Civic Engagement Opportunities | Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning

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 February 12, 2019.

Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning Opportunities

Alternative Breaks One-Day Trip!

On February 16 we’ll be heading to El Valor in Chicago for a one-day trip to learn about the amazing work they are doing and to do a variety of projects to help them with their facilities. Cost is only $10 and includes transportation, breakfast, and lunch. The day trip is now full, but register today if you are interested in being placed on the wait list!

Civic Film: Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Join the Center at the Normal Theater at 7 p.m. on February 26 for a free screening of this amazing documentary about Fred Rogers. Following the screening, a panel of faculty members from the Department of Psychology will discuss themes of empathy within the film and answer broader questions of empathy within society.

Civic Film: Thirsty Land

Join us at the Normal Theater at 7 p.m. on March 25 for a free screening the film Thirsty Land. The documentary looks into extreme drought, agriculture, and the water crisis in the Western United States and how these challenges impact farmers, communities, and the environment. Film producer/director Conrad Weaver will speak following the film. This showing is cosponsored by the Center for Center for a Sustainable Water Future, the American Democracy Project, and the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning.

Local Community Service Opportunities

Salvation Army

Food Pantry Sorter (Family Services)
Multiple Shifts Available:
Tuesdays: 9 a.m. to noon
Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to noon
Thursdays: 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (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: 8 a.m. to noon and noon to 4 p.m.
Tuesdays: 8 a.m. to Noon
Thursdays: Noon to 4 p.m.
Fridays: 8 a.m. to Noon and Noon to 4 p.m.

Volunteers will greet and check in clients, act as a liaison between clients and case managers, answer the telephone and complete basic administrative duties, log medications and distribute hygiene supplies to clients, receive/document gifts in kind, and sort donations.

To volunteer please contact Joyce Glasscock at (309) 829-9476, ext. 203 and complete an online application.

Habitat for Humanity Video

Habitat for Humanity of McLean County is looking for a skilled person to create a video to be used at a fundraiser for their Women Build program. Women Build is a special program of Habitat for Humanity that works to empower and equip women to take action against poverty and poor housing conditions. The group hosts a Bunco Blitz event annually to raise money for a Habitat home. Bunco is a dice game that can be played many different ways. Habitat is looking to create a video to demonstrate the rules clearly and concisely to event attendees. The video will need to be used for an event on October 3, 2019. You would mostly work independently, but with some initial guidance from our Women Build Committee. For more information, please contact Lindsey Jarboe at 309-827-3931 or lindsey.jarboe@habitatmclean.org.

Community Playground Build Day, Havana, IL

Volunteers are needed to help Illinois Ability Sports build a community playground in Havana, IL, on April 27. Work will take place from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting at 4:30 p.m. Click here to learn more and to register.

MDA Summer Camp Student Volunteers

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) in Illinois is recruiting student volunteers to support the MDA Summer Camp program at the Timber Pointe Outdoor Center in Hudson, IL, from Saturday, July 6 to Friday, July 12. The camp program is overnight, and MDA needs volunteers to commit to being on site the entire week. MDA provides pre-camp training to all volunteers, and all meals and lodging are provided. They will award 144 service hours for the week. Visit the MDA website for more information and to apply.

Midwest Food Bank

Midwest Food Bank is in need of volunteer help answering phones, scanning, and filing paperwork, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to noon. Volunteer work can be one day a week or multiple days, temporary or long-term. If you enjoy talking to people and general office duties, contact them at (309) 663-5350.

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!

National Eating Disorders Association Walk

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) in Peoria, IL, is looking for walkers and volunteers for the NEDA Walk on Saturday, April 6, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Bradley University, Alumni Quad (1501 W Bradley Ave, Peoria, IL 6106). The program requires that volunteers register as walker/volunteers, rather than just solely volunteers. Register online. If you have questions, contact Emma Lehman at elehman@nationaleatingdisorders.org or 312-351-5602.

Local Elementary School Carnival

District 87 is looking for 20 to 25 volunteers to run games at an elementary school carnival on April 12 from 5:15 to 8:15 p.m. Contact Courtney Turnbull at turnbullc@district87.org or (309) 831-5441 (text or call).

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 morning. 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.

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.

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 are needed anytime Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Any number of service hours is appreciated. No advance scheduling necessary. Contact Dawn Ruest at dawn.ruest@habitatmclean.org for more information.

Luther Oaks Art Project

Luther Oaks is looking for Art or Design students to create art for the My Tapestry Memory Care Unit. They would like some art that is tactile and that can be used to engage the residents in conversation. Please contact Debi Terfruchte 309-557-8043 to learn more.

St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry

Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Monday to assist with distribution of food pantry items. Volunteers are also needed every Friday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. to assist with loading food as well as the second Tuesday of each month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to assist with the mobile food pantry. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Holy Trinity Church at (309) 829-2197.

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.

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. 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

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.

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.

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.

