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Volunteer Now

Kishwaukee United Way serves a resource for countywide volunteer opportunities.  We compile a listing of volunteer opportunities (shown below in alpha-order), and help connect interested individuals and groups directly to organizations in need of volunteers.

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American Red Cross
Contact: Karen Remen
2727 Sycamore Road, Suite 2A
DeKalb, IL  60115
(815) 756-7339

Agency Services:
Assistance for victims of disaster; health & safety education 

Needs:

  • General office work
  • Miscellaneous computer work
  • Disaster team member
  • Persons for health & safety assignments

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Ben Gordon Center
Contact: Paula Endress, Director of Advancement
12 Health Services Drive
DeKalb, IL  60115
(815) 756-4875, Ext. 218

Agency Services:
Students Helping Students program, alcohol & drug abuse prevention, community education, school based intervention services

Needs:

  • Assist with mass mailings about 8 times/year (could be done off-site)
  • Assist with Fundraising projects

Additional Information:
Time frame is 3-4 hours/per mailing. Fundraising is ongoing throughout the year.

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Children's Home + Aid: Healthy Families Illinois Program
Contact:  Margo Sutorius
1430 DeKalb Avenue
Sycamore, IL  60178
(815) 899-0137

Agency Services:
Assistance for expectant mothers & newborns, adoption, pregnancy & early parent counseling 

Needs:

  • Administrative assistance in office
  • Transportation for clients getting to appointments

Additional Information:
Require experience in social service field; reliable transportation; valid drivers license & car insurance.

Children's Learning Center
Contact: Lynn Switzky
PO Box 531
DeKalb, IL 60115
(815) 756-3506

Agency Services:
Infant, toddler, preschool program, before & after school program, school holiday & summer program, 60% of children from low income families

Needs:

  • Reading is Fundamental (RIF) volunteers (reading to children; helping children write their names in books)
  • Small paint jobs

Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C)
Contact: Micki Chulick
155 South Third Street - Suite 300
DeKalb, IL  60115
(815) 758-8149

Agency Services:
Resource & referral; financial assistance for child care; nursing service, parent education, child care food program; advocacy for children; social work; professional development opportunities for early childhood educators; toy and material lending library. 

Needs:

  • Spanish translators needed for parent educator classes and to translate written manuals
  • Assist with Family Fun nights (4 per year)

Additional Information:
Requires fluent Spanish & English

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
Contact: Jill Olson
407 W. State Street #6
Sycamore, IL  60178
(815) 895-2052

Agency Services:
Advocacy for infant-18 yrs who have abuse, neglect or dependency cases in DeKalb County Juvenile Court 

Needs:

  • Child advocates for abuse & neglect cases in juvenile court system (35 hour training required - offered in fall & spring)
  • Help with fundraising events, newsletters, mailings, etc.

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DeKalb Area Retirement Center (Oak Crest)
Contact: Joan Launer, ADC
2944 Greenwood Acres Drive
DeKalb, IL 60115

Services:
Retirement & Life Care Community

Needs:

  • Visit residents in their apartments, assist with activities.  Escort residents to and from doctor’s office on VAC buses.  Also present programs.  Assist with library duties and gift shop.

Additional Information:
Work with the elderly.  Volunteers can commit themselves to a few hours a month, or as much as they would like.  We offer every volunteer an orientation to the particular assignment they choose.

DeKalb County Hospice
Contact: Val Heintz
2727 Sycamore Road
DeKalb, IL  60115
(815) 756-3000

Agency Services:
Life enhancements care for the terminally ill and their families

Needs:

  • Direct care volunteers to work with patients & families
  • Tag Day volunteers (once a year fundraising to collect donations in front of local stores) and other volunteers to assist with fundraising
  • Office receptionist (morning & afternoon) & office volunteers to help with mailing, copying
  • Baking and delivering snacks for bereaved families (specified holidays)
  • Persons to sew "Memory Bears" for children who have lost loved ones

Additional Information:
For direct care volunteers: 27 hours of training, TB test; background check (non-fingerprint)

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Egyptian Theatre
Contact: Alex Nerad – Operations Director
135 North Second Street
DeKalb, IL 60115
(815) 758-1215
volunteer@egyptiantheatre.org

Services:
The Egyptian Theatre is operated by P.E.T. (Preservation of the Egyptian Theatre) the non-profit organization that has been running the historic theatre since 1978. The theatre opened in 1929 and seats more than 1,400 people; it is home to over 75 events a year which are produced by over 35 groups within the community and nationally.

