Chicago nonprofits are always looking for volunteers and donations. Here are just a few that you can support this spring.
Give Time
Volunteer to Read With a Chicago Public School Student
Innovations for Learning, 800-975-3452
Innovations for Learning’s mission is to help primary grade teachers be more effective in their pivotal task of teaching students to read. The TutorMate online literacy program seeks volunteers who are able to commit just 30 minutes per week. Tutor from your desk and help a young Chicago Public School student learn to read. All you need to participate is a phone, internet connection, and the desire to change a child’s life. To learn more and schedule a tutoring time, visit innovationsforlearning.org.
Give Things
Support Students
Horizons for Youth, 312-627-9031
Horizons for Youth enables Chicago students of all academic ability levels to become the first in their families to graduate from college. Horizons for Youth serves 250 students from Chicago’s low-resource neighborhoods, grades K-college. Students are always in need of school supplies as they work toward and through college. Specifically, students would benefit from zipper binders, calculators and gift cards to Barnes & Noble, Amazon or local bookstores. In addition, both students and their families would benefit from prepaid gas cards to help get students to and from school and parents to work. Mail to Horizon’s main office at 703 W. Monroe, Chicago, IL 60061.
Give Support
Donate to Closing the Justice Gap
James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy, 847-492-1410
Since 1981, the James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy has been dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline with a lifeline of integrated, holistic legal and social work programs. Join the Center’s “Justice League” by contributing to the Justice Challenge Campaign. Your donation will help leverage the transformative potential of a matching grant, helping to close the justice gap and provide kids with meaningful chances at success. Gifts of $5,000 or more will be matched, but donations at any level are appreciated. Donations can be made online at moran-center.org or mailed to 1123 Emerson St., Suite 203, Evanston, IL 60201.
