Help out in your 'hood: North Side

ARTS

The Saints
Your one-stop shop for performing-arts volunteer opportunities, the Saints has its origins in David Mamet’s St. Nicholas Theater Company and the early days of Steppenwolf. The organization supplies volunteers to more than 50 theaters, including Lookingglass Theatre Company and Chicago Shakespeare Theater, for anything from ushering shows to driving actors around town.
Time commitment Varies from one-time help to the duration of a show’s run
Skills required A driver’s license, if you’re carting peeps around the city
What to expect Volunteer opps are only open to members who pay $55 in annual dues.
Fringe benefits Free viewings, ticket discounts, catching glimpses of luminaries like Martha Plimpton and David Schwimmer
Contact Visit www.saintschicago.org, call 773-529-5510 or stop by the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 North Southport Avenue.

Community TV Network
For more than 30 years, CTVN has been putting cameras and mikes in the hands of underserved youth who make hard-hitting media about their communities (check out their work on Google video and Channel 19 Mondays at 5:30pm). Pitch in with the video-production program or help promote the kids’ show, Hard Cover, with pro bono marketing help.
Time commitment Flexible
Skills required Video production and media skills are preferred but not necessary.
What to expect In-depth reporting by teens that puts the nightly news to shame
Fringe benefits Access to, and training on, video-production equipment
Contact Visit www.iit.edu/~ctvn/, call Denise Zaccardi at 773-278-8500 or stop by the studio at 2418 West Bloomingdale Avenue.

EDUCATION

Albany Park Community Center
There are so many tutoring opportunities in the city, it seems unfair to single out a few. We picked this one because you’ll have the chance to work with one of the nation’s most diverse communities. With this neighborhood’s residents speaking more than 36 different languages from Tagalog to Tamil, you could consider this a tutoring boot camp.
Time commitment Typically two hours a week; six-month minimum commitment
Skills required Tutors complete the standard 12-hour training required by most agencies; cultural sensitivity is an obvious must (don’t follow our example in the next sentence).
What to expect It’s like the U.N. up in there.
Fringe benefits Potlucks at special events are out of control—you haven’t lived until you’ve tried homemade kimchi.
Contact Visit www.apcc-chgo.org, call Amy Aleman at 773-509-5650, or stop by 3403 West Lawrence Avenue.

Working in the Schools
We all know Chicago Public Schools aren’t perfect. But instead of bitching about it, be part of the solution. WITS has partnerships with 28 elementary schools on the North Side, where assistants are assigned to one class for the entire school year to provide whatever extra help students need.
Time commitment Three to four hours one day a week, for the duration of the school year
Skills required None
What to expect It’s a great opportunity for retirees or stay-at-home parents.
Fringe benefits Remember Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher” video? Ok, then.
Contact Visit www.witsontheweb.org, call Liz Smith at 312-368-WITS or stop by headquarters at 200 West Adams Street, Suite 1205.

Literature for All of Us
Okay, so this group is in Evanston, but we couldn’t ignore it. By hosting book groups and poetry workshops for teen mothers, they promote young women’s voices and broaden their horizons while increasing families’ literacy rates. Volunteers can mentor participants, plan special projects, help in book groups, and assist young mothers in securing child-care services.
Time commitment Varies, flexible
Skills required None
What to expect Book discussions may delve into participants’ experiences, so be sensitive.
Fringe benefits Fulfill your New Year’s resolution to read more.
Contact Visit www.literatureforallofus.org, call 847-869-7325, e-mail volunteer@literatureforallofus.org or stop by 2010 Dewey Avenue in Evanston.

HUMAN SERVICES

Howard Area Community Center
An anchor for the Rogers Park community, this center serves more than 700 people every day: pregnant women picking up monthly food supplements, clients applying for heating-bill assistance, job seekers looking for résumé help, parents taking children to HeadStart, and adult students waiting for ESL or GED class. All kinds of volunteer gigs are available: tutoring, ESL teaching, computer assistance, early childhood help, food pickup, gardening and beautification projects.
Time commitment Varies
Skills required None
What to expect The center operates programs at several locations, all unique and crazy-busy.
Fringe benefits You’re sure to meet a friend among the more than 590 volunteers.
Contact Visit www.howardarea.org; call Bonnie Wagner at 773-262-6622, ext 243; or stop by the main office at 7648 North Paulina Avenue.

H.O.M.E.
This group’s goal is to help low-income seniors live independently and stay connected to their communities. Volunteers check in on the old folks, do home repair, drive them to the store, cook for them on the weekends and help with spring cleaning. Their residence in Rogers Park is always in need of extra hands—especially now, in winter.
Time commitment Varies
Skills A driver’s license is a big plus, as are painting and cooking skills.
What to expect You’re helping to keep these seniors out of nursing homes, so they’ll be fairly grateful for whatever service you can offer.
Fringe benefits In past years, the group has hosted a kick-ass rummage sale.
Contact Visit www.homeseniors.org, call 773-262-3308 or stop by the Nathalie Salmon House at 7320 North Sheridan Road.

ENVIRONMENT

Ginkgo Organic Gardens
This ginormous community garden in Uptown is so productive that it provides local food pantries and aid agencies with up to 1,000 pounds of fresh produce a year. Totally volunteer-run, the group maintains a scenic park, fruit trees, herb and vegetable gardens, prairie plantings and composting areas. Though closed for winter, it’ll be looking for more help as early as April.
Time commitment Workdays are Saturdays, and one Sunday a month, from April through November.
Skills required None
What to expect A volunteercentric green space that welcomes your ideas
Fringe benefits Weekly volunteers get a take-home bag of produce.
Contact Visit www.ginkgogardens.org, e-mail info@ginkgogardens.org or drop by the garden in season at 4055 North Kenmore Avenue.

ANIMALS

New Leash on Life
“Unadoptable” shelter dogs on death row get a makeover just shy of Nip/Tuck at this adoption agency, where sponsors save disfigured or misbehaved dogs from euthanasia by paying for surgery, physical therapy or behavior training. Volunteers debut dogs at adoption events, serve as foster parents or help to match potential owners with the right pet.
Time commitment Varies
Skills required You must be 18; previous experience with animals is preferred, but not necessary.
What to expect Most dogs live in foster homes or boarding facilities, so the best way to see the program at work is to drop by an adoption event.
Fringe benefits If you give a dog foster care, the group pays for all related expenses.
Contact Visit www.nlol.org, call 312-458-9839 or stop by an adoption event around the city to learn more.

Red Door Animal Shelter
This no-kill Ravenswood shelter stands out as one of only five shelters in the nation to accept rabbits in addition to dogs and cats. It also runs an adoption service, a foster-care program, and an assistance program for low-income pet owners to obtain pet food and spay/neuter vouchers. Volunteers care for the animals, make shopping trips to Petco, drive animals to appointments and assist with adoption.
Time commitment Whatever you can give
Skills required None, but you must be 18
What to expect Talk about an animal house: This shelter is a cageless environment.
Fringe benefits Your can pamper your own during the Spa-Di-Da Day fund-raiser.
Contact Visit www.reddoorshelter.org, call 773-764-2242 or go to 2410 West Lunt Avenue.