Needs:

  • Ushers: Help usher and take tickets for live events and children's day shows.
  • Box Office: Help staff the box office weekly for special events and movies.
  • Concessions: Help sell concessions for live events and movies; concessions are an important way this organization makes money.
  • Technical Crew: Help with the operation of shows; spotlight operators, light and sound board operators, riggers, stagehands and more.
  • Maintenance: Painting, carpentry, cleaning and simple maintenance always needed.
  • Haunted House: Builders, actors, ushers, security, and many other positions. This is perfect for groups to get involved with something together.
  • Fundraising Committee: Join the fundraising committee and help put together various events all year or just help on one.
  • Archives Committee: Help preserve the history of this theatre. An art exhibit of the theatre’s history is compiled each year for an exhibit.
  • Marketing Committee: Help with our membership program and marketing of special events.

Additional Information:
Volunteers can get involved in as much or as little as they would like. No matter what your interests or skills may be there is a way that you can help keep this jewel of DeKalb open and thriving.

Ellwood House Museum
Contact: Donna Gable, Volunteer Coordinator or April Arrecis, Curator of Education
509 North First Street
DeKalb, IL 60115
(815) 756-4609
ellwoodhouse@tbc.net

Services:
Guided tours of the historic Ellwood mansion, gallery exhibits & programs, seasonal special events, elementary school tours & educational programs, Girl Scout, Brownie & Cub Scout workshops, summer history camp & other programs.

Needs:

  • Tour guides (docents) for mansion tours
  • Cashiers for reception desk or gift shop
  • Interns in museum work

Additional Information:
Individualized training will be provided. Flexible schedule.  Volunteers can commit themselves to a few hours per month or help every week. Opportunity to meet people and share one of DeKalb County’s historical treasures.  Recognition program and social events for volunteers.

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Family Service Agency
Contact: Susan Plote
330 Grove Street
DeKalb, IL  60115
(815) 758-4718

Services:
Senior Services Center

Needs:

  • Peer Mentor – sharing time with seniors who are isolated or house bound. 
  • Senior Surfers – computer skill training for seniors. (2 hour sessions)
  • Reception Assistant – Answering phone & assisting walk ins.

Additional Information:
Flexible hours, training & informational meetings are available.  Mentoring program has an age minimum of 55.

Family Service Agency of DeKalb County
Contact: Susan Plote
14 Health Services Drive
DeKalb, IL  60115
(815) 758-8616

Agency Services:
We provide mentoring programs to area youth as well as programs directed to teaching disability awareness. 

Needs:

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters Program: Volunteers are matched in a one-on one mentoring relationship with a child/teen to form a meaningful friendship.
  • School Based Mentoring Program: (during school hours -  based on semesters)
  • Learning About Different Abilities Program: Help to teach a six week curriculum in disability awareness that includes games, videos and guest speaker. 
  • Bowl for Kids' Sake: Annual Fundraiser

Additional Information:
Requirements for mentor volunteers: Criminal background check & DCFS child abuse/neglect report check; 16 years and older; transportation is helpful not required.

Other Requirements:
Flexibility, willingness to engage in public speaking, a desire to work with children.  Training provided.

