Serve in the Community

A Safe Place provides services to survivors of domestic violence & human trafficking that support them in their efforts to transform their lives after domestic violence & human trafficking. Volunteers can assist in preparation of paperwork to obtain orders of protection, answer 24-hour help line, and provide staff relief in phone/reception duties or by preparing large mailings.

The Justice Center is a charitable legal aid ministry serving the needs of no-income, low-income, and even middle-income individuals in need. Meeting the first Saturday of each month, volunteer opportunities include volunteer attorneys, meeting with those seeking assistance and checking in people seeking assistance.

Beacon Place is a neighborhood community center in Waukegan, IL with programs for children and families focusing on academic growth, improved health, and building the skills that allow individuals and families to see their own path to a brighter tomorrow. Volunteer opportunities include education and enrichment program tutors during the school year, summer lunch and day camp program volunteers, special event programming, marking, social media, office support , facility management and fundraising.

Bernie’s Book Bank creates pathways to success through book ownership. They empower children to gain knowledge, explore new ideas, and strengthen reading skills. Help children read their way into a better life. Volunteer to process books – sort, sticker, and pack books for the children they serve in the Chicagoland area.

The mission of the Buddy Ministry is to come alongside families who have adopted children or children with special needs, serving as a helper on a Sunday morning and at other times upon special request.

Young Life Capernaum is an international, ecumenical Christian organization that gives young people (high school age – 22) with intellectual and developmental disabilities the chance to experience fun and adventure, to develop fulfilling friendships and to challenge their limits while building self-esteem through club, camp, and other exciting activities. We are looking for volunteers of all ages to join us at our Club events to develop friendship with young people with disabilities. We have Club, 6:00-7:30pm @ United Methodist Church in Libertyville the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month.

Child Evangelism Fellowship is a Bible-centered, worldwide organization composed of born-again believers whose purpose is to evangelize boys and girls in their community with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to disciple them in the Word of God and in a local church for Christian living. We are praying for Christians who are willing to share God’s Good News with the children through hosting 5-Day Clubs in their neighborhoods and Good News Clubs in the local public elementary schools.

Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) believes hope starts with food. FMSC is dedicated to seeing every child whole in body and spirit. FMSC works with food distribution partners that stay with communities for the long haul, empowering them to move from relief to development. Turn hunger into hope with your own two hands by packing nutritious meals for hungry children around the world.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is touching millions of lives…one heart at a time. Since 1954, FCA has been challenging coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful platform of sport to reach every coach and every athlete with the transforming power of Jesus Christ. FCA focuses on serving local communities around the globe by engaging, equipping and empowering coaches and athletes to unite, inspire and change the world through the gospel. Our mission is to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church.

Volunteer to help the Highwood Public Library and Community Center as they work to uplift, inform and grow the community through the library’s collections, programming and engagement strategies.

HOGS, “Hands Of God Serving,” is a practical acts of service ministry. Volunteers will clean, paint, haul stuff, and perform light plumbing, electrical and carpentry repairs for those in need.

Love to BBQ? Join the Holy Smokers at Christ Church for a time to connect and build friendships over the BBQ, while serving the community!

Kindred Life provides essential services to help teen parents thrive. Through a weekly program, they offer counseling, mentoring, financial coaching, parenting education and life skills. Additionally, Kindred Life supports teen parents (age 15-22) with child care assistance and tuition assistance so they can achieve their educational and career goals. Kindred Life also meets tangible needs of young families by providing diapers, wipes and other assistance as needed.

We are partnering up with La Iglesia, a Christian church in Mundelein, that serves meals to those families in need that have immigrated from South America. Because of our call to compassion and love for others, we are providing food to 150 people and children that attend each week. If by chance you are interested in helping serve a meal, please register. We will serve once a month on the third Sunday of each month.

Lamb’s Farm is a class at Crossroads for adults with developmental disabilities. There are two different ways you can serve: 1) Help with the class that meets from 9:15-10:30 a.m. 2) Sit with the participants in our 11:00 a.m. worship service.

