Want to know where to volunteer on Chicago’s North Shore? Check out the list below. If there’s a place I missed, please let me know so I can add it to the list.
If you’re reading this, you probably already know the benefits of volunteering. You help others, build a stronger community, and you meet great people who feel as passionately about giving back as you do. You’ll live a happier and more purposeful life, which is what we’re all aiming for, right? Look through the volunteer opportunities below and challenge yourself to check out one or two new organizations this year. If you’ve volunteered with any of the organizations below, please leave a comment so others can learn from your experiences.
Volunteer Opportunities on Chicago’s North Shore
Alliance for Early Childhood
The Alliance for Early Childhood is a collaborative, community organization that supports and guides families and educators to nurture the healthy, well-rounded development of children from birth to eight years old.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
Bernie’s Book Bank
Bernie’s Book Bank sources, process, and distributes eight free books annually to children, ages birth through sixth grade, through Title I schools and early childhood programs.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
Betsy’s Blankets
Betsy’s Blankets collects new blankets and bedding to provide warmth and the feeling of comfort and security to those who need it most.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
Family Service Center of Wilmette, Glenview, Northbrook & Kenilworth (FSC)
Family Service Center is a respected mental health agency that provides effective and quality mental health services at affordable rates for individuals, couples and families. Where there is a need for counseling and family support, FSC is right behind you.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
Feed My Starving Children
Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) believes hope starts with food. As a Christian nonprofit, FMSC is dedicated to seeing every child whole in body and spirit. FMSC works with food distribution partners that stay with communities for the long haul, empowering them to move from relief to development.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
Go Green Wilmette
Go Green Wilmette’s mission is to raise environmental awareness, inspire people to take action, and create a more sustainable community.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
Hunger Resource Center
The Hunger Resource Network mission is to aid in the alleviation of hunger by helping meet the needs of food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. They are an all-volunteer board. Since 2009, Hunger Resource Network has distributed over 4 million pounds of food to soup kitchens, food pantries and shelters in the Chicagoland area.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
League of Women Voters Wilmette
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
Moms Demand Action New Trier Township
Moms Demand Action is a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
New Trier Township
New Trier Township provides leadership, advocacy, and resources to benefit the physical, mental, and social well-being of residents in the villages that comprise New Trier. Ways to get involved include Food Pantry, Advisory Committees, Events, and Publicity.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
North Shore Exchange
North Shore Exchange is a nonprofit organization that primarily supports Chicagoland charities serving children and families living in poverty through a unique combination of luxury consignment, designer shopping, and volunteerism.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
North Shore Senior Center
The North Shore Senior Center serves older adults and their family members in Chicago’s northern suburbs. We serve and engage more than 24,000 individuals each year, from the most independent to those needing more support. NSSC offers a comprehensive suite of services including a wide array of social services, specialized care for people living with dementia, counseling, money management, educational and wellness programs, and volunteer opportunities.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
Northwestern Settlement
Northwestern University Settlement House serves over 7,000 Chicagoans each year. The programs and services we offer empower those we serve and seek to disrupt generational poverty in our communities.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
Our Place of New Trier
The mission of Our Place is to support teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities so that they can live meaningful, productive, socially connected lives in their home community.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
Pickles Group
Pickles Group’s mission is to provide free peer-to-peer support and resources to kids affected by their parent or guardian’s cancer.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
Radical Generosity Chicago
Radical Generosity Chicago provides necessary donations of food and essential household items to thousands of families living in low-income, food- and housing-insecure communities in Chicago and its near north suburbs.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
Rotary Club of Wilmette
The Rotary Club of Wilmette offers help and support to all communities locally and internationally wherever and whenever there is need in the human family.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
Share Our Spare
Share Our Spare (SOS) ensures every Chicago area child, ages 0-5, has the essential items they need to support their health and development and equip them for a strong start. Provide essential items for families (diapers, clothes, baby gear, etc.) to close the poverty gap and ensure every child’s basic needs are met.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
TEDx Wilmette
A community of fearless women who deliberately elevate ideas that support the greater good of our communities and the world.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
The Volunteer Center
The Volunteer Center provides volunteer opportunities for individuals and service groups who are looking for ways to serve with over 165 nonprofit partners. The VC also hosts community service days throughout the year. It further provides best practice management training for its nonprofit administrators.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
Wilmette International Club
The Wilmette International Club’s mission is to build connections for those living in and around the Village of Wilmette with an international background or interest. We organize several events during the school year for individual members and their families to participate in, such as coffee mornings, social evening gatherings, local lunches, walks and bike rides.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
The Wilmette Theatre
The Wilmette Theatre looks to enhance the movie going experience, as well as engage the community with live performances, events, private parties, and much more.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
WIND – Women Initiating New Directions
WIND inspires women with a history of incarceration or those at risk of being incarcerated to design a thriving life journey using newly learned tools and strategies for success.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
Woman’s Club of Wilmette
The Woman’s Club of Wilmette is an inclusive organization that brings women together to provide education, leadership and service to make a lasting impact on our community.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
YWCA Shop for Good
YWCA Shop for Good is a social enterprise for YWCA Evanston/North Shore. When you shop at YWCA Shop for Good, you reduce waste, get more value for your money, AND support your local community. 100% of profits help support YWCA’s domestic violence and economic advancement programs for women across northeastern Cook County.
To learn more about how to get involved, click here.
Get to know some of the local organizations by checking out the video below:
