Civic Engagement Opportunities
The Center for Civic Engagement maintains a list of current volunteer and service opportunities for students.
Last updated on April 7, 2021.
Sign up for our e-newsletter to receive updated information once a week during the school year.
Center for Civic Engagement Events
- Bring It Back to Normal. Our annual spring service project is back this year! Bring It Back to Normal gives Redbirds the opportunity to use service to thank residents of the community that hosts us each year. This year’s event takes place April 9, 1:15 to 4:30 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students will be working with Normal Parks and Recreation at local parks instead of working at the homes of community members. Space is limited, so register today!
- Civic Engagement Celebration. Mark your calendar for the 2021 Civic Engagement Celebration! The virtual event will take place on April 13, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and features the announcement of our 2021 Civic Engagement Award winners and a presentation by the McLean County Museum of History on activism at Illinois State University. Register today!
- Alternative Breaks. A couple spaces recently opened up for our Alternative Break trips this May! The trips are limited to small groups of students, and we’ll be following health and safety guidelines. Redbirds will be traveling to Tennessee, Arkansas, and Michigan to do important service work. Visit the website to learn more and apply! Alternative Breaks is also hosting a local, one-day experience later this month to help the ParkLands Foundation. If you'd like to learn more about AB, this is a great opportunity. Visit the website for more info and to apply!
- Deliberative Dialogue. We’re joining with the Student Government Association and the Leadership Education and Development unit in the Dean of Students Office to host a Deliberative Dialogue on April 12 focusing on diversity, inclusivity, and freedom of speech. “Free Speech and the Inclusive Campus: How Do We Foster the Campus Community We Want” will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Visit Redbird Life to register!
- Earth Day. Illinois State University’s Office of Sustainability is hosting a variety of events to celebrate Earth Day, April 19-23. We’re joining them to co-host a virtual screening of the film Seeding Change: The Power of Conscious Commerce at 7 p.m. on April 22. This brand new documentary is around 50 minutes long and takes a detailed look at the ways our purchases impact the environment. Register today to receive the link to the virtual screening!
Resources on Virtual Volunteering
- How to Get Involved with Virtual Volunteering, idealist website
- 10 Ways for Students to Connect, The Paideia School
- 9 Places to Volunteer Online (And Make a Real Impact), DoSomething.org website
- Virtual Volunteer Opportunities, Points of Light website
- AllForGood, a service of Points of Light
- Additional volunteer opportunities websites
Finding Service Opportunities around the State
Cook County
DuPage County
Kane County
Kendall County
Lake County
McHenry County
Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Marshall, Stark, and Putnam Counties
Sangamon County (Springfield)
St. Louis Area:
Will County
Winnebago County (Rockford)
Service Opportunities in BloNo and McLean County
While residents in many states are being asked to shelter in place, the work of many nonprofits and social services is still in critical need. If you decide to participate in any in-person service opportunities during this time, we ask that you remember to practice social distancing and follow all CDC guidelines currently in place.
Service Type |
Organization |
Details |
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Virtual |
Carle BroMenn Medical Center is reinstating their Card Ministry and is looking for groups and individuals to create hand-made get well and seasonal (Spring, Easter, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Holiday, Winter, etc.) cards. A simple drawing and greeting on plain paper would bring joy to a patient during their hospital stay. Completed cards can either be left at the Carle BroMenn main entrance (Attention: Sue Seibring, Volunteer Manager) or mailed to the following address: Sue Seibring, Volunteer Manager |
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Virtual |
United Way of McLean County |
United Way of McLean County is looking for volunteers to help confirm COVID-19 vaccine appointments for seniors in McLean County. Seniors do not typically have computers in their home or struggle with online systems. Volunteers ease the burden by confirming times and locations for those needing help. For more information, contact Pat Grosso at pgrosso@uwaymc.org. |
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Virtual |
St. Louis Queer+ Support Helpline |
LGBTQIA+ persons and allies living in Missouri or Illinois are encouraged to apply to be a peer counselor for the St. Louis Queer+ Support Line. The Helpline provides free, confidential, and identity-affirming emotional support and resource referrals. See the online volunteer application for more information and to apply. |
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Virtual |
Wave Learning Festival |
Wave Learning Festival was founded to address the educational inequities exacerbated by COVID-19. They are a nonprofit organization that offers free online courses, tutoring, and panels to students around the world in grades 6-12. They are currently looking for volunteers to serve as tutors. Visit their website for more information. |
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Virtual |
The Center for Youth and Family Solutions would like your help in creating activity booklets for their youth to use during child/parent visits. (Books and toys cannot currently be used/shared because of the pandemic.) The target range is 3 to 8 years old, all genders. These packets would contain coloring pages, scramble letter puzzles, simple word searches--any activity that would allow for interaction between the youth and their parents. Any appropriate pages available to print from the internet are fine. Simply make copies of these pages, hole punch the top left of the pages, and tie them with string, yarn, or ribbon. Make individual packets by placing the copies of the activity pages along with a couple of crayons in a large Ziploc bag to assist with distribution and storage. Ideally each packet would have a minimum of five pages of different activities. Assembled packets can be dropped off Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at The Center for youth and Family Solutions (502 S. Morris Ave., Bloomington, IL 61701). Contact Sue Hirschman with questions. |
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Virtual |
Brighten the day of nursing home and retirement home residents by sending a colored picture, artwork, card, note, or letter! No visitors are currently allowed, and they cannot hold large group activities, either. We've received requests for cards and artwork from the following organizations. Items can be mailed or dropped off at these locations:
Carriage Crossing
Jill Miller-Roberts
The Loft of Normal |
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Virtual |
PATH/United Way 2-1-1 Hotline |
