoter
Plan and help with social events at Fourth Church
Annual
Church Picnic
Special Occasions Hospitality
Offer professional or office support to Fourth Church
Professional
and Office Support (photographer, fund-raiser, grant-writer,
etc.)
Offer friendship and support to older adults
Caring
Connectors
Care Teams
Christopher House—60+ Club
Center for Older Adults
Presbyterian Homes
Congregational Services
Flower Power
Assist and give encouragement to persons
Care
Teams
Caring Connectors
Communities of Care
Minister to the ill or assist the disabled
Communities
of Care
Care Teams
Flower Power
John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County
Erie Family Health Center
Congregational Services
Blind Service Association
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
Vital Bridges/Open Hand Chicago
The Children’s Place
Benevolent Guild
Residents for Effective Shelter Transitions
(REST)
Health Ministry
Misericordia
Care for or entertain young children
Sunday
School—Nursery
Children’s Story Teller
Christopher House—Child Care
Children’s Place—Child
Care
Children’s Place—Entertainment
Chicago Commons—Child Care
Misericordia
Tutor
or mentor children and youth
Partners
in Education (PIE) Tutoring
PIE—City Lights Summer Day Assistants
PIE—Friends of Cabrini
“Tech Mentoring”
Tools for Schools
Summer Youth Tennis Camp
Christopher House
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
Tutor adults or assist adults with job training
(also see Literacy Programs)
Chicago
Commons
PIE—Job Readiness Internship Site Host
“Tech Mentoring”
Cook County Jail Tutor
Christopher House (GED program, Adult
Basic Education Program)
Prologue Adult Learning Center
Promote literacy
Literacy
Chicago
Christopher House—ABE
Prepare food for the needy, fight against hunger
Kid’s
Café
PIE—Kitchen Assistant
Elam Davies Social Service Center (Sunday Night
Supper, Saturday Breakfast, Sandwich Team)
Deborah’s Place
Residents for Effective Shelter Transitions
(REST)
Lakeview Shelter
Grainger Hall Holiday Parties
Greater Chicago Food Depository
Vital Bridges/Open Hand Chicago
Christopher House—Thanksgiving
Food Walk and Adopt-A-Family
The Night Ministry
Provide
shelter to needy, homeless, and abused persons
Central
City Housing Venture
Habitat for Humanity
Hope Alive!
Deborah’s Place
Elam Davies Social Service Center—
Hospitality Staff
Residents for Effective Shelter Transitions
(REST)
Supply clothing and basic goods to those in need
Benevolent
Guild
Sewing and Knitting Workshop
Fourth Church Elves
Tools for Schools
Christopher House—Community Outreach
Days
Go on a mission trip
Global
Mission
Increase social awareness of important issues
Social
Justice Advocacy
“Blue Bow” Child Abuse Awareness
Program
Assist struggling women and their children
The
Enterprising Kitchen
Grace House Aftercare Mentoring
Communities of Care
Deborah’s Place
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
The Children’s Place
Tend to God’s creation (including plants, animals, the
environment)
Friends of the Parks
Lincoln Park Zoo
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Congregational
Service
Worship,
Music, and the Arts
Ushers
Members of the church, serving as ushers, welcome worshippers,
assist them in finding a seat, and greet them as they leave.
In emergencies, ushers are the first to respond. They arrive
in the sanctuary 30 minutes prior to a service, stay after the
service until the sanctuary is cleared, pick up bulletins and
lost personal items, and replenish the pew racks. Ushers wear
dark suits (black or navy) and black shoes. At any given time,
positions in the usher corps may be temporarily filled, but
members are invited to be on waiting lists.
Sunday morning ushers—serve regularly at 8:00 a.m., 9:30
a.m., or 11:00 a.m.
Sunday Vespers ushers—serve on rotation at 6:30 p.m.
Special events ushers—serve at concerts/performances;
may include ticket sales; report for assignment one hour before
the event
Service funeral and memorial ushers—serve as needed
Choirs
Volunteer choirs are a strong tradition at Fourth Church. The
Chancel and Vespers Choirs are an integral part of the worship
life of the congregation. The choirs seek to express the love
and glory of God and enhance the worship experience through
inspiring and artistic expression of praise. For more information,
contact John Sherer at 312.981.3592 or jsherer@fourthchurch.org.
Chancel Choir—sings at the 8:00 a.m.
service, September to June; rehearses on Thursday from 6:00
to 7:30 p.m.
Vespers Choir—sings at the 6:30 p.m.
service; rehearses on Sunday from 5:30 to 6:10 p.m.
Cherub Choir (kindergarten through second grade)—sings
occasionally in morning worship services, September to May;
rehearses on Sunday from 10:30 to 10:50 a.m.
Children’s Choir (third grade through
age twelve)—sings in the 9:30 a.m. service every Sunday
and in the 11:00 a.m. service on selected Sundays, September
to June; rehearses on Sunday, 8:45 to 10:30 a.m.
Youth Choir (age thirteen through eighteen)—sings
in the 9:30 a.m. service every Sunday and in the 11:00 a.m.
service on selected Sundays, September to June; rehearses on
Sunday, 8:45 to 10:30 a.m.
Chancel Guild
Members of Fourth Church who are especially committed to the
church and faithful in their service assist in the preparation
of Holy Communion and attend to the appearance of the chancel
in concert with the liturgical year. Volunteers value the sacredness
of communion, have an eye for detail, are conscientious, enjoy
serving in the background, and wish to be part of a group of
people committed to enhancing the meaning of worship and celebration
of the sacrament of communion.
Guild members take care of and change the paraments and banners
in accordance with the liturgical year. They polish the silver
quarterly and attend to the care of the church’s ware
and generally are responsible for all items related to the decoration
and worship utilization of the sanctuary.
On the first Saturday morning of even-numbered months, Guild
members prepare the communion elements and place the trays in
Stone Chapel in sets for each of the Sunday morning worship
services. On special occasions (e.g. Lent), the Guild prepares
the communion for an evening service. Following communion, they
oversee the washing and storage of the communion service.
Minimal responsibilities related to weekly Vespers Communion
may also be requested.
At any given time, positions on the Chancel Guild may be temporarily
filled, but members are invited to be on a waiting list.
Contact John Cairns at 312.573.3365 (jcairns@fourthchurch.org)
or Carroll Cole at 312.981.3593 (ccole@fourthchurch.org).
Communion
Servers
Church members ordained as Deacons or Elders by the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) are invited to help serve communion, ordinarily
on the first Sunday morning of the even numbered months at the
8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 a.m. services and on other special occasions.
Volunteers are scheduled four weeks in advance and receive their
specific assignments fifteen minutes prior to the start of the
worship service. They wear dark suits and shoes; black is the
custom. Contact John Cairns at 312.573.3365 (jcairns@fourthchurch.org).
Fourth Acts
Volunteers, representing all careers and professional training,
perform a wide variety of dramatic readings in support of worship
and education at Fourth Church. Fourth Acts celebrates God’s
gift of creativity through dramatic expression and exploration.
Contact John Sherer at 312.981.3592 (jsherer@fourthchurch.org).
Art Exhibit Docent
A docent at Fourth Church serves as a guide and host to the
many visitors and church members who come to view art exhibits.
An extensive background in art is not necessary to volunteer
as a docent. Information about the art is available for all
to share. Contact Carroll Cole at 312.981.3593 (ccole@fourthchurch.org).
Fourth Church Promoter
Periodically, volunteers are needed to visit businesses in the
Fourth Church neighborhood, delivering brochures and posting
fliers and informing passersby of special upcoming events at
the church. Volunteers may go individually or in pairs, either
during the day or in the evening. Since promoters ask permission
to leave materials or to post information, they must have basic
greeting skills and an awareness of the unique role the church
plays in the community. Contact Carroll Cole at 312.981.3593
(ccole@fourthchurch.org).
Art Acquisition Committee
This committee gathers on an “as needed” basis to
consider donations or the purchase of paintings, sculpture,
and other types of visual arts for Fourth Church. Fourth Church
members with a strong knowledge of art history, or who are themselves
trained artists, are ideally suited for this group. Contact
Carroll Cole at 312.981.3593 (ccole@fourthchurch.org).
