Civic Engagement Opportunities
The Center for Civic Engagement maintains a list of current volunteer and service opportunities for students.
Last updated on April 5, 2023.
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Service Opportunities outside of Bloomington-Normal
The local United Way affiliate is often a great place to look for volunteer opportunities. See this list if you are looking to serve elsewhere in the state of Illinois.
Local Service Opportunities
If you decide to participate in any in-person service opportunities during this time, we ask that you remember to follow all CDC guidelines currently in place.
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Service Type |
Organization |
Details |
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In Person |
PALS Programs |
PALS Porgams, a national nonprofit organization, hosts week-long immersive summer camp opportunities on college campuses across the country. They work to create inclusive experiences for people with and without Down Syndrom. Volunteers at PALS gain confidence in themselves and their overall abilities, including the ability to lead, advocate, and speak in front of others. Apply to volunteer for a summer 2023 camp near you at www.palsprograms.org/summer-2023 |
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In Person and Virtual |
YWCA Stepping Stones |
YWCA Stepping Stones is looking for Volunteers!!! Volunteering with Stepping Stones consists of covering their 24-hour crisis hotline, advocating for survivors at the hospital, and many other opportunities to support the YWCA. All volunteers must complete a 40-hour training course to learn more about Stepping Stones, and to help prepare them to support survivors. The next volunteer training will be held virtually May 15th-May 26th with a portion of the curriculum being self-guided and completed prior to the virtual training. Learn more or submit an application by May 10, 2023 at ywcamclean.org/volunteer. Or contact npowers@ywcamclean.org with questions. |
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In Person |
Health 360 |
This nonprofit organization is seeking AmeriCorps members to serve at PATH Crisis Inc, as crisis call counselor. Members will serve in person at PATH Crisis, answering their crisis calls/texts/and chats. This AmeriCorps service term is an amazing opportunity for students who are interested in the mental health field, about to graduate, and may be looking for a gap year before jumping right into employment. Contact Jackie Nickolas at nickolas@health360.org for more information. |
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In person |
Ecology Action Center |
Ecology Action Center is in need of volunteers for their Tree Corps program. Tree Corps is an initiative to plant 10,000 trees a year in McLean County in order to improve air quality, sequester carbon, increase wildlife habitat, and more. Volunteers are needed throughout April to help prep and plant trees. Workdays are April 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, and 23. Visit ecologyactioncenter.org for more information or to register. |
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In person |
YWCA McLean County |
The YWCA needs volunteers for painting, cleaning and organizing projects. Individuals and groups are welcome. Contact Melissa Breeden at mbreeden@ywcamclean.org. |
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In person |
PATH/United Way |
Become a PATH/United Way 2-1-1- Hotline volunteer. PATH answers phones for multiple 24-hour hotlines and depends on volunteers to answer those calls. The volunteer training course includes communication, crisis intervention, suicide assessment and prevention, mental health, etc. A volunteer application is available online at www.pathcrisis.org . For questions contact Eva or Candyce at (309) 834-0507 or ekomar@pathcrisis.org/cjarmon@pathcrisis.org . |
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In person |
CASA |
You can help change a child’s story by becoming a CASA volunteer. McLean County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) trains and supports volunteers to advocate for children in foster care. Research indicates that children who have a CASA volunteer achieve a safe and permanent home sooner than those who do not. Contact Eric Hansen at (309) 888-5855 or eric.hansen@mcleancountyil.gov for more information. Apply on the website. |
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In Person |
Unity Community Center |
Unity Community Center is a K-12 after-school program close to campus. They need student groups to facilitate youth programs. Topics include art, STEM, gardening, dance, world languages, and more. You can teach a one-time program or a recurring program over several weeks or months. Each only needs to be 50-60 minutes. Contact ngrider@illinois.edu. |
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In person |
The Children's Discovery Museum |
The Children’s Discovery Museum needs volunteers to help with the hands-on afterschool program. V isit local schools with m useum staff and assist in leading fun and engaging STEAM activity stations and challenges. No prior knowledge necessary . Volunteer shifts are Thursdays 2:15-4:45 p.m. on select Thursdays. Go to signupgenius. Volunteers are also needed to help with exhibits, special events and education, including day camps, home school workshops, preschool classes, afterschool programming and education outreach. Volunteers are required to attend a 90-minute orientation and complete a background check. Apply online. Contact Shelly Hanover at (309) 433-3453 or shanover@normal.org. |
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In Person |
Bloomington Housing Authority |
Need service hours? Human Services volunteers with organizational skills who can work independently are needed to distribute flyers to our housing sites. Email Kiowna Towns for more information. |
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In person |
Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal |
Make a one-time commitment with our "Done in a Day" option or become a mentor as a support volunteer. Group and individual experiences available. For more information, contact Leslie Adams, Family & Volunteer coordinator, at (309) 829-3034, ext. 112, or ladams@bgcbn.or or visit the website. |
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In Person |
Family House |
Are you, your RSO, or club interested in providing a meal for families, conducting a "Fill the Pantry" drive, doing a fundraising event, organizing a group volunteer day, or doing work study hours? Contact Family House at (309) 685-5300 or email Melissa Young. |
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In Person |
West Bloomington Revitalization Project |
Book Bike Starting May 6, the Book Bike will be at the Downtown Farmer's Market from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturdays, unless it’s raining. Staffing the Book Bike is fun and easy, and allows us to share more information about WBRP programs and services. Volunteers can staff the bike (and not worry about riding it), ride it to and from the market, or do both. This can be occasional or on a regular schedule. Sign up here. Bike Co-op Do you have some skills and experience in bicycle maintenance? We're in need of mechanics anytime between 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. This would involve assisting patrons with simple bike repairs that can be completed in under 30 minutes, as well as fitting them with the right bicycle if they’re purchasing.
