What if I told you there are things you can start doing right now to grow your skills and talents, make friends, discover new interests, give your resume a more competitive edge, and give back to your community? simultaneous? Too good to talk? It’s everyone’s favorite 12-letter word (yes, there are a lot of 12-letter words): Volunteer.
Volunteering not only enriches the lives of the people (or animals) you surround yourself with, it can benefit yours in many ways. Knowing how to start volunteering can be difficult. So this article is written for you. There are all kinds of volunteer opportunities in Champaign and Urbana waiting for you to join us. Whatever your interests, there is something for everyone!
Want to volunteer with animals?
cat’s nap
If you’re looking for more of a cat’s impact in your life, consider volunteering with CATsNAP. doing.
Audubon Society of Champaign County
If you are a bird enthusiast but prefer non-hands-on work, consider reviewing grant applications, printing newsletters, etc. through the Audubon Society.
Champaign County Humanitarian Association
The Humane Society adopts and accepts dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small animals. Volunteers provide basic animal care, cleaning, and enrichment!
Hospice Hearts Animal Rescue
If you’ve ever wondered what happens to animals when their owners can no longer care for them, Hospice Hearts is the place to find the answers. You can volunteer by raising animals in need, working at a hospice event, or providing transportation.
Society for Hoofed Animal Rescue and Emergency (SHARE)
SHARE is a horse sanctuary that currently owns and cares for over 40 animals. If you are interested in caring for your horse, please contact SHARE for more information on how to get started.
Want to volunteer with children?
big brothers big sisters
Through Big Brothers Big Sisters, you can make a difference by mentoring and reaching out to low-income, disadvantaged young people from single-parent families.
champaign & Urbana school
If you would like to experience youth volunteering, please contact the nearest elementary, junior high, or high school! The majority accept volunteers of all kinds and various positions.
Crisis Nursery
A crisis nursery is a safe place for children whose parents are temporarily unable to care for them for a few hours or days. Volunteering here is your chance to care for and play with young children from 0 to her 6 years old.
Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club
Volunteering with Boys & Girls Clubs is a great way to gain experience with children of different backgrounds and ages, primarily by spending time with them through summer and after-school programs.
Want some medical volunteer experience?
Karl Foundation Hospital
At Carl, you can volunteer in the hospice department or choose to serve as a general volunteer in your specific area of interest. Karl also offers volunteer opportunities specifically designed for students.
Champaign County Christian Health Center
If you are interested in serving the uninsured population of Champaign County, the CCHCC and its medical volunteer opportunities are for you. Although CCCHC is primarily a medical center, it also offers non-medical volunteer opportunities.
OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center
You’ll find a variety of volunteer opportunities at the OSF Medical Center, depending on your age and interests. For more information, please visit their website.
Promise Healthcare
Volunteer through Promise Healthcare to help nurses, enroll patients in care plans, prepare pediatric records, prepare meals, and more.
Want to volunteer outdoors?
Champaign County Forest Reserve
Whether you want to make a difference in gardening, community education, land management, or any other way, you can find opportunities through forest reserves.
Champaign Park District
Help out at Champaign events, coach youth sports, work with animals at Prairie Farms, and spend time with local seniors. Volunteering in the Champaign Park area is all possible.
Urbana Park District
Just like its counterpart in Champaign, there’s a little bit of everything available here. I can’t. Contact us today for more information.
There is always something to do, something to learn.
We’ve listed a variety of volunteer opportunities in Champaign and Urbana here, but there are countless ways to give back to the community and many more exciting opportunities not on this list. There are volunteer opportunities you may not have known existed. Defend abused children in court. or just get down to it, build a house.
If none of the opportunities above catch your eye, we encourage you to check out our other extensive list of volunteer opportunities in the CU area (such as united way list) or using a volunteer search service such as volunteer matchVolunteering with people, animals, nature and construction sites means that you can make a difference in your community and change it for the better. Hang in there!