Arts Council—details being developed
Special events ushers—see “ushers”
(page 6)
Hospitality
Sunday Hospitality
You can help make Fourth Church a warm, welcoming community
by serving with any of the following groups.
Greeter—greets members, visitors, and
friends at various locations throughout the church before each
of the four worship services at 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:00
a.m., and 6:30 p.m.
Welcomer—welcomes members, visitors,
and friends during the morning coffee hours, provides answers
to questions, distributes materials about the life and ministry
of the church at 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11:00 a.m.
Coffee Hour server—pours coffee or lemonade
following the morning worship services at 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m.,
and 11:00 a.m.
Parking ticket validation and worship service tape attendant—performs
these services during the morning coffee hours at 8:00 a.m.,
9:30 a.m., and 11:00 a.m.
Sanctuary hosts –trained members who
welcome visitors to Fourth Church’s sanctuary during the
week (Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and
on Sunday (12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m.) when worship services are
not in progress. With two hosts in attendance, this ministry
connects with and serves many types of visitors, and offers
our hospitality with human warmth and caring spirit. Hosts provide
information on the life and ministry of Fourth Church and conduct
guided tours, noting architectural highlights, building history,
and the church’s mission. During weddings and memorial
services, they assist the wedding coordinator and ushers by
explaining to visitors what is occurring, asking them to stay
in the Narthex or to return later. With training in hospitality,
tour presentation, and other matters requested by visitors,
Sanctuary Hosts make new friends for Fourth Church while serving
the larger community that passes our open doors each day. Volunteers
are asked to serve in two- or three-hour shifts.
Invitation Committee—members meet at
5:30 p.m. on Wednesday to receive the names of Sunday visitors
who have expressed an interest in learning more about Fourth
Church. Under the guidance of the church staff, this group learns
how to answer many of the questions our prospective members
ask. Volunteers then make welcoming telephone calls of invitation
during the week from their homes. The Invitation Committee is
Fourth Church’s oldest committee and dates back to January
1913. At any given time, positions on the Invitation Committee
may be temporarily filled, but members are invited to be on
a waiting list.
New member welcoming —host our newest
members at a brunch on the third Sunday of the month in the
dining room, following the 11:00 a.m. service. Several of the
Welcomers gather at 11:00 a.m. to prepare the dining room for
the meal. Welcomers are members of the church. At any given
time, positions on the New Member Welcoming Committee may be
temporarily filled, but members are invited to be on a waiting
list.
Annual Church Picnic
This all-church event, usually held in late June, requires the
help of many to arrange for a festive afternoon.
Planning committee and chair—think creatively
and organize events for this annual festive event; March to
June commitment
Publicity—make and distribute posters
around the church, write announcements for bulletins
and Fourth Press, provide information to fellowship groups,
order and deliver balloons for the event
Ticket sellers—provide information about
the picnic and sell tickets at Sunday coffee hour and at the
picnic
Children’s activities coordinator—plan,
organize, direct kids’ games; arrange for face painting,
balloon sculpture, magician, etc.
Special Occasions Hospitality
Throughout the year, special occasions require the help of many
people to ensure their success. Some of the opportunities that
welcome your contributions are:
Advent Lessons and Carols reception—assist
Women@Fourth Connect with serving hot cocoa and providing home-baked
cookies for this annual tradition, following the evening service.
Contact Lisa Cochrane at 312.640.5495 (lcochrane@fourthchurch.org).
Church open house host—welcomes visitors
in the sanctuary during the quarterly open houses held on Saturday
or Sunday afternoons; provides information about the Presbyterian
faith, Fourth Church’s programs, ministry, history, and
architectural highlights
Special occasions host—provides directions, serves refreshments,
and monitors doors for visitors attending memorial services,
celebrations, and meetings of the Chicago Presbytery
Overnight guest host—provides lodging
and breakfast for musicians and other special guests of the
church; members who live near the church or who reside close
to public transportation opportunities are especially encouraged
to offer their homes and hospitality
Church dinners server—sets tables, serves
at the buffet, and clears dishes for holiday dinners (Thanksgiving,
Christmas, Easter), stewardship dinners, and meetings of the
Chicago Presbytery
Youth, Children, and Families
Sunday School
The varied ways of volunteering in the Sunday School accommodate
many different interests, skills, talents, and schedules. A
commitment of one school-year (September to May) to the program
is encouraged. Sunday School is a community effort and should
be run on a volunteer basis; therefore, it is important that
the volunteers reflect diversity in age and familial status.
Love and respect for children and Fourth Church membership
(or
in the inquiry process) are the only requirements for this
volunteer opportunity. For
more information, contact Emilie
Syberg 312.640.2578
(esyberg@fourthchurch.org).
Teacher—teaches as a team twice per month
during the 9:30 or 11:00 a.m. worship service; prepare the curriculum,
open the classrooms before the children arrive, teach the children
about a Christian life
Substitute
teacher—teaches when teachers are not available
due to unforeseen circumstances; called when needed
Helper for Sunday School children with special needs—provides
extra attention for a child with unique needs. Occasionally,
an individual child will benefit from extra attention while
the classroom teachers are involved with a group of students.
Consider being part of a cadre of volunteers trained to assist
special needs children (e.g. ADD, Down’s Syndrome, MS)
on Sunday morning. Training will be provided, and background
reading will be expected.
Room parent—supports the teacher and
helps with class special events and coffees; provides a link
between parents and teachers
Office assistant—greets teachers, takes
overall school attendance and offerings, shepherds children
from worship service to the classrooms, straightens the office;
one Sunday per month
Nursery greeter—welcomes parents who
come to the nursery and instruct them about procedures. The
greeter’s work is finished once all children have arrived
and parents have departed. Greeters serve the half hour before
the 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services.
Nursery caregivers—holding babies is
the primary role of this volunteer opportunity during all three
of the morning worship services; regularity of caregiving is
important, as the frequent presence of the same volunteers helps
create a stable atmosphere in the nursery.
Summer Vacation Bible School staff—meet
for one week during August, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Children
move from classroom to classroom in small groups called crews.
Each crew has a leader and five children of mixed ages. Crew
leaders are needed for children, first through fifth grades.
The pre-school program needs teacher assistants for three- to
five-year-olds, and these children stay in one classroom. Junior
and senior high age young people (age thirteen and older) may
serve as assistants to teachers or crew leaders. Door monitors
are also needed for the safety of the children, starting at
8:45 a.m.
Children’s story teller/reader—reads
or tells stories to children during coffee hour (10:30 to 10:50
a.m. or 12:00 to 12:20 p.m.); sit with the children in the corner
by fireplace; when coffee hour is outside, Story Corner meets
in the southeast corner of the Garth on the curved steps; rotating
schedule
Youth
Junior and Senior High leader—meets with
the Junior or Senior Highs (generally once a week) for fellowship,
social activities, and outreach; helps plan the calendar, leads
lock-ins and retreats, and participates in and chaperones summer
work camp. Leaders should enjoy mentoring young people, be good
role models, and have the ability to reach out and befriend
them. A one-year commitment is expected, and a two-year commitment
is encouraged and appreciated. Couples and singles are invited
to help. Contact Keith Harris at 312.981.3598 (kharris@fourthchurch.org).
Confirmation Class teacher—helps the
Associate Pastor for Youth and Campus Ministry lead the confirmation
process in which the church’s eighth graders learn about
Presbyterian history and polity, reformed theology, discipleship,
and membership, in preparation for being accepted into membership.
A solid working knowledge of the Presbyterian church and its
beliefs is recommended. Teachers should be good role models,
be comfortable working with thirteen- to fourteen-year-olds,
and have the ability to reach out and befriend them. Monthly
classes begin in September and continue through confirmation
in early May. A one-year commitment, including participation
in at least one weekend retreat and a lock-in, is expected.
Contact Keith Harris at 312.981.3598 (kharris@fourthchurch.org).
Caregiving
Caring Connectors
As advocates for the elderly, Caring Connectors offer friendship
and emotional and spiritual support to individuals in the church
and wider community who are becoming frail and isolated from
desired social contacts. Caring Connectors call, visit, and
enjoy the city with their care receivers. The program provides
older adults the opportunity to interact and form a friendly
relationship with a caring individual. It offers a direct connection
to the church for those who are no longer able to attend on
a regular basis. Caring Connectors are asked to make a one
year
commitment. A Pastoral Care Team is available for orientation,
ongoing oversight, and as a referral source. Contact Elizabeth
Andrews, Minister for Congregational Care, at 312.274.3818
(eandrews@fourthchurch.org).
