Harper College

Community Service Opportunities

Looking to give back to your community?

Here is your chance to volunteer! The following opportunities are available to Harper College Harper Promise students looking for hours to fulfill scholarship requirements, or just looking to give back. Once you have completed your hours, be sure to log them in the MyHarper Portal Promise Tracker. A walkthrough of how to enter your service hours can be viewed in the video below.  Hours are due the Friday before Finals week each semester. 

If you are in high school, please contact your high school student services department in regards to opportunities available for you to complete your hours. 

Listing of Harper service opportunities for students

Please click through to find opportunities available at Harper College assisting with Harper offices and events. Please note, you are not limited to these opportunities.

  • Contact person:Sean Warren-Crouch
  • Date of service: Multiple dates needed - Sign up for as many as you would like!
    3/25 2:30-4:30
    3/28 4:30-6:30
    4/2 5:00-7:00
    4/25 5:30-7:30
    5/7 5:30-7:30
    5/14 4:30-6:30
  • Location of Service: Harper College - D-195
  • Description of opportunity: Remember attendind the Promise Preview Session? It is time for high school seniors in the Prmoise Program to attend the Promise Preview Session. The session helps students understand the requirements of the Promise program while at Harper and their final steps to starting the program next Fall.  
    Your responsibility would be to check in students, and answer any questions they may have about your expereinces in Promise. 
  • Sign up information: Click here to sign up
  • Contact person:Angelica Rackow
  • Date of service: April 12, anytime between 8:00-4:00
  • Location of Service: Harper College
  • Description of opportunity: Students will help with check in, tracking attendance, and assisting speakers if needed.
  • Sign up information:Email Angelica directly
  • Contact person:Paige Coe
  • Date of service: Starting March 14th
  • Location of Service: Harper College
  • Description of opportunity: Harper's Community Relations Team will be participating in various elementary school events this Spring! From STEAM fairs, to Career Explore days, we will be offering Harper students a fun way to get their community service hours while learning alongside elementary students and their families! Please select which event (or events) you are available for. Please note, transportation is not provided.
  • Sign up information:Sign up here
  • Contact person:Professor Statler
  • Date of service: Availability varies - Tuesday or Thursday evenings, Alternating Mondays and Fridays - Email to set up time
  • Location of Service: Harper College
  • Description of opportunity: Professor Statler (Biology Department) has several laminated figures and words that need to be cut out for her students to use in the upcoming weeks. Service would involve meeting in her office Z208A (or other classroom in Z building if more space is needed) and cutting figures and words out with the scissors she provides for however amount of time that you can offer. The word cut outs will also need to be organized by counting and sorting into baggies.
  • Sign up information:Email Professor Statler directly
  • Contact person:Kristyn Meyer 847-925-6468
  • Date of service: Complete at home, anytime between March 1 and May 1
  • Location of Service: Harper College
  • Description of opportunity: Volunteers will assist the Harper College Educational Foundation in thanking donors by making short videos and/or writing thank you cards. 15 videos/cards = 1 hour of volunteer credit. For this opportunity, volunteers can complete their requirements on their own schedule and in the location of their choosing. Foundation staff will provide scripts and materials for all participants.

    This opportunity typically fills quickly. If spaces are unavailable, you will see an indication on the sign-up form listed below. For questions, please contact Kristyn Meyer at kmeyer@harpercollege.edu or 847.925.6468.
  • Sign up information: Click here to sign up
  • Contact person:Paige Coe 
  • Date of service: Fridays throughout the semester, 8:45a-12:45p
  • Location of Service: Harper College
  • Description of opportunity: Sign up to be a guide for 4th-8th grade school groups visiting Harper! All volunteers will receive training before their first tour, with tours taking place on Fridays from 8:45a-12:45pm. Volunteers will receive a Subway box lunch! Sign up for as many, or as few tours as you'd like. For Promise students, one tour equals four volunteers hours. Questions? Email Paige wp01393@harpercollege.edu 
  • Sign up information: Click here to sign up
  • Contact person:Teagen Reid - 847-925-6266
  • Date of service: Spring 2024
  • Location of Service: Harper College
  • Description of opportunity: Access & Disability Services (ADS) is looking for students willing to volunteer their time to attend classes where we have a student who needs notes taken for them. The volunteer would attend the in-person class when the instructor is lecturing to take notes. They would then upload the digital notes or take pictures of handwritten notes and upload them. The volunteer notetaker would not be responsible for any coursework and would not receive credit for the course. We are looking for reliable, responsible, and good notetakers to assist our students in ADS.
  • Sign up information: Click here to apply to serve as a notetaker

Listing of external service opportunities for students

The following organizations have requested volunteers for their organization or event. These opportunities are not affiliated with Harper College, but can count toward your Harper Promise service hours.

