Network With StreetWise Not For Profit Organization

Join The StreetWise Network Community

StreetWise strives to be a Hub of Services to Chicago's non-profit organizations. Click on the links below to learn more about other organizations trying to make an impact in our community.

StreetWise

Contact: Bruce Crane at 312.829.2526
Address: 1201 W. Lake St. Chicago
Tasks: Aid in adult education, including computer assistance, GED studies and job readiness training.
Time commitment: Flexible
Become a Vendor. Prescreening 10a.m. to 2 p.m.
Monday through Thursday. Ask for Michael or Greg

The Illinois Hunger Coalition

Contact: Diane Doherty at 312.629.9580
Email: dianedihc@aol.com with subject titled "VOLUNTEER" if you are interested in this opportunity.
Tasks: The Illinois Hunger Coalition is seeking a volunteer to work at our downtown Chicago office. We are a statewide non-profit organization that combats hunger and poverty through education and advocacy.
We also run a Hunger Hotline(1.800.359.2163) which provides a number of services including: referrals to food pantries and free and reduced-price clinics; referrals to the WIC program; and referrals to programs that help cover the cost of utilities and housing.
We also prepare food stamp applications and applications for free medical insurance over the telephone.

The Chicago Recovery Alliance

Contact: Dan Bigg, 312.953.3797
Email: cra@attglobal.net
Address: Many sites throughout the city
Tasks: Syringe exchange, medical care, overdose program, safe sex/injection education, substance abuse and shelter referrals, legal assistance (training included for all services).
Time commitment: Flexible; site visits last 2 hours.
Website: www.anypositivechange.org

Community Health

Contact: Kelly Jordan, 773.395.9901 ex. 23
Email: kjordan@communityhealth.org
Tasks: CommunityHealth is a free health clinic offering free primary and specialty care as well as medication. We are looking for volunteer Polish and Spanish interpreters. Interpreters need not know medical terms but must be at least conversational in either Spanish or Polish.
We are also in need of Volunteer Physicians and Specialist. Volunteer Physicians and Specialists must be licensed in Illinois. Volunteers are needed for day, evening and Saturday clinics.
Time commitment: Generally 1-2 times per month.
Website: www.communityhealth.org

UNITY Hospice

Contact: Dorris Mitchell, 312.949.1188
Address: 439 E. 31st St.
Tasks: Provide support to terminally ill patients and their families. Duties include visiting with patients, reading, friendly conversation, sharing a meal, light errands, and companionship.
Time commitment: Flexible, usually 8-hour training commitment required.

VITAS Healthcare

Contact: Beverly Carnes-Brinson, Volunteer Services
Manager: 773.533.2890
Address: 700 N. Sacramento
Tasks: Patient care at home or in a nursing home, inpatient unit, administrative, bereavement.
Training: VITAS Healthcare in Chicagoland Central is offering free hospice volunteer training as a community service to persons interested in providing support to the terminally ill and their families. In this comprehensive session, you will gain knowledge and experience on the hospice philosophy, death and dying issues, grief and bereavement.
Time commitment: Flexible

Court Appointed Special Advocates

Contact: LaDora Robinson-Locke, 312.433.4928
Address: 1100 S. Hamilton St. 8 West
Tasks: Act as a nonlegal advocate and friend for a child in the court system.
Training: provided.
Time commitment: 1 year commitment

Metropolitan Tenants Organization

Contact: Rebecca McDannald, 773.292.4980 ext. 223
Address: 1180 N. Milwaukee Ave. 1st Fl.
Tasks: Work on Tenants' Rights hotline, data entry.
Time commitment: 8-hour training session, but hours are flexible.
Website: www.tenants-rights.org

Access to Recovery

Contact: Vince Gillon, 773.407.9030
Email: carepoint@ameritech.net
Address: 113 Custer, Evanston
Tasks: Assist with office duties pertaining to ATR clients. Help with computer tasks, such as creating resumes, employment search and online applications.
Time commitment: Flexible
Website: www.carepointoutreach.org

Albany Park Community Center

Contact: Michelle Fleming, 773.433.3737
Address: 5121 N. Kimball Ave. Near CTA Brown Line Kimball stop.
Tasks: Tutor immigrants and new readers in English and literacy skills. Training provided.
Time commitment: 2-4 hours per week.

Aquinas Literacy Center

Contact: Sister Joan Mary, 773.927.0512,br /> Address: 3525 S. Hermitage
Tasks: Teach English as a second language to one adult learner for 1 1/2 hours per week.
Training: One weekend, nine hours.
Time commitment: Anytime between M-Th 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Blue Gargoyle Adult Learning Program

Contact: 773.955.4108 Ext. 308
Email: volunteer@bluegargoyle.org Address: 5638 S. Woodlawn
Tasks: Tutor adults in reading, writing and/or math, and/or job skills and computer skills.
Time commitment: Minimum 2 hours per week after completing training.