Family Service Agency of DeKalb County
Contact: Susan Plote
14 Health Services Drive
DeKalb, IL  60115
(815) 758-8616

Agency Services:
Senior Citizens and Handicapped Residents of DeKalb County (focus on the Sandwich/Somonauk area)

Needs:

  • Share your interests and skills with older adults.
  • Work with programs which bring older adults and their younger friends together.
  • Assist older adults, disabled individuals and those without transportation to and from medical appointments.
  • Ride along with a driver and assist handicapped individuals and children who ride the FoxTranz system.
  • Reading volunteer to assist children with their reading skills.
  • Share a row, grow vegetables and/or flowers which will be distributed to older adults.
  • Host/Hostess to greet visitors to the Fox Valley Community Center.
  • Fund-raising projects, work at an event which supports Fox Valley Older Adult Services

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Hauser-Ross Eye Institute
Contact: Karen Rouse
2240 Gateway Drive
Sycamore, IL  60178
(815) 756-8571

Services:
Eye Surgery Center

Needs:

  • Surgi-Center narrators to sit with patient’s family answering questions and concerns.

Hope Haven Homeless Shelter
Contact: Lesly Wicks
1145 Rushmore
DeKalb, IL  60115
(815) 758-3166

Agency Services:
Emergency food & shelter, short term housing, support services for homeless individuals & families, aftercare program

Needs:

  • Volunteers to teach a one-hour computer class on a weekly basis

Housing Authority of DeKalb County
Contact: Margy Ellis Scarl
275 North Cross Street
Sycamore, IL 60178
(815) 895-4929

Agency Services:
Senior Housing & Recreation Services

Needs:

  • Arts & Crafts - working with seniors in cleaning, glazing & firing ceramic green wear.
  • Accountant - conducting an annual audit of the Resident Council records
  • Entertainment - provide entertainment for parties and impromptu gatherings

Additional Information:
Kiln for ceramics is provided. Entertainment can be anything that Seniors may enjoy, such as, music, dance, massages or manicures.

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Juvenile Learning Mentor Program
Contact: Keri Nelson
(815) 895-7193 

Services:
Volunteers would be responsible for mentoring area youth involved in the juvenile court system through DeKalb County Court Services.  Volunteer would commit to a 10 week one-on-one academic based mentoring program where responsibilities include:  assisting youth in researching a subject, completing a research paper and creating a visual aid and presentation.  The volunteer would also develop a relationship with the youth by offering non-judgmental and open minded feedback.  Mentor must provide three references to coordinator and pass a criminal background check.  All mentoring sessions take place at Founders Memorial Library on the campus of Northern Illinois University. 

Needs:

  • Mentors

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Kishwaukee Family YMCA
Contact: Sandy Stinson
P.O. Box 466
DeKalb, IL  60115
(815) 756-9577

Agency Services:
Scholarships to needy families & partner agency clients

Needs:

  • Youth Sports Volunteer
  • Desk Work
  • Babysitters

Additional Information:
Application and screening necessary for all Volunteers.

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Kishwaukee United Way
Contact: Dawn Littlefield
PO Box 311
DeKalb, IL  60115
(815) 756-7522

Agency Services:
Resource for people needing services, fundraising for partner agencies, advocacy 

Needs:

  • Assistance with mailings
  • Unpaid internships in various areas; i.e. marketing, PR, etc.

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Moms Connected
Contact: Evangelical Free Church of Sycamore & DeKalb
Corner of Bethany and North First Street
DeKalb, IL  60115
(815) 756-8729
Email: sb.efc@comcast.net

Services:
“Moms Connected” meets once a month at the Evangelical Free Church for a speaker program, including breakfast and child care for children (by age).

Needs:

  • Reliable childcare workers from 9:15 am -11:30 am, 2nd Thursday of each month, October-May in infant, toddler and school age rooms.
  • Volunteers are asked to work the entire program period, but exceptions can be made.
  • Some teaching may be involved with older children, but no teaching experience is needed to be considered.

