For more than 40 years, we have helped to rewrite our clients' stories of need into stories of independence and self-sufficiency. With the dedication of our volunteers, our network of programs has written new chapters in the lives of thousands of people in Rogers Park. Make a change for the better as a Howard Area Community Center volunteer. Inspire people to create independent, productive lives and become contributing members of the community.

We are fortunate to average over 1,000 hours of volunteer service a month. We have ongoing, one-time, short-term, and long-term opportunities. Below is a list of our current volunteer needs, which can be done individually or in groups:

Join our new HACC Young Professionals Board

• Assist in raising funds and awareness through special events, outreach and other methods to support the work of HACC
• Attend Board meetings and any committee meetings regularly
• Click here for the Application and Board Informational Sheet

Work with Children in our Family Center or Youth Programs

• Be a morning classroom aid for our Family Center for children ages 0 to 5. Play with the children, help teachers with lessons and help with mealtime.
• Lead an art project, music project or other specialized activity for children ages 3 to 5.
• Be an after-school mentor or tutor for a child in elementary or middle school.

Be an Adult Literacy Tutor

• Teach adults to read or teach English as a second language.
• Requires a commitment to two 6-hour training sessions.
• We then ask for a 6-month commitment to tutor once a week for 2 hours. Can be evenings or Saturday mornings, as well as during a week day.

Help Someone Find a Job

• Come to our Employment Resource Center and help with resume workshops, mock interviews and walk-in clients. This volunteer opportunity takes place from 9 am to 12 noon, Monday through Thursday.

Feed the Hungry

• We pick up leftover bread from Panera Bread in Winnetka every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and bag it up for our clients. You can help with the driving and the bagging. This is an early morning job that needs to be done by 9:00 a.m.

Provide Staff Support

• Help with ad hoc clerical or maintenance jobs—photocopying, filing, cleaning, gardening, etc.