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 July 17, 2017.
Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning Opportunities
Welcome Week Service Project
Join us on the Quad on Friday, August 18, from 3-5 p.m. for the Welcome Week service project. Any student is welcome as we pack backpacks for the Back To School Alliance.
Local Community Service Opportunities
Town of Normal Softball Tournament
The Town of Normal is seeking volunteers for the upcoming 2017 USA Girls’ 16A-U National Championship at Champion Fields; they are expecting 120 teams. There is a strong need for volunteers with knowledge of baseball/softball who are capable of running a scoreboard and keeping a score sheet. Volunteers are needed Tuesday, August 1st to Saturday, August 5th. If you would like to sign up to help, use the following link Http://nprd.ivolunteer.com. Once you are at the website you can select the date, time, field and job of your choice. We are seeking Scoreboard Operators and Score Sheet/Announcers for all fields. In addition to helping the community, volunteers working the tournament will receive:
- Free admission to the rest of the days games or free admission to the entire tournament if the volunteer works five or more games.
- Lunch and dinner are provided for volunteers working over the lunch/dinner hours.
Additional questions can be directed to Tony Axelson at (309)438-9779.
Children's Discovery Museum
Volunteer as an exhibit team member, at Innovation Station, in the Art Studio, assisting visitors, special events or leading programs. There are immediate needs for summer camps and a special event on August 11. Orientation is required prior to volunteering. Contact Amy Pitzer at Children's Discovery Museum at (309) 433-3453 or CDMVolunteers@normal.org.
Faith In Action
Looking for volunteers to help seniors get their grocery shopping done, a task that is often difficult for our care receivers. Volunteers are also needed to provide office support such as answering phones and scheduling appointments and driving seniors to doctor's appointments. To learn how to volunteer, please call our office at (309) 827-7780 or e-mail jessica@bnfia.org. Check out the Faith in Action website for more information.
West Bloomington Garden
The West Bloomington Active Garden is a collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club and the YWCA. The program aims to provide fresh, organic, and local produce to Bloomington's west side community, designated a "food desert" by the USDA. The WB Active Garden provides hands on educational programs for children K-5. The students learn the importance of organic and sustainable gardening practices and take home the produce they have grown. Volunteers are needed to help prepare and maintain the garden beds. No gardening experience is necessary. Email wbactivegarden@gmail.com or call Colleen Connelly at (309) 287-1440.
Carle Hospice
Carle Hospice is looking for Compassionate individuals to help serve our community of hospice patients within the surrounding counties: Livingston, Iroquois, Ford, McLean, De Witt, Champaign, Vermillion, Douglas, Macon, Piatt, Moultrie, Coles, Shelby, Cumberland, Clark, Effingham, Jasper, Crawford and Edgar. Our Hospice families are looking for someone who is willing to give respite care, and companionship. Also, may need errands ran, light housekeeping, simple meal preparations, letter writing, reading, and someone to just listen. We DO NOT ask the volunteers to provide any type of health services, just friendly visits. We are looking for bilingual volunteers to give respite care, French, Spanish, etc.
If you are interested please follow steps below:
- Log on to the Carle.org website
- Search Hospice Volunteer
- Fill out and submit application
- If you are having trouble or would just like to call and ask question, please call at (217) 383-8721 or email Letisha.Owens@carle.com
Heartland Head Start
Volunteer to assist in classrooms, teach family classes, at the front desk, or with outside projects.
Get Well Cards
Advocate Bromenn Medical Center has a mission this year to have Get Well Soon cards on the breakfast trays of EVERY person staying at the hospital EVERY day of the year to help brighten their days. They are in need of groups to assist with this task. Make as many cards as your group can make and then drop them at the main entrance guest services desk with a note of who they are from. Contact Tori Tiberi for more information.
Immigration Project
The immigration project has a variety of needs: citizenship team, assistant to the citizenship director, spanish speakers, receptionist, digitizing cases, and organizing. Full description of positions. Contact Thalia Novoa at tnovoa@immigrationproject.org or (309) 829-8703 x104.
Habitat For Humanity
Volunteer for construction of the house in Normal or work in the downtown Bloomington office answering phones and greeting customers. Office shifts available 9:15 a.m.-12 p.m. or 1:15-4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday or Friday. To learn more about either of these needs are sign up for a group build call Lindsey Probst at (309) 827-3931.
Other Engagement Opportunities
Pet Central Volunteer Coordinator Intern
Pet Central is seeking an intern who will lead volunteers through the recruiting and training process, assist with coordination, placement, and follow up of volunteers, create outreach and presentation materials, recruit volunteers by contacting groups, organizations, attending meetings and events. This is an unpaid internship with flexible hours. If you are interested, email your resume to info@petcentralhelps.org. Visit the Pet Central Helps website for more information about the organization.
YWCA Mission Impact Interns
Are you on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote justice for all? Are you a student looking for an internship opportunity this semester? If you answered "yes," join the Mission Impact intern team at YWCA! If you are interested in the position, please contact Jen Carillo at jcarrillo@ywcamclean.org. We've got a lot of challenges and opportunities in the horizon and we need YOU to be a part of the team that takes them on!