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:

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 Sandy T. Williams, Director, Domestic Violence Residential and Community Services, or call 847-864-8445 for volunteer opportunities in our Domestic Violence Services programs.

Men at a dinner listening to presenter Men’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.

Coach with a participant in the Advancement Project Financial 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?

Come meet us and learn more about the Advancement Project at an upcoming “Meet and Greet.” You’ll get a general overview of the program—the time commitment and coaching philosophy — and will have an opportunity to mingle with other potential volunteers and participants.

Upcoming Meet and Greets

All Meet and Greets will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in Room 207 at YWCA Evanston/North Shore, 1215 Church Street, Evanston. Please let us know you’re coming so we can plan! Register for the Meet and Greet by clicking on the date you’d like to attend above.

Questions?

Please contact Women’s Leadership and Economic Empowerment Director Shannon Callahan if you have any questions.

Volunteers working on cleaning and repainting a shelter room Organizations, clubs, community groups and individuals can adopt and maintain shelter rooms to ensure that every women and child feels a sense of home, safety and support at Mary Lou’s Place.

The eleven rooms in our shelter are heavily used by women and children who are fleeing violence in their homes and are in need of emergency protection. Over the course of one year, the average shelter room houses twelve single women or single-mother families fleeing their abusers.

In times of such crisis, it makes a real difference when women come into an environment that is warm, welcoming and adequately appointed. But maintaining rooms so that each individual can experience the same level of comfort and relief is difficult with so much consistent use. With this in mind, we ask community organizations to adopt shelter rooms and help make sure that every women and child feels a sense of home, safety and support at Mary Lou’s Place.

When you adopt a room, you agree to:

become the sponsor of a shelter room for a minimum of two years;
provide a fresh coat of paint and window treatments (if needed);
provide new furniture, linens and accessories (if needed);
maintain your room on a quarterly basis and make any necessary updates.

What it means to those who stay in your room:

women and children leaving everything behind have a special place to call their own
when they open their eyes in the morning they will know they are safe and taken care of
they will be more likely to maximize their shelter stay and benefit from its services

What it means to our community:

YWCA can allocate more resources to counseling and other direct services;
more organizations will contribute to making a difference in the lives of others
domestic violence education and awareness will increase throughout our community
our community as a whole will come together to end violence in all its forms

In appreciation:

Special plaques are installed on the door of the room that recognize your commitment, generosity and care. In addition, your participation in the Adopt-A-Room Program will be included in our newsletters and annual report.

For more information on the Adopt-A-Room Program and how you can get involved, contact Trimmy Stamell at tstamell@ywca-ens.org or 847-864-8445, ext. 121.

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 Director Trimmy Stamell.

Photo of shoes inside Encore Encore & More is a social enterprise for YWCA Evanston/North Shore, located at 1107 Central Avenue in Wilmette. The shop is made possible through donations of gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and accessories, jewelry, housewares, collectibles and small furniture. Proceeds support YWCA’s domestic violence and economic empowerment programs for women.

Donations

We are always in need of donations of new and gently used items AND especially small housewares, jewelry of every kind and women’s high-end clothing (we do not accept men’s or children’s cloting). Donations are accepted during store hours. Deliver to the door at the rear parking lot off 11th St. Or, call for pickup at 847.853.8888.

Donations are tax-deductible and donation forms are available at the store.

We welcome you as an Encore & More 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. Volunteer as it fits into your schedule!

Hours:

Tuesday: noon to 5:00 pm
Wednesday: noon to 5:00 pm
Thursday: noon to 5:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Closed Sundays and Mondays

1107 Central Avenue
Wilmette, IL 60091
Judy Goodman, Manager

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 Trimmy Stamell.