  • Contact person: Kathy Scheuing
  • Date of service: See below for a variety of events throughout the semester
  • Location of Service: Clearbrook Respite - Arlington Heights
  • Description of opportunities:

    Special Event Opportunity - Special Olympics Spring Games - April 14th
    Volunteers will escort Clearbrook athletes to their different events and cheer them on. It is an inspiring day!!

    Ongoing opportunity 1 -
    Training individuals on IPads
    At our day program site running group activities with two or three of our individuals.  Volunteers would be training our individuals on how to use an iPad.  How to get to different apps and use them. 

    Ongoing Opportunity 2 - Clearbrook On Cue - Theater performance assistance
    Volunteers will mentor Clearbrook actors during rehearsal and at the final performance in June at the Metropolis Theatre in downtown Arlington Heights.

    Ongoing Opportunity 3 - Clerical Work
    Volunteers assist with various clerical work such as scanning and filling, document destruction, etc.

    Ongoing opportunity 4 - Adult Day Programs
    Volunteers assist with various activities to enhance our individual productivity and socialization. Would be helping them learn the IPad, playing board games, and doing arts and crafts. All volunteers must be vaccinated to volunteer.

    Many special events throughout the term - see link for details
  • Sign up information: For more information and to sign up, click here.
  • Contact person: Ralph Banasiak
  • Date of service: April 13th, 8:00-noon
  • Location of Service: Paul Douglas Forest Preserve
  • Description of opportunities:

    Organized by the Bike Palatine Club, this is an annual sprint event to cleanup the paved trail at the Paul Douglas Forest Preserve:

    o Trail cleanup at the Paul Douglas Forest Preserves
    o Saturday, April 13, 8 - noon
    o. Meet at Grassy Meadows parking lot - entrance on Central Road
    o. Dress for the weather.
    o. Bring work gloves to pick up discarded items and trash.

    Harper students have volunteered in past years.

  • Sign up information: Volunteers should email me at banasiakr@comcast.net
  • Contact person: Samira Chaker
  • Date of service: See below for a variety of events throughout the semester
  • Location of Service: Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs - Al-Ihsan Academy - Rolling Meadows
  • Description of opportunities:

    Our organization, Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs in Rolling Meadows, aims to provide tutoring services to middle and high school students in the community who do not have access to paid tutoring services.

  • Sign up information: Email to set up
  • Contact person: Emily Kerous
  • Date of service: See below for a variety of events throughout the semester - usually weekdays between 2:00-4:00
  • Location of Service: Lines Elementary in Barrington
  • Description of opportunities:

    Assist in after school activities. A variety of activities are in need of help. All volunteers will need to bring an ID.

  • Sign up information: Sign up here
  • Contact person: Wren Dahlfors
  • Date of service: Sunday, May 5th
  • Location of Service: Harper College
  • Description of opportunities:

    Various Options to assist with the walk  - starting as early as 6am - 10:30. Finishing between 8am - 1pm. Shifts are between 2 - 5 hours long.
    Set Up And Tear Down a Non - Profit Walk Fundraiser
    Volunteer Check In
    Photographers
    Event Greeters + Spirit Team at Start / Finish Line
    Assisting at Event Tents on Main Site
    First Aid / Medical
    Route Marshalls
  • Sign up information: Click here to sign up
  • Contact person: Barb Howell bhowell631@gmail.com 
  • Date of service: Tuesdays, and first Wednesday of the month
  • Location of Service: Meet at 1585 N. Rand Road, Palatine
  • Description of opportunities:

    The mobile food pantry goes out to apartment complexes in the area to provide some groceries and produce to the food insecure. We go out every Tuesday and the 1st Wednesday each month. Rain or shine. We have canopies to use if it rains.

    We meet at 2:15 at 1585 N. Rand Road in Palatine to bag produce and load the van. Then we drive to the distribution location for that day. We open as soon as we can but always by 4. We offer food so the clients can pick what they want to take. We close at 5.

