CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunities are listed by interest and service area. If any of these opportunities match your passions, please follow the links given for each opportunity, email volunteer@iwu.edu, or complete the Student Volunteer Form.

New Volunteer Opportunities for May Term 2013

STEP INTO POVERTY: A SIMULATION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE EXPERIENCE

Saturday, May 11th from 9:00am - Noon in the Young Main Lounge at the Memorial Center

Want to better understand what it means to live in poverty? Looking for ways to deepen your compassion for those in need? This Poverty Simulation “workshop,” facilitated by University of Illinois Extension, is a powerful vehicle for understanding the real world obstacles to families who are working to maintain shelter and food security, and stimulates conversation and action to address the challenges of the working poor and those in severe poverty. You'll leave this experience with new insights and resources for getting involved on campus and in the Bloomington-Normal community.

Sponsored by Evelyn Chapel, IWU's May Term Program, First Presbyterian Church and The Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington-Normal

Space is limited! Sign up and invite friends now!

TITAN 2 TITAN

Saturday, May 18th with morning and afternoon shifts

Titan-to-Titan is a program that brings current students and retirees together in a day of service. You have the opportunity to go to the home of an older alum and help out with various tasks around their home--from cleaning out garages and flower beds to some light house work and opening a pool--our beloved alumni can use your help. Morning and afternoon shifts are available; work sessions run three hours or less; transportation is provided; and free T-shirts are given to volunteers. Friends can sign up together to work a job site or you can be placed with a team. The folks you are helping are senior citizens who loved their IWU experience and love connecting with current students. The service you give will be matched by their appreciation and good will.

Morning shifts begin at 9:00AM. Please be at the Hansen Student Center by 8:45AM.
Afternoon shifts begin at 1:00PM. Please be at the Hansen Student Center by 12:45PM.

Sponsored by The Office of the Associate Dean of Students and The Student Volunteer and Resource Center .

ADOPT-A-MEAL at HOME SWEET HOME

Sunday, May 19th from 3:30pm - 7:00pm

Join other IWU students and Carlo Robustelli from IWU's Office of Grants and Foundation Relations as we cook and serve up a great Sunday evening meal for the community at Home Sweet Home in downtown Bloomington. No experience is necessary and transportation is provided. We meet in front of Evelyn Chapel at 3:30pm and return to campus by 7:00pm. Groups of up to four can volunteer, so sign up as a group of friends, RSO members, etc! Home Sweet Home also requires all volunteers to complete this application: http://www.hshministries.org/get_involved/volunteer_app.php.

VOLUNTEER WITH THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION

Friday, May 17th or Saturday, May 18th for a three-hour shift

The Alzheimer's Association is partnering with all of the Walgreen's stores in town and the Macy's outside of Eastpointe Mall for a fundraising initiative. Volunteers will be stationed outside the stores collecting change from customers, who will then receive a packet of Forget Me Not flower seeds. Volunteers are needed each day for three-hour shifts: 9am - Noon, Noon to 3pm, and 3pm to 6pm. If you would like to volunteer for one of these and raise awareness about the work of The Alzheimer's Association (http://www.alz.org/), email Jocelyn Lamartina at jlamartina@alz.org.

APRIL 2013

ADOPT-A-MEAL at HOME SWEET HOME

Sunday, April 21st from 3:30pm - 7:00pm

Join other IWU students and staff as we cook and serve up a great Sunday evening meal for the community at Home Sweet Home in downtown Bloomington. We meet in front of Evelyn Chapel at 3:30pm and return to campus by 7:00pm. Groups of up to five can volunteer, so sign up as a group of friends, RSO members, etc! Email volunteer@iwu.edu no later than April 17 if you would like to sign up individually or as a group. Home Sweet Home requires all volunteers to complete this application: http://www.hshministries.org/get_involved/volunteer_app.php.

"Better Together" Interfaith Service Day, 12:30pm to 5pm on Saturday April 6th, 2013

Sign up here!

