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![Logo for The Animal Welfare League]( "Logo for The Animal Welfare League")
Biography
The Animal Welfare League was founded in 1935 to stop the suffering of animals that seemed common place in Chicagoland. Our founding shelter, located at 6224 South Wabash Avenue in Chicago, still exists today as the only humane society on the south side of Chicago. The Wabash shelter operates in an economically depressed area and provides valuable services to residents in the area such as shelter and care to homeless and needy animals, low cost clinic services to pet owners on a limited income and no-charge monthly pet food distribution.
The Animal Welfare League opened a second shelter in southwest suburban Chicago Ridge in 1974 to expand the care and services that were desperately needed in the south suburban area. In May 1992, Animal Welfare League moved into a state-of-the-art, full service shelter at 10305 Southwest Highway in Chicago Ridge, where they can accommodate the increase in the number of homeless and unwanted animals, housing the largest number of adoptable animals from a non-profit organization in the entire mid-west.
The Animal Welfare League is committed to helping every pet find a good home. Their motto is “recovery is the answer, not euthanasia” for animals that come to them injured, neglected, or abused.
Notes
The Animal Welfare League has a tremendous need for volunteer support. There is so much work that needs to be done with approximately 1,400 animals to care for. Many attest that once you start volunteering you get hooked. This a great opportunity for everyone who recognizes the importance of caring for our nonhuman friends.
Biography
The Cancer Support Center gives strength, guidance and support to anyone living with a cancer diagnosis, as well as to their loved ones. They do this as a community-based, volunteer-driven, donor-supported organization. Their programs, resources and services are always delivered by professional therapists, counselors, nutritionists, and experts; and are provided in a warm, welcoming and nurturing setting at no cost to participants.
Notes
The Center relies on the skills and talents of volunteers in order to maintain their quality programs and services. They welcome volunteers to assist with a wide range of activities including the following: front desk greeter, outreach ambassador, teen ambassador (requires parent consent), massage/reiki therapist, yoga instructor, zumba or fitness instructor, program/education presenter, mailing helper, painter/carpenter.
The Center also has four signature special events – the Gala, the Golf Outing, and two Walks of Hope. If you are looking for a meaningful way to support The Center, please consider these volunteer opportunities: event committee member, marketing/promotions assistant, graphic designer, and event day volunteer.
Learn about these and other opportunities from the Cancer Support Center’s website or by contacting Cynthia Turnquest directly.
Biography
The Night Ministry is a Chicago-based organization that works to offer housing, health care and human connection to members of the Chicago community struggling with poverty or homelessness. With an open heart and an open mind, they accept people as they are and work to address their immediate needs while affirming their sense of humanity.
Notes
The Night Ministry has volunteer opportunities–direct and indirect, onsite and offsite, for many ages and at a variety commitment levels.
Biography
Together We Cope bridges the gap for Southland residents in temporary crisis by providing food, shelter, clothing and referrals, empowering them to return to self-sufficiency. In response to the steel mill closings, which hit south suburban residents particularly hard, Oak Forest resident Loraine Cook founded Together We Cope in 1982. For the years 2009 – 2010, Together We Cope provided assistance to 41,000 people. The Financial Assistance Program provided $228,000, the Clothing Program provided $128,000, and the Food Program provided $1,093,000. Our Holiday (Adopt-A-Child for Holiday Gifts) Program and Back-to-School (Supplies) Program each benefitted 1,100 children.
Notes
Together We Cope is a wonderful organization helping individuals and families from Chicago southland communities through times of economic crisis. They’re an incredibly friendly bunch and very willing to work with you to get involved as a volunteer–whether in their food pantry, resale shop, or other special events and programs. Like many volunteer organizations, they ask for their volunteers to be at least 16, but if you talk with them, they make exception for families volunteering together.