Adult volunteers are needed to answer phones on the 24-hour crisis hotline. Volunteering your time on the hotline offers a rewarding experience and a great opportunity to give back to your community, especially as suicide rates are rising at an alarming pace in this country. A complete training program and professional backup is provided. The training program teaches you everything you need to know, including communication techniques and information about community resources. Training takes place on Wednesday nights from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The next class begins February 3. More information is available on the PATH website, and the volunteer application is also available online. Questions? Call Adam at (309) 834-0507. |
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Virtual |
Crisis Text Line |
The Crisis Text Line is looking for volunteers to serve as Crisis Counselors and respond virtually to needs across the United States. They require a minimum of four hours of volunteer time per week, and their peak hours are overnight. Visit their website for more information. |
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Virtual, In person* |
Western Avenue Community Center |
Western Avenue Community Center is located in Bloomington and offers many programs to support members of the community. They are currently looking for volunteers to help with their Hispanic Outreach Program (Interpretation & Translation Services), Senior Programs, and Food Program. Visit their website to learn more. If you'd like to help, email their staff. |
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Virtual, In person* |
That Kid Place |
That Kid Place is a mobile sensory museum for children with autism and other special needs. They are a small non-profit and are looking for individuals and groups to help with fundraising needs to support their mission. For more information, contact Ryan. |
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Virtual, In person* |
Fostering Dignity |
Fostering Dignity is a non-profit that raises funds to provide backpacks for children entering foster care (so that they are not forced to use trash bags for their belongings). The organization purchases the backpacks wholesale and distributes them to Illinois Department of Children and Family Services offices throughout the state. Fostering Dignity is looking for groups and organizations willing to host fundraisers to raise money to purchase additional backpacks. Any type of fundraiser would be greatly appreciated. Groups have held car washes, bake sales, etc. For more information, visit their website or contact Val Beguin. |
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In person* |
Community Blood Services of Illinois |
Interested in donating blood? Community Blood Services of Illinois is hosting several upcoming blood drives around campus. Visit their website for more information. |
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In person* |
CASA |
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is an organization that uses volunteers to speak for children in court/legal situations. Volunteers are trained and take an oath to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates. Duties of a CASA include attending court hearings, writing reports, and spending time with the child. Illinois CASA consists of 31 programs serving 54 counties and is currently looking to train additional volunteers. To learn more, visit their website. |
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In person* |
Midwest Food Bank |
Midwest Food Bank is a local non-profit with national and international reach. They are looking for a variety of volunteers.
For more information on these opportunities, contact Shelby Moore, Volunteer Coordinator. |
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In person* |
The Baby Fold |
With the help of volunteers, The Baby Fold serves over 1200 children and families annually through 12 programs across 28 counties in Central Illinois. Through Foster Care, Adoption Support, Special Education, Autism Services, and more, The Baby Fold helps create healthy happy families and breaks the cycle of abuse and neglect. Current volunteer opportunities include administrative duties such as data entry, preparing mailers, and office organization. For the safety and wellbeing of those they serve, volunteer opportunities typically do not include client interaction. Volunteer opportunities are in-person, available Monday-Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. in Normal. Please click here if you are interested in volunteering at The Baby Fold. |
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In person* |
Faith in Action |
Faith in Action provides transportation to medical appointments for seniors. They are looking to fill a variety of volunteer roles, including medical transportation, grocery shopping, friendly visits/phone calls, maintenance, and more. For more information, contact Stacey Bill, Volunteer Coordinator, at stacey@bnfia.org, or visit their website. |
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In person* |
Prairie State Legal Services |
Prairie State Legal Services’ Bloomington office needs individuals to serve as fair housing testers. These volunteers are trained to pose as renters or buyers. They meet with housing providers and record their interactions in detailed reports. Prairie State Legal Services' staff review those reports for evidence of illegal housing discrimination. If you are interested in becoming a tester or have any questions, please contact Jennifer Cuevas, Fair Housing Testing and Outreach Coordinator, at jcuevas@pslegal.org or (815) 668-4412. If you have questions about Prairie State Legal Services’ Fair Housing Project to assist residents of Bloomington and Normal who have experienced housing discrimination, please contact Staff Attorney Emily Petri at epetri@pslegal.org or (309) 433-0066. |
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In person* |
Red Cross of Central Illinois |
The Red Cross of Central Illinois is also looking for Blood Drivers, individuals interested in transporting blood and blood product throughout our region. You’ll be able to make your own hours, have the use of a Red Cross vehicle, and all training needed for this position is provided. They are also recruiting for volunteer Donor Ambassadors. As a Donor Ambassador, you help to provide excellent customer service at local blood drives to enhance the donor experience. To find out more about either opportunity please contact Sasha Welch-Moore at (309)322-0566 or Sasha.Welch-Moore@redcross.org. |
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In person* |
INtegRIty Counseling, Inc. |
INtegRIty Counseling is in need of volunteers for front desk, counseling, and interpreting positions. Front desk volunteers greet clients, answer phones, handle client contributions, schedule appointments, etc. Counselors require credentials to volunteer. For more information, contact Luella at info@integrityhelps.org or call (309) 827-9100. For additional information about INtegRIty, visit their website. |
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In person* |
School Street Food Pantry |
The School Street Food Pantry is located on the edge of campus, serves local college students, and has a variety of volunteer needs. Complete their volunteer form in order to sign up for specific volunteer positions. |
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In person* |
Holy Trinity Saint Vincent DePaul Food Pantry |
The Holy Trinity Saint Vincent DePaul Food Pantry needs volunteers, particularly on Mondays, for food distribution. Food will be placed in car trunks and social distancing will be practiced. For more details, contact them at svdp.htpantry@gmail.com. |
*If you decide to participate in any in-person service opportunities during this time, we ask that you remember to practice social distancing and follow all CDC guidelines currently in place.