Communities of Care
A Community of Care consists of pairing a team (of three to
eight people) with a “partner,” an individual (or
individuals in a family) living with HIV or AIDS, to provide
emotional, physical, and spiritual support in a compassionate,
non-judgmental way. Care partners are often referred by the
Chicago AIDS Pastoral Care Network (APCN), which provides the
initial training and orientation to their ministry and later
serves as a resource to the teams. Some care partners, however,
find their own way to Fourth Church or are referred by members.
Team recruitment is normally conducted by zip code proximity
to the care partner. APCN also needs office volunteers to answer
phones, file, make calls, perform computer-based projects,
and
greet visitors. Contact Elizabeth
Andrews, Minister for Congregational Care, at 312.274.3818
(eandrews@fourthchurch.org).
Care Teams
Following the model of Communities of Care (see description
above), members on a team assist an individual (and his/her
caregivers) with household chores, transportation, friendship,
support, and (to the caregiver) respite. Volunteers receive
an initial training and are asked to make a one-year commitment.
Team recruitment is normally conducted by zip code proximity
to the care receiver. Health Care Teams have a monthly meeting
and are supported by the Associate Pastor for Congregational
Care. Contact Elizabeth
Andrews, Minister for Congregational Care, at 312.274.3818
(eandrews@fourthchurch.org)
or Terry Stumpf, Director of Health Ministry, at 312.981.3396
(tstumpf@fourthchurch.org).
Flower Power
Amateur flower arrangers, as part of a team, pick up donated
fresh flowers from a nearby site, assemble small bouquets of
fresh flowers for shut-ins on Tuesday and Friday afternoons.
Volunteers with no artistic ability are welcome to be part of
this outreach. Training is provided periodically. Occasionally,
Flower Power arranges bouquets and centerpieces for special
events at the church.
Congregational Services
Occasionally, Fourth Church members need special help in emergency
and other unusual circumstances. Volunteers are called on an
“as needed” basis to serve fellow members and friends:
Provide transportation for medical appointments and services
(sometimes on short notice)
Prepare and deliver a casserole or meal
Run short, timed errands for the homebound
Provide emergency baby sitting
Read to the blind—A blind Fourth Church member who lives
in the 400 block of West Belmont, (accessible by bus numbers
77, 151, 152, 146, and 145), needs male volunteers to read his
mail and occasional magazines and to assist him in writing checks.
Day or evening hours are gladly accommodated.
Drive church van to and from events; van drivers need to be
members of the church and pass a background check and license
verification in order to be authorized by the insurance company.
Help needy people pack and move (boxes, furniture)
Professional and Office Support
Many programs at Fourth Church and community organizations with
which the church is affiliated depend upon the solid professional
assistance of Fourth’s talented and professionally trained
members and friends. Volunteers help on an “as needed”
basis in these ways:
Photographer
Audio/video recording equipment operator—11:00 a.m. Sunday
service
Audio/video recording equipment operator—Saturday weddings
Media relations
Musician (especially periodic need for piano accompaniment for
group singing)
Medical/healthcare
Fund-raising
Grant writing
Event planning
Event implementer
Data entry (often for tutoring program)
Internet searchers (on home computer)
Church library assistant
“First Class”—a team to fold, stuff, label,
sort; includes monthly church newsletter, Fourth Press. (usually
done in the daytime, often on short notice)
Committees at Fourth
Oversight of the programs and care of the congregation at Fourth
Church are carried out by the Session (ruling body) through
its committee structure. These committees are comprised of officers
of the church and congregational members who have volunteered
in the various programs and bring broad vision and insight to
the task. For more information about the committees, call Larry
Nicholson.
Board Members for Agencies
Frequently, Fourth Church is approached by nonprofit agencies
requesting candidates for board members. Typically, agency board
members are asked to become well acquainted with, support, and
promote the agency’s mission, attend and help all major
fundraising and public relations events, represent the agency
whenever possible to professional colleagues and social contacts,
and attend at least one monthly meeting and subcommittee meetings
as scheduled. Most agencies also welcome board members’
financial support. To be considered as a board member for one
of the agencies with which Fourth Church is affiliated, contact
Vicki Reynolds at 312.981.3384 (vreynolds@fourthchurch.org).
Community Outreach
Education
Partners in Education
The Partners in Education Tutoring Program (PIE) at Fourth Presbyterian
Church has several volunteer opportunities. PIE tutoring serves
over 500 children each week in grades one through twelve, primarily
from the Cabrini-Green and Henry Horner neighborhoods. Most of
the children arrive at 5:00 p.m. to participate in a life skills
lesson, enjoy a hot nutritious meal in Kids’ Café,
and then meet with their tutor from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. In addition
to receiving help with homework, students are offered educational
enhancement in the program’s library, art, computer, and
job readiness classes. Tutoring begins in early October and runs
through May.
Permanent weekly tutor—comes with patience,
creativity, and the desire to help a young person meet their goals.
No prior experience is necessary. Children in grades seven to
twelve are tutored on Monday and Tuesday evenings; children in
grades 1 to 6 are tutored on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
On all four evenings, the tutoring hours are 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Casual substitute tutor—stops in at 6:00
p.m. on any tutoring night to meet with a child whose tutor was
not able to attend at the last minute. This is a great opportunity
for people who live or work in the neighborhood.
Kids’ Café helper—prepares
the dining room and helps facilitate an enjoyable experience for
the tutoring students. Volunteers set up for the lesson and dinner,
assist the coordinator with the evening’s life skills lesson,
serve the meal, and assist the students in cleaning up after themselves.
Previous volunteers have said that they have a great time with
the kids and leave with a feeling of caring and accomplishment.
Kids’ Café meets from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday
and Thursday for elementary students, and Monday and Tuesday for
grades seven to twelve.
Computer technician –helps maintain the
work stations in the lab. Helpful skills include repairing used
computers, upgrading and installing software, network administration,
Windows 2000/XP configuration, web development, and curriculum
design. This is another volunteer opportunity with a very flexible
time commitment.
Kitchen assistant –helps prepare 120 hot,
nutritious meals to be served at 5:00 p.m. Kitchen assistants
help create a welcoming environment for other volunteers as well
as for the children and maintain kitchen cleanliness. Time commitment
is 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.; Monday through Thursday.
Job Readiness internship site host—During
July and August, high school students get hands-on experience
and display what they have learned during the year in the Job
Readiness class. Site hosts provide an internship opportunity
in their place of business while serving as a mentor to students.
City Lights Summer Day assistants—Volunteers
are needed for this high-energy program serving children entering
first through eighth grades. The program offers instruction in
reading, math, computer science, music, dance, and art. This heterogeneous
group of students from our tutoring program, church neighborhood,
and Fourth Church families also enjoys field trips and service
projects. Your help is needed to
Chaperone field trips
Assist classroom teachers by working with a small
group of students in reading and math
Read your favorite stories with a student (to
each other)
Lend a hand in one of our performing arts classes
Help prepare and serve breakfast and lunch as
part of City Lights’ Kids’ Café
Friends-of-Cabrini Near North Magnet
Cluster Schools
Book labelers—label thousands of new library
books for the Near North Magnet Cluster Schools. Hours and days
are flexible. With advance planning, transportation is provided.
There is ample, safe parking for those who choose to drive.
Tutors—at the schools in Cabrini-Green
(daytime)
Tech Mentoring
The Youth Community Technology Program (YCTP) at Korean American
Community Services, located in the Albany Park neighborhood, needs
the help of technology professionals to mentor young people, ages
14 to 21, to learn how to build and maintain computers, gain valuable
experience through internships in area nonprofits, and benefit
from the experience and companionship of people from the IT industry.
The YCTP also offers education assistance, one-on-one counseling
and social service referrals, soft skills workshops, and job and
education placement assistance.
Mentors are asked to make a one year commitment to a mentee, meeting
him/her twice a month at Korean American Community Services, 4300
N. California, for the first 3 months of the program; after that
they may meet elsewhere with advance notice to YCTP. Prospective
mentors agree to a background check conducted through the Illinois
State Police.
