Volunteer Opportunities at Senior Services of Central Illinois

Friendly Caller: The Friendly Caller program provides social conversation to socially isolated seniors through brief phone calls. These calls are suggested to last a minimum of 15 minutes once per week, or once every other week. This program is meant to meet the needs of older adults as they age.

Daily Bread Meal Delivery: Daily Bread Meal Delivery volunteers program deliver a midday meal, prepared by Senior Services of Central Illinois, to home bound seniors 60 years of age and over. Meal delivery is offered Monday – Friday from 9:30 – 11:00 am. (Volunteers do not need to commit to every day of the week.)

Money Management: The Volunteer Money Management program is a protective service for limited income seniors who need help managing their finances.

• Bill Payer volunteers provide assistance opening and organizing mail, budgeting, checkbook balancing, and bill paying services for seniors who remain in control of their finances, but need assistance keeping things in order.
• Representative Payee volunteers are appointed by the Social Security Administration to manage monthly benefits of a client determined incapable of handling his or her own finances. A separate account is opened with checks automatically deposited. The representative payee manages and pays the client’s expenses from this account.

Springfield Specialty Meals on Wheels Delivery: Springfield Specialty Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver meals to homebound seniors on restrictive diets. Meal delivery is provided Monday – Friday 11:15 am – 12:15 pm. (Volunteers do not need to commit to every day of the week.)

Programs/Activities:
BINGO—Assist with setting up BINGO, popping popcorn, and other BINGO duties that may arise. Wednesdays from 9 am – 10:30 am
GIFT SHOP — Price and display gift shop items, wait on customers and ring up sales. Tuesday and Thursday shifts are available:
Tuesday 9 am – 1 pm
Thursday 9 am – 12 pm
Thursday 10 am – 1 pm


For more information about volunteer opportunities at Senior Services of Central Illinois, please contact Tessa French at (217) 528-4035, ext. 299 or t.french@ssoci.org.

Community Volunteer Opportunities

♦ Edwards Place Museum Interpreters

Edwards Place is looking for museum interpreters to lead tours of the historic house museum Edwards Place. Shifts are from 1PM-3PM one day a week (we require at least one shift per month, but prefer weekly shifts).

Edwards Place interpreters must complete a short training session conducted by the Curator. In addition, they must shadow no fewer than three tours, then must be shadowed by the Curator on at least three of their training tours. Upon completion of this training, volunteers are expected to commit to giving tours in at least one 2-hour volunteer slot per month, or as many as one slot per week. This volunteer position is great for someone who has a love of history and is comfortable interacting with visitors from many different places.

Contact Sarah Adams to join our team at collections@springfieldart.org or 217-523-2631.


♦ Heartland Hospice

At Heartland Hospice, volunteers can provide a variety of services to our patients and their families. Volunteers make either work directly with hospice patients, or behind the scenes. Volunteering with Hospice can provide a very rewarding experience and can be life changing for both the volunteer and the patients and their families.

Volunteer opportunities include:

• Hold a hand
• Share a story
• Send a card
• Listen, read or sing
• Make gifts for patients
• Run errands or perform light housekeeping
• Share a gift of flowers or baked goods
• Administrative office support
• Make phone calls
• Attend community events
• Veteran-to-veteran support

For more information, please contact Emily Robbins at (217) 361-0234.


♦ Transitions Volunteer Programs

With a strong commitment to volunteerism and community service, Transitions Care relies on support from volunteers who want to share their time and talents to help provide the highest quality of care to our patients. Volunteers are a vital part of the patient care team. They visit with patients, assist their families and help with projects at our administrative offices. The comfort that a volunteer can bring to the patient and family is like no other. Volunteer visits offer patients companionship, boost their self-esteem and decrease loneliness. Opportunities are available in our end of life volunteer program in Illinois, at our branch offices located in Huntley, Naperville, Champaign, Rockford and Peoria, and in the Indianapolis and Northwest Indiana (Crown Point) areas we also serve.

• Companionship Volunteers visit bedsides to offer comfort, compassion and understanding to end of life care patients. Volunteers usually have 1-3 patients at the same location depending on the volunteer’s availability and the needs of the patients. Most visits last about an hour.

• Sometimes the patient’s family needs additional support beyond patient care. Often, the caregiver is putting all of their time and energy into assisting their loved one and they don’t take time for themselves. The Family Support Volunteer can offer the caregiver a much needed break and help them out with things they may not have had time for because of their commitment to their loved one undergoing end of life care treatment.

• Transitions Care believes that no one should die alone. When our staff anticipates a patient is transitioning, they volunteer to sit bedside around the clock to support the patient and their family at the time of death in conjunction with the rest of our care team. Our Vigil Volunteers are an integral part of that team! They will be notified when a patient in their area is actively dying and will be asked if they are available to volunteer for a 2 or 4 hour shift to keep the patient company in their final hours. Due to the importance of this commitment, it is essential that Vigil Volunteers are reliable and understand the dying process. Most Vigil Volunteers begin as Companionship Volunteers. Companion volunteers can elect to become a Vigil Volunteer after three months of service and additional training.

