Help out in your 'hood: Downtown

National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum

Photo: Jerry Kykisz

ARTS

Sherwood Conservatory of Music
Music instruction begins at age 0 at this South Loop music school. Volunteers are needed at recitals and special events, and for office support.
Time commitment Flexible
Skills required Tolerance for out-of-tune renditions of “Für Elise”
What to expect A lot of cacophony and some eager—but not yet accomplished—musicians
Fringe benefits Free concerts by worldclass musicians like Elliott Golub
Contact Visit www.sherwoodmusic.org, call Kathy Butera at 312-427-6267 or stop in at 1312 South Michigan Avenue.

National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum
Volunteers are needed to greet visitors, lead tours, and help install or catalog art exhibitions inspired by combat experiences.
Time commitment Flexible
Skills required Tour guides should have public speaking ability.
What to expect Sophisticated art that packs an emotional punch: The installation of 58,000 dog tags is not to be missed
Fringe benefits Relax in the museum café and learn about that other quagmire that dragged on too long and divided a country for years.
Contact Visit www.nvvam.org, call Jim Moore at 312-326-0270 or stop in at 1801 South Indiana Avenue.

Girls Rock! Chicago

EDUCATION

The Safer Foundation
Since the ’70s, this West Loop group has helped former inmates reenter society through teaching GED courses, and providing job search assistance and counseling.
Time commitment Flexible
Skills required Tutors are needed for GED and adult literacy courses. Also in demand: volunteers who can teach clients valuable skills such as creative writing, photography, financial management and good parenting. Applicants must pass background checks and drug screenings.
What to expect The focus is on helping clients find employment, so be prepared to work toward that goal.
Fringe benefits Gain an informed opinion of our criminal-justice system and wow your friends with tales from “the inside.”
Contact Visit www.saferfoundation.org, call 312-922-2200 or stop in at 571 West Jackson Boulevard.

Chicago Lights Tutoring
Get inside the beautiful Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago in the Gold Coast and help with its dedicated tutoring program, which serves students from the Cabrini-Green and Henry Horner housing projects. There is a long waiting list of students hoping to get one-on-one time with a tutor to help with homework and other needs.
Time commitment Flexible
Skills required None
What to expect Your student could be two grade levels behind in math, or a straight-A achiever looking for help applying to college.
Fringe benefits Lifelong friendships; getting a good look at one of the city’s prettiest churches without snoring through a service
Contact Visit www.chicagolights.org, call Alex Ciesla at 312-981-3565 or go to the church at 126 East Chestnut Street.

Hyde Park Art Center

HUMAN SERVICES

The Cara Program
Named for a Gaelic word meaning “friend,” this program is more than that to homeless men and women. Participants who graduate are guaranteed a permanent job with benefits as well as support services, matched savings, housing assistance and dental care.
Time commitment Day or evening shifts; most times involve a weekly commitment
Skills required Microsoft Office and Internet proficiency are required for computer trainers; HR or business professionals are preferred for mock interviews.
What to expect Lots of inspirational stories and motivational sing-alongs
Fringe benefits Opportunity to job-network with other volunteers
Contact Visit www.thecaraprogram.org, call Gina Sian at 312-798-3316 or stop by 703 West Monroe Street.

Cook County Court
Each Circuit Court location in Chicago has a Children’s Advocacy Room, where kids can hang out while their parents or guardians attend proceedings. The areas are supervised by volunteers and professional staff, and kids there read books, play with games and make art projects. Loop locations include the Domestic Violence Court Building, Expedited Child Support Center, Mediation Center and Richard J. Daley Center (visit www.cookcountycourt.org/services for addresses).
Time commitment One hour a week for one year
Skills required You must be 21 and “sensitive to issues of confidentiality”; a background check is mandatory.
What to expect You won’t be forced to tell a child that his mom or dad is “going away for a while”—professionals handle that.
Fringe benefits A chance to experience our city’s court system for a reason more noble than getting the boot removed from your car
Contact Visit www.cookcountycourt.org/services, or call 312-433-6685.

ENVIRONMENT

Alliance for the Great Lakes
If you love the beach in summertime, you’ll appreciate it even more after picking up cigarette butts in mid-February. Through the Adopt-a-Beach program, you and friends, co-workers and neighborhood kids can monitor water bacteria levels at your favorite beach.
Time commitment Five beach visits a year, flexible dates (to be fair, AGL also has several stay-at-home activities, like letter-writing and sign-making)
Skills required None. All instructions and special equipment are provided by AGL.
What to expect Fun with petri dishes and pipettes, some trash hauling, annoying questions from passersby
Fringe benefits You get to look like a scientist
Contact Visit www.greatlakes.org/adopt; call 312-939-0838, ext 6; or stop by 17 North State Street, Suite 1390.

ANIMALS

The Anti-Cruelty Society
ACS has been preventing animal cruelty since 1899, long before any PETA members got naked. Its services include an adoption program, a low-cost animal clinic, cruelty investigations, and pet-behavior training and support. Volunteer opportunities include sewing beds for cats and writing bios of animals that are up for adoption.
Time commitment At least five hours a month for one year
Skills required None. An orientation and animal-handling safety seminar are provided.
What to expect A professional atmosphere—ACS runs a tight ship
Fringe benefits A 10 percent discount at ACS Boutique, seasonal parties, discounts on training classes—and the chance to cuddle with the cutest animals you ever did see
Contact Visit www.anticruelty.org; call Darlene Duggan at 312-644-8338, ext 313; or stop by 510 North LaSalle Street.