Community Service & Outreach

 

 Weekly Volunteer Programs

 

 

*These programs need a weekly commitment.

**Days/times and locations vary. 

***Closed until further notice due to a fire that occurred at the site. 

Note: Transportation is provided for all weekly programs. Please meet in circle drive 10 minutes before start time. Most programs can only take one van due to site needs.  

 

Cedar Ridge, Lebanon, IL

Students socialize with the residents and have a lot of fun at this nursing home!  Cedar Ridge is interested in students or groups to perform for residents in addition to classes to help residents obtain and learn computer skills, and campus events that residents can attend.

 

Chakota, Germantown, IL

Chakota Therapeutic Horsemanship Farms is a program for special needs children in Germantown, IL. Students will work with children as they develop skills and train with horses. Boots or a pair of old tennis shoes is recommended, no flip flops.

Chakota just started a veterans program and is in need of individuals comfortable working with large horses. If interested, contact Zachary Elmore at [email protected] to sign up.

  

Christian Activity Center, East St. Louis, IL

CAC is requesting volunteers to commit two hours per week during sessions between the prime hours of 4:30pm-6:30pm. Session are from August to December, January to May, and during the summer. Opportunities include homework help, 1:1 help, math or reading assistant, and Center Kids (K-1st) assistants. 

 

Community Link, Breese, IL

Community Link was chartered as not-for-profit corporation by the State of Illinois in 1972. The agency provides a variety of services to individuals with disabilities, both adults and infants, and their families living in Clinton County and the surrounding areas. 

 

Family Living Center, East Saint Louis, IL

The Family Living Center in East St. Louis provides emergency housing for homeless families.  Students go to the shelter to play with children so that the parents can attend classes or have some time to themselves. 

Fairmont CAC, Fairmont City, IL

This program offers after school tutoring at the Fairmont Christian Activity Center. McKendree students help serve a predominantly Hispanic/Latinx population that need help with college prep, tutoring, and ESL. 

 

 

Franklin After School Program, Belleville, IL

Franklin Neighborhood Association is a community outreach program. McKendree volunteers with help assist or oversee different classrooms for grades 1st through 5th twice a week. 

 

Griffin Center (Catholic Urban Programs), East Saint Louis, IL

Catholic Urban Programs (CUP) advances the dignity of the human person through compassionate response to human needs, advocacy for justice and the empowerment of individuals and families to develop their full potential. Service opportunities include:

Griffin Center After-School:  CUP runs a tutoring and recreation program for youth K-8 from generational poverty who reside in East St. Louis public housing.  Opportunities include tutoring, arts and crafts, music, outdoor recreation, and table games. At this program you will have a chance to impact the life of a child through being a role model and caring presence. 

 

Homeless Services, East Saint Louis, IL

Students rotate weekly between two different hunger and homelessness programs in the metro east area. 

 

Randy's Rescue Ranch, O'Fallon, IL

Students will have the opportunity to help clean stalls, work with the animals, and help give tours at the site. 

 

Trinity Services, Mascoutah, IL

Students work with residents who have physical and/or mental disabilities.  Volunteers interact with residents through crafts, board games, or general conversation. 

 

Without Limits Dance Company, Lebanon, IL

Without Limits Dance Company is a place that allows individuals with special needs the chance to perform, socialize, and work on perceptual motor skills.

  

 

Additional Service Sites & Partners

 

Big Brothers Big Sisters,  Southwestern, IL

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois serves children ages 6-18 in St. Clair, Madison, Clinton and Monroe Counties in Illinois. Our mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. We welcome qualified volunteers aged 18 or older to serve as mentors, office help, activity volunteers, donors or champions in the community. Mentors spend 10-12 hours per month for a minimum of one year with their “Little,” participating in constructive and fun one-to-one activities. 

Apply on their website if interested.

 

BWorks, Saint Louis, MO

BWorks is an organization that works in three main program areas: bikes, books, and beta.  They are currently looking for Earn-A-Computer Instructors on Tuesday and Thursday evenings as well as Saturdays, this free 6 week, 90 minute course covers programming basics, internet safety, and the inner workings of a computer while students work toward earning their very own desktop computer.

Instructors need not have experience in computers or education, as training is taught on site to equip new volunteers with everything they need! Contact [email protected] if interested. 

 

Catholic Urban Programs, East Saint Louis, IL

Catholic Urban Programs (CUP) advances the dignity of the human person through compassionate response to human needs, advocacy for justice and the empowerment of individuals and families to develop their full potential.  Service opportunities include:

Griffin Center After-School:  CUP runs a tutoring and recreation program for youth K-8 from generational poverty who reside in East St. Louis public housing.  Opportunities include tutoring, arts and crafts, music, outdoor recreation, and table games.  At this program you will have a chance to impact the life of a child through being a role model and caring presence.

Holy Angels Shelter: CUP also has a homeless shelter for women and children.  At the shelter you may help organize, clean, interact/engage with children, cook a meal, or help in other areas as needed. 

