Civic Engagement Opportunities
The Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning maintains a list of current volunteer and service opportunities for students.
Last updated on October 16th , 2018.
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Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning Opportunities
Alternative Breaks
Apply for Alternative Spring Break and Alternative Summer Break. Applications due October 22nd, 2018.
Local Community Service Opportunities
Christmas Wish List Location Prep
Each year The Baby Fold coordinates The Christmas Wishlist, a program to support children receiving services from The Baby Fold during the holiday season through gift giving. This year's Christmas Wishlist drop off location (1500 Ft. Jess Road Suite A, former Hammitt Junior/Senior High School) is in need of assistance to get it ready. A group of 12 - 24 volunteers are needed to commit 4 hours by the end of October to move furniture, throw out trash, and deep clean. Contact Sam Guillory at sguillory@thebabyfold.org.
INtegRIty Counseling
Integrity Counseling has expanded its hours and is looking for front desk reception volunteers. We need both regular volunteers (2 hours or more per week) and substitute volunteers who can be called when someone is ill or on vacation. We especially need volunteers for late afternoons, evenings, and every other Saturday AM. Our reception volunteers answer our phones, do phone screenings, and help schedule clients based on counselor availability. We are flexible with schedules and are a great volunteer placement for retirees and students. For more information contact Luella at 309-827-9100 or email info@integrityhelps.org.
St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry
Volunteers are needed 9am – 1pm and 1pm – 4pm every Monday to assist with distribution of food pantry items. Volunteers are also needed every Friday from 12pm – 2pm to assist with loading food as well as the second Tuesday of each month from 1pm – 3pm to assist with the mobile food pantry. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Holy Trinity Church at (309)829-2197.
The Baby Fold's Festival of Trees
This year, The Baby Fold’s Festival of Trees will celebrate its 25th year as a family-centered community event. All proceeds from the 2018 Festival of Trees will again help to provide positive changes in the lives of children and families served by The Baby Fold by connecting them with opportunities for a better life. This year’s Festival of Trees will be held November 16-18, 2018 at the Intestate Center in Bloomington, Illinois. We need hundreds of volunteers throughout the week of set-up (November 13-15) until tear-down (November 18) and hope we can count on you. Volunteer sign up is now available online. If you would like to sign up as a group, please contact Jess McLane at jmclane@thebabyfold.org.
Habitat ReStore
The Habitat for Humanity ReStore needs support from someone who can serve as a volunteer cashier or answer phone calls. The role requires no previous experience, just a positive attitude, a friendly smile, and honesty when handling money and transactions. The volunteer cashier will ring up customers, answer phone calls, and answer basic questions from customers or simply direct the customer to a staff member. The volunteer can read a book or study in between customers and calls. Volunteers needed anytime Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm or Saturday 9am-4pm. Any number of service is appreciated. No advance scheduling necessary. Any majors are welcome, but may especially pertain to social work and business majors seeking customer service skills, ability to connect with and relate to many different people, and seeing how different roles contribute to a greater organization. Looking for approximately 1-5 volunteers per week. Please direct questions regarding this volunteer opportunity to Ashlee Sang at ashlee.sang@habitatmclean.org.
School Street Food Pantry
The School Street Food Pantry is an organization that is dedicated to providing students in the local community with the food, supplies, and knowledge they need to become self-reliant in the future. We are a volunteer-run non-profit operating out of the 1st United Methodist Church in Normal, Illinois. Right next to Illinois State University. Please fill out this volunteer application if you are interested in helping out the food pantry! The volunteer positions vary based on time commitment and labor conditions. The volunteer application explains the duties and commitments volunteers will have to adhere to when working for the pantry. Click here to find the application. Please contact isufoodbankvolunteer@gmail.com with any questions or concerns! Thank you!
Farmer City Haunted Forest
The Farmer City Haunted Forest event is a community event held in Farmer City, IL. It is a haunted hay rack ride through the Salt Creek Area 21 campgrounds. Volunteers would help with set up, providing scares to the public, and/or clean up work. Volunteers needed:
Friday, October 26th during the hours of 4:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. and Saturday, October 27th during the hours of 1:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Location: 12853 Royal Road, Farmer City, IL. To volunteer please contact Angela Testory at fchauntedforest@gmail.com
Halloween Haunted Trail
We are looking for volunteers to dress up in popular scary (October 26th and 27th) and non-scary (October 18th, 19th, and 20th) Halloween costumes while interacting with participants as they walk along the trail. We also have a limited amount of non-costume positions available that are first come first serve. Typically, this event attracts 1,600 people per night and is one of the most anticipated events of the year.
