Volunteering at our sites:

If you are interested in volunteering with us at any of the sites below, please e-mail one of the site leaders. To see the sites by date and time in a calendar format, go here.

If you are interested in volunteering with your student group at any of the sites below, learn about our Adopt-A-Site program.

Working with Children >> Tutoring

Asian Youth Services
Mon, Tues, Wed: 3:30-6:30 pm
Fri: 4:30-6:30 pm
Sat: 11 am- 2 pm

[meet at Norris Starbucks]

Asian Youth Services is an after school tutoring program for students ages 5 to 16, located in Uptown Chicago. Serving between 10 and 20 youths, with increased attendance during special events, the children are primarily of Cambodian descent with a few participants of Laotian and Vietnamese origins. Eagerly coming to AYS to learn everyday skills in subjects such as math, English or history, the children come from families with parents who have had no formal schooling. Almost all of these children receive public aid and rely on AYS for assistance beyond academic tutoring. AYS has become a second home, a safe and comfortable place for children to learn and interact with other children. Many families of AYS participants are first and second generation immigrants - many of them lived through the Southeast Asian Holocaust.

Site Leaders
Nancy Choi ( nancychoi2007@u.northwestern.edu )
Edward Lee ( EdwardLee86@gmail.com )
Amy Yang ( a-yang@northwestern.edu )
Erzhe Zhang ( erzhezhang@gmail.com )

American Indian Center
Mondays 5-7:30/Tutoring Mon-Thurs 3-8
[we'll pick you up]

Volunteers mentor/tutor at the American Indian Center's K6-12th Grade after-school program "Positive Paths". This will consist of helping out at dinner (of which is really good and we get to partake in) and helping out the coordinator with activities and the kids. The Center is the largest urban American Indian Center in the US and there are lot of activities for the kids and the volunteers to be involved in. We tutor and do cultural and physical activities with the kids. If you are interested in doing an activity with the kids that you plan, that is encouraged as well. There are a lot of kids for the few workers there and the kids really appreciate your help and time with them! Come and be a kid again!

Site Leaders:
Nicky Smith ( smith.nikolai@gmail.com )
Dave McPike ( d-mcpike@northwestern.edu )
Anne Valauri ( annevalauri2007@u.northwestern.edu )

Hope Alive
Tuesdays and Fridays, 2:15-5:30
[ meet at Foster-Walker Complex ]

Hope Alive runs an afterschool program for over fifty children between the ages of 5 and 14 in the Cabrini Green community. They are currently reorganizing the program after it doubled in size. As an OASIS site, Northwestern students will be going to tutor neighborhood children twice a week, leaving campus at 2:30 and arriving at the site around 3 PM. We would leave at 5:30 and arrive at campus at 6 PM.

Cabrini Green is a part of Chicago that is infamous around the country for violence and poverty. The community is making a tremendous effort to reform itself from the inside out. It would be an excellent opportunity to help in a community about which Northwestern students know so little and from which they could learn a great deal.

Site Leaders
Jorie Larson ( jorie.larson@gmail.com )
Chris Hugi ( c-hugi@northwestern.edu )
Heidi Dessecker ( h-dessecker@northwestern.edu )

InterFaith Refugee and Immigration Ministries
Thursdays, 3:30-6:00
[meet at Foster-Walker Complex]

The Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Ministries sponsors an after school program that OASIS has been a part of since January 2003. The after school program serves refugee children from Africa and the Middle East. Some refugee children have been in the United States since infancy, while others only for a few months. All the children in the program OASIS participates in speak English at least moderately well. Those who volunteer are expected to make a weekly commitment, as the children greatly look forward to working with OASIS volunteers. Often times, after the children have finished their homework, everyone plays in the gymnasium or outside on the jungle gym. The facility is located in Chicago about 20 minutes from Northwestern.

