Volunteer at our Social Service Center this spring!
Get Involved
Volunteer
Due to COVID-19, volunteer opportunities are limited to protect the health and safety of our volunteers.
If you are volunteering in person with any Chicago Lights program, you are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please send a copy of your vaccination certification card to vaxproof@fourthchurch.org by October 15, 2021. Medical records will be kept confidential, but if you have questions, please contact the program you are volunteering with.
Our typical volunteer opportunities are below. For more information, contact us at chicagolights@fourthchurch.org.
Volunteer with Chicago Lights and join a community that is helping build brighter futures.
Youth Programs

Chicago Lights Tutoring is beginning virtually this fall 2021. Become a virtual tutor and connect one-to-one with a student!
Due to COVID-19, Tutoring volunteer opportunities are limited to protect the health and safety of our volunteers.
For more information, contact Mark Dennison at mdennison@chicagolights.org.

Vince DiGirolamo, Tutor/Mentor, Chicago Lights Tutoring
OPPORTUNITIES
Permanent Weekly Tutor, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Have a lasting impact by meeting with your student once a week, on the same day each week.
Arts & Enrichment Teacher, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
SCHEDULE
October 12, 2021–May 2022
Once a week: Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday
Tutoring is beginning virtually via Zoom this fall 2021 but typically is held at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago.
Questions? Contact Program Coordinator Mark Dennison at mdennison@chicagolights.org / 312.274.3828

Due to COVID-19, Summer Day volunteer opportunities are on hold to protect the health and safety of our volunteers.
Our typical volunteer opportunities are below.
Help students get a jump start on the school year while having a safe and fun summer. By participating in this program, 94% of our students improved or maintained their language arts skills, and 96% improved or maintained their math skills.

Cathy Flaa, Volunteer, Chicago Lights Summer Day
Schedule
On hold due to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines
Questions? Contact Program Coordinator Mark Dennison at mdennison@chicagolights.org / 312.274.3828

Get your hands dirty at our Urban Farm! Work side-by-side with our Urban Farm team to help cultivate over 6,000 pounds of produce each season while supporting job opportunities and urban agriculture.
Typical volunteer tasks may include weeding, shoveling compost or woodchips, seeding/planting, painting, organizing, and general site beautification.
Register at the links below for orientation and community farm days.
What to Know before Volunteering at the Farm
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Fourth Presbyterian Church and Chicago Lights instituted a policy requiring COVID vaccination for all paid staff. In alignment with that policy, we have decided to require that all volunteers serving in person must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
If you are volunteering in person we ask that you please send a copy of your vaccination certification card to vaxproof@fourthchurch.org before you volunteer with us.
Please be assured that this information—which will be received directly by our Human Resources Department—will be kept confidential and will only be used to verify your ability to volunteer with Chicago Lights. Volunteers can show a copy of their vax card with appropriate ID on arrival.
Those who do not have a vaccination certification card on file indicating full vaccination against COVID-19 will not be able to volunteer in person.
- Please dress in clothes that can get dirty and close-toed shoes. Bring your own sunscreen if needed.
- Bring a refillable water bottle if you have one. We have drinking water on site.
- For facilities, there is a porta potty and hand-washing station only.
- Plenty of picnic tables in the shade to take a break.
- Masks are optional; please do what makes you feel most comfortable.
- Bring your own gardening gloves if you have them (we will have a limited number of new small and medium gloves to purchase for $3).
- Please do not bring personal items. We do not have storage for these items and cannot be responsible for your belongings.
- If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have any COVID-19 symptoms, do not come to the Farm and follow all guidelines provided by the CDC and your doctor. If you do test positive or have symptoms and have been to the Farm in the two weeks prior to your symptoms first occurring, please contact the Farm Director, Ben Jaffe (bjaffe@chicagolights.org), immediately.
Orientation/Tour
Volunteering: Community Farm Days
Spots are available on Wednesdays, 2:00-4:00 p.m. Please sign up only if you can stay the entire time as spots are limited.
Group Volunteering
To schedule your group (5–15 people), contact Associate Director Deja Stout at dstout@chicagolights.org.
All volunteering is on site at the Urban Farm, 444 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago (intersection of Chicago and Hudson Ave.).
Questions? Contact Deja Stout at dstout@chicagolights.org.

Due to COVID-19, Social Service Center volunteer opportunities are limited. All volunteers must follow COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. For more information, contact Director Theresa Thornburg at tthornburg@chicagolights.org or 312.274.3826.
Our Social Service Center supports an average of 35 guests each day. Help welcome them with dignity and respect, as together, we walk alongside adults during some of their greatest times of need.

Hilda, Volunteer, Chicago Lights Social Service Center
INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERING
Food Pantry Shopping Aide
Temporarily on hold
Assist adults as they shop through our consumer-choice Food Pantry.
Food Pantry Delivery Aide
Second and Fourth Mondays, 8:30–11:00 a.m.
Assist with our bi-monthly Food Pantry delivery from the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Volunteers need to be able to lift 40-pound boxes. Sign up here.
Share Shop Sorter/Aide
Temporarily on hold
Help sort, clean, and organize clothing donations for our Share Shop or assist adults during their appointments.
Questions about individual volunteering opportunities? Contact Director Theresa Thornburg at tthornburg@chicagolights.org or 312.274.3826.
Good Neighbors Field Outreach
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Wednesdays and Fridays, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Must be at least 18 years old
Volunteer with a small group, including staff, and connect with neighbors experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. Volunteers provide snack items and hygiene kits to individuals on the streets.
Group Volunteering
Temporarily on hold
Contact Community Partner Manager Jill Keiser at jkeiser@chicagolights.org / 312.981.3590.
All volunteering at the Social Service Center is at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago.


After tutoring with Chicago Lights, I joined the Associates Board because I wanted to find a way to make a bigger impact in my community, but I’ve found much more than that. I’ve gained a community of young professionals who are passionate about furthering Chicago Lights’ mission. Whether it’s putting together a large fundraising event or volunteering together on the weekend, we’re all here with the same mission of making Chicago a better place.
Taylor Wong, Former President, Chicago Lights Associates Board
Membership
Attend a monthly meeting!