Volunteers are also needed to assemble curriculum materials to
supplement the in-class training offered by YCTP’s A+ certified
instructors. While this volunteer opportunity does not require
a technical background, it does require facility with computer
applications for desktop publishing.
A+ certified volunteer instructors are needed on Monday through
Thursday, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., for twelve weeks.
The YCTP
is located 150 feet south of the California/Montrose intersection
and is accessible by public transportation. Mission: “We
celebrate our ethnicity and empower all members of the community
by providing educational, legal, health, and social services.”
Contact John Stanton at 773.583.5501 (stanton@kacschgo.org).
Tools for Schools
Every year, the Chicago Sun-Times’ Tools for Schools program
provides over 6,023 homeless Chicago children with a new book
bag filled with grade-appropriate school supplies. Volunteers
are needed in August to sort and pack book bags at Holy Innocents
School, 1448 W. Superior (near Chicago and Ashland). Free easy
parking is available. Donations of book bags, loose-leaf paper,
spiral notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons are also welcome. Contact
Amy Cornell at 773.725.1662 (acornell@lycds.com).
Cook County Jail Tutor
Tutors help inmates prepare for their GED exam. The time commitment
is one night a week, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., for six weeks. Men are
tutored on Monday and Tuesday nights; women are tutored on Monday
and Wednesday nights. Training and orientation occur on the first
night; on the second night, meet your student. Daytime tutoring
hours are 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., and 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. GED
preparation and tutoring occur year-round. Volunteers are needed
also to help inmates with life skills and resume preparation as
well as to share special talents (creative writing, hobbies, etc.).
The jail is located at 26th and California. Free, safe parking
lots are provided for volunteers after 5:00 pm. The number 60,
Blue Island/Cicero bus goes directly to the site.
Other volunteer needs include assisting in the development of
the career/leadership project for the volunteer program, planning
events, and creating flyers (desktop publishing). Those tasks
are performed weekday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Free
daytime parking may be available in the staff garage with advance
notice; street (metered) parking is available as is a nearby (pay)
parking lot. Contact Christina Beighe at 773.927.1536 (safercb@aol.com).
Literacy Chicago
Literacy Chicago (located at 70 East Lake, number 1500), is the
largest provider of free, individualized adult and family literacy
services in Illinois. In 2001, over 2,200 adult learners were
served, ranging in age from eighteen to over eighty years. More
than half came with a reading skill below the fourth grade. Contact
Jonathan Menjivar at 312.236.0341, ext. 110 (jmenjivar@literacychicago.org).
Volunteers are needed in the following programs:
Adult Basic Literacy
GED preparation
Employability skills
English as a Second Language
Family literacy
Reach Out and Read
Workplace literacy
Prologue Adult Learning Center
At 640 W. Irving Park, tutors help adults achieve basic literacy
and prepare for their GED. Volunteers are needed for two-hour
blocks, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday, or 5:30
to 9:00 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday. Parking is free and ample.
In January 2004, Prologue will partner with PACE at the Cook County
Jail. ESL tutors are needed for three hour time slots at 5244
N. Lakewood (American Baptist Church), 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Contact
Ben Greer at 773.935.9925.
Blind Service Association
Since 1925, volunteers have been reading to individuals and recording
college level textbooks and leisure books. Located at 22 West
Monroe, this local association provides space for volunteers to
meet with their clients for two hour reading sessions. Volunteers
are asked to come once a week. The center is open Monday through
Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. On Friday, the hours are
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on the second Saturday of each month
from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Contact Teresa Togtman at 312.236.0808
(blindsrvc@aol.com).
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
(RFB&D)
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic was founded in 1948 in the
attic of the New York Public Library. The mission was to provide
recorded educational materials to blind World War II veterans
who wanted to attend college under the G.I. Bill of Rights. In
55 years, RFB&D has grown to include 30 studios in 17 states,
to provide materials to students with any type of print disability,
and is now making digital recordings. The master tape library,
at RFB&D Headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey, contains more
than 93,000 volumes, from kindergarten through graduate level,
that have been recorded by volunteers. These books are available
to students and professionals around the world.
Illinois has three recording studios, located in downtown Chicago,
Naperville, and Orland Park. Each studio needs volunteers who
like books and can commit to a minimum of two hours a week in
the studio. Each studio has daytime and evening hours, and the
Loop studio is open Saturday mornings.
Illinois studios record many technical books and have a special
need for people with a background in math, sciences, accounting,
finance, and computers. Readers for general books are also needed.
Volunteers read, direct, help with book set-up and book checking.
After an orientation, each person has individual training and
learns RB&D reading conventions and studio procedures. After
training is completed, a reading audition is given to become a
certified RFB&D reader.
To volunteer, contact Billie Mateer at 630.420.0722 (bmateer@rfbd.org).
Additional organization information is available on the website,
www.rfbd.org.
Adult
Social Services
Elam Davies Social Service Center at Fourth
Presbyterian Church
The Center, founded in 1983 and named for Elam Davies, who was
Fourth Church’s Pastor from 1961 to1984, welcomes any person
who comes to Fourth Presbyterian Church seeking social service
assistance in time of need or crisis. Dr. Davies envisioned an
oasis of care and support along Michigan Avenue’s “Magnificent
Mile” which would actually seek out and invite in the poor
and homeless people who pass by. It is open to all people regardless
of race, creed, sexual orientation, income level, or nationality.
All services are free of charge. The Center works with other social
service agencies and religious organizations to provide the most
effective and comprehensive services possible for our guests.
On site services may include rental assistance, food and clothing
help, assistance with securing a state I.D. card, distribution
of CTA fare cards, shelter referrals, referrals to employment,
recovery or mental health assistance programs, and individual
case management.
Contact David Murad at 312.981.3569 (dmurad@fourthchurch.org).
Volunteers are needed to help with these programs:
Cook and serve the free Sunday Night Community Supper—Dinner
is prepared and served at Fourth Presbyterian Church every Sunday
night from 2:30 to 6:15 p.m. The dinner is open to any member
of the community including those who are homeless or living on
a fixed income; 105 guests are served. Volunteers work under the
guidance of a volunteer supervisor, using the ingredients and
recipes provided. This is an excellent opportunity for people
in the community to meet and talk with their neighbors. No experience
is needed to cook and serve. Volunteers should wear cool, washable
clothes and comfortable closed-toe shoes. Pants are preferred
over skirts or shorts (for safety’s sake). Aprons, plastic
gloves, and hairnets are provided.
Shop for Sunday Night Community Supper—Volunteers
purchase and deliver food to the church kitchen during the week
on your own schedule. The volunteer shopping supervisor provides
the grocery lists and handles reimbursements. Positions in the
shopper corps may be temporarily filled, but volunteers are invited
to be on the waiting list.
Sunday Night Team—At the Sunday Night Supper,
volunteers help the guests with housing applications, distribute
clothing in the Share Shop, and interact with them throughout
the evening from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Training is provided. The Sunday
Night Team is a great opportunity for people looking for hands-on
work and a way to get acquainted with people from a variety of
backgrounds. Volunteers are asked to serve one or two Sundays
a month on a rotating schedule.
Cook and serve Saturday breakfast—On the
last Saturday of each month, five volunteers gather in the church
kitchen to cook and serve the community breakfast to approximately
40 guests from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Like the Sunday supper,
this is a wonderful opportunity for people of varying backgrounds
to meet and talk. No experience is needed. Supervision, ingredients,
and recipes are provided. Volunteers should wear cool, washable
clothes and comfortable closed-toe shoes. Pants are preferred
over skirts or shorts (for safety’s sake). Aprons, plastic
gloves, and hairnets are provided.
Sandwich Team—Volunteers participate in
a once-a-month sandwich-making gathering. This Saturday morning
opportunity is open to individuals, families, and groups (such
as work colleagues). The sandwiches are distributed throughout
the week at the Center. Sandwich teams are invited to purchase
ingredients or make a donation to cover the cost.
Free Market staff—Guests visit the Market
before dinner on Sunday; all items are free. Volunteers help with
the set-up and staffing from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. This, too, is a
wonderful opportunity to meet and interact with the Sunday evening
guests.