Site Leaders
Moshini S ( m-sivasubramaniam@northwestern.edu )
Joseph Lischwe ( j-lischwe@northwestern.edu )
Rachel Goldstein ( r-goldstein@northwestern.edu )
Dai Ngo ( d-ngo@northwestern.edu )

Jordan Community Center
with SHPE Tuesdays and Fridays 3-6 [Meet in Parking Lot across from Tech]
with 64 Squares Saturday 9:30-12:30[TBA]


Jordan Community Learning Center recently received funding to serve kindergarten through 3rd graders who are considered high risk because of their family situation and/or living conditions. This after school program is one of many in the country supported by the National 21st Century grants. Jordan's 21st Century Community Learning Center is coordinated by Nina Catalfio, a graduate of University of Michigan. A major goal of this program is to bring consistency and support to the lives of young children. At Jordan, volunteers can participate in math activities, gym, LEGO building, martial arts, story time, and homework help to create an emotionally and physically stable atmosphere for the kids to grow and learn. Since our emphasis is creating consistency in the lives of the children, it is preferable that volunteers participate on a weekly basis. Jordan Community is located 10 minutes from Evanston, at 7414 N. Wilcott Avenue. The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) site leaders have arranged Tuesday and Friday from 3 to 6 pm as our volunteer days, however, you're more than welcome to schedule other volunteer days during the week. Also, the 64 Squares (NU Chess Team) site leaders volunteer at Jordan on Wednesdays where they play chess and other games with 3rd grades.

Site Leaders:
SHPE - Marc Michael Lim ( m-lim@northwestern.edu )
SHPE - Laurie Dominijanni ( l-dominijanni@northwestern.edu )
64 Squares - Alex Chun ( a-chun@northwestern.edu )

McGaw YMCA (tutoring center)
Mondays and Wednesdays, 4-5:30
[meet at Foster-Walker Complex]


Site Leaders
Diana Xin ( d-xin@northwestern.edu )
Kate Pomeroy ( k-pomeroy@northwestern.edu )

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Working with Children >> Care

The Children's Place
Mondays, 3:45-7:00 and Saturday 10:00-2:00
[meet at Foster-Walker Complex]


The Children's Place houses children who are themselves HIV infected or AIDS diagnosed, those whose parents are ill from HIV/AIDS-related conditions, as well as children with other life-threatening or serious illnesses, such as cancer. Volunteers can help with the Tutoring Program or Childcare- play, reading, games or arts and crafts- with the children in the center. Help bring some added happiness to these wonderful children!

This site also requires training before you can begin volunteering due to the health of the children.

Site Leaders:
Paris Kingsberry ( p-kingsberry@northwestern.edu )

Equestrian Connection
Sundays 10:30-2:30
[Meet at norris Couches]

Equestrian Connection is a hippotherapy program, providing therapeutic horseback riding for children with mental and physical disabilities. Horseback riding is effective in improving strength and flexibility, improving proprioception and sensory processing, increasing focus and concentration, and boosting self esteem. A maximum of five volunteers go to Equestrian Connection every Sunday from 10:30 to 2:30. Volunteers get the horses ready for lessons, as well as help therapists by leading the ponies or walking alongside the rider to ensure the riders' safety. No previous experience with horses is needed – we will teach you!

Site Leader
Miki Sawada ( m-sawada@northwestern.edu )
Rachel Ha ( r-ha@northwestern.edu )

Jonquil Hotel

Wednesdays, 6:00-8:00 pm
[meet at Foster-Walker Complex lobby]

Jonquil Hotel is a transitional home for 58 families in the Rogers Park neighborhood (just south of Evanston) who are searching for permanent homes. On Wednesday evenings, we meet with some of the kids who live in the building for individual tutoring and homework help. Volunteers will help the kids, who are usually in first or second grade to complete their homework and practice basic math and reading skills. The kids need volunteers' help, patience and encouragement as they work hard to complete their work and learn their lessons. Please help us enrich the Jonquil kids' educational opportunities!

Saturdays, 9:30 am-12:30 pm
[meet at Foster-Walker Complex lobby]

Jonquil Hotel is a transitional home for 58 families in the Rogers Park neighborhood (just south of Evanston) who are searching for permanent homes. On Saturday mornings, we meet to play with the kids who live in and around Jonquil Hotel. Typically there are planned activities followed by a snack. During nice weather we walk to the playground that is across the street and play there. The kids range in age from 6 to 12 and usually there is a group of 10 or more kids. The kids are always really excited to see us!

Site Leaders:
Lara Darling ( lara-darling@u.northwestern.edu )
Alexandra Hallas Button ( alexandrahallas2008@u.northwestern.edu )

Ronald McDonald House
Every other Sunday, 1-5pm (Jan 14, 28, Feb 11, 25)
[meet at Norris Couches]

The Ronald McDonald House site invites volunteers to come make desserts with children and their siblings from the Comer Children’s Hospital. This site features one on one time with kids as you bake, make and eat delicious sweets. The House provides a "home away from home" for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals, and we host a dessert night every other week for these families. All leftovers stay at the house for the rest of the families and children.