Students from any religious or non-religious tradition are invited to take part in IWU's inaugural Interfaith Service Day. This "Better Together" event (part of Interfaith Youth Core's national program) will include lunch at the Islamic Center of Bloomington-Normal where students from various traditions and worldviews will share their perspectives on the meaning and purpose of service and social justice, followed by service projects at Western Ave. Community Center, Habitat for Humanity's ReStore, the IWU Peace Garden, and Home Sweet Home Mission. For more information, email Multifaith Ambassador Briana Birt at bbirt@iwu.edu or University Chaplain Elyse Nelson Winger at enelsonw@iwu.edu.

Children's Home + Aid Scott Early Learning Center

Contact Katie Clothier at kclothier@childrenshomeandaid.org for more information on the following April events, and to sign up to volunteer!

Blue Bow Family Fun Night from 4-6pm on April 16th. This event is opened to the public and will have the ABC for prevention. We will have different booth and activities during the night. We are looking for volunteers to help that night with certain booths. This is from 4-6 and if available we could use help with set up/clean up from 3-6:30 pm.

Taking Steps to End Child Abuse 5K Run /1 Mile Walk on April 21st. This is a family affair. This race started in honor of 2 local boys whom tragically were killed by domestic violence. This race helps support our Family Visitation Center. People are able to participate through the run or by volunteering. I have attached a couple flyers with more information.

Blue Bow Parade from 8am-12pm on April 25th. This is collaboration with other agencies and preschools in town. They have children’s arts and crafts, an obstacle course and the parade held at a local park. If there is a rain date the event will be held at a secondary location. We are looking for volunteers to assist with our Scott Early Center classes along with other activities.

Volunteer on campus with The Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Illinois Central South!

The Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Illinois Central South (HOBY ILCS) Seminar is a 3 day seminar for rising high school sophomores. We are currently in need of age 21+ volunteers to act as group leaders. Volunteers would need to be available from June 13-16, 2013. The seminar is at IWU, so you would be able to have the unique experience of campus in the summertime. You can learn more about HOBY at www.hoby.org or ask Hillary Blackwell by emailing her at hoby.hillary@gmail.com. Here's the link to the staff application: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGY1X01RZUpfbzU5X25VeTZwVnJHbGc6MQ#gid=0

Animals

Miller Park Zoo

Miller Park Zoo, on the west side of Bloomington, provides long-term opportunities for volunteers. Please visit their website at http://4.17.232.139/parks/Miller-Park-Zoo/volunteer-opportunities.htm for more information.

The Humane Society of Central Illinois

The Humane Society of Central Illinois provides many different opportunities to work with animals and support the work of the shelter. Please visit their website for more information at http://www.hscipets.org/volunteer1.htm

Arts/Multicultural

The McLean County Arts Center

The McLean County Arts Center, within walking distance of campus, provides various volunteer opportunities ranging from office support to leading art workshops. Please visit their website at http://www.mcaart.org/mcac/html/volunteering.html for more information.

Children and Youth

Adopt-A-Family through The Children's Home + Aid Foundation

Thank you, Illinois Wesleyan community! On Friday, December 7th, we donated gifts over $1000 to The Children's Home and Aid Foundation. This special holiday service project was sponsored by IWU's Student Volunteer and Resource Center, Student Senate, Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity, and Circle K!

Big Brothers Big Sisters

In our own lives, each of us was influenced by someone who broadened our horizons and brought a little magic to our lives. By becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister you can do the same for a child. Whether you visit a child at their school or explore the community together, the focus is always on building a long-lasting, positive relationship.

Volunteers must be at least 16 years old, have a valid driver's license, vehicle, and insurance on their vehicle. They are engineers, students, managers, teachers, accountants, mechanics, military, and retirees. They are everyday people-busy people with active lives-except one part of their lives include a special relationship with a child they call their "Little".

Contact information: (309)-828-1870. More info at: http://www.bbbscil.org/McLean-County/volunteer.htm

The Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal

The Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal (within biking distance of IWU) has many different volunteer opportunities for IWU individuals and groups. These include:

Power Hour - come and help our members with homework
Facilitate a program - we currently need volunteers to help with our 4-H Club, Torch Club, SMART Girls, Teen Club, Boys & Girls Book Club, guitar class, & our Choir.
Just come and play - our Games Room is always open for our members. Come and play a game with a child!