Deborah’s Place
Deborah’s Place, a private, nonprofit corporation, serves
women in Chicago who are homeless or formerly homeless. Dedicated
volunteers and staff provide food, shelter, and supportive services
so that women can become empowered to take back and maintain control
over their lives. Volunteers help in these ways: being a friend-in-need,
preparing and serving food, and performing general clerical tasks
(filing, typing, entering data). Orientations are held normally
on the second Wednesday of the month from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at
1532 North Sedgwick. Volunteers are needed at all three sites:
1456 West Oakdale, 1532 North Sedgwick, and 2822 West Jackson.
To register online for an orientation, visit www.deborahsplace.org.
Contact Ginee Ames at 773.638.6539 (games@deborahsplace.org).
The Enterprising Kitchen
The Enterprising Kitchen (TEK) is a small nonprofit business created
to provide employment and life skills to women who are working
towards self-sufficiency and independence. TEK operates a micro
enterprise that produces high quality hand-made soaps and bath
products in an environment that enables women to maximize their
individual potential and self-esteem. TEK strives to address the
needs of those women whose difficult personal histories, often
including substance abuse and homelessness, would otherwise make
them among the least likely to find work and achieve independence.
TEK is located at 4545 North Broadway. Contact Denise at 773.506.3880
(denise@theenterprisingkitchen.org).
Volunteers are needed in these ways:
Assisting TEK participants fill jars, wrap gift boxes, package
the soap products (weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with
flexibility)
Marketing the products, helping with fundraising, public relations,
technology
Hosting TEK parties or representing TEK products to friends and
colleagues
Grace House Aftercare Mentoring Program
Grace House, located at 1801 W. Adams, is a transitional residential
facility of St. Leonard’s Ministries that provides comprehensive
rehabilitative programs for adult women released from prison who
are attempting to set new directions for their lives. Its goal
is to be a place of respite for formerly incarcerated women. Its
services provide time, extensive personal and group counseling,
educational and job counseling, and a supportive community environment
to help these women move from unhealthy choices of the past, and
the debilitating experience of life in prison, to life as independent,
responsible adults. Residents are paired with mentors, individuals
or small groups, from faith communities and community groups who
support them after they leave Grace House. Contact Annie J. Gonzalez
at 312.733.5363.
Residents for Effective Shelter Transitions
(REST)
Recognizing that there are various causes and reasons that adult
single men and women in Uptown/Edgewater are homeless, REST provides
safe, quality, overnight shelter and food. REST assists those
homeless individuals who desire independent living in permanent
housing to achieve this transition by providing supportive social
services and housing and helping them develop their employment
and life skills. REST has three locations: People’s Church,
941 W. Lawrence (for men); Uptown Baptist Church, 1011 W. Wilson
(for women); Epworth United Methodist Church, 5253 N. Kenmore
(for men). Contact Bob Fiedler at bfiedler@restweb.org.
The following people are needed:
Volunteers to cook and serve the meal and prepare the center for
overnight guests (collapsing tables/chairs, distributing sleeping
mats and towels), from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Volunteers to stay overnight to help the staff in hosting, sorting
donations, organizing supplies, facilitate AA/NA meetings
Physicians and nurses to staff the Tuesday REST Care (free) Clinic
from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Committee members to organize the annual REST “Sleepwalk”
fund-raiser (late April). Volunteers plan the event during the
winter, then recruit walkers. Other tasks are sponsor recruitment,
logistics, decorations, and raffle.
Family and Children’s Social Services
Summer Youth Tennis Camp
Sponsored by the Fourth Church Deacons, the tennis camp serves
between 30 and 45 children (ages 8 to 16 years) daily, who have
fun and get good exercise while receiving guidance in playing
tennis. Volunteers commit to one evening per week and are asked
to attend one of the training sessions. The camp is held at the
UIC tennis courts for six weeks (mid-June through July) on Mondays
and Wednesdays from 4:45 to 6:30 p.m., and transportation from
the church (at 4:20 p.m.) is provided. An end-of-the-camp party
is held to celebrate the children’s accomplishments, and
volunteers are strongly encouraged to participate in that.
Benevolent Guild
Since 1873, under the umbrella of Women@Fourth Connect (formerly
Presbyterian Women of Fourth Church), the Benevolent Guild handcrafts
toys and treats for children in hospitals and shelters. The members
gather weekly during the school-year on Wednesdays—except
the third Wednesday of the month—from 9:30 a.m. to noon,
followed by a sack lunch and continued lively conversation. Contact
Lisa Cochrane at 312.640.5495 (lcochrane@fourthchurch.org).
Sewing and Knitting Workshop
Under the sponsorship of Women@Fourth Connect, members gather
on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to make
goods to benefit needy children and families. Contact Lisa Cochrane
at 312.640.5495 (lcochrane@fourthchurch.org).
Grainger Hall Holiday Parties
Women@Fourth Connect sponsors holiday parties throughout the year
at Grainger Hall, a family residence located at the Chicago Christian
Industrial League. Volunteers help families celebrate Easter,
Independence Day, Halloween, and Christmas by providing baked
cookies and cupcakes or by serving as hosts. Normally, the parties
are held on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Grainger
Hall (southwest corner of Halsted and Monroe). Contact Lisa Cochrane
at 312.640.5495 (lcochrane@fourthchurch.org).
Fourth Church Elves
Each Christmas, Fourth Church members and friends donate about
1200 gifts for children and adults in need. Some of the recipients
participate in Fourth Church sponsored programs (such as the Social
Service Center or Tutoring), and some are served by agencies with
which Fourth is linked. Volunteers (“elves”) are needed
to receive the gifts on Saturday and Sunday mornings, sort and
wrap them during a Sunday afternoon party in mid-December, and
deliver them to the agencies.
Chicago Commons
Since 1894, Chicago Commons has partnered with individuals, families,
and communities to overcome poverty, discrimination, and isolation.
Chicago Commons creates programs that build self-sufficiency,
strengthening individuals at key stages of their lives, from child
development to job preparedness. Commons selects neighborhoods
where opportunities are fewest and obstacles greatest. Chicago
Commons is located at 3645 W. Chicago Ave., Suite 1-W. Contact
Bernice Haynes at 773.826.4280 or 773.638.5600, ext. 3250.
Volunteers are needed for:
Tutoring women studying for their GED, helping with ESL lessons,
teaching basic reading, writing, and computer skills
Child care for children from six weeks to five years
Free clinic assistance
Court Appointed Special Advocates of
Cook County (CASA)
CASA is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the best interests
of abused and neglected children within the court system. Based
on the belief that every child is entitled to a safe and permanent
home, CASA trains and supervises volunteers who work in collaboration
with key agencies, legal counsel, and community resource groups.
Through written and oral testimony, CASA volunteers serve as the
child’s advocate in court.
After successful completion of a thorough training program, CASA
volunteers are matched to a case of an abused or neglected child
or sibling group. The volunteer gathers information from anyone
who has an impact on the child—foster parents, teachers,
counselors, and caseworkers. The volunteer then submits a written
report and may also testify at court hearings regarding the child’s
best interests.
Volunteers are carefully screened through an application, a law
enforcement background check, and an interview. A $35.00 application
fee is requested. In addition to serving as advocate, CASA volunteers
are also needed as event planners, event participants/supporters,
office managers, and drivers of CASAs. Contact Melissa Murphy
at 312.433.7828 (melissa.murphy@casacookcounty.org).
The Children’s Place
The Children’s Place (located at 3059 W. Augusta), is a
facility that has a mission to improve the quality of life for
children and their families who are affected by HIV/AIDS or other
life-threatening or serious health conditions. Opened in 1991,
the Children’s Place was established to care for children
who were “falling through the cracks” in health and
child welfare systems. It now includes a 10-bed residence, foster
care, in-home nurse visits, and day care and family housing. Contact
Ann Simonson at 773.826.1230, ext. 30 (asimonson@childrens-place.org).
Volunteers help in these ways:
Child care—assist in providing quality
care for children through play, reading, games, and arts and crafts
on a weekly basis. This volunteer opportunity is available in
the residence with children from birth to 5 years old, in the
day care program with children 18 months to 5 years, and in the
summer day camp with children 8 to 12 years old. There are also
opportunities to work with school age children in tutoring, arts
and crafts, or recreation on a weekly or monthly basis.