Site Leaders
Jenny Lee ( jenniferlee2.2007@u.northwestern.edu )

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Working with Teens >> Tutoring

Sullivan High School
Wednesdays, 3-5:15pm
[meet outside Norris Main Entrance]

Rogers Park, an amazing, vibrant, diverse community approximately 20 minutes south of Evanston, is home to Sullivan High School. The school is a second home to about 1200 students, approximately 60% who are African American, 30% who are Latino, and 94% who are considered low income. The school is on probation and is labeled as a failing Chicago public school. The dropout rate is approximately 46% and of those who do graduate, only about 50% go on to college. Sullivan High School runs an after school program Monday through Thursday that caters to refugees who need help with English as well as to underachieving students. There are about 25 or 30 students involved in the program, which includes homework help, as well as hanging out with the kids and mentoring activities. Northwestern students are needed to tutor and mentor the bright youth in the afterschool program. The first part of the program works with students who are not achieving their potential in one or more of their classes. It devotes an hour or so to homework help, and then the latter part is spent doing various other activities ranging from job training to playing cards. We will be going every Tuesday, leaving campus at around 2:15 and getting back by 5:30.

Site Leaders
Trisha Hartke ( p-hartke@northwestern.edu )
Grace Cho ( g-cho@northwestern.edu )

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Working with Adults >> Tutoring

Jane Addams Adult Learners Program
Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:45 - 8:30 PM
[meet at Foster-Walker Complex]

At Jane Addams, we take part in the Adult Learners Program Services (ALPS). Each volunteer works one on one with an adult, often on reading comprehension or basic math. All of the adult learners are there because they want to be there. Many of them are trying to improve their reading and math skills to pass the GED and get better jobs. A volunteer might spend the 1-1.5 hours we spend there going over a test a learner has taken or teaching the learner new material. If possible, volunteers work with the same learner each time to build a rapport with him/her. Jane Addams is located in Chicago and is a 20-30 minute drive by van away from Northwestern.

Site Leaders
Jonah Leshin ( j-leshin@northwestern.edu )
Eric Shin ( e-shin@northwestern.edu )

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Working with Adults >> Care

Greenwood Care
Fridays, 3:30-5
[meet at Norris couches]

Greenwood Care is a long-term residential psychiatric care facility for adults located in Evanston. Providing 24-hour nursing care, counseling, and social activities, Greenwood Care aims to give its residents greater freedom within the realm of their mental illness. OASIS volunteers assist in the social activities, coming to chat and play card games with the residents in the common areas. This informal socializing creates many positive effects: Many residents eagerly anticipate the arrival of the volunteers each week, and some volunteers have developed friendships with the residents, who they see or with whom they communicate outside of the OASIS outings.

Site Leaders
Jerry Doran ( g-doran@northwestern.edu )
Sabrina Reed ( sabrinareed@u.northwestern.edu )

Inspiration Cafe
Mondays, 6-9am
[volunteers get picked up by e-mailing the site leaders]

Inspiration Cafe is a place where people from different racial, and social-economic backgrounds come together for discussion and a great restaurant style breakfast. Inspiration cafe serves the underprivileged people of Chicago through meals, classes, job training, and advocacy. Our job is to help with cooking, and serving - but afterwards we join in the eating as well. Socializing is a must through the whole experience, and regular volunteers who can build relationships with the inspiration community are preferred.

Site Leaders
Hannah Chapel ( h-chapel@northwestern.edu ) [abroad fall]
Debra Marx ( d-marx@northwestern.edu )
Rachel Salk ( s-rachel@northwestern.edu )

Saint Thomas Soup Kitchen
Fridays, 3:50-7
[meet at Norris main desk]

St. Thomas is a soup kitchen located in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood that offers OASIS volunteers the opportunity to gain a very unique perspective on the city's social community. OASIS volunteers prepare food, arrange the dining facilities during set-up, serve hot meals, and assist in clean-up. In between volunteers often engage in conversation with St. Thomas' guests. The experience is one that is rewarding for both volunteers and guests, all of who are able to forge a friendship over a delicious meal.