Note: To be able to volunteer here, everyone needs to complete a background check through DCFS. Once approved, volunteers may come whenever their schedule allows them to come.

Children's Home + Aid Scott Early Learning Center

Short-Term Volunteers:

Short-term opportunities include painting or sprucing up our rooms, family fun nights, prepare meals for groups, office help, organize drives for materials, graduation events, mentoring, tutoring, and specialty talents that could be taught to young children (shooting a basket, painting, making bracelets)

On-going Volunteers:

1. Early Learning Center: read books to kids, help with child care, help with lending library upkeep. Also looking for a music or art specialist to lead classes for at least 2 hours per month.

2. Healthy Start/Parents Care & Share/Kids Turn: be a Children's Program Specialist –offer age appropriate activities to children while their parents are in group meetings (evening hours). The Parent's Care + Share asks for someone that is able to be there regularly. The Children's Program Specialist also is paid a stipend.

3. Crisis Nursery: Volunteers needed Monday through Friday anytime between 8am and 8pm. The main duty of our volunteers is to take care of the children (ages 0-6 years old). That can mean playtime, reading books, snacks etc.

Contact Katie Clothier at kclothier@childrenshomeandaid.org for more information.

Children's Discovery Museum

If you are a big kid at heart and still love to play – we need you! We are looking for energetic volunteers to interact with and play with museum visitors, lead free floor programming and keep the museum exhibits tidy and inviting.

Daily Volunteer Shifts: 10:00-12:00 or 12:00-2:00 or 2:00-4:00

Contact information: (309) 433-3453 or shanover@normal.org. More info at http://www.childrensdiscoverymuseum.net/

Junior Achievement

JA has programs for kids K – 12 grade to help them learn how to manage money. JA does this by teaching financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship skills using interactive materials. We use community volunteers to teach the programs to the kids and equip the volunteers with everything they need to do so – it all comes in a kit. In just 5-7 sessions of 30 – 45 minutes each, a volunteer can teach an entire JA program to a class of students! Get more experience in the classroom with flexible hours.

To learn more, visit http://www.juniorachievement.biz/consultant.html. Students can attend a no obligation Info Session facilitated by a JA staff member.

Lawrence Irvin Neighborhood Center Basketball Program

Basketball leagues and open gym provide opportunities for life skills teaching, and personal support to help participants stay in school and achieve personal goals. Volunteer Opportunities include: tutoring and coaching grade school through high school youth. All volunteers are required to complete an Application and Background Check.

For more information, visit this website: http://www.westernavenuecc.org

Smart Sprouts After School Mentoring Program

The Smart Sprouts program provides volunteers an opportunity to work with elementary students one-on-one and in small group settings during the after school hours of 3:30 – 5:00pm. Volunteers are able to participate as little as an hour a week, or as many as 5 hours per week, based upon your schedule. The Smart Sprouts program is held at 19 different schools and community centers throughout the Bloomington-Normal area (including schools within walking distance of IWU!). We have on-site coordinators to provide you any assistance you may need, and professional curriculum guides created to help you with your mentoring experience as well. For more information, contact Julie Navickas at 309-662-0461 ext. 275 or jnavickas@ywcamclean.org.

All volunteers must also complete a physical, get a TB skin test and complete a fingerprinted background check to satisfy DCFS regulations.

UNITY Community Center

What: Tutoring, internships, and/or teaching opportunities are available!
When: Volunteer during the school year, Monday-Friday, anytime between 3-7 pm.
Criteria: Must attend a 1 hour volunteer training and be background screened. Volunteers must register for training before attending the session.

Please visit http://web.extension.illinois.edu/lmw/unity/977.htmlor call Volunteer Coordinator Amanda Zook at 309-862-4041 for more information.

Western Avenue Community Center's After School Club

Western Avenue Community Center's After School Club (within biking distance from IWU) provides a safe and sound program for approximately 30 to 35 elementary school age children. The program meets: Monday through Thursday from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. during the school year. Volunteers needed to assist with homework, reading, computer lab, gym and playground times, games and parties. Children love that special one-on-one attention. All youth volunteers are required to complete orientation and pass a background check. For more info, visit: http://www.westernavenuecc.org

Developmental Disabilities

Education

Check out the Children and Youth section for additional Education-related Volunteer Opportunities.

