Help out in your 'hood: West Side

Around the Coyote

Photo: Joe Martinez, courtesy of Around the Coyote

ARTS

Around the Coyote
Thousands of visitors will flock to see more than 100 artists’ work in every medium imaginable at the upcoming winter festival from February 9 to 11. Volunteers can participate in the planning process or help out at showtime by working at info booths, leading neighborhood tours, or building exhibit spaces.Time commitment Planning committees meet year-round, but event volunteer shifts run as short as one evening.
Skills required None. You don’t even have to like art.
What to expect No snooty artiste attitude here—this is art for the people, by the people.
Fringe benefits Parties, parties and more parties—and you’ll be in with the artsy crowd
Contact Visit www.aroundthecoyote.org, call 773-342-6777 or stop by the permanent gallery in the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1935½ West North Avenue.

Young Chicago Authors
A major hub of performance poetry in the city, YCA operates the annual Chicago Teen Poetry Slam, an ongoing open-mike series, a Saturday writing workshop and even a small press.
Time commitment Flexible; slam volunteers are needed for half- or full-day shifts March 1 through March 5
Skills required It helps if you have knowledge of Gwendolyn Brooks or Def Poetry Jam.
What to expect Prepare to be schooled by lots of talented smarty-pants.
Fringe benefits You’ll have access to all slam events, and be able to publish your chapbook and share your opus at an all-ages open-mike.
Contact Visit www.youngchicagoauthors.org, call 773-486-4331 or stop by 1180 North Milwaukee Avenue, second floor.

EDUCATION

Association House
High-school dropouts get a second chance at El Cuarto Año, the alternative high school. The group also runs ESL classes and serves as “port of entry” for West Town immigrant families.
Time commitment Flexible
Skills required Teaching experience is preferred, but all are welcome.
What to expect See a side of Bucktown beside hipster hot spots and high fashion.
Fringe benefits Find a Spanish-speaking conversation partner; shoot hoops in the gym.
Contact Visit www.associationhouse.org; call Jennifer Vargo at 773-772-7170, ext 9104; or stop by 1116 North Kedzie Avenue.

Carole Robertson Center for Learning
Named for one of the girls killed in the 1963 Birmingham, Alabama, church bombing, the Center was created by neighborhood parents. Its three different sites serve the Near West Side, North Lawndale and Little Village neighborhoods, and they all need volunteers to mentor children or tutor adults.
Time commitment Flexible
Skills required Design a class around any special skill, including Web design, investing, poetry, martial arts and printmaking.
What to expect Upbeat residents who refuse to be defined by their neighborhood’s limitations
Fringe benefits We’re guessing you’ll end up with a kick-ass, generations-old pie recipe.
Contact Visit www.crcl.net, call volunteer coordinator Adana Walters at 312-243-7300 or stop by 2020 West Roosevelt Road.

HUMAN SERVICES

Homan Square Community Campus
Drastic times in North Lawndale call for drastic measures, like the new Homan Square Community Center: a nine-acre, all-in-one facility for recreation, health care and education. The Chicago Park District, the YMCA and five different nonprofits lease space here, and all rely on volunteers to help rebuild this community.
Time commitment Varies; contact each group for specific opportunities
Skills required None, but some training may be required.
What to expect This ginormous complex is tough to navigate at first, but friendly faces help you find your way.
Fringe benefits Dips in the new pool, free Internet access, and $5 passes to the gym
Contact Visit www.homansquare.org, call 773-265-4404 or drop by the new digs at 3517 West Arthington Street.

The Children’s Place Association
While all the buildings on the block go condo, one Humboldt Park graystone remains home to children or parents who have HIV/AIDS. This ten-bed residence is always in need of volunteers for reading, tutoring or playtime.
Time commitment Flexible; after-work hours are available
Skills required None, but some training will be provided on working with the children.
What to expect It might be sad, but studies prove tutors make a huge difference in these children’s development.
Fringe benefits The swanky annual black-tie gala is held at the Civic Opera House.
Contact Visit www.childrens-place.org; call Anne Simonson at 773-826-1230, ext 234; or stop by 3059 West Augusta Boulevard.

ENVIRONMENT

GreenNet
You couldn’t genetically engineer a better resource than this coalition of groups dedicated to promoting green space. Its website can help you find, start, maintain and even fund a community garden and connect you to other earthy types. It coordinates volunteer opportunities for the various gardens, and also has volunteer needs of its own with special projects and committees.
Time commitment Varies from one-time placements to year-round committee work
Skills required You must enjoy getting down and dirty on your hands and knees.
What to expect Green thumbs from all over
Fringe benefits Free tans and free produce
Contact Visit www.greennetchicago.org, call 773-251-7515 or stop by the headquarters in the Garfield Conservatory (see below).

Garfield Conservatory
The crown jewel in the city’s emerald necklace of greenspace, this conservatory boasts eight houses that include a children’s garden, a sweet house where chocolate and sugar are grown, and a lily pad–covered lagoon.
Time commitment Two to three hours a week; short-term volunteers are needed for the upcoming Chocolate Fest, February 10 and 11
Skills required None. Training and orientation are provided.
What to expect The place is huge—you’ll get lost at least once.
Fringe benefits Free light therapy in winter; expert growing tips for your summer garden
Contact Visit www.garfield-conservatory.org; call Harmony Picciuca at 773-638-1766, ext 24; or visit at 300 North Central Park Avenue.

ANIMALS

Lake Shore Animal Shelter
The oldest no-kill shelter in the city, Lake Shore offers the perfect way to keep two New Year’s resolutions: exercise and do good. The Union Park group depends on its dog walkers to keep its animals healthy and happy. Lake Shore also needs foster parents to take cats and dogs for short-term, all-expenses-paid stints.
Time commitment Flexible
Skills required Familiarity with animals is preferred; you must be 21 or older.
What to expect The staff tries its best to match you with a dog you can handle.
Fringe benefits It goes like this: “Your dog is so cute.” “He’s not mine, I’m just walking him for the shelter where I volunteer.” “Wanna go out Friday night?”
Contact Visit www.lakeshoreanimalshelter.org, leave a voice mail at 312-409-1162 or stop by 1328 West Lake Street.