How To Give Back In Chicago: Where To Volunteer

Chicago Cares is your one-stop shop for streamlined volunteering. If you’re not sure where you want to get involved, or you don’t want to commit to a single cause and would rather help out in a variety of ways, Chicago Cares is where you need to be. Their website prompts you to complete a quick, free registration. Then you simply browse their calendar of city events looking for volunteers and sign up for what works for you. The site then puts you in contact with volunteer supervisors who direct you further. Their calendar includes everything from soup kitchens and senior breakfasts to neighborhood beautifications and kids’ community events.

Like Chicago Cares, One Good Deed Chicago is a community resource for volunteers looking to be connected with do-good opportunities. It was founded by Mayor Rahm Emanuel to make Chicago a better place for everyone. Their registration determines your skills and interests to match you with your perfect volunteer jobs. It also logs your hours if you need to track them for school or work requirements. It’s still a relatively new service and, therefore, doesn’t list as many opportunities as other sites. It also places a heavy emphasis on the Mayor’s Mentoring Challenge, which is a two-year initiative to pair at-risk Chicago youth with a qualified mentor.