Bloomington Public Library

Workers are needed to accept, sort and box donations from the public on the second Saturday of each month. We also need workers who can come to the library once a week to restock the bookshoppe and straighten the shelves.

Please call Rochelle Gridley at (309) 635-4029 to discuss this opportunity.

The Book Bike Project

Volunteers needed to help with book drives; to help take the Bike to west side neighborhood events and the Saturday Farmer's Market in downtown Bloomington; and to help sort books. Spanish language books are of special interest. The Bike weighs over 200 pounds without books, so it takes a couple of people to get it out and stocked for events. For more information, visit the website linked above or check us out on Facebook. If you are interested in more information, contact University Librarian Karen Schmidt: karen61701@gmail.com or 309-824-2257. Karen will get you familiar with the Bike, how to stock it, and ride it.

STAR Adult Literacy Program

The STAR Adult Literacy Program is in need of volunteers to tutor adults who are learning to read or who are learning English as a second language. Volunteers are needed for tutoring in morning, afternoon, and evening classes. Tutors are expected to volunteer at least one 2 ½ - 3 hour class session each week in a classroom under the supervision of a certified teacher. For more information about volunteering and for upcoming volunteer orientations, call 309-888-9884.

Environmental

IWU Peace Garden

There are weekly opportunities to help in the campus garden. Email Carolyn Ashley at IWUPeaceGarden@iwu.edu and visit our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/IWU-Peace-Garden/332735410090470.

Health Care and Wellness

Advocate Bromenn Medical Center

Numerous opportunities to volunteer--from sharing musical talent to clerical work to welcoming and escorting patients and visitors--abound at the hospital on the north end of IWU's campus. Visit http://www.advocatehealth.com/bromenn/volunteers for more information, contact information, and an online volunteer form.

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross has a number of opportunities to volunteer at various Blood Drives throughout the Bloomington-Normal Area. We are looking for individuals to work at each blood drive as either greeter (help donors check in) or canteen worker (offer refreshments and ensure good experience). Each shift can be split up into different hourly segments to help accommodate individual's personal schedules. Please call for times and dates if interested at 309-824-7389 and visit our website at http://www.archeartland.org/.

PATH Crisis Center

PATH is in need of hotline volunteers. Volunteer paraprofessional phone counselors provide empathy and support to callers and help each to increase their coping skills and resolve their current crisis. PATH's in-depth training program prepares students for the experience. Call Jared at 309-834-0541 or 2-1-1 for more information, or visit the PATH website at http://pathcrisis.org/ to submit an application.

OSF St. Joseph Emergency Department Volunteers Needed!

Emergency Department volunteer duties include: rounding on patients and families, stocking supplies, escorting patients, assisting staff as needed with various tasks. Volunteers needed for one 4 hour shift per week, Sunday-Saturday from 8am-12am.

Location: OSF St. Joseph Medical Center is located off Eastland Drive, across from Eastland Mall at 2200 E Washington St., Bloomington, IL 61701. The Bloomington Public Transit Bus comes to the door every hour!

Please complete the volunteer application at: www.osfstjoseph.org. Please call the Volunteer Services Office at 309-665-4728 or 665-4745 if you have any questions.

OSF Home Care Services-Hospice

OSF Hospice provides comfort and care to end of life patients in their home, nursing home or assisted living facility. We focus on comfort, not cure, and meeting the medical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of our patients and families. Hospice volunteers are an integral and important component of the hospice team's plan of care. Volunteers are used in many different ways, from spending time with patients and their families, running errands, buying groceries, staying with the patient so the caregiver can go to appointments and more. For more information about this meaningful and rewarding volunteer opportunity contact: Kim Anderson at 309-451-5925 or Kimberly.L.Anderson3@osfhealthcare.org.