    We serve between 150-200 families on each trip. There can be a lot of lifting required (up to 50 pounds) but then there are plenty of jobs where lifting is not required.
  • Sign up information: Email Barb Howell
  • Contact person: Dave Webb 847-975-4712
  • Date of service: Ongoing throughout the semester
  • Location of Service: Poplar Creek
  • Description of opportunities:
    What does this agency do?
    The Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards is a volunteer group that works outside year-round restoring Prairie and Oak Woodlands to promote local biodiversity. PCPS is affiliated with the Forest Preserves of Cook County. We hope to provide students with an educational, fun and active teamwork experience while contributing to restoring natural areas within Carl Hansen/Poplar Creek Forest Preserve in Hoffman Estates,Illinois. Students will work with a diverse group of volunteers that have decades of restoration experience and some very enthusiastic young volunteers also, removing invasive flora, planting Prairie and Woodland plants, collecting and spreading plant seeds. We will provide snacks for break time, which may include hot dogs ( regular and vegan ) cooked over brush piles of invasive trees/ brush that are burned during the winter months.
    Where is this agency located?
    -Carl Hansen Woods Forest Preserve located off Rt 59 between Shoefactory Rd and ( Rt 58) Golf Rd. Entrance is on the west side of Rt 59. We meet in the parking lot. This site can be found on Google Maps.
    -Schaumburg Road Grasslands, which is not on Google Maps under that name. However, if you use google maps and enter Carl Hansen Woods FP in the destination section just scroll down on the map until you get to Schaumburg Rd and then look for Poplar Creek Equestrian Parking on the map. It is west of Rt 59 on Schaumburg Rd. The entrance is on the north side (right side) of Schaumburg Rd. There is a small red sign (easy to miss the first time going there) by the entrance. The parking lot is unpaved. It is a few minutes south of Carl Hansen FP by car.
    When would this volunteering take place?
    -Workdays are on weekends- Saturdays or Sundays: Alternate Sat./Sun. each week.
    Starting at 9AM to approximately 12 noon, please arrive early to sign in. For dates and additional details visit. https://poplarcreekprairiestewards.org/
    Contact Person
    Dave Webb, webbdm@comcast.net, 847-975-4712 ( please text message for availability of opportunities)
    Restrictions/Requirements
    Anyone under 18 is required to be accompanied by parent/legal guardian throughout the workday.
    Participants should be dressed for the weather conditions ( long pants, tall socks, sturdy shoes and preferably older clothes ) if not suitably dressed, we reserve the right to not except the student for safety reasons
  • Sign up information: For more information and to sign up, click here.
  • Contact person: Rachel Heneghan
  • Date of service: Beginning January 2024
  • Location of Service:See link
  • Description of opportunities:

    STUDENT AMBASSADOR:
    *MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the community for families At-Risk *MAJOR related to working with At-Risk population
    *CONNECT with Community Leaders, Mayors, Police, Educators, Resource centers, and Service providers to support Autism Awareness *Comfortable working virtually
    *Research and identify resources and service providers
    *Make phone calls and follow-up with email
    *Use templates to record data and document results
    *Attend weekly virtual meetings (TBD per semester)
    *Self-motivated and self-paced to meet deadlines
    *Bring a fun and self-driven attitude to the program

  • Sign up information: For more information and to sign up, click here.
  • Contact person: Roger Reaume
  • Date of service: Thursday evening into Friday mornings
  • Location of Service: First United Methodist Church, 1903 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights
  • Description of opportunities:

    I am managing a PADS site, we assist the homeless every Thursday eve into Friday morning October through April. We have a need for set-up and 1st, 2nd and 3rd shifts to assist our team.

    We have had many Harper students come through the program in the past. Generally students would contact me initially and register on our sign-up genius. Most people work 1-2 times a month for about 3-4 hours. Very easy and safe.

    Please recommend that everyone initially contacts me. Email or phone is fine.
    Rodger Reaume
    FUMCAH - PADS site director
    cell 630-220-0914

  • Sign up information: For more information and to sign up, click here.
  • Contact person: Michele Wisgowski
  • Date of service: Whenever snowfall
  • Location of Service: Please contact for location information
  • Description of opportunities:

    Person with disability needs assistance with snow removal throughout winter months at home.

  • Sign up information: Please email with interest, the sooner the better to get ready for snowfall
  • Contact person: Lauren Chilvers
  • Date of service: Mondays or Tuesdays throughout the term
  • Location of Service: 1111 Lake Cook Road, Buffalo Grove
  • Description of opportunities:

    Help count toys for children in crisis. OMNI Youth Services holds a toy drive every year. OMNI partners with Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to provide home-based services that keep children safe while strengthening families and helping them stay together. We need to get an accurate inventory of what has been donated so far. This opportunity is scheduled based on your availability. It is only available on Monday - Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm. The address is 1111 Lake Cook Road in Buffalo Grove, IL.