Should you be interested in finding out more information on this event, or volunteering, please visit our website. Please contact Bethany Kadivar, Normal Parks and Recreation Intern, at Bkadivar@normal.org or 309-433-9918 with any questions or concerns.
Give Thanks Week 2018
All activities will take place at Midwest Food Bank, 2031 Warehouse Road, Normal, IL. Everyone would need to wear tennis shoes or closed toed shoes for this event. Please contact lmerrill@hshministries.org for volunteer questions.
Box Building (putting the actual boxes we use together):
- Monday, November 12th from 9-Noon or Noon-3
Packing Boxes (putting food items in boxes):
- Tuesday, November 13th from 9-Noon or Noon-3
- Thursday, November 15th from 9-Noon or Noon-3
Distribution of Boxes (includes directing traffic, loading boxes into cars, etc. Will need to dress appropriately for outside weather.)
- Saturday, November 17th from 11-1:30 or 1-3:30
- Monday, November 19th from 1-3:30 or 3:30
Salvation Army
Food Pantry Sorter (Family Services)
Multiple Shifts Available:
Tuesdays: 9am to noon
Wednesdays: 9am to noon
Thursdays: 9am to noon and 1pm to 3pm (tech savvy – will be using a tablet)
Volunteers can assemble food bags/basket and distribute food baskets to clients, stock and organize pantry shelves and freezer as needed, take phone messages when needed, and receive, document, organize and sort donations.
Day Center Assistant (Safe Harbor Shelter)
Multiple Shifts to Available:
Mondays: 8am to noon and noon to 4pm
Tuesdays: 8am to Noon
Thursdays: Noon to 4pm
Fridays: 8am to Noon and Noon to 4pm
Volunteers will greet and check in clients, act as a liaison between clients and case managers, answer the telephone and basic administrative duties,log medications and distribute hygiene supplies to clients , and receive and document gifts in kind and sort donations.
To volunteer please contact Joyce Glasscock at (309) 829-9476 ext 203 and complete an online application.
Children's Discovery Museum
Children’s Discovery Museum needs volunteers for week day, after school, and Saturday programming such as art studio, innovation station, and assisting with groups and campus. Volunteers are also needed for special events. All volunteers are required to participate in an orientation prior to volunteering. Contact Amy Pitzer at apitzer@normal.org for more information.
Oakdale Elementary
Are you looking to make a difference in a child's life? Needing a convenient time to volunteer in a place that is close to campus? Wanting to work with an awesome team of people who love what they do? If so, Oakdale Elementary is the place for you to gain the experience of a lifetime. We are a school full of caring faculty looking for a team of people to join us in changing the future of children. We are nestled in the heart of Normal, IL just a 5 minute walk from campus. Time between classes could change the life of a child for a lifetime. Please join us in mentoring our children towards greatness! For more information please contact Andrew Shelby at shelbya@unit5.org.
Volunteer in the IMC at Oakdale Elemenary School (on Adelaide, close to ISU campus). There are volunteer shifts from 7:45-2:30 Mondays - Thursdays. Shifts/classes are 50 minutes. Contact Kara Thompson, the IMC specialist at: thompsok@unit5.org.
Meadows at Mercy Creek
Chair Exercise Leader to conduct low impact/seated exercise with seniors in assisted living in Normal. 11 a.m. or 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Volunteer one or more times a week. For more information contact Janie at Meadows at Mercy Creek 309-268-1408.
Snack Shop for assisted living residents in Normal. Tuesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. Serve hand dipped ice cream and popcorn and visit with residents. Volunteer one or more Tuesdays per month. For more information contact Janie at Meadows at Mercy Creek 309-268-1408.
St. Joseph Medical Center
There are a variety of volunteer needs at St. Joseph Medical Center, including:
- Karing Partners Therapy Dog Program
- Transport volunteers
- Surgical Family Waiting Lounge Host or Hostess
- Hospitality Cart volunteer
- Cheerful Information Desk volunteers
Orientation and training are offered for ALL volunteer positions. The volunteers must be able to pass a background check and receive a flu shot in order to be considered. Contact Bobbi Hynes at bobbi.a.hynes@osfhealthcare.org or 309-665-4728 to learn more about an opportunity or sign up.