Requirements:
A signed child protection form is required

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Northern Illinois Radio Information Service (NIRIS)
Contact: Cindy Lynn Ostergard
WNIU-NIU
801 N. First Street
DeKalb, IL  60115
(815) 753-9000 (DeKalb)
(815) 972-2955 (Rockford)

Agency Services:
Broadcast service to blind & physically disabled

Needs:

  • Volunteers needed to record or read newspapers and articles live on the radio for the visually and print impaired

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Opportunity House
Contact: John Kroos
P.O. Box 301
Sycamore, IL  60178
(815) 895-5108               

Agency Services:
Residential & training programs for people with developmental disabilities

Needs:

  • Referees for Special Olympic events (softball, basketball)
  • Helpers and supervisors for recreation activities & outings
  • Volunteers to rework flowerbeds
  • Carpenter/Handyman or tool/die maker (possibly retired) for projects in the workshop or do minor building repairs
  • Individuals who can give 1-hour presentation to clients on various topics (art, history, music, dance, travel, hobbies, etc.)
  • Teachers (possibly retired) who could teach basic reading and math skills to clients

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Pine Acres Care Center
Contact: Christy Jacobsgaard, Activities Director
1212 South Second Street
DeKalb, IL 60115
(815) 758-8151

Services:
Retirement & Life Care Community

Needs:

  • Caring individuals needed to visit with residents, assist in transporting residents to activities or meals and assist with activities.

Additional Information:
No pervious experience needed.  We will provide training and orientation.  You need a compassionate nature, caring attitude and an honest concern for the elderly.

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Regional Access & Mobilization Project (RAMP)
Contact: Melissa Yerk
1022 W. Lincoln Hwy
DeKalb, IL  60115
(815) 756-3202
(815) 756-4263 TTY

Agency Services:
Resources for individuals with disabilities, independent living, personal assistance, information & referral

Needs:

  • Volunteers needed to volunteer for & participate in annual Wheel-a-Thon in the fall.   (mid-late September); Preparations are made in March & April

Additional Information:
Pre-register with office

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Safe Passage
Contact: Cynthia Folgate
PO Box 621
DeKalb, IL  60115
(815) 756-5228

Agency Services:
24-hour crisis line, information & referral, individual & group counseling, legal advocacy, shelter & services for victims of domestic violence & their children, groups for abusers, Crisis response team for area hospitals, Community Education/Speakers Bureau.

Needs:

  • Abuse hotline volunteer
  • Volunteers to work with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, including hot line and hospital coverage.
  • Direct and non-direct care volunteer opportunities

Salvation Army
Contact: Majors Tom & Julie McDowell
Help with Special Events 830 Grove Street
DeKalb, IL 60115
Phone: (815) 756-4308
Fax: (815) 756-7090 

Services:
Food pantry, emergency funds for qualified individuals, child care, holiday assistance 

Needs:

  • Holiday bell ringing (coin collection)
  • Sponsoring turkeys/holiday food baskets (Thanksgiving) and gifts for families (Christmas)
  • Food pantry volunteers to sort & stack donations & distribute food

Sycamore American Soccer League

Agency Services:
Soccer Program

Needs:

  • Referees
  • Coaches
  • Administrative Staff (to train coaches, organize teams)

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Voluntary Action Center
Contact: Tom Zucker
1606 Bethany Road
Sycamore, IL  60178
Phone: (815) 758-3932
Fax: (815) 0202

Agency Services:
TransVAC, MedVAC, Meals on Wheels, Senior lunches, Luncheon Program

Needs:

  • Provide out-of-town non-emergency medical transportation using VAC cars; flexible schedule Mon-Fri
  • Meals on Wheels Delivery to homebound elderly, persons with disabilities & others in need.
  • Meals in DeKalb & Sycamore Mon-Sat & on most holidays; Delivery: 1 hour or less
  • Kitchen Helper to assist with meal assembly on Saturdays & holidays.  Usually 9:00 am to 11:00 am.  (Volunteers work with cook & Meals-on-Wheels coordinator)
  • Office Assistant: Assist office personnel with reception, mailings, copying, etc.
  • Provide holiday meal favors for meals on Wheels
  • Assist site coordinators with various senior luncheon program locations with special events, publicity, etc.
  • MedVac Drivers

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