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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.

YWCA Evanston/North Shore requires all volunteers to submit their Covid-19 vaccination cards to Dena Stamatelos, Volunteer Coordinator, at dstamatelos@ywca-ens.org.

Here's how you can help:

Our newly renovated shelter will be offering a meal prep volunteer program that will ask 12 weeks of commitment from its participants. The goal of the program is to provide the residents of the shelter with regular dinner service, with a menu created and crafted by our Culinary Instructor Paige Dyer. Volunteers will be expected to be on-site one day per week (more if they are willing and able) and during a specific shift in order to assist with food prep, cooking, serving, and cleaning tasks. This program will occur Monday through Friday between the hours of 2:00pm-6:00pm; dinner service will be available to residents between 5:00 pm-6:30 pm. We are recruiting volunteers to start January 2022! If you are interested in participating as a meal prep volunteer please fill out the form below. Thank you!

YWCA Volunteer Contact

Mobile number preferred
Please select your age range:(Required)

We cannot accept volunteers younger than 18 years old at this time for the Meal Prep Volunteer Program.
Have you completed our 40-hour Domestic Violence Training(Required)

This is not a requirement.
Would you like to be added to our e-news and volunteer e-news to stay up to date on all information?(Required)
Are you part of a larger group of volunteers? (ex. woman's club etc...)(Required)
Please share what shifts would work for your schedule ?(Required)
(Choose as many as you would like, this is not a confirmation but to give us an idea of your availability, volunteers are expected to commit to 1 two-hour shift a week for 12 weeks (excludes holidays)).
Space for questions, or comments!

VolunteersYWCA owns and manages two social enterprises:

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 us for more information:

YWCA Shop for Good
Marko Djurovic, Shop Manager
847-853-8888
ywshop@ywca-ens.org

YWCA Crowded Closet
JoAnn Sylvano, Shop Manager
847-475-1135
crowdedcloset@ywca-ens.org

Coach with a participant in the Advancement ProjectFinancial coaches work one-on-one with someone to help them reach their financial goals. The program, called The Advancement Project, combines financial education, financial coaching, and peer-learning to empower adults to accomplish a specific financial goal of their choosing. Our goal is assist participants in creating a positive financial habit that will lead to improved confidence about managing their money and the ability to plan for their financial future. Learn more here.

Interested?

To become a volunteer financial coach, register here for Volunteer Financial Coach Training or contact Women’s Leadership and Economic Empowerment Director Shannon Callahan at scallahan@ywca-ens.org or (847) 864-8445 for more information.

Participants in Evanston Swims!Evanston Swims! is a community partnership program that provides second grade children in Evanston public schools with free swim lessons and classroom water safety instruction. Volunteers are needed to help in the water during swim lessons, as swim instructors, as classroom water safety instructors, or as adult chaperones – preferably families from District 65 schools.

Time commitment

Program volunteer shifts are usually once a month on Wednesday afternoons between 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm throughout the school year. Volunteers must complete a training session and clear District 65 background checks.

For more information about volunteering, please contact Evanston Swims! at evanstonswims@ywca-ens.org.

Direct service volunteers have the opportunity to work first-hand with our domestic violence clients and their children in a number of vital roles. Volunteers are required to complete a 40-hour DV training, available at YWCA Evanston/North Shore several times each year.

Children’s Program Volunteer

Children’s Program Volunteers typically work in teams and help facilitate children’s activities. Volunteers must follow the shelter guidelines regarding non-violence and facilitate non-competitive play that fosters effective problem solving and communication skills. Volunteers are needed to assist with homework, arts and crafts, recreation, music, discussion groups, and more.

Time commitment: Program volunteer shifts are as follows: 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.; 5:45 p.m. – 7:15 pm Monday through Thursday with the most help needed on Monday and Wednesday nights. Children’s volunteers must commit to at least one 1.5 hour shift per week for a period of a year.

Crisis Line Volunteer

Volunteers conduct “crisis intakes” for women who are seeking shelter or services and orient new residents once they arrive at the shelter.

Time commitment: Shifts consist of three hour increments beginning at 9 a.m., i.e. 9-12, 12-3, and 3-6 p.m. Crisis Line volunteers must be able to commit to one 3 hour shift per week for a period of one year.

Court Advocate Program

Volunteers assist clients in obtaining Orders of Protection, help with paperwork and filings, and accompany clients to court.

Time commitment: Shifts consist of a half day or full day, Monday – Friday. Volunteers must commit to at least one 3 hour shift per week for a period of one year.

Violence Prevention Education Program

Volunteers assist the Prevention Education Coordinator in teaching a social skills and violence prevention program to elementary children at various grammar schools. They also assist the Prevention Education Coordinator in high schools teaching teen dating/violence prevention.

Time commitment: To be determined with Coordinator. Volunteers must commit to at least one 3 hour shift per week for a period of one year.

Are you interested?

Volunteers are required to complete a 40-hour DV training, which is available at YWCA Evanston/North Shore several times each year.

If you have completed training, please email Hillary Douin, Director, Domestic Violence Program, or call 847-864-8445 for volunteer opportunities in our Domestic Violence Services programs.

Men at a dinner listening to presenterMen’s Leadership Training helps men build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to discourage, prevent, or interrupt an incident or potential incident of gender harassment or violence, and creates opportunities for men to mentor young men into healthy masculinity and educate the community on how they can help end gender violence. Learn more here.

Four volunteers at the Race Against Hate wearing orange YWCA teeshirts.
We love our volunteers! The largest demand is in the spring and early summer as we get ready for the Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate in June.

We need volunteers year-round to help plan and staff events, including:

If you are interested in volunteering for an event, please email Special Events Coordinator Dena Stamatelos.

If you or your group have special skills, please consider donating your time and services to YWCA. We are in need of support in the following areas:

  • Child care
  • Administrative support
  • Legal Services for our Domestic Violence Services clients
  • Gardening and landscaping

For more information about volunteering your services, contact Dena Stamatelos.

Mother and child

Your gift helps eliminate racism and empower women every day. Thanks for your support!

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