2nd Annual Uptown Day of Service

Join your friends and neighbors for a day of volunteering with Uptown's wonderful nonprofit organizations. You'll serve a meal to our community's hungry, perform outreach to those in need, help local non-profits spruce up their buildings for summer and much more!

All volunteers will first meet at the Institute of Cultural Affairs, 4750 N. Sheridan, Chicago, IL.  After an initial meet and greet, volunteers will disperse to the nonprofit organization they're volunteering at.  Unless otherwise stated below, volunteers should expect to be at their nonprofit for no less than 2 hours and a maximum of 4 hours.  

Volunteering Opportunities and Details:

2 Lil’ Fishes:  2 Li'l Fishes grew out of a long-term meals program run by the Peoples Church of Chicago, and works to help our neighbors in need, without fanfare, frills or formality.  Come help prepare and serve lunch to the kitchen's guests. 

Alternatives :  Alternatives is a comprehensive, multi-cultural youth development agency serving more than 3,000 young people and their families each year.  Come help Alternatives with their “Summer Sweep”, which includes organizing donated clothes, working on their garden, and other building organizational activities. 

Cornerstone Community Outreach: Cornerstone offers shelter and services to homeless and low-income families and individuals through a variety of programs.  You'll have an option to prepare and serve lunch for shelter residents, or organize donations of toiletries and other goods that Cornerstone provides to clients. 

Institute of Cultural Affairs:  ICA focuses on building positive, connected and environmentally sustainable communities through service learning programs and neighborhood collaborations.  ICA also encourages a  "green culture” among its diverse tenants in the 4750 "greenrise" building, while establishing an energy efficient eco-system that aims to take the entire building off of the grid.  Help the ICA with outside building beautification, weeding, and indoor cabinet painting. 

Inspiration Corporation:  In an atmosphere of dignity and respect, Inspiration Corporation helps people who are affected by homelessness and poverty to improve their lives and increase self-sufficiency through the provision of social services, employment training and placement, and housing.  Make bag lunches to be distributed to clients of Inspiration Cafe.  2 hour volunteer opportunity.

Sarah's Circle:  Sarah’s Circle is a refuge for women who are homeless or in need of a safe space. By providing housing assistance, case management, referral services, and life necessities, this organization encourages women to empower themselves by rebuilding both emotionally and physically; realizing their unique potential.  You will be adding to the emotional stability of these women by giving them an opportunity to relax, laugh and play bingo.  2 hour volunteer opportunity.