Volunteer at the library, summer 2020
Throughout June and July, junior volunteers help with the popular Summer Library Club. If you're interested in volunteering next summer, apply between 9 AM Saturday, April 4, and 9 PM Wednesday, April 8. We'll post the link to the online application here. Students entering grades 7–12 next school year are eligible to apply.
Top 5 reasons to volunteer here
- Get valuable work experience
- Earn volunteer hours
- Lend a hand in your community
- Be part of the extremely popular Summer Library Challenge
- And...score a sweet teen volunteer T-shirt!
Junior Volunteers are expected to...
- attend a training session — required!
- work one shift of 1.5 or 2 hours each week for 5 weeks during the June 1–July 31 Summer Library Challenge — no exceptions!
- arrive on time and work as scheduled
- notify the volunteer coordinator 24 hours in advance if you are unable to work as scheduled; failure to do so more than once means you'll forfeit your future shifts
- be professional, courteous, and friendly to library patrons and staff
- be a good role model to children participating in the Summer Library Challenge
- accept training, guidance, and evaluation from library staff
- ask questions
- protect the confidentiality of library patron information
- have fun!
Places to Volunteer Locally
These nonprofit groups may need help and welcome teen volunteers.
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Advocate Condell Medical CenterWelcomes all volunteers age 16 or older. Explore the variety of volunteer opportunities available throughout Condell. A team of dedicated volunteers provides assistance to patients, professional and medical staff, and members of the community.
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Bernie's Book BankBernie's Book Bank boosts literacy in at-risk youths by collecting, processing, and redistributing new and gently used children's books to significantly increase book ownership among infants, toddlers, and school-age children throughout Chicagoland. Bernie's distribution center is located in Lake Bluff.
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Catholic CharitiesCatholic Charities offers a broad range of services from locations throughout Cook and Lake counties through 160 different programs. Volunteers are certain to find a place that corresponds to their social interests.
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Feed My Starving ChildrenTurn hunger into hope with your own two hands by packing nutritious meals for starving children around the world. Sign up as an individual or group to volunteer at permanent packing sites in Libertyville or Schaumburg.
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generationOngenerationOn is the global youth service movement igniting the power of all kids to make their mark on the world. As Points of Light's youth service enterprise, generationOn inspires, equips, and mobilizes young people to take action through service clubs, schools, organizations, campaigns, and leadership initiatives. generationOn provides tools and resources to kids, teens, families, educators, and organizations to help kids change the world and themselves through service.
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Greater Chicago Food DepositoryYoung people can inspire change and end hunger close to home. The Food Depository educates and engages youth leaders about food and nutrition.
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Northern Illinois Food BankNorthern Illinois Food Bank is able to feed more than 71,500 hungry neighbors each week across 13 counties because of the support of our volunteers. Last year, volunteers donated 136,000 hours of their time to help distribute 78.5 million pounds of food, the equivalent of 65.5 million meals to those who need it most. Volunteer shifts for teens are available at the Park City, IL, facility (near Gurnee).
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Save-a-Pet Adoption CenterTeen volunteers can get involved in the center's summer KidsCare program.
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St. Mary of Vernon Catholic Church Furniture MinistryThe Indian Creek–based ministry distributes furniture to families in need. Help is always needed. Contact the parish office for more info.
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Tikkun Olam Volunteer Teens (TOV Teens) NetworkThe Jewish United Fund's connection point for students in grades 6–12 who want to donate their time to help those in need. Take part in tikkun olam, the Jewish concept of repairing the world one good deed at a time, through a one-time volunteering opportunity or a year-long b'nai mitzvah project.
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United Way of Lake CountyWorking together with community partners to prepare children to succeed in a changing world by focusing on education and building safe and stable families in Lake County, Illinois. Roll up your sleeves. Give an hour. Give a day. Give your best. You make United Way of Lake County programs possible.
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VolunteerMatchConnect with the causes you care about.
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Youth Service AmericaLooking to change the world? Look here for ideas and campaigns, grants and awards, resources and training.
Track your service
Use InnerView, a social responsibility platform, to create a personal service resume. As you invest your time and talent helping others, InnerView creates impact data and credentials to share with schools or potential employers.
Community Volunteer Fair
Community Volunteer Fair
1-3:30 PM * March 15, 2020 * Vernon Area Public Library
Stop by to visit with local organizations with teen volunteer opportunities. Pitch in at a "speed volunteering" table to help with a project right then and there! No registration required. Drop in.