Volunteer work in Chicago?
December 3, 2005 5:24 PM Subscribe
Where can I find a place to volunteer in the Chicago area?
Ideally, somewhere relatively close to the northwest suburbs, but the city is ok too.
I have been assigned 20 hours of community service and have 3 weeks to complete it. I thought finding a place would be simple, but none of the three websites i've browsed were of any help. Either the hours were way too short, or the people never got back to me. Local hospitals were also of no help. Is there a place (the type of work isn't an issue) where I can begin volunteering asap? Surely someone must need the services of an able young man.
Ideally, somewhere relatively close to the northwest suburbs, but the city is ok too.
I have been assigned 20 hours of community service and have 3 weeks to complete it. I thought finding a place would be simple, but none of the three websites i've browsed were of any help. Either the hours were way too short, or the people never got back to me. Local hospitals were also of no help. Is there a place (the type of work isn't an issue) where I can begin volunteering asap? Surely someone must need the services of an able young man.
www.idealist.org
posted by availablelight at 6:53 PM on December 3, 2005
posted by availablelight at 6:53 PM on December 3, 2005
I have a few friends who volunteer with Chicago Cares and have been impressed.
posted by intoxicate at 9:37 PM on December 3, 2005
posted by intoxicate at 9:37 PM on December 3, 2005
chicago cares does require that you attend orientation before you join a project, but they do combine orientation with projects, sometimes.
it is an excellent organization that offers a variety of continuing and one-off projects to be involved in. they are part of the hands on network, if you're familiar with their philosophy of civic action.
posted by crush-onastick at 12:18 PM on December 4, 2005
it is an excellent organization that offers a variety of continuing and one-off projects to be involved in. they are part of the hands on network, if you're familiar with their philosophy of civic action.
posted by crush-onastick at 12:18 PM on December 4, 2005
This is sort of an aside, but may be helpful in having you find what you need.
As a volunteer manager, your comment "I have been assigned 20 hours of community service and have 3 weeks to complete it." would probably cause me to say no thanks unless I had a small, easy project (rare for my non-profit).
Three reasons why, and I am generalizing a lot here. First, your were "assigned" to volunteer. People assigned to volunteer are generally students over a break for a class/school requirement or are working off a community service sentence for some legal issue. These volunteers, again I am speaking generally and not directly about your situation, tend to want to put in their hours and be done.
Simply put, it's not worth my time to train you and then have you walk away. As a volunteer manager, I need people who are passionate about the "cause", whatever it may be and who are willing to commit to a longer timeframe. Not necessarily more hours, but over a greater duration.
Second, the extreme time constraint (3 weeks). Most required volunteer or community service work comes with long lead times. Only having three weeks to complete it makes me wonder about a lack of foresight on a volunteer's part. I would worry that if you left this to the last minute, you may have left other, more pressing things for the last minute too and simply leave before your hours were up.
Third, and most importantly, I have a responsibility to my staff, my constituents and my other volunteers. With a rush timeline, I cannot guarantee you are not a risk to any of them. I need time to talk to you, have you fill out an application, and go through an orientation to make sure you are a good fit.
So here is my advice. If you need something quick, try organizations that do not directly help people, i.e. homeless shelters, hospitals, or the like since they will be the most worried about #3. Try approaching smaller organizations with an offer to help with mailings (folding, stuffing, sorting).
Finally, if it is possible and honest, find an organization whose goals you believe in and tell them you are willing to commit to a longer timeframe. Explain your urgent need to get hours. If you were willing to commit an hour a month indefinitely, I would take a second look and likely take a risk.
posted by karmaville at 10:02 AM on December 5, 2005
As a volunteer manager, your comment "I have been assigned 20 hours of community service and have 3 weeks to complete it." would probably cause me to say no thanks unless I had a small, easy project (rare for my non-profit).
Three reasons why, and I am generalizing a lot here. First, your were "assigned" to volunteer. People assigned to volunteer are generally students over a break for a class/school requirement or are working off a community service sentence for some legal issue. These volunteers, again I am speaking generally and not directly about your situation, tend to want to put in their hours and be done.
Simply put, it's not worth my time to train you and then have you walk away. As a volunteer manager, I need people who are passionate about the "cause", whatever it may be and who are willing to commit to a longer timeframe. Not necessarily more hours, but over a greater duration.
Second, the extreme time constraint (3 weeks). Most required volunteer or community service work comes with long lead times. Only having three weeks to complete it makes me wonder about a lack of foresight on a volunteer's part. I would worry that if you left this to the last minute, you may have left other, more pressing things for the last minute too and simply leave before your hours were up.
Third, and most importantly, I have a responsibility to my staff, my constituents and my other volunteers. With a rush timeline, I cannot guarantee you are not a risk to any of them. I need time to talk to you, have you fill out an application, and go through an orientation to make sure you are a good fit.
So here is my advice. If you need something quick, try organizations that do not directly help people, i.e. homeless shelters, hospitals, or the like since they will be the most worried about #3. Try approaching smaller organizations with an offer to help with mailings (folding, stuffing, sorting).
Finally, if it is possible and honest, find an organization whose goals you believe in and tell them you are willing to commit to a longer timeframe. Explain your urgent need to get hours. If you were willing to commit an hour a month indefinitely, I would take a second look and likely take a risk.
posted by karmaville at 10:02 AM on December 5, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
Volunteer Match
The P.A.D.S programs can always use a hand. (Although it may not fit your timetable.)
Here is good opportunity for you. I am sure you can *wrap* up those 20 hours there.
Cheers
PS - Getting to a volunteer position is alot more work than most people think. Be persistant.
posted by lampshade at 6:10 PM on December 3, 2005