Faith in Action Medical Transportation
Help older individuals stay independent. Provide rides to and from doctor’s appointments. This is a flexible volunteer opportunity where you can pick and choose the rides that fit into your schedule. Upcoming Orientation: Thursday Oct 18 10:00-11:30 am. Sign up to attend a volunteer orientation at this link and click on “Get Involved”. You may also call Faith in Action at 827-7780 or email robin@bnfia.org
Dia de Los Muertos Event
Assist with set up, decorations, or staffing tables for this event at Mclean County Museum of History. A variety of timeslots are available. Sign up online.
Prairie Aviation
Whatever your skill or interest, we can use you here at Prairie Aviation Museum! Greet guests, collect admission fees, collect sales from gift shop, and meet new people. There is a lot you can do! Maintain aircraft, paint, small repairs, Web design! We have a wide variety of volunteer opportunities to match your skill and interest set! Please email info@prairieaviationmuseum.org Attn: Barn Edwards to sign up or to collect more information!
Home of Hope Committee
We are looking for new individuals to join any of our three committees. This is a chance for your voice to be heard! Bring your fresh, new ideas to the table and assist us in growing and developing our existing fundraisers and programs! Help us network and spread the good word about our organization and the work that we do. This is a volunteer opportunity but can be used as a reference for a job well done.
For more information email Holly at: hphillips@homesofhopeinc.org or call the office at 309-862-0607.
Starved Rock & Matthiessen State Park Trail Clean Up
Due to recent flooding at the park(s) we are need of volunteer groups to help with litter clean up along our trails in the park. This is an ongoing project at the park(s) due to our increasing visitor usage over the years (3 million visitors a year). It would be greatly appreciated if you could share this information with your student organizations looking for community service work and a chance to help the environment while enjoying the outdoors and beautiful scenery at Starved Rock. Student organizations can contact me directly and I will provide them with a group permit to complete (more than 25 people) as well as garbage grabbers and bags. They will need to provide their own gloves. Mondays and Fridays are the best days for pick up since I am in the office and the weekend traffic hasn't begun but we will take help any day that a group is available. Please contact Lisa Sons at Lisa.Sons@illinois.gov with questions.
Volunteer Drivers and Helpers Needed
Recycling Furniture for Families is in desperate need of volunteer drivers to help deliver furniture to people in need and pick-up furniture that is donated to our organization. A special license is not required to drive our trucks. Days/Times Needed: Monday-Thursday 5-7 p.m. and Saturday 9-11 a.m. One day a month would be a big help to our organization and the people in need in our community! Please contact Frank Downes at director@rf4f.org if you are interested in helping us.
IHSA State Finals
The Athletic Department is proud to host various IHSA State Finals events throughout the year. These successful events are largely dependent upon the outpouring of generous volunteers from the Bloomington-Normal and surrounding communities. While our volunteer base is loyal and strong we are looking to bolster our volume. If you, or someone you know, might be interested in learning more about specific or upcoming volunteer opportunities; please reach out to Sarah Bonnett – Director of Events and Game Operations, Redbird Athletics – slbonne@ilstu.edu or 438-3637.
Home Sweet Home Ministries
Home Sweet Home Ministries needs your help! We are greatly seeking volunteers to help sort donations at our Warehouse, located at 1700 West Washington Street, in Bloomington. Individuals or groups up to 25 in size can sign up to volunteer anytime Monday through Friday from 8 am-4 pm. We would love for you to become one of our regulars! Applications may be submitted HERE. Contact Linda Merrill at 309-828-7356 ext. 217 or lmerrill@hshministries.org for more information or to schedule a time to serve.
Junior Achievement Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
Junior Achievement's volunteer-delivered, kindergarten-12th grade programs foster work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills, and use experiential learning to inspire students to dream big and reach their potential. Volunteers visit classrooms just a few times throughout the semester. They share their workforce experience with kindergarten-12th grade students, all while teaching sound economic principles and reinforcing class curricula. Here is how it works:
- Sign up for a class in need of a volunteer at a participating school
- All materials and training are provided
- Set up JA dates/times directly with assigned classroom teacher
- Facilitate 5-7 sessions of less than an hour
Contact Sienna Beard at sienna.beard@ja.org or (309) 682-1800 with any questions. Review the JA General Informational Flyer for additional details.
