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. Please reference the video Harper Promise Community Service Input for a walkthrough of how to enter your service hours. 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.
*Be sure to refresh your page to get the latest service options*
Date of service: Fridays throughout the semester, 8:45a-12:45p
Location of Service: Harper College
Description of opportunity: Need community service hours for your scholarship? Enjoy getting involved on campus
and working with middle school students? Volunteer to be a tour guide for 6th-8th
grade school groups! All volunteers will receive training before their first tour,
with tours taking place on Fridays from 8:45-1pm. Volunteers will receive lunch. Please
be prepared for public speaking and being able to keep control of a group. wp01393@harpercollege.edu
Description of opportunity: Help stock the Harper Hawks Care Campus Pantry by unloading trucks and getting them
to the pantry. Volunteering will be physically demanding and occurs in all weather
when campus is open. Time slots are estimates for deliveries, so please wait no more
than 10 minutes for arrival. Please review the available slots below and click on
the button to sign up. Your service will be greatly appreciated!
Date of service: Multiple dates available. Begins 8/29/2026
Location of Service: Harper College
Description of opportunity: The Athletic Department at Harper College is looking for volunteers to assist with
a number of tasks involved with running the Department. We have 12 sports and the
need varies by sport and time of year. Examples include: helping the volleyball team
by being a line judge or keeping track of statistics during a match; being a welcome
ambassador for opponents and showing them to where they need to be in the facility
- the needs are many but varied. Volunteers should be prepared to spend time outside
if necessary.
Description of opportunity: The British Car Festival has been at Harper for 14 years. The coordinators are getting
older and the set-up is getting physically harder for them (simply due to age). They
are requesting volunteers to help with their morning set-up. This could be moving
chairs, helping with electric set-up as well as sign placements. The British Car Union
coordinators will provide direction the morning of, but I am the point of contact
for the students.
Description of opportunity: Join us on Friday, October 30 in Harper Lot #3 for one of Harper's favorite community
events. Volunteers are needed between 3:30-8 p.m. to help with set-up, activities
during the event, and clean-up. Costumes are welcome (family-friendly, please!) as
we help create a fun, safe, and memorable evening for more than 2,000 community members.
Date of service: Ongoing throughout the semester, Beginning on 9/18/2026
Location of Service: Harper College
Description of opportunity: There will be prairie workdays hosted throughout the semester. Work will include removal
of invasive species, seed collection, and/or seed spreading. Long pants and closed
toe shoes are required. Work gloves, safety glasses and tools will be provided. This
is outdoor, manual labor. Please use the online form to register, or email Ginger
McHugh-Kurtz at vmchughk@harpercollege.edu.
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.
Clearbrook Respite - Many opportunities throughout the semester
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 - September 19th - Step it Up. 6:00am-10:30am Annual Step It Up For Clearbrook 5K run/1 mile walk. Each step helps us in our mission
to provide services, opportunities, and support for those with intellectual and developmental
disabilities.
Ongoing opportunity 1 - Companionship We are looking for a male volunteer that would be willing to hang out with a client
at our residential program in Hoffman Estates. Typically would be an evening time
or a weekend time maybe once a week. You can talk about similar interests!
Many special events throughout the term - see link for details
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!
Date of service: Various opportunities through the year
Location of Service: 1423 E. Palatine Road, Arlington Heights (In the Pal-Win Plaza)
Description of opportunity: C.I.T.Y. of Support (Children In Therapy and You) opened up the GENEROC.I.T.Y Toy
Shop, where we sell gently used toys, books, games and offer therapeutic enrichment
programs, all to help support our non-profit in continuing to support parents and
families in therapy and to help make our community an inclusive place. We would LOVE
for our local teens to become C.I.T.Y. supporters and allies.
We are looking for daily store volunteers helping us receive/review/inventory donations
received as well as price/stock/checkout guests while they are in the shop. We will
also need some program assistants (teachers are already determined - just need an
extra set of hands) and respite volunteers (think childcare - but parents remain on
site). We typically schedule in 3 hour increments but we are flexible and can work
with your schedule.
