The Best Volunteer Opportunities in Illinois

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Volunteer work is incredibly beneficial for a multitude of reasons. Not only does it improve the community by addressing issues such as hunger, education, and environmental cleanliness, but it also has personal benefits for those who volunteer.
Finding the best volunteer opportunity in Illinois depends on your interests and what kind of impact you want to make. However, here are some highly-rated organizations in Illinois that offer a variety of volunteer opportunities:

For animal lovers:

  • Chicago Pet Rescue: Save the lives of homeless dogs and cats by socializing them, walking them, or helping with adoption events.
  • Norwich’s Volunteer Revolution (norVOLution): Help care for animals at the Lincoln Park 25 Eco-Sanctuary, a haven for rescued farm animals.
  • CATVANDO NFP Corporation: Provide medical care, enrichment, and love to abandoned and neglected cats.

For those who want to help children and youth:

  • Our Children’s Homestead: Mentor young people in foster care, providing them with a positive role model and helping them navigate the challenges of their situation.
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago: Create a safe and supportive space for kids and teens, offering them educational programs, recreational activities, and social development opportunities.
  • Chicago Lights Tour: Help provide after-school and summer programs for underserved youth, focusing on arts, education, and leadership development.

For those interested in supporting the environment:

  • The Nature Conservancy in Illinois: Protect Illinois’s land and water resources through volunteer opportunities in conservation, restoration, and education.
  • GREEN ROSELLE: Help maintain and improve parks, gardens, and natural areas in Roselle, Illinois.
  • Alliance for the Great Lakes: Help protect the Great Lakes by participating in beach cleanups, invasive species removal, and other conservation efforts.

For those who want to help people in need:

  • Gentiva Hospice: Provide companionship and support to terminally ill patients and their families.
  • Greater Chicago Food Depository: Help sort and distribute food to people facing hunger in Cook County.
  • Salvation Army of Metropolitan Chicago: Assist with a variety of programs and services that help people experiencing homelessness, poverty, and addiction.