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

DAI’s Development Coordinator Rotation Program

Previously known as Development Assistants, a cohort of nine Development Coordinators participate in DAI‘s entry-level rotation program, a year-long training and development program designed to introduce new professionals with an interest in international development to the important aspects of the business. Through the phased rotations, Development Coordinators will learn the basics of business development, project management and operations, federal compliance, internal audit, project finance, and technical excellence at DAI and gain a holistic view of the international development business.

Critical Social Issues Panel Discussion

The American Democracy Project is sponsoring a panel discussion focusing on some of the key social issues in Bloomington-Normal. Thursday, February 28, 3:30 to 5 p.m., Schroeder Hall 246. Panelists will represent different community-based organizations: Deborah Halperin with Action Research Center; Mike O'Grady with Economic Development Council of Bloomington-Normal; Breanna Grow with Community Health Care Clinic; and Kathy King-Nobles with Normal First United Methodist Church and School Street Food Pantry.

Impact America Applications Open

Impact America provides an opportunity for recent graduates to engage in communities of need in a meaningful way, broadening their perspectives and making a real impact in their communities. One-year, AmeriCorps member positions are available in Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina. The priority application deadline is March 3 for a July start date.

Student Facilitators for LOSC 2020

Leaders of Social Change through the Dean of Students Office is looking for seven new student facilitators for their 2020 trip to Memphis. Applications are due at 11:59 p.m. on February 24.

Nominations Open for Community Engagement Awards

Illinois State University’s chapter of the American Democracy Project (ADP) is accepting nominations for the annual Community Engagement Awards. The awards recognize people and organizations for their outstanding contributions to civic engagement. All nominations are due by March 20. For more information, visit the ADP website.

IMPACT Conference, Feb. 21-24, 2019

The IMPACT Conference brings together college students, nonprofit professionals, campus administrators, and year of service members to share best practices, experiences, stories, and resources in their work for social change. It will take place in Charlottesville, Virginia.

AmeriCorps Members Opportunity in East Aurora

East Aurora School District 131 is searching for AmeriCorps Members to serve in their district. College students and those passionate about health and gardening are invited to apply. AmeriCorps Members receive a stipend, or living allowance, as well as an education award for their service. More information is available through this flyer and the job description. Apply online.

Communications and Marketing Intern, Peoria, Illinois

The American Red Cross is looking for a motivated, organized self-starter with superb verbal and written communication skills and good computer skills. This intern will assist the Regional Communication Director, working in our Peoria office, with all the communications and marketing activities of our Central and Southern Illinois Region. In this role, you will create branded marketing materials, monitor and track all media mentions of the Red Cross within our 78-county region, write specific press releases for Red Cross events, contribute to our social media strategies, find and compose compelling Red Cross stories and pictures, and help the Director as needed with disaster response public affairs. This is an unpaid internship. The minimum time requirement is 10-20 hours per week. TO APPLY: Email your resume to Sasha Welch-Moore: sasha.welchmoore@redcross.org Questions? Please call 309-677-7272 ext. 7254

Theatre Production Intern

The Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, located in downtown Bloomington, Illinois, is looking for interested individuals to join our team and work Backstage as Production Interns. The interns selected for this position should expect to be trained in a wide range of responsibilities and be given a variety of tasks. Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds. Must be able to serve on a show-day from beginning to end. Qualified candidates should be able to work independently while maintaining a compassionate approach with team members. A strong interest in entering a position in the non-profit sector--the arts, theater, museums--is vital. Illinois residents are eligible for $10/hour payment through a state of Illinois Cooperative Workstudy Grant. Please contact Cara Peterson at 309-434-2763 (Desk) if interested.

Crossroad Area Student Theatre Musical Director

Paid position as a part of the production team for the Junior winter musical "Giants in the Sky" and Senior spring musical "Godspell". Read the full position description for more information about requirements, compensation, and applying.

ILCC Service Corps

Illinois Campus Compact is beginning an AmeriCorps State Program. This program is for college students at ILCC member institutions who are passionate and committed to service. Selected students have one year to service at least 300 hours building capacity for campus and community partnerships . Once these hours are completed the student will receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. If you have any questions regarding ILCC Service Corps please email Marina LoCasto. Find more information online.

Summer Discovery

Summer Discovery partners with universities across the US and UK to provide pre-college enrichment programs for high school and middle school students. They are now recruiting Resident Counselors for summer 2019. The resident counselor position is very similar to that of an RA and Preview Guide combined. This job is perfect for the involved student who is looking for a unique and really fun summer opportunity. https://www.summerdiscovery.com/summer-jobs

Casa de Esperanza, Service Internship

Casa de Esperanza provides residential care to children birth through six who are in crisis due to abuse, neglect, or the effects of HIV. Care is provided in our neighborhood by our Hands of Hope interns. Our interns, most of whom are recent college graduates, join us for a year of service (a twelve-month full-time post-graduation internship). We provide on-site housing (interns live with the children they are caring for) and interns join us from all over the United States to be part of our internship program. Information about our internship may be found here: https://www.casahope.org/hands-of-hope-internship

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. Applications are also open for student interns and can be found here.

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 additional information regarding before and after school teacher postions here and special education positions here. Please direct questions to Melissa Breeden at mbreeden@ywcamclean.org