Site Leaders
Sara Kalish ( skalish@u.northwestern.edu )
Liz Coffin-Karlin ( e-coffin-karlin@northwestern.edu )
Kevin Davey ( k-davey@northwestern.edu )
Nathan Jetter ( n-jetter@northwestern.edu )

New Americans Initiative
One Saturday each Month, 7:45 am - 2:00 pm

The New Americans Initiative (NAI) is a partnership between the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and the State of Illinois. They organize workshops that give the opportunity for permanent residents to pursue U.S. citizenship. As volunteers for NAI at NU, you will be a facilitator for mainly Hispanic/Latino immigrants, and will be helping them fill out their N-400 (the US application for naturalization). Volunteers travel from all over to the workshops (which vary in location) once a month, because it is a wonderful way to help the immigrant population of Chicago and its surrounding areas. By becoming a facilitator, you get some great field experience in. If you want, you can also work on your Spanish skills by helping Spanish speakers to complete the application, but proficiency in Spanish is not required to be a facilitator!

For more information, please feel free to contact the site leaders, Aireale and Jory at nu.newamericans@gmail.com.

Site Leaders:
Aireale Rodgers ( airealerodgers2007@u.northwestern.edu )
Jory Pomeranz ( j-pomeranz@northwestern.edu )

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Working with the Elderly >> Care

Lake Shore Health Care and Rehabilitation Centre
Fridays, 3:30-5:30
[meet at Norris front entrance]

Basically, Lake Shore is a pretty low-key place to volunteer. We visit with the residents, paint nails, read to them- whatever works. It is all about forming relationships with the residents and having a good time. We usually go for a couple hours and help the staff serve dinner to the residents before we leave. Also, there is a Hindi wing and several Spanish speaking residents, so for students with language skills, Lake Shore is a great place to volunteer. The Lake Shore HealthCare and Rehabilitation Centre affords OASIS volunteers to opportunity to spend some quality time with the fascinating and vibrant residents of one of Rogers Park's largest long-term care facilities. Lake Shore is dedicated to providing its residents with a high quality of life experience by taking into account the residents' total life situation, including spiritual, physical and psychosocial needs, in order to implement group and individual programs that suit residents religiously, intellectually, creatively and socially. OASIS volunteers participate in various aspects of this overall program by serving dinner, chatting with residents, reading aloud, and providing manicures.

Site Leaders:

Amanda Gawin ( a-gawin@northwestern.edu )

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Working with Animals

Chicago Animal Care and Control
Sundays 11-3
[meet at Norris next to main desk]

Animal Care and Control Shelter is on the South side of Chicago . It takes 45-60 minutes to get there. Once there, volunteers take dogs out for fifteen minutes each. There is a big yard behind the field with picnic tables and such. Volunteers walk the dogs around or take them into dog runs where the dog can be taken off its leash and run around. More experienced volunteers show dogs to potential adopters and answer any question s they might have. We do that for about two hours and then come back to NU. Sometimes, volunteers play with cats towards the end.

Site Leaders:
Lisa Rattner ( l-rattner@northwestern.edu )

Felines Inc.
Sundays 12:30-3:30
[Meet at norris Couches]

Felines Inc. is a cageless, no-kill shelter caring for more than 130 injured, abandoned and abused cats. Volunteers "socialize"—namely, play with and care for—the cats in order to best prepare them for possible adoption. Trips depart from the Norris couches for a short commute by van to the shelter.

Site Leader
Eugenia Gabrielov ( e-gabrielov@northwestern.edu )

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Environment

NU Off-campus Recycling (in collaboration with SEED)
every other Sundays, 11am-1pm
[ Meet at Norris main entrance ]

Off- Campus Recycling is one of OASIS's newest and most unique sites for many many reasons. For one thing off-campus recycling has no physical site! Volunteers collect recycling materials from multiple apartments in the Evanston area. The recyclable products are then transported via community service vans to Oakton Recycling Center right here in Evanston. All the buildings we service have large numbers of Northwestern students. So not only do you get to service Evanston's population but NU's as well. Off-campus recycling is the first site to be partnered with another on campus group. SEED and OASIS have teamed up to offer the first environmental site. And don't worry about those precious hands and clothes- droves of gloves and garbage bags are provided! Are you as excited as we are about this awesome site? Shoot us an e-mail and come join us. Wondering if we can pick up your apartment's recycling? We'll make a deal with you. Come volunteer with us and we'll exchange services!

Site Leaders:
Steven Pflaum ( s-pflaum@northwestern.edu )

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