Stay Connected

Volunteer Evanston is revamping its Twitter, Facebook, and website so that it is easier to find volunteer opportunities regardless of how you choose to stay connected.

Volunteer opportunities will be posted on these sites as well as reminders about events and logging your hours, community volunteer news updates, and other information about reaching 150,000 hours this year.

 @BeTheChangeEV

facebook.com/volunteerevanston

volunteerevanston.org

Evanston School Children's Clothing Association

For almost 80 years, The Evanston School Children's Clothing Association has served our community with the motto: "No Evanston child should miss a single day of school for need of warm, sturdy clothing." 

Evanston School Children's Clothing Association (ESCCA) provides school clothing for all Evanston/Skokie District 65 K-8th grade school children in need. Each year we provide a full wardrobe of clothing and shoes to 600+ children. Our clothing assistance services are performed efficiently and discreetly and always keep the dignity of the families in mind. 

ESCCA is an all-volunteer organization. We rely on many District 65 parents and other volunteers who donate their time to ESCCA. We also depend on our community for financial support, and receive monetary donations from District 65 PTAs and parents, community members, foundations and other organizations. District 65 also generously provides us with support in the form of in-kind donations of space and services. 

Over the years we have had our headquarters for sorting and distributing clothing at various Evanston elementary schools, as well as in the coach house of the old District 65 property on Asbury. Since 2002, we are thrilled to operate our beautiful clothing center from the new District headquarters at 1500 McDaniel in Evanston. 

To date, we have clothed over 50,000 children with the help of countless volunteers and contributors. Through the generations ESCCA has evolved, while our mission and support has remained steadfast. We invite and encourage you to help us in any way you can. If you have would like to help this organizations please contact us at 847-859-8018 or info@escca.org. 

On Our Way to 150,000 Hours

As the leaves begin to change, the volunteering keeps going!  Our community members have logged more than 112,000 hours, but we still need your help to reach our goal of 150,000 hours!  Check out our webpage to pick the opportunity and organization that is right for you.

Let’s take a look at some of the notable volunteering that has recently occurred in the community.

C.A.R.E Evanston: Since January, volunteers have logged 7,750 hours. C.A.R.E Evanston is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization serving Evanston and the surrounding communities by fostering healthy, positive relationships between people and companion animals. C.A.R.E Evanston pursues its mission by; providing for shelter animals’ needs, placing animals in safe, healthy environments, promoting the humane treatment of animals through community education, and controlling pet overpopulation through spay/neuter and feral cat management programs. 

The Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana: Since January, volunteers have logged 4,748 hours. The Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana believes that one girl can make a difference, and that girls together can change the world. The council launched July 1, 2008, following the merger of seven legacy councils and is now the largest council in the country. It exists to help every girl discover who she can be and what she can do, wherever she chooses to put her energies. 

Curt’s Café: Since January, volunteers have logged 1,802 hours. Curt's Cafe is designed to look and feel like a cafe/coffee shop. Curt’s Café works with ex-offenders and at risk youth (ages 16 – 24) by providing them job and life skills training, career coaching and job placement.  Youth are trained in 4 disciplines: (L) Life skills like opening a bank account and anger management, (I) Intellectual skills like computer work and basic math and English, (F) Entry level food service skills and Barista skills, and (E) Experiential skills such as going to a museum or a play. 

On August 25, 2013, City of Evanston volunteers logged 350 hours at the annual CommUNITY Picnic. The CommUNITY Picnic is an opportunity for Evanston Residents to gather together to enjoy an afternoon in the park with free food, games, activities and entertainment. More importantly, it is an opportunity for Evanston to celebrate the community’s diversity and going back to school! A total of 65 residents volunteered their time and energy in an effort to celebrate the diversity of the Evanston Community. 

Thank you to all the volunteers for their efforts!

New Volunteer Opportunities

2013 City of Evanston Bike Counts. The City of Evanston is seeking volunteers to help conduct bicycle counts as part of an update to the City’s Bike Plan. Volunteers are needed during one or more of the following times: Monday, October 7th and Thursday, October 10th between 7-9 am and 3-5 pm; and October 12th,between 10am – Noon. Volunteers will help track ridership levels, collect demographic data and document the demand for bike facilities at 20 different locations throughout the City. To volunteer, please contact Dave Smith, bikeways planner, at david.smith@tylin.com or 847-899-1556.

District 65 Everybody Reads Fluency Tutor. School is back in session. Learning is in the air and teachers are working on student assessments.  This school year, consider becoming a District 65 Everybody Reads Fluency Tutor. Trained volunteer tutors are matched with 2nd-5th grade classrooms in one of Evanston's 12 elementary schools.  You support the same classroom and students for the entire school year from October through May. Each tutoring session lasts about an hour. Ideally you will be available twice a week although some volunteer are only available once a week. Time of day to be determined based on tutors' and teachers' schedules.  Habla Espanol? We need Spanish Fluency Tutors also! Native Spanish speakers welcome.  Last year's volunteers said things like, "This is the most satisfying volunteer experience I have ever had!" and "Progress is clear to the teacher, tutor and student." In fact, 80% of last year's volunteers are hoping to tutor again this year. However, the program is growing and more tutors are needed.  Make a difference. Become a fluency tutor this year.  Requirements: Please attend a training session on either:  Thursday October 3rd, 2013 from 12:45-2:45 PM Thursday October 3rd, 2013 from 7:00-9:00 PM  You only need to attend ONE session. Training sessions are held at the JEH Administration Building at 1500 McDaniel Street Evanston - Boardroom B.  RSVP to fluencytutors@district65.net