Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers play a critical role at Cathedral Shelter. Through their tireless efforts in the diverse areas listed below, volunteers significantly advance our mission to restore hope and prevent homelessness for the most disadvantaged members of our community. If you have any questions about volunteering, please call 312-997-2222 ×238 or email our volunteer department.
Currently Available Opportunities
Sponsor a Drive
Opportunities are always available to hold a drive for the items below. Collecting goods for a drive makes a great service project for your work, school, church, club, or team. If you plan to donate a large number of items, we can arrange to pick them up. Click on the opportunities below for more information.
Hold a drive for:
- Food, household items, and personal hygiene items for our pantry.
- Food for bag meals for the homeless.
- Personal hygiene items for hygiene kits for the homeless.
- Clothes for Second Chance Thrift Store.
Administration
Help with general office tasks such as filing, data entry, mailings, and special projects. Flexible hours Monday through Friday, 9 am – 5 pm. Sign up here.
Pantry
Stock the pantry, bag food, and distribute groceries to seniors and low-income families. Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs. Opportunities for individuals and groups (limited to 8 to 10 individuals) on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.
Second Chance Thrift
Help staff our thrift store by sorting, stocking, pricing, selling, and displaying merchandise. Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs. Flexible hours Sunday, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm, and Saturday, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm. Sign up here.
Media Relations
Collaborate with CSC staff and liaisons to create a video history of Cathedral Shelter. Can be individual or group volunteers. Sign up here.
Construction
Donated labor and materials are needed to rebuild the roof deck for program participants and children of Cressey House. Please call 312-997-2222, ext. 229, or email Will Dillon.
Online Celebrity Christmas Basket Auction
Lavish Christmas baskets—crafted and donated by some of the most notable celebrities in Hollywood history—will be auctioned off online. All participating celebrities are in recovery, and all auction proceeds will support Cathedral Shelter’s legacy Christmas Basket Program.
Serve on the committee that will be responsible for the overall production of this first annual online fundraiser. Responsibilities include:
• Leading the auction planning
• Identifying and contacting local and national celebrities
• Corresponding with celebrity agents
• Ensuring auction baskets arrive on time and in proper condition
• Photographing basket items for auction site
• Identifying an auction site
• Determining auction parameters and setting-up the online auction
• Monitoring online auction activity and responding to questions on auction items
• Shipping items to winning bidders
• Preparing and sending thank you letters to celebrities
• Following-up with celebrities as needed
Sign up for auction committee here.
Christmas Basket Program
Help register participants on Saturday, June 27 and/or Saturdays July 11 and 18 for the 2009 Christmas Basket Program. Volunteers can sign up for shifts or full days. Shifts consist of 2.5 hours and can be either from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. or from 12:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. We’re looking to have eight to 10 volunteers per shift. Sign up here.
Computer Literacy
Help clients gain critical life and job skills as a computer literacy tutor. Levels of training include, but are not limited to:
- Basic Computer Information
- Navigating the Internet
Hours are Wednesdays or Thursdays between 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Sign up for here.
Other Positions (No Current Openings)
We also have the following volunteer positions, but presently there are no openings.
Maintenance
Help keep Cathedral Shelter clean and tidy. Flexible hours Monday through Friday, 9 am – 5 pm.
Employment Services
Coach job seekers who are eager to enter or re-enter the workplace. Help clients write resumes, search for jobs, and practice interviewing. Flexible days and hours.
Fundraising
Raise money for our programs and services by writing grants or researching potential donors. Flexible days and hours.