  • Sign up information: For more information and to sign up, click here.
  • Contact person: Matt Sheehan 
  • Date of service: Various opportunities through the year
  • Location of Service: Palatine Park District
  • Description of opportunity:
    We provide a number of volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Each opportunity will list the opportunity, expectations and additional information needed. Please register on our volunteer website and make sure to create a profile, sign the volunteer waiver, consent to and submit a background check and read and sign off on the volunteer manual. Here are some upcoming events we need your help!
  • Sign up information: Click here for more information and to sign up - Participants can create a profile and then sign up
  • Contact person: Lauren Scudieri
  • Date of service: Throughout semester
  • Location of Service: Gigi's Playhouse
  • Description of opportunity: The 1:1 Literacy tutoring program provides individual instruction based on the interests and inspirations of each student. Our trained tutors provide motivating and purposeful lessons designed to keep our students engaged and learning both during sessions and when extending activities at home.

    The 1:1 Math tutoring program uses a multi-sensory, strength-based approach to build confidence and success for our students. Our research-based curriculum encompasses a variety of strategies and techniques to ensure that every student can be successful when learning math. 
  • Sign up information: Click here for more information and to sign up
  • Contact person: Andrea Rodriguez andrea.rodriguez@ghh1.com 224-209-0354
  • Date of service: Multiple available
  • Location of Service: Guardian Hospice
  • Description of opportunity:
    Volunteers will be visiting Hospice patients at Nursing Home or Assisted Living to provide patient with companionship. Most volunteers play music, play games, read a story, sit outside with patient or whatever brings patient comfort.
    Office help is also available for those uncomfortable with entering a facility.
    Helping Bereavement coordinator with phone calls or letters.
  • Sign up information: Please call 224-209-0354 if interested to discuss
  • Contact person: Donna Adam - donnaadam@cleanupgiveback.org
  • Date of service: Ongoing throughout the semester
  • Description of opportunity: Clean Up – Give Back facilitates trash cleanup campaigns that are helpful to the community and the environment. We establish chapters for on-going cleanup. We operate a national “Flexible Service Programs” that allows individuals to earn service hours for work, school or court.
  • Sign up information: For more information and to sign up, Click Here
  • Contact person: Sara Vasilev - svasilev@mylifechoice.org 847-777-8888
  • Date of service: Ongoing throughout the semester
  • Location of Service: LifeChoice Hospice  and Palliative Care - Wheeling
  • Description of opportunity: Hospice volunteers have the opportunity to meet and work with local hospice patients. Patients are visited at their family home or nursing home. Volunteers can work with patients to provide companionship, play music for them or assist them with writing cards to family and friends. There are many different activities a hospice volunteer can participate in. For volunteers who may not feel comfortable working directly with hospice patients yet, you can assist hospice staff with administrative tasks in our office in Wheeling.
  • Sign up information: Click here to sign up
  • Contact person: Danielle Kadamian - d.katamian@journeystheroadhome.org 
  • Date of service: Ongoing
  • Location of Service: Journeys the Road Home
  • Description of opportunity: Throughout October - April, JOURNEYS partners with numerous faith-based facilities to provide shelter and food for individuals experiencing homelessness. These facilities, also known as PADS Sites, offer clients a safe place to sleep as well as dinner and breakfast. PADS volunteers work in shifts throughout the night. Tasks vary per shift. Volunteers' responsibilities could include providing meal service, checking in clients, monitoring the sites, setup, and cleanup among other duties. There are multiple PADS locations so you can choose which site works best for you.

    JOURNEYS is also opening an Interim Housing Program, which operates similar to the PADS Sites. They provide shelter and food for clients who do not qualify for the PADS Sites or have difficult accessing them for a variety of reasons. For this program, volunteers will be working on the second floor of the JOURNEYS Palatine Facility. Volunteer roles are similar to the PADS Sites.

    BOTH programs require volunteers to be TRAINED. Please fill out the volunteer interest form to receive more information or contact JOURNEYS Volunteer Coordinator Danielle Kadamian at d.kadamian@journeystheroadhome.org.
  • Sign up information: Click here to find opportunities
  • Contact person: Kelly Duong
  • Date of service: Ongoing
  • Location of Service: Journeys the Road Home
  • Description of opportunity: The purpose of the JOURNEYS Young Professionals Board (YPB) is to promote, raise awareness, and fundraise for JOURNEYS programs and services. Members will support JOURNEYS in cultivating relationships in the community and engaging others via social media, in social functions and events, and by volunteering at JOURNEYS events. You will also have the opportunity to plan and attend fundraisers, meet new people, and attend networking events while making a difference in your community. All YPB members meet once a month.


