Volunteer Opportunities in Chicago
Volunteer At Off The Street Club
Just like friends, we can never have enough volunteers. From chaperoning a trip to dropping in for a night of fun and play, there are many ways to get involved with Off The Street Club.
See what makes Off The Street Club so great (2:49)
Off The Street Club Is A Safe Place For The Kids of West Garfield Park
Where over 3,000 kids come to play, game, make friends, and set aside their worries.
Help Us Change Lives
We never stop showing up for these kids, and we could use your help supporting our programs and spreading the word about the Club.
Volunteers wear many hats at Off The Street Club. We have business and marketing professionals who donate their time and expertise to better the Club, adult chaperones who accompany us on offsite trips, and volunteers who drop in to read, play, and laugh with the kids.
Whether you can only spare a few hours a month, or you’d like to sign up for a recurring volunteer opportunity, there are many ways to get involved.
Third Thursdays
These Thursday nights are a great way to be introduced to the Club and the kids, who make it incredibly easy to keep showing up. Volunteers are encouraged to play games and sports, help with arts and crafts, and bask in the joy. Third Thursday occurs every month from October to May. Contact us to reserve your spot on the bus, which leaves from 401 N. Michigan Avenue at 5:45 p.m. (plan to eat dinner with us) and returns at about 10 p.m.
New Horizons
We are always looking for new ways to expand our kids’ horizons. This means exploring Chicago area museums, theaters, and baseball games, and taking the kids apple picking, skating, and more. We are always looking for adult chaperones to tag along for a day of firsts. We hope you’ll join our next trip.
Tutoring and Mentoring
Learning shouldn’t stop when a child leaves the classroom. Young people deserve to have peers and adults to look up to, who highlight their potential and encourage them to continue learning and growing. Off The Street Club’s Time to Excel program encourages volunteers to read, learn, and bond with the kids in a safe space. Time to Excel occurs Wednesdays at 5 p.m. at the Edelman offices on the 66th floor of the Aon Building.
Camp Mathieu
Off The Street Club’s very own youth summer camp, Camp Mathieu, is located in Wheaton, IL, just 30 miles from the Chicago area. Camp Mathieu takes our kids out of the city and into nature with classic summertime activities like swimming, camping, nature study, and more.
Let’s Be Friends
Join The Club
We are always looking for volunteers at the Club. Come meet our fantastic kids and experience the joy.
Off The Street Club is one of the most meaningful aspects of my life in Chicago!
I started out as a tutor/mentor via the Time to Excel (TTE) tutoring program, a deeply rewarding experience in which I built a strong relationship with my student each week. It has been inspiring to watch her grow over the years while providing support academically, socially, and emotionally. Off The Street Club is dedicated to providing a safe space where ‘Hope has a Home,’ and I am grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of these deserving children.”
Mary Spahr
Volunteer and Auxillary Board member
You will always find happiness volunteering with OTSC
Volunteering with OTSC has been a cornerstone of my time in Chicago. These kids show up every day with so much joy and eagerness to learn about the world and that has, in turn, seeped into my own life, encouraging me to find casual joy in the everyday. Whether it be the mentorship role I play at weekly tutoring or the spontaneous fun at Third Thursdays, you will always find happiness volunteering with OTSC.
Jordan Lee
Volunteer and Auxillary Board member
Community Engagement
Who Can Volunteer?
We welcome everyone to volunteer at Off The Street Club. There are countless opportunities to support our programs and create positive change in our kids’ lives.
To continue growing the Club, we are always looking for volunteers who can share their talents. Have experience in web development, social media, content creation, graphic design, event planning, or another field? We’d love to hear from you!