Special events—assist in putting on holiday
parties, going on field trips, or working on special projects
for children and their families. Work on the Children’s
Place garden, which benefits families.
Benefits and fund-raising—help set up and
staff the annual silent auction and dinner dance in April, or
assist with various other one-time fundraising events
Management support—assist with day-to-day
administrative essentials, including special projects for the
Volunteer, Development, and Administrative departments, such as
graphic design, data entry, mailings, sorting donations.
Spruce-Up Brigade—be on call for special
tidy-up duty, including organizing materials, cleaning, painting
Entertainment—plan some entertainment,
using your own unique talents, for the residence or day care children
Children’s Place needs the special talents of singers, musicians,
clowns, tutors, production artists/workers, arts and crafts specialists,
photographers, gardeners, Spanish translators, web designers/maintainers,
typists, and marketers.
Christopher House
Established in 1905 by Evanston’s First Presbyterian Church,
Christopher House is a nonprofit family resource center dedicated
to helping families thrive. Through early childhood and youth
development programs, parenting skills, literacy classes, counseling
and the meeting of basic human needs, Christopher House provides
the tools economically disadvantaged children and adults need
to become resilient, self-sufficient, and successful. The sites
include 2507 N. Greenview, 4303 N. Kenmore, 850 W. Eastwood, 2610
N. Francisco, 4701 N. Winthrop, and 2140 N. Richmond. Contact
Erin Place at 773.472.1083, ext. 3067 (eplace@christopherhouse.org).
Volunteers are needed as
Classroom aides—assist teachers, Monday
through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., throughout the year at
all six sites. Minimum time commitment: three hours per week for
three months. TB test and background check required.
Tutors—Work one-on-one with a student for
an hour, focusing on literacy skills, homework, and educational
games. Minimum time commitment: one hour per week during the school
year. Choice of 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., or 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday,
or Thursday.
Club coordinators—coordinate and run after-school
clubs. Minimum time commitment: one hour per week for three months
Mentors—develop a supportive relationship
with a youth, one-on-one or with other mentor-student matches
for two hours per week or four hours bi-weekly to take part in
arts and crafts, field trips, sports, homework assistance, and
games. Minimum time commitment: one year. Background check required.
Adult tutors—tutor teens and adults completing
the pre-GED, ESL, and ABE programs, Monday through Thursday 9:00
a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
or by appointment. Minimum time commitment: one hour per week
for three months.
60+ Club helpers—assist seniors in transportation
to special events and at regularly scheduled events at the Greenview
site. Minimum time commitment: once per month for three months.
Child caregivers—care for infants and toddlers
on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 1:00 to
3:00 p.m. Minimum time commitment and age requirement: one hour
per week; 18 years old.
Summer camp counselors—chaperone field
trips, assist coordinators, help children with daily projects.
One-time and ongoing volunteers needed (late June to mid-August).
Adopt-a-Family—Provide food or gift certificates for a holiday
meal and gifts for each member of a matched (with donor) family.
Sort, label, distribute gifts at Greenview site during December.
Hundreds of individuals and families are recipients.
Thanksgiving Food Walk—On two Sundays before
Thanksgiving, collect food donations from Greenview site’s
neighbors and put together food baskets for hundreds of families
The Night Ministry
Since 1976, The Night Ministry, a unique nonprofit organization,
has responded to the needs of people on the nighttime streets
of Chicago—regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual
orientation, or social status. Homeless and runaway youth, working
poor adults, uninsured and underinsured individuals seeking medical
assistance, children who are unsupervised and need a place to
gather in safety—all of these groups, representing many
who have “fallen through the cracks” of our social
service systems, have benefited from the work of The Night Ministry,
located at 4711 N. Ravenswood. Between 12,000 and 15,000 teens
in Chicago are homeless. The Ministry’s Open Door Youth
Emergency Shelter serves many of these young people and is the
only shelter that serves pregnant and parenting teens 17 years
old or younger. Contact Gail Bernoff at 773.784.9000, ext. 216
(gailb@thenightministry.org).
Volunteers are needed to help with these programs:
Starlight Soup Suppers—four to six people
(Monday through Saturday from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.) to serve 6 gallons
of hot soup, chili, or stew from the Health Outreach Bus during
the winter months; meet bus at 1651 W. Diversey
Moonlight Picnics—five to seven people
(Monday through Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.) to serve
200 hot dogs and sides from the Health Outreach Bus during the
summer months; food and monetary donations welcome; meet bus at
1651 W. Diversey
Sunday Dinners—four people to prepare and
serve dinner at the Open Door Shelter (in Lakeview) for 16 teens,
5:00—6:30 p.m.
Sack suppers—donate and pack sandwiches,
chips, cookies
Hygiene kits—donate and pack travel size
toiletry items: shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant,
lotion, razors, combs, moist towelettes
Chocolate chip cookies—donate or bake cookies
to be given from the Health Outreach Bus
Individual volunteers—become a trained
volunteer for the bus or shelter
Holy Night (December 24)—make the holiday
season brighter by donating gifts or Christmas stockings, wrapping
gifts, or baking cookies
Hunger and Housing
Central City Housing Venture
Fourth Presbyterian Church is an active member of CCHV, a consortium
of Chicago religious congregations advocating the preservation
and expansion of affordable housing in central Chicago. Its mission
includes a) meeting the housing needs of low-income wage earners,
those precariously housed, and those currently homeless, b) preserving
and expanding the availability of safe, affordable, and permanent
housing in Chicago’s central area, c) providing residents
with access to on-site supportive services, and d) educating and
advocating for the importance of maintaining affordable housing
options, including single-room occupancy (SRO), multi-family,
and single-family communities. CCHV is located at 77 W. Washington,
# 1124. Contact 312.357.0990. CCHV needs volunteers to help with
the fundraising, public relations, and finance committees.
Greater Chicago Food Depository
The GCFD is a not-for-profit distribution center, working to feed
hungry people. It is committed to efficiently distributing donated
and purchased food through qualified agencies such as soup kitchens,
shelters, and pantries. Annually, in Cook County, more than 309,600
people rely on food provided by the Food Depository. Of these,
36.7 percent are children 17 years of age or younger. GCFD is
located at 4501 S. Tripp Avenue. Contact Katie LaPlante at 773.247.3663
(kilaplante@gcfd.org).
Volunteers are needed to
Clean, sort, and repack donated food
Load food into agency vehicles weekdays in shipping department
Assist in the office; computer and non-computer skills utilized
Drive GCFD vans and deliver produce to agencies weekday mornings
Join a committee to plan a special event
Help with an off-site fundraiser or food rescue
Windy City Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical, international
organization whose goal is to provide affordable housing for low-income
working families with children. Since 1976, Habitat has built
tens of thousands of houses around the world, using mostly donated
money and materials. Volunteers work side by side with the new
homeowners who put hundreds of hours of their own labor—sweat
equity—into building their houses. The homes are then sold
to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, no
interest loans. The families’ mortgage payments go into
a revolving Fund for Humanity used to build more houses with more
families in need.
Dry walling, insulating, priming, painting, laying tile, hanging
cabinets and doors, landscaping, and preparing land for sidewalks
are some of the tasks completed by volunteers at local sites.
Volunteers need to be at least 18 years old, mature, and have
an interest in working with families to become responsible homeowners.
Fourth Church volunteers work Saturdays during the summer months
from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. excluding travel time. Van transportation
from the church is provided when possible. Contact: Warren Callahan
at 312.243.6148, ext. 11 (callwarren@yahoo.com).
Volunteers are needed to
Perform construction as described above
Be one of several captains to organize the volunteers on specific
Saturdays and assist the Habitat staff in giving directions for
the day’s work
Drive the church van to the site
Help Ease Local Poverty (HELP)
Fourth Church supports HELP with volunteers and donations. Volunteers
help prepare Wednesday night suppers at Catholic Charities (located
at 721 N. LaSalle) and contribute Christmas gifts. Contact Jacqueline
C. Hayes at 312.861.1700 (jhayesassociates@attglobal.net).
Hope Alive!
Volunteers rehab apartments (cleaning and painting) at Cabrini-Green
or clean surrounding grounds on alternate Saturdays from 9:00
a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Volunteers meet at Holy Family Lutheran Church,
542 W. Hobbie Street. Free, safe parking is available. When possible,
van transportation is provided from the church. Contact Janet
Stewart at 312.337.5443.