  • Sign up information: ​For more information email us at ypb@journeystheroadhome.org!
  • Contact person: Amy Diaz - adiaz@nwsra.org 847-392-2848
  • Date of service: Ongoing throughout the semester
  • Location of Service: Northwest Suburban Recreation Association
  • Description of opportunity: At NWSRA, children and adults with disabilities make friends, have fun, be included, go new places, learn new things, and celebrate their lives! Formed in 1974 to provide recreation services to individuals with disabilities, NWSRA is an extension of 17 member park districts within the northwest suburbs of Chicago. NWSRA is the largest of all special recreation associations and is a leader among peers with over 14,000 program registrations in more than 2,000 programs annually.

    We are always seeking volunteers to assist in our therapeutic recreation programs. These programs range from sports, fitness, arts, crafts, music, and general leisure. During your volunteer interview, you will discuss what type of programs interest you the most! We want to make this a great experience for you as well.


    Volunteers must be 14 years of age or older. The Volunteer Coordinator will contact you as soon as possible through e-mail to confirm that you have been accepted to the volunteer team and that you have been placed in your preferred program. Volunteer applications are processed once per week, please allow at least 5 business days for your application to be processed. 
  • Sign up information: Apply here
  • Contact person: Erin@Allcommunityevents.com 
  • Date of service: Ongoing throughout the semester
  • Description of opportunity: All Community Events hosts races in the area all throughout the fall season. This opportunity allows you to gain some volunteer experience to add to your resume. Some examples of tasks are assisting with registration, helping at a water station, and more!

  • Sign up information: Email Erin for more information and to sign up
  • Contact person: feralfelineproject@gmail.com 
  • Date of service: Ongoing throughout the semester
  • Description of opportunity: Our Adoption Center is located in the Petco at 49 W Rand Rd, Arlington Hts. General tasks include but are not limited to:

    *Socializing kittens and cats
    *Light kennel cleaning
    *Basic care such as feeding and grooming

    Tasks will coincide with comfort level

    Our TNR Program is in the field. You will work along side a senior Trapper, they are your mentor. You will learn how to:
    * humanely trap, sterilize and return feral (wild) cats.
    You would also be speaking to people in the community on the benefits of TNR under the guidance of your Mentor.

    To Volunteer please complete the Volunteer Application under the Documents Tab on our website www.feralfelineproject.org

  • Sign up information: For more information and to sign up, click here
  • Contact person: Katie Evans - khevans@mchenrycountyil.gov  
  • Date of service: Ongoing throughout the year
  • Description of opportunity: Volunteers have the opportunity to help shelters animals by walking dogs, playing with cats, or helping with special events & photography. Volunteers are needed during the day on weekdays and Saturdays.

    All volunteer opportunities will take place at the McHenry County Animal Control building, at 100 N. Virginia Street in Crystal Lake
  • Sign up information: For more information and to sign up, click here
  • Contact person: deb@purrfectcatrescue.com
  • Date of service: Ongoing throughout the year
  • Description of opportunity: This volunteer opportunity is to take care of our no-kill, cage-free kitties and the shelter. You may tidy the cat and kitten areas, feed and water them, clean litter boxes, and generally make sure all the areas are clean.

    You may sign up for a standard, weekly schedule or just grab shifts as it fits your schedule. If you are interested, please go to the website, click "Volunteer" and then click "Volunteer Application" . We will then reach out and provide you an online signup link for a quick and simple signup experience.

    Available Days / Hours:
    Weekdays - 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    Weekends (Sat and Sun) - 9:00 am-noon
  • Sign up information: For more information and to sign up, click here
  • Contact person: Halie Reyes halier@frisbieseniorcenter.org  
  • Date of service: Ongoing throughout the semester
  • Description of opportunity: The Once & Again Resale Shop is looking for volunteers to assist with sorting, pricing, and organizing donations. Profits go to supporting the Frisbie Senior Center's mission of providing support to older adults. Hours are Tues-Sat 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, however shifts can be adjusted to the volunteer's schedule
  • Sign up information: For more information and to sign up, email Halie at halier@frisbieseniorcentor.org 

If these opportunities do not work with your schedule, you can view a list of local volunteer organizations here. These organizations often need volunteers on an ongoing basis. An additional source of volunteer opportunities throughout the northwest suburbs can be found here. Finally, this site provides online options for students looking to get community service hours. 

In need of volunteers?

Are you in need of volunteers for a project or event you are hosting this semester? Promise Scholars can be a great resource.

 

Questions?

hpromise@harpercollege.edu

 

Last Updated: 3/18/24