The following is a list of community service opportunities in the western suburbs. Most agencies prefer high school age or older, but some use younger volunteers depending on the activity and if accompanied by adults:
– CASA of DuPage Inc. (Court Appointed Special Advocates), 202 W. Willow St., Suite 204, Wheaton, needs volunteers who will speak up for children in court. Minimum age is 21. A 35-hour training course is required. Call 630-871-1402.
– Catholic Charities, 26 W. St. Charles Rd., Lombard, needs volunteers to be mentors for families in transitional housing and to work in an emergency shelter planning activities. Volunteers also are needed to provide child care while parents are attending parenting classes. Minimum age is 14 unless accompanied by an adult. Call 630-495-8008 or 630-941-8681.
– DuPage Community Foundation, 110 N. Cross St., Wheaton, needs volunteers to do office work, manage the database, raise funds and assist at special events and with grant-making activities. Minimum age is 16. Call 630-665-5556.
– Ecumenical Adult Care of Naperville, 305 W. Jackson St., Naperville, which provides daytime care for frail, slightly confused older adults in a group setting, needs volunteers to help with activities, including doing office work, bringing pets for visits, bringing young people for intergenerational activities, providing music, entertainment, travelogues or assisting with arts and crafts programs. Volunteers under age 15 should be accompanied by an adult. Call 630-357-8166.
– Glen Oaks Hospital and Medical Center, 701 Winthrop Ave., Glendale Heights, needs volunteers to work with nursing personnel, deliver mail, do patient relations and work in gift store. Minimum age is 14; minimum donation of four hours required. Call 630-545-4992.
– Hinsdale Historical Society, 15 S. Clay St., Hinsdale, needs volunteers to act as docents and to coordinate membership development and children’s programs. No minimum age. Call 630-789-2283.
– King-Bruwaert House, 6101 S. County Line Rd., Burr Ridge, a retirement center, needs volunteers to help senior citizens with letter writing, phone calls, reading, shopping, sewing, outdoor walks, ceramics, crafts, woodworking, horticulture and other programs. Minimum requirement two hours a week. Call 630-323-2250, ext. 139.
– Mid-Valley Neighborhood Improvement Association, 213 Walnut St., St. Charles, a non-profit organization that offers low-interest loans to low-income families to rehabilitate or improve their homes, needs volunteers to make nominations and be judges for a Neighborhood Pride Contest to be held at the end of the summer. Awards would be made to owners who have beautified their properties in such areas as landscaping or facade improvements. For more information, call 630-584-1996.
– Mother Theresa Home, East Main Street, Lemont, a nursing home, needs volunteers to assist residents at meal times, particularly on weekends, and to escort residents to 9:30 a.m. mass during the week. Call 630-257-3994.
– Naperville Humane Society, 1620 W. Diehl Rd., Naperville, needs volunteers to provide animal care, assist in office, conduct fundraising, walk dogs and work at special events. Minimum age is 16. Call 630-420-8393.
– Our Children’s Homestead, 387 Shuman Blvd., Naperville, a foster care agency, needs volunteers to do fundraising, help organize special events, tutor or read to children. No minimum age. Call 630-369-0004 and ask for Kris Moleski.
– United Way of Suburban Chicago, 900 Jorie Blvd., Suite 260, Oak Brook, needs volunteers to work with board of directors to raise funds, review non-profit organizations and assist with allocation decisions. Minimum age is high school age. Call 630-954-1200.
– Wheaton History Center, 505 N. Main St., Wheaton, needs volunteers to assist with fundraisers, help with programs for student groups and conduct tours of the museum. Minimum age is 12. Call 630-682-9472.
– West Suburban Humane Society, 1901 W. Ogden Ave., Downers Grove, needs volunteers for cleaning and feeding animals, working as adoption counselors and doing building maintenance, fundraising and office work. Minimum age is 18 unless accompanied by a parent. Call 630-960-9600.