• Office support is always needed! Volunteers can support our Illinois offices in Huntley, Naperville, Champaign, Peoria, Rockford, or our Indiana offices in Crown Point and Indianapolis. If you like to file and organize, and would be interested in learning about the business side of end of life care – we would love your help!

• Volunteer with your registered therapy animal! Animal Assisted Volunteers make loving companions for our hospice patients. Animal Assisted Volunteers provide companionship and therapeutic support to patients who love animals. Animals must always be accompanied by their human handler and will only visit those patients who have agreed to animal-assisted volunteer visits. Before bringing a pet to visit an end of life care patient, handlers must first complete the volunteer application and training program to become a Companion Volunteer. After that, they may apply to begin bringing their pet as a part of their volunteerism. All animal/handler teams must have documentation of registration with a recognized pet therapy organization, liability insurance and all appropriate vaccines. In order to make visits, animals must be in good health and well-groomed.

For more information, contact Katrina Buhlig at Katrina.Buhlig@transitionscare.com


♦ Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU Medicine

Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU Medicine is looking for volunteers to greet patients at the front desk, serving as the first point of contact.

• Welcome patients and visitors as they enter
• Help patients find their way to clinics
• Provide wheelchair assistance to patients in need
• Join our team and help make a positive difference in the lives of our patients.

For more information, contact Jenny at (217) 545-6122.


♦ Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois

A variety of volunteer opportunities to not only have something to do, but to build a relationship that will leave an impact for a lifetime! Some of our best volunteers are seniors!

Community Based Mentor

Will enable you to meet 2-4 times a month for 2-4 hours at time. BBBS will get to know you the best they can in a short period of time so that they will be able to match you with a child from 5-13 that shares your interests. Once you are matched you will meet with your little for at least one year. Many matches continue to be matched for years because they have so much fun together.

Mentor 2.0

This is the best opportunity for a volunteer that wants to help a child develop the skills needed to be successful, but might not have a lot of extra time. This program is through Southeast High School. Volunteers are paired with a High School Student and communicate with their student weekly through an e-mail platform, then meet once a month in person at Southeast High School.

School Based Mentoring

The volunteer will meet with their Little once a week at school during the student's lunch break. They can eat, talk, play board games, card games, help with homework and just be someone besides mom or dad that takes an interest in their life.

To volunteer, go to www.bbbscil.org or call BBBS at 217-753-1216


♦ Compass for Kids

Compass for Kids is looking for volunteers to join us for our Club Compass after-school program for the 2022-2023 school year! The mission of Compass for Kids is to provide academic and social-emotional support to children and families who are underserved by our community. Club Compass is a free after-school program for underserved students in Springfield Public Schools - District 186.

Club Compass will have the following sites for the 2022-2023 school year:

• Graham Elementary - meeting on Tuesdays at Westminster Presbyterian Church
• Harvard Park Elementary - meeting on Tuesdays at First Church of the Brethren
• Black Hawk Elementary - meeting on Wednesdays at South Side Christian Church
• McClernand Elementary - meeting on Thursdays at Third Presbyterian Church
• Dubois Elementary - meeting on Thursdays at Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church

Club Compass runs from from 3:00 - 6:00 at all sites (2:30 - 6:00 at Black Hawk)

Each weekly Club Compass session includes the following components:
• Snack
• Social Emotional Learning
• Academic Time
• Life Skills / Enrichment Activities
• Family Style Dinner
• Backpack Feeding Program

We would love to have you join us for Club Compass this year! It is a great way for volunteers of all ages to make a difference in the lives of local students. For additional information, or to get started, please contact shelly@compassforkids.org.


♦ Memorial Home Hospice

Volunteers play an integral role in the Hospice program, serving as listening ears and helping hands. These caring community members make a real difference in the lives of Hospice patients and their families. They serve a variety of roles in the Hospice program. While some enjoy visiting patients and families in the home setting, others prefer to assist in the Hospice office. You can decide which type of volunteer work suits you best.

• Companionship for Hospice families
• Provide short breaks for caregivers and families
• Writing cards or letters for patients
• Recording life memories
• Assisting with light housework
• Grocery shopping or running errands
• Grieving with families and offering emotional support
• Assisting with projects in the Hospice office

For more information on becoming a Memorial Home Hospice volunteer, please contact Emma Pes-McMillan, Volunteer Coordinator at pes-mcmillan.emma@mhsil.com or (217) 503-3723.


♦ Friends of Sangamon County Animal Control: Get information and learn about multiple opportunities for participation at www.friendsofscac.org. For questions please contact Friends of Sangamon County Animal Control at (217) 725-7935 or friendsofscac@yahoo.com.