PATH/United Way 2-1-1 Hotline Volunteer
Adult volunteers are needed to answer phones on the 24-hour hotline. Volunteering your time on the hotline offers a rewarding experience and a great opportunity to give back to your community. A complete training program and professional backup is provided. Our training program teaches you everything you need to know, including communication techniques and information about community resources. The next 8-week training class begins February 1, 2018. If interested, the volunteer application is available online . Classroom training meets on Thursdays from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Questions? Call Kevin at 309-834-0541.
STAR Literacy Program
Sharing the Ability to Read (STAR) is a volunteer effort to help reduce illiteracy in Dewitt, Livingston, Logan and McLean Counties STAR trains and places volunteer tutors with adults who want to improve basic skills in reading, writing, and math, or who want to learn English as a second language. Tutor one-on-one or in small group. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Please review more about the STAR program here or contact (309) 834-92222 for more information.
Normal Theater
Volunteers are a crucial part of our operations, offering support in the concessions area and serving as ticket takers. Volunteers work for the hour prior to the start of an event, and then are free to watch the show. Volunteers are welcome to free popcorn and soda during the event. Following the event, volunteers assist in a general cleaning of the theater, taking no more than 15 minutes. The Normal Theater uses an online scheduling system, and you get to choose the shows and positions for which you’d like to volunteer. We also ask that all volunteers be at least 16 years old, and are capable of lifting up to 20 pounds. Volunteer Application can be found here! Please contact Amy Pitzer with any questions at apitzer@ilstu.edu.
Western Avenue Community Center
Seeking Volunteer tutors for students in Kindergarten through 5th grade, one day per week: 3:00-5:15 p.m. Opportunities available Monday-Friday for a semester or school years. Work one on one with a child- get to see their progress and growth. Assist with homework, reading, and basic math. Contact Jennifer Trimble at jtrimble@westernavenuecc.org or (309) 829-4807 ext. 1007 for more information and to apply. Orientation sessions schedule in September, get started here with the application now!
The Bloomington Housing Authority and Marcfirst
The Bloomington Housing Authority and Marcfirst work together to support adults with developmental disabilities through the Congregate Housing Service Program (CHSP). The Housing Authority provides apartments to 24 adults with diagnoses at the Irvin Apartments at 823 W. Oakland and 810 W. Jackson in Bloomington. Marcfirst staff provides services and training to assist the participants to become more independent. Therefore, volunteers are asked to commit to a weekly schedule. The length of time spent with participants would vary. However, volunteers should devote at least a half hour at a time. This opportunity is ideal for students to find out if they want to pursue a career working with people with developmental disabilities. If you have further questions, please contact Jen Mayer at 829-3360 ext. 208.
Other Engagement Opportunities
Poverty Simulation
Participate in a poverty simulation hosted by the YWCA on Saturday, October 20 9am - 12:30pm. A poverty simulation is a role playing activity to gain understanding of the experience of a family trapped in poverty. It provides an inside view into difficult decisions like buying food and clothing or healthcare and rent. Participation fosters empathy and raises awareness about needs in the community. Register online.
Give, Hope, Fight Poverty
Give Hope, Fight Poverty works in schools, orphanages, and clinics in rural eSwatini, Africa - in communities ravaged by HIV to listen to challenges these young orphans face and work together with Swazi community leaders and partners to develop sustainable solutions to address their basic needs. Through our international service-learning programs, we offer an experience for US students to become engaged with global efforts to offer orphans the tools necessary for lifting themselves out of poverty. The US participants gain a culturally competent perspective that will make them more marketable in our global world and instill in them the importance of making an impact in their community and abroad!! Travel with us on our 10 day service learning experiences and participate in hands-on programming in pediatric HIV clinics, child-headed households, rural schools, and more. On past trips we've built homes/toilets, planted vegetable gardens, delivered emergency food packages to child-headed homes, built children's libraries & provided healthcare to orphans, etc. You can find info about our current programs here: https://youtu.be/WzKft6AxGWs and if you have any questions, reach out to CEO Annie - anniefightspoverty@gmail.com or cell: 765-532-2586".
Tyson Foods Summer Community Internship Program
The Tyson Foods Summer Community Internship Program provides full-time college students an approximately eight-week paid summer internship to assist community organizations and gain experience with diverse social issues. All nonprofits and public organizations within the designated communities are eligible to apply, however, applications are especially encouraged from those focused directly or indirectly on hunger relief, adult education, and immigrant services. Organizations will be selected based on need and capacity to provide a quality student experience. Organizations that received this grant last year are encouraged to apply with an updated job description.