Chicago HOPES

Contact:Volunteer Coordinator, at 773.553.2242
Email: ChicagoHOPES @cps.k12.il.us
Description: Chicago HOPES (Heightening Opportunity and Potential for Educational Success) is an initiative of the Chicago Public Schools Homeless Education Program that empowers these homeless students to succeed academically. With the goal of sustainability, Chicago HOPES collaborates with schools, shelters and communities to establish shelter-based after-school tutoring and enrichment opportunities- and you can help!
Tasks: Chicago HOPES is currently seeking volunteers to provide homework help and academic/enrichment assistance to K-12 homeless stu-dents living in shelters in the Chicago neighbor-hoods of Ashburn, Brighton Park, Englewood, Gresham, Little Village, and Uptown.
Training: As we provide free training and support for all of our volunteer tutors, no tutoring experience is necessary!
Time commitment: We ask that our volunteers commit to tutoring at least one day per week for the length of one school semester. The program generally operates from 3:30-5 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 6-7:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Delta Literacy Project

Contact: Olivia Amos, 773.538.4037, Fax:773.933.9035
Email: geminiamos@ameritech.net
Address: 4525 S. King Drive
Tasks: We tutor adults in reading, math, writing and computer skills. Our program is free to any adult needing to learn to read.
Training: We also offer free volunteer tutor training (12 hours). Teens 18 years of age and older, not affiliated with a high school, are welcome.
Time commitment: 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday, & Saturday.

Erie Neighborhood House

Contact: Pierre Cameron, 312.563.5800, 312.432.2257
Email: pcameron@erie.org
Address: 1347 W. Erie St.
Tasks: Tutor adults in English as a second language, Language Exchange Spanish/English, GED reading, writing and Math, literacy in Spanish, Citizenship exam preparation.
Time commitment: months, hours, once or twice a week.

Freedom Ambassadors

Contact: Nathan N. Richie Education Programs Manager 312.222.3211
Email: nrichie@freedommuseum.us
Tasks: Become a Freedom Ambassador! Inspire people to be informed, active citizens and protect their rights. Ambassadors share information and provide assistance to visitors at the new Freedom Museum.
Address:McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum 435 N. Michigan Ave.

Gads Hill Center

Contact: Adriana Moreno Nevarez, 312.226.0963 ext. 244
Address: 1919 W. Cullerton
Tasks: Tutor/mentor teenagers for a college prepatory program in Pilsen, tutor for homework in after school program, newspaper club tutor, sports teacher.
Time commitment: 2 hours a week for 2 months.

Literacy Chicago

Contact: Zaundra Boyd, 312.870.1100 ext. 108
Email: zboyd@literacychicago.org
Address: Multiple sites throughout Chicago
Tasks: Community Adult Learning Centers-Volunteer tutor training-AL-ESL

Marillac House

Contact: Maureen McGrath , 773.722.7440
Address: Chicago's West Side
Tasks: Please consider helping with one of our tutoring programs:

Adult tutoring in reading, writing and math, as well as courses in preparation for GED.
Tutoring school-age children (3-5 p.m. M-F) Help with homework, etc.
Tutoring and mentoring youth 13-16 (3-5p.m. M-F), help with homework/cultural field trips/sports/arts and service projects.

Time commitment: Please consider giving two hours, one day a week.
Enabling clients and the community to attain their full potential is a value we embrace, but we need a network of friends to make it happen. We need YOU!
Website: www.marillachouse.org

Parkway Community House

Contact: Joanne Jones, 773.493.1306 Fax: 773.493.9392
Email: jjones@hullous.org
Address: 500 E. 67th St.
Tasks: Tutor adults in reading, writing, math & computer skills.
Time commitment: 2 hours a week, (flexible) after 12-hour training.

South-East Asia Center

Contact 1: Peter Porr, 773.989.6927, Fax: 773.989.7755
Contact 2: Carol Williams, ESL Coordinator 773.989.6927
Email: seacesl@yahoo.com
Address: 5120 N. Broadway
Tasks: ESL VOLUNTEER TUTORS NEEDED to teach English or citizenship to adult immigrants in Uptown.
Training: Work one-on-one with your student for 2/hrs a week.

Youth Service Project

Contact: Gina Zuniga-Baldwin, 773.772.6270, Fax: 773.772.8755
Address: 3942 W. North Ave.
Tasks: Tutor young adults preparing for the GED exam.
Training: provided.
Time commitment: 1.5 hours per week, daytime or evening hours.

Austin People's Action Center

Contact: Carolyn Williams, 773.473.7270 Fax:773.378.8773
Address: 5125 W. Chicago Ave.
Tasks: Maintenance on shelter, groundwork.
Time commitment: Flexible

Hope House

Contact: Clarola Scott, 773.521.0529
Address: 3551 W. Roosevelt
Tasks: Administrative, professional services and food preparation/service.
Time commitment: Flexible; minimum of 4 hours per month.