Love In the Name of Christ (INC) exists to mobilize churches to transform lives and communities, In the Name of Christ. We enable churches & church members to serve in ways God wired them through various ministries. We help provide tangible needs for our neighbors, such as beds and dishes, as well as share life skills classes where people can learn to set goals, manage their resources, and more. We have so many opportunities for you to share your time! Servants answer phones, sort donations, deliver furniture, provide meals for classes, and so much more.

John and Karen McIntosh, who are long time Christ Church members, minister to Naval recruits and cadets on the Naval Base and their home. They serve the Chaplains at Recruit Training Command (RTC) by providing evangelism, training and Chaplain support on Sunday Mornings to some of the 40,000 recruits who come through Navy basic training every year. Volunteers assist in bible studies, Alpha classes, and coordinate a variety of other special outreach and service projects.

Mosaic House Ministries creates space where people can gather to experience God through biblical teaching, fellowship, eating together and prayer and then go from that place to serve the community in meaningful and tangible ways. Volunteer opportunities are in prayer, participating in community dinners, bible studies and youth development through art.

The Mustard Seed is a local fair trade boutique is committed to donating its profits to organizations that help empower women and children many of which have HIV/AIDS or have been abused. The Mustard Seed partners with cooperatives and artisans in developing countries to provide a market for their creations. All of the sales staff at The Mustard Seed are volunteers who have a heart for the fair-trade concept and want to give back.

New Life Resale shop in Wauconda exist to provide low-cost clothing and household items to those in need in their communities as well as provide financial support for the ministry of Informed Choices.

North Chicago Community Partners (NCCP) was formed in 2008 in direct response to the lack of outside support for academic challenges facing the children of this community. NCCP designs and implements programming, but also serves as a facilitator, a coordinator, a matchmaker and a highly regarded strategic partner to the district. NCCP works alongside CUSD 187 and mobilizes the broader community so all children receive the quality education they deserve. Volunteer opportunities are for the After School Enrichment Program, Saturday Enrichment Program, weekend and evening programs and participation in the “Quiet Zone” – a lunch program in a “safe” setting.

North Star Classical Christian School exists to provide a classical Christian learning environment. You can support the work of North Star and volunteer your skills and time to serve faculty and families. Volunteer opportunities include working during the school week or helping with the operational efforts (finances, social media, recruiting, and facility care).

The mission of the Northern Illinois Food Bank is to provide nutritious food and resources for our neighbors, with dignity, equity and convenience, through partnerships and innovation. Volunteer opportunities include helping people register, distribute food, and pray for families in need in partnership with the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

Reading Power provides individualized, high-dosage, one-to-one tutoring in person during the school day for children in preschool through second grade. We do this by partnering with schools needing supplemental literacy support, where needs exceed resources. Our mission is to accelerate children’s literacy learning and to develop their love for reading and writing. Tutors work with the same students each week and commit for an academic year. We have classrooms in school districts in North Chicago, Waukegan, Zion, Palatine, and Wheeling. Tutors must be at least 18 years old. In addition to the weekly tutoring volunteer opportunity, we have office opportunities once a month for volunteers of all ages, preparing educational materials for our students.

Renew’s mission is to reflect God’s love for our under-resourced neighbors by collaborating with community leaders and residents to increase affordable home ownership, enrich community life, and grow small businesses with the goal of igniting a tipping point toward revitalization. Volunteers need to cook a meal, mentor a child, deep clean a newly built home, and help with construction and landscaping for Matthew Homes.

Safe Families offers sanctuary to children, minimizing the risk for abuse or neglect and giving parents the time and tools they need to help their families thrive. Their goal is to strengthen families to care for children, and to care for children when families cannot. Be a host family by caring for a child in your home, walk alongside a family by offering wisdom and guidance, or provide support through material donations.

Help activate the community and the church by raising awareness of sexual exploitation and get involved by volunteering to support Stepping Stones as they provide holistic and therapeutic programs for survivors of sexual exploitation and more. Stepping Stones Network has two divisions: Moms and Kids serving Mothers who have been trafficked and their children. Prevention and Outreach reaching the public with information to alert you to dangers to avoid and opportunities to see and reach those in need.