♦ Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum

The Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum is open from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. Volunteers are needed to provide a wide range of services, such as greeting visitors and serving as guides; research for projects and exhibits; working in the museum store; inventory of museum items; assisting in preparation and maintenance of exhibits; and opportunities to utilize special talents of volunteers.

All volunteers receive an orientation from the Museum Coordinator, Ms. Kevia Maloney. For more information, or to register as a volunteer, please contact Kevia Maloney at siaahf@yahoo.com or (217) 391-6323.


♦ Lincoln Home National Historic Site

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will welcome potential new members of its amazing volunteer team at an orientation session Wednesday, September 13.

ALPLM volunteers greet visitors, assist at events, help researchers and much more. The orientation session will explain the how the team of roughly 500 people operates and how to join.

The one-hour event begins at 5:30 p.m. in the presidential library’s Multi-Purpose Room (112 N. Sixth Street, Springfield). Learn about the volunteer opportunities available and what you need to know about the library and museum.

Volunteers will be asked to attend three additional two-hour training sessions: Wednesday, September 27; Wednesday, October 4; and Wednesday, October 11.

Volunteers contribute an average of 35,000 hours of service each year at the ALPLM, making the experience better for everyone who visits the hugely popular institution. They also get free admission to the museum and can enjoy special lectures and presentations created just for them. And, of course, it’s a great way to make lasting friendships!

To register, please contact Jeremy Carrell, director of volunteer services at (217) 558-8872.

The mission of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is to inspire civic engagement through the diverse lens of Illinois history and sharing with the world the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. We pursue this mission through a combination of rigorous scholarship and high-tech showmanship built on the bedrock of the ALPLM’s unparalleled collection of historical materials — some 12 million items from all eras of Illinois history.

For more information, visit www.PresidentLincoln.illinois.gov. You can follow the ALPLM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


♦ UIS Performing Arts Center (Sangamon Auditorium)

The Performing Arts Volunteer Association (PAVA) has about 200 members who serve as floor managers and ushers at events. These dedicated volunteers are trained in customer service skills and safety and security measures such as emergency evacuation procedures. They are proud supporters of the UIS PAC's mission to present high quality professional arts entertainment to Springfield and the surrounding region. Interested applicants receive thorough training on customer service, event details, and how to sign-up for shows. New usher training is offered on occasion throughout the calendar year.

Presently, per university/campus policy, all volunteers must be fully-vaccinated against COVID-19, and wear a mask.

For more information, contact Carly Shank at carmi1@uis.edu or (217) 206-8432.


♦ Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Anyone who wants to aid in telling the story of our 16th president has the opportunity when the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum welcomes new volunteers at an orientation session, Wednesday, September 14, 2022.

The event will spell out how to join the team that greets visitors, assists at events, helps researchers and much more.

The one-hour session begins at 5:30 p.m. in the presidential library’s Multi-Purpose Room (112 N. Sixth Street, Springfield). Learn about the volunteer opportunities available and what you need to know about the library and museum.

Volunteers will be asked to attend three additional training sessions: Wednesday, September 28; Tuesday, October 4; and Wednesday, October 12. Each session starts at 5:30 p.m.

Volunteers contribute an average of 40,000 hours of service each year to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, making the experience better for those who visit the hugely popular institution.

To register, please contact Jeremy Carrell, director of volunteer services at (217) 558-8984 by Tuesday, September 13, 2022.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum uses a combination of rigorous scholarship and high-tech showmanship to immerse visitors in Lincoln’s life and times. The library holds an unparalleled collection of Lincoln books, documents, photographs, artifacts and art, as well as some 12 million items pertaining to all aspects of Illinois history.

For more information, visit www.PresidentLincoln.Illinois.gov or follow the ALPLM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

We will host another new volunteer orientation in early 2023.


♦ Habitat for Humanity
Mornings 9:00 – 12:30
Afternoons 12:30 – 4:00

• Greet office visitors
• Answer Phones
• Schedule donation and disposal pick-ups
• Take messages or direct calls to appropriate staff member

Please contact Susan Carrigan at (217) 523-2710 for more information.
(Masks are required. Volunteer Orientation & Training is provided.)


♦ Mary Bryant Home
• Shopping
• Play games with residents
• Read/Write letters
• Read short stories

Contact Misty Smith-Duncan at (217) 529-1611 or msmith@marybryanthome.org for more information.
TB test (provided on site), and COVID vaccination are required, along with occasional COVID testin. Masks and shields are also required.


♦ St. John’s Hospital

Samaritan Guides: Escorting/discharging patients and family members, usually in wheelchairs and deliveries to patient rooms.
Monday mornings and afternoons, Thursday mornings and afternoons and Friday afternoons.

Main Lobby Information desk: Screen visitors, look up room numbers.
Wednesday mornings and afternoons

Gift Shop: Ring up sales on register, help straighten/dust shelves.
Monday-Friday mornings and afternoons.

Office: Help with filing in Occupational Health
Please contact Kristine Myszka at (217) 814-4209 for more information.
(Flu and COVID vaccinations as well as masks are required.)