Lakeview Shelter
Opened in 1983 and located at Lakeview Lutheran Church, 835 West
Addison, the Lakeview Shelter is a nonprofit facility for homeless
men that, in addition to providing the basics of over-night shelter
and food, also provides important supportive services (including
case management, medical support, self-help, group substance abuse
counseling, supportive living programs, and housing and vocational
assistance) to help these men regain their footing and live self-sufficient
lives. Fourth Church volunteers prepare and serve the free hot
supper to 25 homeless men on Wednesday evenings from 9:00 to 11:00
p.m. Ample parking is available.
Vital Bridges (formerly Open
Hand Chicago)
Since Christmas Eve 1988, volunteers from Vital Bridges have provided
prepared meals and groceries to people living with HIV/AIDS. Its
mission is to provide food and nutrition services free of charge
to people living with or significantly affected by HIV/AIDS without
regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin,
or mode of infection. 1648 W. Howard, Chicago, IL 60626. Contact
Patricia Skehan at 847.228.5200.
Vital Bridges needs over 350 volunteers annually in these areas:
Grocery centers, including greeting clients, packaging food, stocking
shelves, shopping for clients, bagging orders (centers are located
at 5543 N. Broadway, Humboldt Park, Elk Grove Village, Oak Park,
75th Street, and Harvey)Home-delivered meals, including organizing
routes, packing meals, delivering meals
Nutrition services, including leading workshops, creating bulletin
boards, visiting homebound clients to assess their nutritional
needs
Main office administration including developing public relations
publications, maintaining records, assisting with telephone answering,
and data entry
Special events/fund-raising including selling tickets, soliciting
donations, working on committees
Volunteer services including participating in recruitment and
outreach efforts, staffing booths at community events, giving
presentations
Training and orientation for new volunteers, assisting in planning
recognition events
Elder Care and Nurture
Center for Older Adults (COA)
The Center for Older Adults is a five-day-per-week program of
adult education, health and wellness, arts, travel, and companionship.
The COA creates its own unique character by making community a
priority. Our ecumenical foundation invites individuals from all
faith backgrounds, or none at all, to learn, stay well, and grow.
The philosophy behind the COA is that older adults need meaningful
engagement to stay well. People need to feel safe, cared for,
and respected in order to make healthful decisions about themselves
and their relationships. Our adult education classes are challenging
but non-competitive. The health programs are meant to provide
people with accurate information so they can make good decisions
about their own health care. Our social outings provide opportunities
for members to build friendships with one another and the staff.
In addition, we act as a safety net for many individuals who are
without family to care for them, should their abilities decline.
Contact Patty Jenkins at 312.981.3385 (pjenkins@fourthchurch.org).
The volunteer opportunities in the COA include
Program leader/teacher in the COA—this
noon program provides an hour-long presentation following a brown
bag lunch and features lectures, travelogues, demonstrations,
and performances. New ideas from leaders and teachers are welcome!
Caring Connectors (see description
under Caregiving)
Birthday Party Decorators—to celebrate
the birthdays of members of the COA, decorators are asked to help
the COA Director plan a theme, shop for decorations (funds provided),
and decorate the dining room (every other month). The parties
begin at 11:30 a.m. and end at 1:00 p.m., so decorating occurs
beforehand. Decorators are invited and welcome to stay for the
parties, but they are not expected to do so.
Presbyterian Homes
The Presbyterian Homes, located in Evanston, Lake Forest, Arlington
Heights, and Chicago, are not-for-profit retirement communities.
In Evanston, contact Pat Fiorio at 847.492.2980.
Volunteers help in these ways:
Visiting residents
Working in The Little Store or Westminster Gift Shop (Evanston)
Transporting residents in wheelchairs to physical therapy, the
fitness center, activities, or chapel
Reading a book or writing a letter
Accompanying a resident on a short walk to enjoy the flowers in
the greenhouse or to The Little Store (Evanston), on bus outings,
and to appointments with doctors
Providing transportation to Fourth Church on Sunday morningHealth
and Wellness
Center for Health Ministry at Fourth
Church
Health and healing are central in the ministry and work of Jesus
and the early church. The miracles of Jesus were not only signs
of the rule of God in human affairs but also a demonstration of
God’s concern for health, healing, and wholeness within
persons and the communities in which they live.
Health ministry within Fourth Church is an approach to wholeness
and health that builds on strengths of the congregation and its
community. Health ministry stresses wellness, health promotion,
and disease prevention and focuses on body-mind-spirit for the
health and healing of individuals, the congregation, and its community.
Contact Terry Stumpf at 312.981.3396 (tstumpf@fourthchurch.org).
Volunteers are needed to help in the following programs:
Blood drive—hosting donors, assisting with
paper work, serving refreshments; twice annually on Sunday at
Fourth Church
Flu immunization—held annually at Fourth
Church and at Cabrini-Green on weekdays and Sundays
hosting recipients, assisting with paper work
RNs filling syringes, administering vaccine, and taking blood
pressures
Skin cancer screening—hosting participants,
assisting with paper work; held annually at Fourth Church on weekdays
Blood pressure measurements—twice weekly
(Tuesday and Thursday) for members of the Center for Older Adults;
volunteers are RNs or LPNs
Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation,
Inc.
Established in 1992, in memory of Barrett “Bear” Krupa,
Bear Necessities serves children and research in eight city hospitals.
Volunteer opportunities include office support, grant writing,
public relations, project management, fundraising events coordination,
and service on committees: finance, development, medical advisory.
Contact Kathleen A. Casey at 847.952.9164 (kcasey165@aol.com),
or visit www.bearnecessities.org.
Communities of Care
John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of
Cook County
John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County formerly Cook County
Hospital) at 1901 W. Harrison invites volunteers to help in these
ways:
Chapel coordinators to oversee the chapel, extend sensitive hospitality
to all, take conscientious messages, reach chaplains on call;
regular weekly or twice-weekly shifts are appreciated
Emergency Waiting Room helpers to take coffee to people waiting
and to hold their place when they make restroom trips
Delivering books to patient rooms
Holding babies
Delivering juice and CDs to patients having dialysis (9:00 a.m.
to 3:00 p.m.)
Reading to children in the High Risk Clinic, as part of the “Reach
Out and Read” program (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
Delivering Christmas presents to children on Saturdays (morning
and afternoon shifts)
Assembling layettes for mothers going home with new babies
Sorting bills in the office
All volunteers having patient contact are required to have a free
health screening at the hospital which includes a tuberculosis
test, a blood draw, three hepatitis B shots, and a background
check to be certain the volunteer has not been convicted of a
felony.
The Forest Park branch of the Blue Line “El” (Medical
Center or Polk Street station) serves the hospital. Contact Sheila
Tucker at 312.633.6366.
Erie Family Health Center
EFHC was founded in 1956 as a volunteer program of Erie Neighborhood
House to provide primary health care for elderly residents of
the West Town community. Today, it is a full service family health
facility that was incorporated in 1976. In 1984, EFHC was designated
a federally funded community health center under the U.S. Public
Health Service. Erie has five sites: 1701 W. Superior, 2750 W.
North Avenue, 1523 W. Chicago Avenue (teen center), 646 N. Lawndale
Avenue, 847 N. Greenview (drop-in center for senior citizens).
Contact Virginia Gonzalez at 312.432.7393. Volunteers are needed
to help in these areas:
Medical services and support to physicians, health education for
clients, in-service seminars for staff
Clerical support such as duplicating, data collection, word processing,
filing, data entry
Advertising, marketing
Rehabilitating facilities by cleaning, painting, dry walling
Misericordia—Heart of
Mercy
Operated by the Sisters of Mercy under the auspices of Catholic
Charities, Misericordia was established in 1954 to support individuals
with developmental disabilities in maximizing their level of independence
and self-determination with an environment that fosters spirituality,
dignity, respect, and enhancement of quality of life. Two campuses
embrace over 550 children and adults challenged by mental and
physical disabilities. Residents on both campuses represent all
ethnic, religious, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
The south campus, at 2916 West 47th Street, provides skilled nursing
care for children with severe and profound mental and physical
disabilities, who are medically fragile and completely dependent
on their care givers. Some of the children are temporarily assigned
their by DCFS. Contact: Sister Mary Catherine (773) 254-9595.
