Volunteer
There are several ways for volunteers to support our organization. Whether it is for a few hours, a few days, or for the long-term, we appreciate your interest and involvement.
Here's how you can help:
- Race Against Hate 2023
- General Volunteer Interest Form
- YWCA Shops
- YWCA Garden Beds
- Pantry Day Volunteer
- Monthly storage inventory Volunteer

Volunteers are an important part of the Race Against Hate! Individual and corporate volunteers help us market the event, prepare for Race Day, and ensure that the race operates smoothly! Fill out the form below to sign up for a shift:
Interested in volunteering with us?
Fill out the form below to get started!
YWCA owns and manages two social enterprises:
- YWCA Shop for Good, a women’s resale boutique at 1107 Central Avenue in Wilmette
- YWCA Crowded Closet, a women’s consignment shop at 820 Dempster Street in Evanston
100% of proceeds from both shops support YWCA’s domestic violence and economic empowerment programs for women.
We welcome you as a volunteer!
Volunteers help the paid staff, working on displays, unpacking donations, selling, or doing whatever is needed. Volunteers are needed both for special sales events or on a regular basis. If you have a sense of fashion and skills in retail customer service, please consider interviewing to join our volunteer team!
Contact Jemeela Colston- Pettigrew, Special Events and Volunteer Manager, at jcolston@ywca-ens.org for more information.
During the spring and summer months, we have volunteers assist in maintaining our garden beds! These beds provide fresh produce for our shelter residents. Please e-mail Jemeela Colston-Pettigrew, Special Events and Volunteer Manager, at jcolston@ywca-ens.org if you are interested in signing up for a gardening shift.
A volunteer (must be 40-hour trained) will come in during designated shelter pantry days/hours and “set up shop” in the 4th-floor dining room. They would have a template for what food items we offer, how much residents can receive depending on their family size, and know which residents can shop on that specific day; days are Sundays from 10 am-2 pm and Wednesdays from 12 pm-3 pm. This person can also report the inventory of pantry items each time they’ve finished so we can keep track of inventory.
Volunteers needed: 2 per week at 3-4 hours each time
Please e-mail Jemeela Colston-Pettigrew, Special Events and Volunteer Manager, at jcolston@ywca-ens.org if you are interested!
We need volunteers to help us keep our in-kind donation room organized and take inventory of the items.
- Shift needed: 1 per month for 3-5 hours
Please e-mail Jemeela Colston-Pettigrew, Special Events and Volunteer Manager, at jcolston@ywca-ens.org if you are interested!