Lake View Shelter

Contact: O'Brien, 773.327.1389
Address: 835 W. Addison
Tasks: Preparing and serving meals.
Time commitment: Flexible

Lincoln Park Community Shelter

Contact: Day Phone 773.549.6111. Evening Phone 871.1841-Even if you are late, call a staff person.
Email: lpcsinfo@lpcsonline.org
Tasks: Provide overnight supervision of Shelter residents, prepare meals, provide sack lunches, teach life skills classes, work front desk.
Time Commitment: Varies

Residents for Effective Shelter Transitions(REST)

Contact: Kari Aosved, 773.784.0909
Address: 941 W. Lawrence, 4th Floor
Tasks: Food prep/serving, assisting overnight guests, administrative aid, group labor projects. Doctors and RNs for weekly free clinic. Donations welcome.
Time commitment: Flexible.
Training: One-session orientation training.
Website: www.restweb.org

Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline

Contact: Elizabeth, 312.252.0520 ext 12
Tasks: Help survivors of sexual assault and abuse. Answer the only 24-hour, toll-free city-wide rape crisis hotline in Chicago. Do crisis intervention and provide referrals to other counseling, medical, legal and housing agencies. Non-judgmental listeners needed. Although only women can answer the hotline, both men and women are needed to do outreach.
Training: Free training is provided and begins soon.
Time commitment: 50-hour training, 12 hours a month on hotline, outreach is flexible.

Deborah's Place

Contact: Rebecca Milbert 773.638.6537 or sign up online
Address: North, Near North and West
Tasks: The mission of Deborah's Place is to break the cycle of homelessness for women in Chicago. Volunteers can help DP programs by assisting with meal service, tutoring participants, doing landscaping projects and helping with fundraising events by serving on a volunteer board.
Time Commitment: Flexible, minimum of 4 hours per month.
Training: Volunteer orientation required.
Website: www.deborahsplace.org

Sarah's Inn

Contact: 708.386-3305, Fax: 773.261.0755
Address: P.O. Box 1159, Oak Park, IL 60304
Tasks: Help manage a 24-hour crisis hotline. Other direct service volunteer positions include assisting in support groups for women, children and its men's Skills for Non-Violent Living program. Bilingual (Spanish-English) volunteers are especially wanted.
Training: Completion of a comprehensive 40-hour domestic violence intervention program is required.
Time commitment: Flexible

Goldie's Place

Goldie's Place offers the following four programs to assist participants to become self-sufficient and financially independent:

Through the Job Coaching Program, participants: Assess their skills and interests, Develop skills for conducting a job search, Complete the Online Skills Assessment, Participate in Job Club and Employability Workshops, Develop skills for resume preparation, Receive & pursue job placement referrals, Receive & pursue referrals for Vocational Training and Education, Receive support and follow up in seeking employment,Receive & pursue job leads.
Through the Tutoring/Mentoring Program, participants: Increase and /or improve basic academic skills, and Prepare for and secure academic certifications (GED, etc.)
Through the Clothes Closet Program, participants: Receive appropriate clothing and accessories for interview, daily wear, and Receive consultation in wardrobe planning.
Through the Dental Services Program, participants: Receive screening and examination of their dental needs, Have their teeth cleaned, and Receive treatment (fillings, extractions, etc.)

Lake View YMCA

Contact: John Caolan
Address: 3333 N. Marshfield Ave.
Tasks: Resident social services, job training, medical & mental health services.
Time Commitment: Flexible

The Night Ministry

Contact: Gail Bernoff at 773.784.9000 ext 6015
Tasks: The Night Ministry is looking for volunteers to help with their direct service programs: Health Outreach Bus and Homeless Youth Services. All volunteers build accepting, nonjudgmental relationships with the youth and adults we serve. Volunteers with our Health Outreach Bus provide hospitality to bus visitors of all ages. Volunteers with our Homeless Youth Services programs can help with group programming and mentoring. Small groups can provide meals at our street outreach locations.
Training: Training is provided for all volunteers.
Website: www.thenightministry.org/siteprotect.net

Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs

Contact: Margaret Feit Clarke 847.501.3278 ext 501
Email: margaret@interfaithhousingcenter.org
Tasks: Interfaith Housing Center (620 Lincoln, Winnetka) offers a free Homesharing service which matches working individuals seeking affordable housing with home owners who have an extra room in their home to rent.
Website: www.interfaithhousingcenter.org

Franciscan Outreach

Contact: Father Vaughn Fayle at 773.278.6724 ext 17
Address: 2715 West Harrison Street
Tasks: Shelter volunteer opportunities include serving soup and sandwiches to shelter guests while greeting them with a smile.
Website: www.franoutreach.org (to view calendar of available volunteer dates.)

The administrative offices at the Marquard Center at 1645 West LeMoyne St. also often has volunteer opportunities including helping answer the telephones and helping with fundraisers.
Contact: Greg Foster at 773.278.6724 ext 15

Chicago Coalition For the Homeless

Contact: Anne Bowhay
Email: anne@chicagohomeless.org
Tasks: Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is looking for a work-study student, unpaid intern, or adult volunteer to assist on media projects, working at least 4 hours a week for at least one semester. You will assist in producing YouTube video of occasional events and press conferences and help maintain the CCH website, including archiving past media coverage. Work with a former daily newspaper reporter and a young grant writer who is a recognized essayist and short story writer. You should have some experience, volunteer or paid, in writing journalistically or producing new media. Please Email a resume or brief description of yourself.
Website: www.chicagohomeless.org