Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Bethel New Life, Inc.

Volunteers are integral to our work in the community and have been the driving force of our success for the last 27 years. With the gift of your time, dedication, and expertise we are able to make a tangible difference in the lives of residents on the West Side of Chicago.

We have compiled a partial list of volunteer opportunities, but there are numerous ways that you can get involved in our community through our organization and we will try hard to match your skills and interests with our needs.

We look forward to having you join us as we strive to create a “Community of Choice” on the West Side.

Interested applicants should submit an individual volunteer form or volunteer form for groups.

Working with Youth

• Volunteers would be assisting the teachers in the classroom with the children, reading to them, playing age appropriate games, literacy, writing skills etc. (Child Dev. and Daycare Center)
• Would like a volunteer to monitor children and assist families in childcare activities (RightStart for Families)

Mentor a Child in Supportive Housing

• In need of mentors for youth (ages 12-17) as well as teachers for both children and adults
• Volunteer opportunities available for large groups to work with the children and parents (arts and crafts, games, specialized training for parents, etc.)

Working with Seniors

Adult Day Services Department

• Would like a volunteer who enjoys being around seniors (experience with seniors is preferred), outgoing and energetic, compassionate, tolerant and patient. Interested in one-on-one and group activities.

Senior Supportive Living Facility

• Primarily, physical assistance is required for care of the residents; thus, nursing students seeking experience are welcome to volunteer
• A volunteer interested in working with seniors could also gain valuable experience working with either the Resident Service Coordinator or the Activities Director.

Senior Independent Living Facility

• Instruction for Seniors
• Grounds service (someone who is interested in horticulture and/or landscaping), computer skills, music, photography etc.

Beautification Projects

Bethel New Life has a number of properties and projects that can always benefit from the efforts of our volunteers. A supervised group can also work together to clean up development sites throughout the community. Beautification of our grounds is also a great project for a large group of volunteers, as well as for a dedicated individual who likes to work with his/her hands. Painting, grounds keeping, landscaping, or small construction projects are just a number of the opportunities available.

Professional Services

Community Building

• A volunteer with specialized skills in community building or other pertinent areas could be a great asset

Community Savings Center

• For a volunteer with a financial background, we welcome your expertise to assist us as we develop programs around financial literacy and wealth creation
• A long term volunteer could fulfill the role of a Support Coach –to keep people in check throughout their involvement in our Smart Savers program (i.e. positive reinforcement phone calls) or could take the lead on a Seminar Project to organize monthly meetings on topical issues of interest for our clients (Investment, Retirement, Small Business Ventures)

Adult In-Home Care Services Department

• Volunteers with professional skills are needed to train homemakers (medical training and education, homecare techniques, cleaning techniques)

Special Events

• Large groups or dedicated individuals can participate in any number of organized activities in various divisions.
  
• Volunteers are needed for special events (i.e. Gumbo Gala, our annual fundraiser) from planning to assisting with mailings.
  
• Volunteers are often sought to sit on the Board and to serve on the various committees

Other

Outreach
Often times our greatest barrier is that our residents are unaware of the services available to them. West Side community members would benefit from a volunteer willing to inform them of Bethel New Life programs. This volunteer experience could involve the creation and distribution of flyers to our neighbors and local businesses.

Administration and Resource Development
If you are most comfortable behind a desk and interested in the administration side of our organization, there are plenty of opportunities in a number of divisions. Your duties could include data entry, working with clients, and conducting research.

Interested applicants should submit an individual volunteer form or volunteer form for groups or contact:

Nina Hall
Volunteer Coordinator
773-473-7870, ext.146