Civic Engagement Opportunities

Service Type

Organization

Details

In person*

Stop the Violence Project

The Stop the Violence Project is hosting a Street Festival in Sunnyside Park on June 26 and needs a variety of volunteers to help staff the event. The festival runs Noon to 2 p.m., but volunteers are needed as early as 10 a.m. For more information, contact Forestine King at stoptheviolenceproject@aol.com or 217-791-7744 (text or call).

In person*

Prairie Aviation Museum

The Prairie Aviation Museum is looking for volunteers to assist their hosts at the museum. The opportunities are outside in the airpark adjacent to their building. Throughout the summer, volunteers are needed Saturdays and Sundays between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Volunteers will welcome visitors to the airpark and interact with guests of all ages. A brief period of familiarization with the museum would be provided prior to a volunteer shift. An experienced volunteer will always be present. Students with an interest in museum careers or positions working with the public would benefit from the experience. Anyone interested should contact Bill Arbogast at bdarbo@comcast.net.

In person*

The Child Protection Network

The Child Protection Network needs volunteers for their upcoming fundraising event, Over The Edge, on Saturday, June 12. Over The Edge is a global rappelling company that helps nonprofits run fundraising events. OTE Participants who raise $1,000 in support of CPN and the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal get the opportunity to rappel off of the Marriott Hotel in Uptown Normal. Volunteers are needed for positions at the registration table, rooftop, security, staging, guide, and more. Visit SignUp Genius to register.

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 Sophia at sophiam@integrityhelps.org or call (309) 827-9100. For additional information about INtegRIty, visit their website.

In person*

Calvary United Methodist Church & ISU

Calvary Community Garden is a collaborative project between Illinois State University Dietetic Interns and Calvary United Methodist Church (located at 1700 N Towanda Ave, Normal). Volunteers are needed over the summer to help with watering, maintaining, and harvesting the garden. The schedule is very flexible and can be tailored to your availability. Please contact cebrow3@ilstu.edu or message the Facebook page for more details.

In person*

Downtown Bloomington Farmer's Market

The Downtown Bloomington Farmer's Market takes place outdoors each Saturday throughout the summer. They need a variety of volunteers to help each week. Visit their sign-up form for more details.

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 lectures will occur via Zoom to promote social distancing, and “lab” portion of training in the call center will be in person. The next 8-week training class begins June 9. If interested, the volunteer application is available on the PATH website. Classroom/Zoom training meets on Wednesday nights from 6:00–9:00 p.m. Questions? Contact Eva at (309) 834-0507 or ekomar@pathcrisis.org.

In person*

Sunnyside Community Garden

Sunnyside Community Garden needs volunteers to help with spring garden preparation and planting. The garden is located at the end of W. Illinois Street in Bloomington. Message them on Facebook to join a volunteer group that meets weekly to serve. They also welcome student groups who would like to volunteer. To arrange a time for your group to volunteer, contact Farm Manager Caleb Phillips.

In person*

McLean County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)

McLean County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) trains and supports volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children residing in foster care. McLean County research indicates that children who have a CASA volunteer achieve a safe and permanent home sooner than those who do not. The next CASA training is scheduled for May 25 through June 15. Classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. virtually via the Zoom platform. Please contact Eric Hansen at 309-888-5855 or eric.hansen@mcleancountyil.gov for an application or more information regarding the role and responsibilities of a CASA

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.

Virtual, In person*

PALS

PALS creates inclusive camp experiences for people with and without Down syndrome. They foster close connections and a sense of belonging, built around quality, accepting, and caring people. The organization is currently looking for volunteers for their virtual and in-person summer programs. The in-person events take place in Elmhurst, Illinois. Visit their website for more information and to apply.

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.

Virtual

Center for Youth and Family Solutions

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. 

Virtual

Card Ministry, Carle BroMenn Medical Center

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
1304 Franklin Ave.
Normal, IL 61761

Virtual

Multiple Organizations

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
1402 Leslie Drive
Bloomington, IL 61704

Jill Miller-Roberts
Director of Resident Amenities
601 Lutz Road
Bloomington, IL 61704

The Loft of Normal
Molly - Activities
510 Broadway
Normal, IL 61761

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.

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.

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.

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.

• Distribution volunteers: lift and load boxes of food for various agencies. Register online.
• Service project volunteers: complete a variety of projects such as repackaging food or assembling boxes/bags of food. Register online.
• Photographer: to take photos of volunteers; must have access to their own equipment
• Writer for nutritional newsletter: must have strong writing skills and nutrition proficiency to help create content for monthly nutrition newsletter
• Front desk volunteers: answer phone calls, direct walk-ins, answering volunteer questions, and assist with volunteer check-in; must commit to a regular weekly time slot

For more information on these opportunities, contact Shelby Moore, Volunteer Coordinator.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.