Special Projects: CUP also needs assistance getting all children reading at grade level by Third Grade. Increasing school attendance and achievement of middle school youth from generational poverty. Once a week Chess instructors and measuring the improved academic outcomes for those in the Chess Club Development of a volunteer handbook for Catholic Urban Programs. Development of a data management system for the volunteer program.

 Contact Dianne at 618-489-5021 to volunteer with CUP programs.

 

EarthDance Organic Farm School, Ferguson, MO

We envision productive local farms where creative endeavors can bloom alongside flourishing produce. We envision former strangers cultivating the land together and growing relationships in addition to sugar snap peas. We envision an Artist-in-Residence gaining inspiration from the beauty of a community farm and in return sharing their talents with farm-workers and farm-goers. We envision individuals from all walks of life coming to EarthDance to learn skills in organic farming and gardening, to taste a fresh-picked carrot, and to see where their food comes from. We are dedicated to seeing this vision through to reality. Contact Nick at [email protected].  

 

Food Outreach, Saint Louis, MO

From the beginning, people from all walks of life have volunteered their time and talents to provide nutrition support to men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS or cancer. By giving their time, volunteers make it possible to feed over a thousand men, women and children living with either HIV/AIDS or cancer.  Volunteers are the lifeblood of Food Outreach and are our biggest asset. Contact Kathy Spencer at 314-652-3663, ext. 111 or [email protected] for details.

 

Franklin Arts & Crafts, Belleville, IL

Franklin Neighborhood Association is a community outreach program.  McKendree volunteers make arts and crafts in an after school program for grade school children once a week.

This program is also seeking help outside of McKendree's regular program.  They are in need of tutors, basketball, kickball and whiffle ball instructors on Tuesdays and Thursdays during their 7 week sessions.  For these opportunities, please contact Andrew at [email protected].

Good Samaritan House of Granite City, Granite City, MO

The Good Samaritan House enriches the lives of homeless women and children by supporting them in a loving Christian environment. While providing safe and temporary housing, basic human needs and supportive services, the Good Samaritan House offers residents opportunities to enhance life skills, increase self-esteem and become self-sufficient. Contact Linda at [email protected]. 

 

Holy Childhood School*, Mascoutah, IL

HCS is a Catholic grade school in Masoutah, IL. They need McKendree students to assist students who are struggling in specific classes.

 

Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA), Belleville, IL

IMSA offers episodic and short term (3-40 hours) volunteer opportunities.  Volunteers will assist program teachers in setting up and conducting experiments, serve as group leaders assisting gifted program participants (grades 3-8) with hands-on activities, and conduct group ice breakers/mixer activities.

  

Leu Civic Center, Mascoutah, IL

LCC plans recreations, social and family support programs. Volunteer opportunities include tutoring, kiddie boot camp, sporting activities and game room attendants. There may also be possibilities of planning your own child centered activity through LCC through conversations with staff.  Contact Peggy at 618-566-2175.

 

Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School, East St. Louis, IL

Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School’s mission is to inspire, prepare, and empower kindergarten through grade 8 students in East St. Louis and surrounding communities, to become the next generation of wholesome, responsible, and dedicated leaders of their communities and of our world.  They are in need of volunteers:   1) Daily from 8:30 - 3:30 to help for about an hour of individual or small group assistance in reading or math, 2) Daily from 3:30 - 5:00 to help with the extended day assistance in homework and recreation time or, 3) On Mon or Wed from 8:30 - 3:00 to assist the PE teacher about an hour to put on PE class and work with students on fitness and sports skills.  For more information, contact Principal Dan Nickerson at [email protected] or call the school at (618) 397-0316.

St. Cecilia’s Catholic School*, Saint Louis, MO

St. Cecilia’s Catholic School works with students from diverse backgrounds, many English Language Learners and immigrants.  McKendree students can help the school through tutoring students that need more individualized attention.

  

St. John Evangelical UCC, Homework Help & Hoops, Collinsville, IL

Homework Help & Hoops is looking for volunteers for one-on-one tutoring with 1st-8th grade student to complete homework. If time is remaining, volunteers work on an area of need as identified by student's teacher.

They are open Tuesday and Thursdays 2:30-7:00. Contact Dana Callahan at (618) 344-2526.

St. Louis Crisis Nursery, Saint Louis, MO

The Crisis Nursery needs volunteers to assist in their donation room and gardens.  With the completion of a background check and training, they also need assistance working with children.  Contact Ann at 314-768-3201 x 24 for more information. 

 

Stray Rescue, Saint Louis, MO

Stray Rescue needs volunteers to help walk dogs, do laundry, housekeeping, and other tasks to assist this wonderful no-kill organization for animals in St. Louis.

Violence Prevention Center, Belleville, IL

The Violence Prevention Center relies upon the service of over 300 volunteers each year.  Opportunities include serving on a committee, helping with fundraisers, participating with major cleaning days, painting, and landscaping projects, internships, answering the 24 hour crisis hotline (requires 40 hours of training) and volunteering at the shelter shop.  For more information, please contact the Director of Development at 618-236-2531 ext. 130.

* Requires Protecting God’s Children Course which can be set up through CCS.

 

Don't see what you're looking for?  Check out McKendree's United Way Portal!