Volunteers are needed at the south campus to
Read to and talk with children
Hold babies
Entertain small groups of children (e.g. magician, musician, puppets,
simple art)
The north campus, at 6300 North Ridge Avenue, provides assistance
and care for adults living in independent units and group homes,
nonambulatory children and adults, and adults with severe and
profound mental disabilities. Volunteers are needed in many ways.
Contact Theresa Rooney at 773.973.6300.
Global Mission
Fourth Church sponsors several global mission trips throughout
the year. Recent trips have taken volunteers to Ghana, Ecuador,
Honduras, Guatemala, Africa, Cuba, Albania, Cameroon, Croatia,
Brazil, and the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations in South Dakota.
The trips are scheduled for five to fourteen days, and are offered
throughout the year. Two types of trips are available: a work
project and a “mission in reverse.” In the latter,
there is no agenda, work project, or idea to be shared; volunteers
go to build relationships, listen, learn, and deepen understandings
about another culture. Contact Vicki Reynolds at 312.981.3384
(vreynolds@fourthchurch.org).
Social Justice Advocacy
Social
Justice Advocacy at Fourth Church
The Advocacy Subcommittee (of the Mission Committee) strives to
offer opportunities for the congregation and friends to share
Jesus’ love and his call to seek justice by reaching out,
on behalf of one another, to make changes in public policies that
impact the lives of all God’s people. The Advocacy Subcommittee
maintains a table during coffee hour, which helps members and
friends of Fourth Church put their faith into action. Recent topics
have included child abuse, gun control, welfare reform, homelessness,
moratorium against the death penalty, and health care for low-income
families.
One or two volunteers staff the table during each coffee hour
as often as they are able—once a quarter, once a month,
several times a month, or even every Sunday. The time commitment
is about 30 minutes following each morning worship service. Contact
Vicki Reynolds at 312.981.3384 (vreynolds@fourthchurch.org).
Blue Bow Child Abuse Awareness Project
To observe National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, Women@Fourth
Connect and the Mission Committee remember the children who have
been abused in Cook County during the previous year by tying blue
bows to the trees in front of the Garth along Michigan Avenue.
Volunteers can contribute to this project of concern and advocacy
by helping cut the ribbon during March or by helping to tie the
bows to the trees and removing them in April. Contact Lisa Cochrane
at 312.640.5495 (lcochrane@fourthchurch.org)
or Vicki Reynolds at 312.981.3384 (vreynolds@fourthchurch.org).
Care of Creation
Friends
of the Parks
FOTP is Chicago’s strong public advocate for the protection,
preservation, and improvement of the city’s lakefront, regional
and neighborhood parks. Organized in 1975, its mission is to preserve,
protect, and improve these parks and to foster appreciation for
the parks’ many contributions to the quality of urban life.
FOTP works to promote increased public/private commitment to Chicago’s
parks and open spaces. Contact 312.857.2757, ext. 13 (chesterr@fotp.org).
Volunteers are needed in these ways:
Community service projects to complete hands-on work including
tree mulching, watering, garden and tree planting, weeding, raking,
sweeping, and picking up litter. Volunteers work for three hours
during the months of April through November.
Adopt-A-Park program to pick up litter, sweep broken glass, water
and mulch trees, garden, and monitor that park (or children’s
playground, section of a large park, or part of a forest preserve).
Earth Day to clean over 100 parks and forest preserve throughout
the city and county on a Saturday in late April.
Public Lands Day in mid-September to restore natural areas in
the parks and forest preserve.
Special projects to help with one-day events such as the L.A.T.E.
Ride in July, at educational forums, or serving on an organizing
committee.
Office work to assist with data input, mailings, telephone calls,
packet assembly, and/or registration for special events.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Established in 1868, the Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the last free
major cultural institutions in the United States and has as its
mission: to provide a unique, intimate, educational, and “immersive”
experience, which teaches users about conservation and highlights
the role of zoos within the global conservation effort. Through
its goals, it (1) teaches people more about animals and their
environments, (2) highlights zoo conservation efforts by explaining
how zoos in North America help to protect animal populations around
the world, (3) encourages people to think more about how human
actions affect animals and their environments and stimulate the
public to become more active in local conservation efforts, and
(4) develops national and global partnerships to help with the
conservation effort. Contact Roberta Goncalzes at 312.742.2124
(volunteer@lpzoo.org);
also see website: www.lpzoo.org.
Volunteers are needed in three categories:
Regular—weekly commitment of 4 hours
Special events—one shift for a specific
event such as ZooLights, Run-for-the-Zoo
Special projects—ongoing or one time, depending
on person’s availability and zoo’s needs (e.g. raking
leaves, outdoor gardening, mailing projects); good option for
groups wishing to serve
Volunteers are needed as
Docents—specially trained volunteers to
lead tours, teach classes, and serve as direct links to the public
from the Education Department. Docents serve as interpreters at
animal exhibits and education stations, explain animal habitats,
adaptations and behaviors, handle small animals, visit schools.
Docents must be at least 18 years old, complete an 8-week training
class, and serve an apprenticeship.
Gardeners—assist the experienced landscape
staff with bed preparation, digging, watering, weeding, planting/transporting,
pruning, mulching, raking, seed collection and distribution, garden
waste disposal, tool and cart cleanup
Guest services—greet guests, provide information,
loan wheelchairs, rent strollers, wagons, scooters, answer phone
inquiries, manage lost children, communicate with staff in emergency
and medical situations, assist with membership procedures, help
train new volunteers.
Gift shop attendants—greet customers, assist
with store upkeep, displays, stock, answer questions about zoo
programs
Retail warehouse helpers—assist with ticketing
merchandise, organization
Staff assistants—help with filing photos,
preparing mailings, answering telephones, taking reservations,
entering data
Special projects—help with short-term projects,
such as assembling research data, translating articles, organizing
library and research materials, maintaining exhibit and yard upkeep;
good opportunity for groups
Special events staff—assist with greeting
and directing visitors at ZooLights Festival, SuperZoo Picnic,
Run-for-the-Zoo, and Celebration Weekends
Farm volunteers—interact with visitors
while demonstrating crafts, cooking, farm activities; be familiar
with animal collection and daily schedule at Farm-in-the-Zoo
Art-in-the-Farm staff—interact with visitors
while demonstrating arts and crafts related to farms and animals
Historical tour guides—deliver historical
and educational information about history of Lincoln Park Zoo;
be available weekends from May until September and special evening
events
Tangible benefits for volunteers include
20 percent discount at zoo shops, 30 percent at Park Place Café
and Big Cats Cafe
20 percent discount on zoo education classes and programs
Invitations to special zoo events throughout the year
Free parking along Cannon Drive (contingent on space)
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum grew out of the Chicago Academy
of Sciences, Chicago’s first organized scientific institution
(1865). The mission of the Chicago Academy of Science and its
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is to inspire people to learn about
and care for nature and the environment. The institution fosters
environmental learning through the exhibits and education programs
of the museum and through the Academy’s collections, research,
symposia, publications, events, and other activities. It strives
to build understanding of global environmental issues by interpreting
the effect those issues have on the Midwest. Contact: Cynthia
Vasques at 773.755.5141, (cvasques@naturemuseum.org).
Volunteers are needed to help in these ways:
Special events volunteers have the opportunity to make butterfly
arts and crafts for children, participate in community outreach
at off-site festivals and fairs, and promote the museum and its
mission by helping with on-site events.
Guest services volunteers assist visitors by greeting them, staffing
the information station, presenting an orientation, and working
with school groups.
Museum naturalists are trained educators who interpret each of
the exhibits, lead educational tours, and interact with school
groups and visitors.
Biology volunteers help maintain the Museum’s native gardens
and landscaping, work in the on-site Collections Lab, assist staff
in the Butterfly Lab, and help take care of the live animals.
Membership volunteers help with monthly mailings on selected Wednesdays
from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
External affairs volunteers help with administrative work that
makes it possible for the staff to educate, fascinate, and inspire
the guests. Volunteers assist by filing, database updating, and
research collection/organization, and are asked to help every
Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
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