Human Rights and Advocacy

The Immigration Project

Interested in human rights? Consider volunteering with the Citizenship Team at the Immigration Project! The Immigration Project is a not-for-profit legal immigration services agency here in Bloomington. We have an urgent need for volunteers for our Citizenship Team. These individuals will be assisting legal permanent residents (those with 'green cards') take the final step to becoming a United States Citizen by helping them with the application process and forms.

We are looking for individuals who can commit to volunteer 8 hours or more per month through the year. Volunteers need to be computer literate and available during normal business hours. After that - we are very flexible! Fluency in Spanish or French is a plus but not a must! Visit http://www.immigrationproject.org/main.html and call 829-8703.

Western Avenue Community Center Hispanic Outreach Volunteer Opportunities

Bilingual fluent in Spanish/English volunteers are needed in our Hispanic Outreach Department at Western Avenue Community Center (within biking distance from IWU). Volunteers will assist Hispanic families with interpretation, translation, and other needs. Volunteers will need to complete an interview, orientation, and background check.

For more information, please visit the website: http://www.westernavenuecc.org

Hunger, Homelessness, and Housing

Adopt-A-Meal at Home Sweet Home March 19, April 21 or May 19

Join Chaplain Elyse Nelson Winger and other IWU community members as we cook and serve up a great Sunday evening meal for the community at Home Sweet Home in downtown Bloomington. We meet in front of Evelyn Chapel at 3:00pm and return to campus by 7:00pm. Groups of up to five can volunteer, so sign up as a group of friends, RSO members, etc! Email Elyse at enelsonw@iwu.edu if you would like to sign up individually or as a group for March 19, April 21 or May 19. Home Sweet Home requires all volunteers to complete this application: http://www.hshministries.org/get_involved/volunteer_app.php.

Recycling Furniture for Families

RFF provides clean, gently used furniture and household items to hundreds of families per year across Bloomington-Normal. Volunteer individually or as a group on a regular or one-time basis. Opportunities include office and warehouse work, cleaning and delivery. Please visit http://www.rf4f.org/welcome/ for more information.

ReStore — Habitat for Humanity's Discount Home Center

Individual and group volunteers are needed for all different kinds of work, on a regular and/or one-time basis. Volunteer opportunities include: Driver, Loader, Cashier, Processor, or the "role you invent"! This is a great way for RSOs, dorm groups, and Sororities and Fraternities to volunteer as groups in our community. Visit http://www.bloomingtonrestore.org/ for more information.

Western Ave. Community Center Food Pantry Volunteers Needed

Food Pantry operating hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed to unload food items, stock shelves, prepare grocery orders, and client sign in registration. Organizational and individual non-perishable food donations are much needed and appreciated. Must complete orientation and background check.

For more information, please visit the website: http://www.westernavenuecc.org.

Senior Citizens

OSF Home Care Services-Hospice

OSF Hospice provides comfort and care to end of life patients in their home, nursing home or assisted living facility. We focus on comfort, not cure, and meeting the medical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of our patients and families. Hospice volunteers are an integral and important component of the hospice team's plan of care. Volunteers are used in many different ways, from spending time with patients and their families, running errands, buying groceries, staying with the patient so the caregiver can go to appointments and more. We are currently seeking volunteers for both direct patient support and indirect support such as assisting with clerical duties in our office. Training is provided at our Eastern Region office in Normal and is offered on a monthly basis. For more information about this meaningful and rewarding volunteer opportunity contact: Kim Anderson at 309-451-5925 or Kimberly.L.Anderson3@osfhealthcare.org.

Western Ave. Community Center Senior Citizen Program

The Senior Program currently has over 100 active participants. Volunteers are welcome to help with special events, seasonal parties, dance lessons, monthly bingo, decorations, kitchen help, cooking, and clean up. Entertainment such as bands, and musicians are a nice attraction to evening events. All volunteers must complete orientation and background check. Website: http://www.westernavenuecc.org.

Sports

Lawrence Irvin Neighborhood Center Basketball Program

Basketball leagues and open gym provide opportunities for life skills teaching, and personal support to help participants stay in school and achieve personal goals. Volunteer Opportunities include: Tutoring and coaching grade school through high school youth. All volunteers are required to complete an Application and Background Check.

For more information, please visit this website: westernavenuecc.org