Tool Library
Front desk volunteer This isn't a "one and done" volunteer role; it requires a serious commitment. The ideal candidate is detail oriented and a team player, has basic computer skills, retail experience, and some knowledge of tools and bicycles. Responsibilities include welcoming patrons and volunteers, checking tools in and out, managing Tool Library accounts, making sales transactions, monitoring the front entrance, answering phone calls, light cleaning and organizing, and opening and closing the building. With this position, we are hoping to be able to open our doors an additional day during the week, as well as have a backup in case our front desk person is ill or has an emergency. |
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In Person and Virtual |
Fostering Dignity |
Is your organization, service group, fraternity, or sorority seeking to organize a fundraiser? We would be excited to work with your group toward a fundraiser to purchase backpacks for children entering foster care. The backpacks eliminate the use of a trash bag for the child's belongings. Creative ideas are welcome. Find us on our website and Facebook. Please email or call Valerie Beguin for more information at (309) 735-5897. |
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In Person |
Habitat for Humanity of McLean County |
Build Sites:
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In Person |
Red Cross of Central Illinois |
Blood Donor Ambassadors are needed to help at local blood drives. There is also an urgent need for Disaster Action Team members who are trained to respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Recruitment Team members are also needed. To find out more, visit www.redcross.org/volunteer or contact Sasha Welch-Moore at 309-322-0566 or email Sasha.WelchMoore@redcross.org. Blood drivers also needed. Help transport blood and blood products in a Red Cross vehicle. Training is provided; multiple shifts available. |
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In Person |
Carle Hospice |
Hospice Volunteer
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In Person |
INtegRIty Counseling |
Volunteer Counselors If you have a master’s degree in counseling or social work and can offer just one hour a week, we would love to have you. We rely on volunteer counselors so the uninsured and underinsured have access to mental health care. Appointments can be done in person or via telehealth. We also provide clinical supervision for those working toward clinical licensure, and our volunteers are covered by our group liability insurance. For more information, email integ502@outlook.com. Front Desk Volunteers We are also in need of volunteers to help greet clients, coordinate scheduleing, and answer phones. Regular and substitute volunteers needed. Ability to speak Spanish is a plus. For more information, email Kathleen at kathleenc@integrityhelps.org. |
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In person |
The Baby Fold |
The Baby Fold serves over 1,200 children and families annually across Central Illinois. Volunteer opportunities include administrative duties and do not typically include client interaction. Volunteers are needed between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Friday in Normal. Please click here if you are interested. |
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In person |
Home Sweet Home Ministries |
Home Sweet Home Ministries is a nonprofit Christian shelter that provides service to those experiencing homelessness. We have multiple opportunities for volunteers. Visit the website for more information. |
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In Person |
OSF Peace Meals |
OSF Peace Meals provides nutritious meals five days a week for seniors 60 and older. Volunteers are needed to assist with meal delivery and preparation, as well as to serve at various locations. Visit the OSF volunteer form to apply. |
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In person |
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry |
The St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, near Holy Trinity Church in Bloomington, needs strong volunteers to help unload pallets on Fridays around noon. Visit the website to learn more. |
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| In person | Salvation Army, Safe Harbor | The Salvation Army, Safe Harbor in Bloomington is looking for volunteers to answer phone calls between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Ideally, volunteers would work a few hours at a time.This allows case management staff more time to meet with clients. For more information, visit their website. | ||
| In person | LIFE Center for Independent Living | LIFE Center for Independent Living is looking for a volunteer receptionist for the Bloomington office. The volunteer will provide receptionist, switchboard, clerical, and other support. For more information and to apply, visit their website. | ||
| In person | Humane Society of Central Illinois | The Humane Society of Central Illinois is looking for volunteers for a variety of tasks at the shelter. Visit their website for more information and to sign up for the next volunteer training class. | ||
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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 to sign up. |
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In person |
Heartland Head Start |
Heartland Head Start is looking for Spanish interpreters/translators to help prospective families with paperwork and questions about services. Volunteers will serve on an as-needed basis, typically during normal office hours between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. For more information, contact Chasmine Thornton, volunteer specialist. |
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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 Donna Haas, volunteer coordinator. |
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Virtual, In person |
Western Avenue Community Center |
Western Avenue Community Center in Bloomington offers many programs to support the community. They are looking for volunteers to help with their Hispanic Outreach Program (Interpretation & Translation Services), Senior Programs, and Food Program. Visit their website to learn more or email their staff. |
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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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In person |
Faith in Action |
Faith in Action provides transportation to medical appointments for seniors. They need volunteers for driving, 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. |