Organizations should complete the online application by October 26, 2018. Applications are also open for student interns and can be found here.
The Immigration Project
We are looking for interns for Spring 2019. As a non-profit that provides legal aid to downstate Illinois' immigrant community, we offer interns a unique opportunity to have hands-on experience with law, languages, and social issues. Please contact Genesis Marie R. Buendia at gbuendia@immigrationproject.org or (309) 829-8703 ext. 106 for questions. Visit http://www.immigrationproject.org/volunteer/ for more information or click here for roles that we are looking to fill.
Blood Drive
There is an emergency need for blood donations now! Donations are going out to hospitals faster than they are coming in. For helping ensure patient needs are met, all presenting donors will receive acertificate for FREE ice cream from E’ Mack & Bolio’s PLUS a $5 Amazon.com gift card! Please use scheduling link provided to reserve your slot today or call 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767). If you have just recently donated -- thank you! - you can donate every 56 days. Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App on the App Store, Google Play or text BLOODAPP to 90999. Schedule appointments, get rewards and invite friends to join you on a lifesaving team.
Impact America, AmeriCorps
Impact America provides an opportunity for recent graduates to engage with communities of need in a meaningful way, broadening their perspectives and making a real impact in their communities. Positions are available in Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Florida beginning in July 2019. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Deadline to apply for December/January start date: November 1st. Priority deadline to apply for July start date: November 28th.
Learn more and apply here.
Internship Opportunity with Senator Richard J. Durbin-Spring of 2019
We are striving to cultivate an intern class that reflects the diverse population of the great State of Illinois, and we ask that you please encourage undergraduate students of all majors with an interest in public service to apply. Please do not hesitate to contact me at james_floyd@durbin.senate.gov or call 202-224-2152. Additionally, you may visit Senator Durbin’s website for additional information https://www.durbin.senate.gov/help/internships for more information. Applications can be submitted online: Apply here!
Clothing Drive
Organizations are needed to conduct a clothing drive on behalf of Sheridan Correctional Center. Clothing is used to stock the Clothing Closet so that offenders can pick out outfits to be released in and for job interviews. This resource helps individuals so they are not easily identified as inmates as they transition home. If your organization is interested in conducting a clothing drive, please contact Chad Jackson at (815) 496-2181z2500.
Donor Registry
There are almost 5,000 people on the organ transplant waiting list in Illinois. You can give hope to those who are waiting by deciding what your wishes are in regards to organ/tissue donation, and officially registering your wish by joining the Illinois Secretary of State’s Organ/Tissue Donor Registry, and by sharing your wish with family and friends. To arrange for a speaker to give a ½ hour informational presentation to your organization, or to arrange to have a donor drive, please contact Karen Kohnke, Regional Coordinator for the Illinois Secretary of State’s Life Goes On Organ/Tissue Donor Program. Email Karen at kkohnke@ilsos.net, or call/text her at 309-830-3296. One donor has the potential to save as many as eight lives and improve up to twenty-five lives. For further information on the Illinois Organ/Tissue Donor Registry, go to www.LifeGoesOn.com.
Teacher Positions, YWCA
We need additional teachers for this school year and would love for you to join our team. We are looking for child care professionals focused on fostering a positive learning environment for children. You can find addtional infromation regarding before and after school teacher postions here and special education positions here. Pease direct questions to Melissa Breeden at mbreeden@ywcamclean.org
Leadership and the American Presidency
Through the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute’s partnership with the American Association of State Colleges & Universities (AASCU), students from campuses associated with the American Democracy Project and The Democracy Commitment are eligible for dedicated scholarships for the Leadership and the American Presidency (LTAP) program in Washington, DC for undergraduate students. Our organizations’ shared missions of cultivating citizen leaders who are engaged members of their communities, prompts us to award selected students from these campuses scholarships no less than $2500 and $4000 for the Summer and Fall terms, respectively. For more information about this scholarship and partnership, please email ltap@reaganfoundation.org.
Mentor Matching Engine
The Illinois Science & Technology Institute (ISTI) is a nonprofit organization that runs a virtual mentoring platform called the Mentor Matching Engine (MME). MME is an online collaboration tool that pairs high school students across Illinois with mentors to collaborate on student-driven research projects. Click this link to join the mentor pool!