Location: 1423 E. Palatine Road, Arlington Heights in the Pal-Win Plaza
Great for any students interested in therapy related fields (slp, ot, pt), mental
health fields, healthcare as a whole, teaching, education, non-profits, etc! However,
business majors, marketing and more - we would love your support and input too!
Date of service: Various opportunities through the year
Location of Service: Forest View Racquet and Fitness Club
Description of opportunity:
ACEing Autism is a national not-for-profit organization devoted to helping children
with autism grow, develop and benefit from social connections and fitness through
our fun tennis-based programming. Our summer clinic was a huge success and we are
very excited to run a fall session for our athletes.
Here are a few bullet points about or organization
No tennis experience required from participants or volunteers.
Each child will be paired with a volunteer buddy (the ratio is 1 on 1). We ideally
would like two volunteers per child.
Our sessions are 6–8 weeks and classes last one hour.
We run 2 classes back to back 4pm–5pm and 5pm–6pm on Saturdays.
Fall/Winter classes will be held indoor at Forest View Racquet and Fitness Club
We will send some video training (before launch date) to all volunteers as well as
provide on court training.
As a volunteer, you can volunteer for every class in the session or just pick the
dates which you are available for!
Ongoing opportunity: Volunteers help distribute food to food pantry clients and assist them to their transportation
if needed on Thursday afternoons from 3:30 to 6:30 or on Saturday mornings from 8:30
to 12:30. There are also opportunities to bag produce and shelve donated food on Monday,
Thursday, and Friday mornings from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Description of opportunity: Special Event - Begins August 5 - Back to School Event for Families in Need.
Join us for our Back to School Pop-Up Event where families in need will be able to
"shop" for items to help their kids have a great start to their school year. We will
have Backpacks, School Supplies, Clothing, Athletic Shoes and Personal Care items
for every school-aged student. As always, everything is complimentary. The event will
be held at The Arboretum of South Barrington. We will be open over multiple days to
allow guests the ability to find a day/time that works with their schedule.
Volunteers are needed to restock inventory, help families select items, and more.
Please join us and help make a difference.
**MUST BE IN HIGH SCHOOL OR OLDER**
Ongoing opportunities -
Welcome to Barrington Giving Day's current volunteer opportunities. Donation Center
Volunteers (Ages 6 to 13 must be accompanied by an adult). Upcoming Event where we
help families in need. Please check your sign-up to verify the exact location of your
shift. These update regularly. So check back frequently and save this link for future
2026 Sign-Ups. Any volunteers needing special accommodations should contact info@barringtongivingday.org
prior to their shift.
Date of service: May 3, 2026. shifts available between 6:15a-1:15p
Location of Service: Schaumburg
Description of opportunity: Kaleidoscope School of Fine Art is the charity partner of the Chicagoland Full and
Half Marathon in Schaumburg on May 3rd. We are looking for 40 volunteers to assist
on race day.
Volunteers will be checking in runners, preparing and handing out post-race meals,
awarding medals, or assisting at the water stations.
Sign up for a shift- If you need to modify the hours a little bit, just email me and
let me know. We are flexible!
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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, visit Clean Up Give Back.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 Feral Feline Project.
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.
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, visit Purrfect Cat Rescue.
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
Description of opportunity:TOPSoccer Buddy - Begins September 5, 2026.
SAA TOPSoccer is non-competitive, adaptive soccer program for children ages 5 and
older with a disability. Each practice includes activities modified to each individual's
unique abilities, strengths, and motivations. Players participate alongside volunteer
"Buddies" in a safe and encouraging environment. No soccer interest or other experience
is needed to volunteer. Practices are Saturday Afternoons.
•Earn volunteer hours
•Build meaningful connections and relationships
•Gain experience serving the community
•Receive training and mentoring from experts
•Take on leadership roles
•Experience the joy that comes from helping others
If these opportunities do not work with your schedule, visit local volunteer organizations for additional opportunities. These organizations often need volunteers on an ongoing
basis. An additional source of volunteer opportunities throughout the northwest suburbs
can be found at HandsOn Suburban Chicago.
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.
